Just a little heads up… I'm currently in the process of writing Chapter 24 and unless I have to split it into two chapters it is the final chapter of this story… so let me know if starting next week, you want an extra update on Fridays or if you want to continue with one chapter each week so the story will last longer…
Oh and I have also started to write another story and I'm going to post it once this story and Seduction, which I am going to re-read and bring to an end soon, are finished…
Christian
I nod at Taylor so he knows to show the Detective in once he arrives at the penthouse and look at Ana. Shit, she looks tense, she needs to relax, but with the fucking photographer turning into a lunatic she has no chance to do so. Damn it, just a second ago I wanted to do a victory dance, because Ana agreed to be a stay at home mom, now I want to rip someone's head off thinking about what the Detective might has found that he needs to show Ana.
I have talked to my Dad and he told me that Jose had his hearing this afternoon, but the bail is so high that he won't be able to pay it and get out. In addition, the judge ordered to have his mental health evaluated, because he acted like a freaking psychopath in court. I would prefer to have him locked away in a jail cell, but if they lock him a padded cell, it will be fine with me too. As long as the fucker is as far away from Ana as it gets, I'm fine with it.
In addition to the fucker, my mind has also been occupied with the business trip to Detroit I might have to make soon. I don't fucking want to go back… ever. This city holds nothing but bad memories for me, so going back there is not high on the list of things I want to do. Ros is trying to work things out, but deep down I know I need to go, but I just don't want to leave Ana alone, not until I know for sure that the fucker won't be an issue anymore.
"Sir, Detective Rollins and your father are here." Taylor announces and we all sit down at the dining table, while Gail serves a glass of apple juice for Ana, wine for me and my Dad and a water for Rollins.
"So, Miss Steele, are you comfortable with me sharing what we have found in front of Mr. Grey and his father."
"Yes, of course, that is why I asked you to stop by at this hour."
"Good, so, as I have already told you, we have searched Mr. Rodriguez' apartment. While doing so we discovered this amongst other things."
He places pictures in front of Ana and she gasps before handing them to me. Fucking hell! The bastard is god damn obsessed with my woman! The picture shows a bedroom and all the walls are full of pictures of Ana. I can't make out all of them, but I would bet my ass that most of them have been taken without Ana's knowledge.
"We have also searched Mr. Rodriguez' laptop and we have found many video files on it. I have copies here." Rollins says and places a laptop on the table. He starts it up and turns it so Ana and I can watch.
"Oh my God, Christian that is my old apartment in Vancouver." Ana gasps clearly horrified as she watches herself getting changed, brushing her hair, getting ready for bed… Jesus the sick bastard must have had cameras everywhere in her old apartment.
"Miss Steele, have you been aware that you were filmed?"
"What? No! Oh my God, I can't believe this… this has to be illegal, right? Isn't that invasion of my privacy or something like that?" Ana asks and my father nods at her.
"There have been hundreds of files like this one, some date back as far as three years ago, do you have any idea how Mr. Rodriguez managed to get into your apartment to set up all the cameras without your knowledge?"
I watch Ana intently and suddenly she looks sick. "He… he had a key. My roommate and I both had lost our keys several times, so we left a spare set at his place, because he lived nearby." She murmurs.
"Miss Steele, you have mentioned a roommate, would that be her?" Rollins asks and starts a different video.
Fuck me, it's Kate and Elliot having sex.
"I… I need to call Kate; she needs to know about this. Do you have a little more time, Detective Rollins?" Ana asks and he tells her that he will wait until Kate is here, because clearly, she needs to press charges against the little fucker as well.
Ana gets up makes the phone call and fifteen minutes later Elliot and Kate arrive.
"Ana, what is wrong?" Kate asks immediately when she pulls her into a hug.
"Jose broke into my apartment last night. He is under arrest, the police searched his place and Detective Rollins came here to show me what they have found. Kate… I… he had our place in Vancouver bugged with hidden cameras… most of the videos he kept have been of me… but umm… here." She says and leads Kate to the dining table where she starts the video again.
"Oh my god…I … where is that fucking pig? How dare he! Please switch it off." Kate murmurs and she is really fucking pale.
"Dad, can I sue that fucking asshole? Damn it, Kate don't cry." Elliot says and pulls her into his arms.
"I feel freaking violated; I mean who does that, stuff the apartment of someone else with hidden cameras to film them? That's disgusting!" Kate hisses and I couldn't agree with her more.
"Detective Rollins, what are you doing to keep Rodriguez locked away?"
"Mr. Grey, as of now, I have to admit, that while he will be put through a trial, we don't have enough to get him locked away for long. Breaking and entering, as well as stalking will put him away for five years maximum… however, he seems to be mentally unstable, if it's enough to consider him a permanent danger to Miss Steele and the society in general or himself then it is very well possible that he is going to be admitted to a psychiatric facility for much longer. We have to go through all the evidence to present a strong case to the DA, but I am sure with your father as the representative of Miss Steele and possibly Miss Kavanagh the judge will make the right decision." He says and after talking to Kate and Elliot for a few more minutes he leaves.
"Dad, you better make sure the fucker gets locked away, because if not, I will knock his fucking lights out."
"Elliot, please, just let me do my job." My Dad sighs, he hates it when one of us says something like that, but I get where my brother is coming from.
"Dad, I'm with Elliot on this. The guy is a freaking pervert who turned Ana's and Kate's apartment into his personal peep show. He needs to be locked away!"
"And I will make sure that is what is going to happen, but you two hot heads will have to let me do my job. I do understand that both of you are angry about this, quite frankly, his behavior has been disgusting, but threatening to bring harm to him or actually doing it will only get you in trouble and make him look like the victim. Now, I will have to make some phone calls, I will be back tomorrow." My Dad says and leaves after saying his goodbyes.
"Well, that was one way to ruin my night." Elliot mutters and gets himself a beer from the fridge. "Want one too, Katie?"
"No… oh my god, do you think he posted the video online? What if he did? What if my Dad sees it, he doesn't know that I already had sex… oh and my grandparents… they'll think I'm a slut and …" Ana stops Kate's rambling by grabbing her by the shoulders and looking straight at her.
"Stop, I know this is messed up, but I don't think he posted anything online, he couldn't, because had he done so and the video would have surfaced somehow, we would have found the cameras." She says to her and Kate nods.
"You are right, but still, I just don't want my parents to know that I… you know… I mean have you told your parents that you had sex?" She asks and Elliot and I both exchange a look as if to say 'what the hell?' but Ana keeps a totally straight face and replies.
"No, and once my little Jesus is born, I'm going to legally change my name to Mary." She says deadpan and I have to laugh.
"OMG, right, I totally forgot. Wow, that's kind of embarrassing, I mean I don't want my parents to know that I'm doing it like ever." She says and now even Elliot is laughing.
"Babe, I don't want to burst your bubble, but I'm pretty sure they know. Especially after we went to Barbados with them and you've been all over my junk while they've been sleeping in the room next door. Anyway, we were about to go to the movies, we can still make it, want to join us?" He asks Ana and I. I look at Ana, really I would much rather stay home, but if she wants to go to the movies I'll tag along.
"Actually, I was looking forward to a quiet night in, but if you want to join them we can go."
"No, let's stay, after all we have something important to do." I reply and retrieve my list with names from my jeans pocket.
"Well then, let's go Katie. See you guys at the house tomorrow." He says and so they leave and Ana deflates into her chair.
"I don't know about you, but I would kill for a beer right now." She says.
"How about a hot chocolate instead?" I ask knowing that she loves hot chocolate.
"Can we mix white and milk chocolate?" She asks and I nod. I make my way into the kitchen and grab the box with the hot chocolate pops I asked Gail to buy, while Ana puts two cups with milk in the microwave.
"Are you okay, Ana?" I ask, because while her initial reaction to what that fucker has done was completely normal, she now seems as though nothing happened.
"Yes, why?"
"Well, after what that sick bastard did…" I start but she holds both hands up to stop me.
"Christian please, I just want to forget it ever happened. I had enough stress for a lifetime in the last couple of months, all I want is some peace and quiet. All the stress is not good for our son, so for now, I will just tuck it away, otherwise I will be fuming all night and most likely lay in bed all night thinking about it… so can we just have a quiet evening?" She asks and I nod.
"Sure, so do you want to mix later or just put half of two into your cup?" I ask and open the box so Ana can choose her chocolate pops.
A little later we settle down on the sofa and we exchange our list. I look at the names and find that we have both selected the names Liam, Mason and Derek.
"So, I guess that boils it down to three names." I say and Ana nods.
"Is one of them your favorite?" She asks and I know that hers is one of them.
"Which one is yours?"
"I really like Liam. It's short, easy to pronounce and goes well with your name, which one is your favorite?"
"Mason and Liam… so how about our first son is going to be called Liam Raymond Grey and our second son will be named Mason?"
"What if our second child is going to be a girl?" She asks with a smirk and try not to let her see that the thought of having a daughter is freaking me out.
"Well, if we have a girl her middle name will be Grace and the color of my hair will match my last name in no time." I joke and Ana laughs.
"I happen to think that men with gray hair are sexy, so we need to have at least one girl and she will not just have a great father to keep her safe, but also a big brother who I am sure will be just as protective over her… Liam Grey." Ana says with a huge smile and rests her hands on her belly.
I just look at her, amazed at how much my life has changed since I have met her. Before we met, I would have never thought that one day I would sit in my living room discussing baby names or that I would be as happy as I am knowing that only in a few months, I am going to be father… but I am, I can't wait for my son to be born, to hold him, watch him grow up, play ball games with him… take him fishing… teach him how to ride a bike or just to read him a bedtime story. All the things my Dad has done with me when I was a kid and that I almost forgot about, now those memories are all back and I hope I can be as good of a father as my Dad has always been to my siblings and me.
The next day my Dad informs me that Rodriguez has been sent to a mental facility, because the doctor who evaluated him is convinced, that he is in need of intense therapy. My Dad wouldn't go into any details, but the guy must be completely delusional and as long as he is locked away and off the streets I'm fine with it.
Around noon I ask Andrea to order lunch when she announces that Taylor and Andrew Huntington, head of my legal team, are here to see me. Once they are inside I can tell that Taylor is really pissed.
"What is wrong, Taylor?"
"This letter arrived for you today, Sir." He says and hands me an envelope, I take it and start to read the letter.
Dear Christian,
I hope this letter finds you well. Since I have had a lot of time on my hands in the last few months, I have done a lot of thinking. You may not want to believe me, but I need to let you know, that everything I did, I did with your best interest at heart. I do understand that I deserve to be punished, but not like this. Darling, I'm not made for life in jail and I do believe that we can come to an agreement that would benefit both of us. I will gladly take any and all punishments you see fit, but darling you have to help me. By now you must know that I have been right. Anastasia is nothing but a gold digger who got pregnant on purpose to trap you. Next, she will demand for you to marry her and once she gets bored she will take you to the cleaners. She is manipulating you, trying to turn you into someone you are not. Deep down you know that you will never be a family man. You are a Dominant, Christian, your only need is control and she will take that away from you. Are you even sure that the child she is carrying is yours? Please be careful, darling. Do the right thing and get rid of her and the child before they ruin everything you have worked for so hard. I have talked to my lawyer and he told me that things are not looking good for me, so I'm begging you to help me, just like I have helped you ever since you've been fifteen years old. Deep down you know that she is not what you need, but I can satisfy all of your needs and will do so gladly if given the chance. That is why I am asking you to help me, if I had a better lawyer and you would come forward in my defense, I know I can leave prison in no time. Just think about it, you and me, we could be together again, like old times. Don't allow her to ruin what we had and still have.
Sincerely yours,
Elena
Fucking hell! I get up and start to pace. Shit, I need to get out of here! Grabbing my suit jacket, I leave my office.
"Andrea, cancel my lunch order, I'm heading out for lunch, cancel the rest of my appointments as well, I won't be back today." I snap and get into the elevator with Taylor right behind me.
"Sir, do you want us to take actions, so Mrs. Lincoln won't be allowed to send any more letters to you?" Taylor asks and I nod. Fuck, I feel like I am about to lose it any second, how fucking dare she saying that Ana isn't right for me… that Liam is not my son…
"Yes, shut that bitch down!" I snap and once we are in the car I rub both hands through my hair.
"Where to, Sir?" Taylor asks and there is only one thing that I need right now.
"SIP." I mutter and ten minutes later he pulls up outside SIP, just when Ana steps outside. I get out of the car, walk straight up to her and lift her up in my arms, holding her close and breathe in her unique scent, which instantly calms me down.
"Christian what is wrong?" She asks worry evident in her voice.
"I'll tell you later, can we have lunch at Escala, I can't be in public right now."
"Sure, let's go." She says and we both get into the car, where I pull her in my lap and hold her close while both my hands rest on her belly where my son is growing.
At Escala I take quick shower and change, because frankly just knowing that I have touched something Elena has touched makes me feel dirty. When I return Ana is putting two plates with mac and cheese on the breakfast bar.
"Comfort food?" I ask smiling.
"Well, you seem upset and I know mac and cheese is one of your favorites." She says and I grab my jacket and hand it to her.
"There is a letter in the inside pocket." I murmur and sit down, watching as she reads it and her face turns from relaxed yet worried to fury.
"How is this bitch even allowed to sent you a letter? Oh my god, this is unreal… Christian you know that what she wrote is nothing but bullshit, right?"
"I know that you are nothing like she wrote and that Liam is our son… but what if she is right, what if I am not a family guy…"
"No! Now you will listen to me, Christian. Your reaction is exactly what she wants. She wants you to doubt yourself and believe that she is the only one you deserve. Elena Lincoln is a master manipulator… by doubting yourself you are giving her power over you. She is wrong Christian, you are a family guy, look at how carefree and happy you are around your family, you love our son so much already and he isn't even born yet. If there is anyone who will make a great father, then it's you. Don't doubt that because this miserable old bitch is trying to get into your head out of fear that she will never get out of prison ever again. Come, let's have lunch, then you will call Autumn and talk to her, I understand that this letter has upset you, but you can't allow her to doubt yourself any longer." Ana says and I get up to hold her in my arms once more.
"Thank you… when I read that letter, I got so mad and upset, I wanted to hurt someone… Elena … for a second I feared I would fall back into old patterns, but just seeing you… you pulled me right back out of my darkness."
"And I will always do just that, because you deserve to be in the light… to be happy." She says and in this moment I can't help myself I lean down and kiss her. Fuck, it's been so long, I've almost forgot how soft her lips are and how sweet she tastes. Deepening the kiss, I pull her closer careful not to squeeze her belly too much and enjoy the feel of her fingers gliding into my hair. When she tugs the feeling goes straight to my dick and he stands to attention. I don't want to stop kissing her, but I know I have to, so I pull back.
"Sorry, I just… "
"Don't apologize, it felt right, so… I might let you do that again." She says with a smile and sits down to eat, while I stare at the tent in my pants and smile like an idiot. It might have been just a kiss, but I'm sure if we continue on the path we have started, there will be a lot more than just kissing in our near future…