Elena's POV
I took a small sip of one of my favorite wines, Clos des Papes 2010 as the man in front of me slurped almost half of it down in a second. No appreciation for good wine.

"After our plan is complete, we'll have what we both want. Christian and Ana broken up, I'll get Ana and you'll have Christian. We just have to make sure he doesn't do anything stupid and that is your part. Don't fuck it up Elena."

I rase an eye at him. "Mr. Hyde, I don't think you understand. I don't need you. I can do this without you and I am doing all the hard work. You keep your tone in check or I'll put you back in jail myself."

Truth is, I really don't need him. I could get another pasty for this. He is too involved in this as it is but if anything messes up, I'll blame it all on him and he'll be back in jail while I'll be relaxing on a island with a martini. I watched him swallow the last of his wine and storm out. Last time I give him such a good wine.

I stood up and straightened my dress and walked up the stairs, down the hallway into my little sex room. Opening the door, he was already kneeling by the bed. I had this one for the last 4 years and he is good, just not as good as Christian. I walk over to him and pull his hair, hard. He looks pleased to see me with his 7 inch erection. Still no match to Christian.

"Boy, stand up and assume the position on the bed."

He's no Christian but I might as well have some fun until I get my Pet back.

-
Christian's POV
Thursday morning. Tonight is the fundraiser and right now, I'm sitting in my fathers study, feeling like a naughty school boy all because of Elena fucking Lincoln. I am still waiting to find out where Jack Hyde is and who leaked the BS to the media. Ana has been a mess since yesterday and the kids school is mobbed with paps so they are all at home today. I hate leaving them but things need to be done.

"Christian, what is so urgent?" My mom sounds worried but I can't even look her in the eye right now. "Are Ana and the children okay?" She asks again after a long moment.

"They are fine mother. I just need to ask you for a favor..." My voice is low, nervous. If anyone from work heard me right now, they would never respect me again. "I need two extra tickets for the ball tonight."

I heard my mom sigh slightly. "Oh Christian. Is that all? Of course you can have them. All I need are their names."

I swallowed hard. Even being in this room makes me nervous. "Elena Lincoln, plus one." I looked up. Both of them looked at me like I just asked them to buy me every star in the sky.

"Christian are you feeling okay?"

I look at my mom, her face unreadable. "I'm okay mother."

"Then what the hell are you thinking!" She snaps at me. "What makes you think for a second that I'm going to let that woman back in my family's life!"

I can't answer her because she's right and she's angry for all the right reasons.

"Christian is she blackmailing you?" My father asks calmly however his eyes are enraged.

"No. I just feel sorry for her. She has no one." I lie. I can't involve my parents; I'll deal with Elena myself.

"Christian, I know you are an adult but I do not want you speaking to that woman ever again and you do not need to feel sorry for her. She is a..." She pauses, not wanting to swear. "A despicable woman. She sexua-"

"Okay forget it." I can't hear this. Although now I look back and I know what she did I was wrong, I still can't accept anyone calling her a pedophile or predator. Just as I stand up my father puts his hand on my shoulder. I freeze, not even able to shrug him off.

"Carrick." My father has always tried to treat me like Elliot but I couldn't stand to be touched so any time he did touch me in my mom's presence, all she'd have to say is his name and he'd automatically stop and to this day, it still worked.

"Christian, whatever she has on you, it won't matter to us. We will love you no matter what." My dad always makes me feel guilty with his words whereas with my mother, it's her actions. "I know she's blackmailing you Christian. Let us help you."

"She has nothing on me. I'm sorry I came." I turn to walk out but my mother grabs my hand. What is with all this touching today.

"Honey, you'll always be my sweet boy. I know you have secrets but we are here for you, Ana and the children."

"I love you both. I wouldn't have asked if it wasn't important."

They both look at each other. They are having one of those 'eye conversations' that they use to have around us when they wanted to talk about something they couldn't around us, but I thought they had stopped when Mia turned 15. I know they don't want to do this and I can't blame them whatsoever. I briefly wonder what they'd do if they found out the type of sexual relationship Elena and I had.

"Who is her plus one?" My father finally spoke, breaking the tension in the air.

I shrugged, honestly not knowing. "I have been trying to find out."

"Christian, assuming your mother and I let her though the door, we cannot allow her to come here with someone underage." I nod, hoping Elena isn't that stupid. "Grace, can I speak to Christian alone please." This isn't a request. My mother turns to my father and then looks at me, both look like warning looks; warning dad not to touch me and warning me to not lose my temper. She walks out, closing the door. My father waits for her to walk away from the door.

"Drink?" He asks walking over to the wine cabinet. I don't reply but he still pours out two glasses of brandy and holds one out for me, but I hesitate to take it. "Just twenty years ago, you were sneaking in here stealing it, might as well have it now." I smirk, thinking back to how I thought they never knew taking the glass.

"You knew?" I say taking a sip.

He nods. "At first, I knew when a new bottle was open and you didn't come out your room. I didn't want to worry your mother but then, it was whole bottles missing daily. Why did you stop?" I look down into my glass, not wanting to tell him the reason. "Something to do with Elena isn't it?" I still don't respond. "Christian, tell me. I will not tell your mother. I just want to know a few things about your childhood that only you can explain."

I sigh, again feeling bad. "Elena taught me how to appreciate good wines and champagnes. She encouraged me to do better in school and push for my greatest."

"So this happened when you were just under 16 right? I remember you went from D's and C's to straight A's in all classes. When we got you tutors, you would be passing tests with A's then school tests, D's. Your teachers thought you were just being lazy. If you told us Christian… We wouldn't have allowed her to hurt you anymore."

"Dad, she didn't hurt me. If I was any other child, I would agree with you but I needed direction in my life and she gave that to me. Without her… I honestly don't know where I would've been."

My dad sighs, leaning back in his chair. "Christian, she is an abuser. No matter what type of child you were. Your mother and I always had hope for you and you didn't need her to get where you are today."

"Dad-"

"No, let me finish. Therapists thought you would never speak, never be able to go to school or to love. With love and patience, you spoke, you went to school and you married an incredible woman and have two wonderful children. We will never know how Elena's presence affected you but we promised to protect you and we failed. I want to apologize to you. I am sorry I allowed that to happen to you. I'm sorry we allowed her in your life."

There's another long pause. I can't believe he's said all that. I finish my drink; I need some more courage right now. "Dad… I had other..." I pause looking for the right word. "girlfriends before Ana. One of them was Elena's niece but I didn't know. Elena is holding on to certain… compromising pictures of her niece and I."

I wish I hadn't finished my drink so quickly because I need more just for some courage. I figured I would be fine as long as my parents never saw those pictures but I need my father to help me.

"Christian, how bad are these pictures?"

"Nothing too bad." I lie. "I just don't want them out. They would upset Ana and I do not need my children hearing about this from other children whose parents have too much time on their hands."

He nods. "Okay, well I suggest we go and visit her."

"No!" I say a little too loud and a little too quickly. "I just want to deal with this myself. All I need is those seats for tonight."

He sighs heavily. "Two seats. If he is underage, she will go to jail. I'll clear it with your mother but tell her to keep her distance."

I stand up. "Thank you." I extend my hand and he shakes it.

"You've turned into a wonderful man Christian and I am very proud of you. Please don't turn back into that little boy who doesn't even tell us he is hungry because he is scared. There is nothing in the world that will make us stop loving you."

Except this – Tell him, I dare you! My subconscious is back and he's right. I could never tell my family this. "Thank you father."

–

Ana's POV

I look at myself in the mirror. My soft silk robe hugs me as I try and decide what to wear and how to do my makeup to look at least half decent for Christian. Opening the closet door, I see that Christian has already picked out two dresses. The first is a backless halterneck cobalt and the other is a strapless charcoal both Ralph Lauren. I decided on the backless halterneck as Christian loves me in blue and it will shape around me better.

Starring in the mirror, my subconscious awakens making snide comments. You realize that Christian can still get better than you right? He loves you and the kids but he'd love a real submissive more. I push her aside. Christian is with me because he loves me. I breath out.

"What's wrong?" In the corner of the mirror, I see Christian. He only has a towel around his waist and his hair is still damp from the shower. Both our eyes fixed in the mirror. Most women say after 5 years of marriage, their sex life is obsolete. This man, my man, can made me pant by just stepping out of the shower.

I rip my eyes from his and look at myself again. Bags under my eyes from crying and lack of sleep, my skin ashen. My eyes turn back to him, a sex god.

"Anastasia, I am not a patient man nor do I like repeating myself. You like to test my patience and make me repeat myself so maybe I should put you over my knee." He's irritated but my stomach clenches. How can he make me feel like a horny school girl.

"I-I'm not sure if this is a good idea, me going..."

He sighs. "Ana we have to go." He sighs and walks over to me. "Elena is going to be there and I need to be. I have to put an end to this."

"What?!" I snap. "Why the hell is that troll bitch going to be there? I don't want to be in the same fucking state as her let alone be in the same room!"

His eyes darken. "You are lucky we don't have much time to get ready and get the children ready Anastasia." He threatens though gritted teeth. "I need to sort this. I know what I am doing. Now get ready."

Bossy as ever. No, I'm not taking this lying down. "I'm not going Christian and the kids aren't either."

His eyes burn into mine. I feel like he is holding me down but he isn't even touching me. I look down. I feel so intimidated, so small. He takes ten deep breaths before speaking. "I need my family there Ana. If she speaks to you or the children, she will be thrown out. Please." He waits for my answer but I don't respond. "You and the children are the only people I say please to."

I sigh. "Fine." I cave. "I'll go but I'm staying with the children at all times."

He smiles slightly. "I will dress you and I will explain how we will get out of the car as paparazzi will be there." He puts on his boxers first then takes the dress and puts it on me, making sure he teases my breasts. "When we get there, I will get out of the car first holding Phoebe. Taylor will open your side and Teddy will be your little escort. We will allow pictures for 30 seconds and Taylor will signal me when the time is up. During the 30 seconds, we will walk towards the doors, stopping 5 times stopping for six seconds each time."

Gosh, he makes it sound like a photoshoot or something. He continues and I zone out. By the time he is done, I have started putting on minimal makeup, just lip gloss and light mascara. I turn back to Christian and he is wearing a black tux and looks so damn fine. My innergoddess is panting and holding out her wrists, ready to be tied up.

"I'll get Fee ready, you get Teddy?"

"Deal." He smiles. "Ana, thank you."

Sorry I've been MIA for so long, exams and coursework have been taking over my life recently.