Chapter Ten

Sawyer is standing next to the SAAB, as soon as he spots me he jumps into action holding the passenger door open for me. I quickly walk across and just as I'm about to get in, Christian storms out of the diner with Elena hot on his heels.

"What the fuck was that, Anastasia?" Christian sneers

I ignore them and get into the car casting a side-long glance at Sawyer who looks to be on edge already. He's watching Christian and Elena, while attempting to get me into the vehicle safely and out of harms way. Sawyer shuts my door and positions himself near the handle. I have to lean forward to see what's going on outside as part of his body is blocking my view.

Christian takes a couple of rather angry strides in my direction with Elena still shadowing his every move. She looks like she wants to whip me, or watch Christian do it. The excitement dancing in her eyes is very disturbing. She is definitely one really sick and twisted puppy.

Sawyers' hand flashes fleetingly to his waist where I know he keeps his side-arm and he watches the gruesome twosome as they move towards the SAAB. Christian catches the movement and hesitates, his eyes widening at the clear message from Sawyer.

I too am in shock, he'd really shoot his boss to protect me? Well, I guess Sawyer is employed to protect me after-all! Seeing as Sawyer is standing in front of my door preventing me from getting out, I roll the window down instead so that I can intervene should it become necessary.

Taylor appears out of no-where – as is his usual style and positions himself between Sawyer and Christian, with Elena standing behind Christian and peering over his shoulder. No more excitement radiating from her, she actually looks a little fearful. About fucking time too!

Taylor casts a harsh look at Sawyer, I imagine it's to do with Sawyers'– come near Ana and I'll shoot you – stance he displayed when Christian was charging toward me.

"Mr Grey, perhaps we should relocate to a more suitable venue?" Taylor suggests

Christian looks between Sawyer and me then reluctantly walks towards the Audi SUV – I didn't even know was there - parked behind us. Taylor opens the rear door and Christian gets in. Once the door is firmly closed and Taylor has taken his place behind the wheel. Elena is left standing on the side walk as the Audi pulls away. Only then does Sawyer move away from my door and walk around to get in behind the wheel of the SAAB.

The silence is almost uncomfortable as Sawyer practically squeezes the life out of the steering wheel. I should say something, but I am at a loss. Then it hits me like a freight train. He's probably worried about Christian's reaction.

"Thank you, Luke" I murmur without taking my eyes off of the road.

"Just doing my job ma'am" he responds softly

"Don't worry about Christian, I won't allow him to take his frustrations out on you" I know Christian will want to fire Sawyer for almost pulling a gun incident, but I will do my damnest to ensure he doesn't succeed. After-all he was only trying to protect me as per Christians' orders.

Silence once again descends as we park at Escala. The SUV is parked in its usual spot, and as we park next to it, Taylor disembarks and opens the back door. An irate Christian storms out and comes barreling towards Sawyer. I scramble to get out of the car and practically run around to the other side and jump in-front of the Sawyer just as Christian reaches the SAAB. For a moment he's stunned, then an annoyed look takes over his face.

"Anastasia, what are you doing?"

"What are you doing, Christian?" I ask instead of answering him

"I'd like to have a word with Sawyer, go wait for me upstairs. Taylor?" he demands

Taylor comes into view and I shake my head at him. I am not leaving Sawyer out here with Christian.

"Fuck that, you are not going to fire him for doing his job" I snap at Christian who looks rather sulky at this moment. Honestly!

I can imagine him trying to find a way around this, so that he can get what he wants. This could go either way though, but I am determined to not let him throw a tantrum just because he couldn't get his way.

"Doing his Job? Doing his job? Sawyer is employed to protect you from any harm that might befall you; he is not employed to protect you against me. Your husband!" Christian bellows. See, now that's the real problem. One of his employees didn't behave in a manner that was pleasing to him and now he wants to toss the poor man out on his ass.

So not happening!

"See this right here?" I ask, waving my hand up and down at his form, motioning towards his insolent attitude. "This is fifty shades of fucked up right here. You're mad because you couldn't get your way and now you want to throw your toys out of your cot because you still can't get your way. Well grow the fuck up Christian. Oh, one more thing, if Sawyer is gone, then so am I" I look him dead in the eyes so that he knows that I am one hundred percent serious.

Christian deflates before my eyes. I can still see the anger simmering behind his cool façade. He looks at me for a moment longer, and then heaves a heavy sigh. "Fine Ana, good point well made as ever Mrs Grey" He directs his attention behind me, and like a petulant toddler that was scolded by his mother for misbehaving, he utters an apology. "Sawyer, please accept my apology" Sawyer nods and Christian moves towards me and places his hand on the small of my back, ushering me towards the elevators.

"We need to talk. Come"

Well that's the understatement of the century!

My apologies for the delay... Computer issues Grrrrr!

The next chapter will be up tomorrow

Till then