"Sir Miss Steele's report raises no personal red flags. She comes across as a little unconventional, yet sound. I surmise that from 2005 to 2007 she had quite the upheaval in relations to her personal life. Gathering from her grandparents death so close to her birthday I suspect they were en-route to meet her. Crater Lake seems a middle-meeting ground when driving from Seattle or San Francisco.

Then the divorce and her moving to Los Angeles."

absentmindedly nodding "Yes, I gathered that too. It's best that it wasn't mentioned." What a fucked-up way to die. It seemed so random.

"Anything else Taylor?"

clearing his throat "Sir, the report seems to state she lived in Venice with her mother and new husband yet she was a student in SAAS around that time or near that time. She may have moved away from her mother, living with her father. It's a bit gray since we don't have details on that matter. There may have been problems in California."

exactly what I was thinking "Understood. What else do you see?"

"Mr. Grey, she enjoys traveling, actually having a penchant for it. Makes me curious as to her domestic travels."

staying silent I add nothing to our conversation. There are holes in Ana report, too many for my liking.

Riding the elevator up to my office. I have nothing "going-on" my calendar is blank until Claude at 3pm. All of my enterprises are in the black and flourishing, there is really no need for me to linger in the office.

Seating at my desk I dial Welch "Grey here. Thank you for the report."

"Your welcome sir, yet I hear a "but" coming on."

"I want you to dig deeper, there are holes."

"I see sir, I'll do what I can. This may take some time. A few days at least."

"Get on it Welch." hanging up the phone.

Sending a text to Elliot

~If free Saturday night dinner at El Gaucho 9pm followed by some nightclubbing, Let me know~

within a minute I get a response

~I'm always available 4 my lil'bro. Should I park in the garage or will u pick me up?~

~I'll pick you up at 8:45pm. Be ready~

~AOK~

~ We are going to Europa. Dress accordingly. I'll be outside in the SUV~

~I'm up 4 steak & Europa. I'll have on my dancing shoes. Can't wait! Love ya bro, E~

rolling my eyes. Lelliot is too openly expressive when it comes to love for his family.

After a grueling workout with Claude, in which, not only did he kick my ass, he added a 30 minute circuit because I wasn't focused. I don't mind I felt calm by the time I reached Escala.

Much to my chagrin everything that Claude did was immediately undone when the update I had been waiting for arrived. Anastasia is in Seattle and she's checked into the Fairmont. At least she has good tastes in hotels.

I feel like a teenager, my cock is a full salute, I'm downright giddy. She's in town.

A couple hours later the latest is that she walked to the Wild Ginger for dinner and she looks delectable. Her hair is down, wearing black boots, low-rise jeans, a belt with a Union Jack buckle, black t-shirt and leather jacket. It not my preferred tastes but it works on her. That figure of hers... fuck me.

I want to be near in her. My mind is racing with ways how I can "bump" into her this evening. Something that would seem plausible.

Walking back to Taylor's office.

"Taylor I'm going for a run. Be ready in 10."

"Yes sir" Fuck... I know exactly what's on the Boss' mind, I got the same update... here we go again...

About the time I'm ready to leave a couple other updates arrive and they were not ones I care for. She's having dinner with a couple of guys. There's even a pic of them giving her a kiss, it may have been on the cheek, but none the less it's still a kiss. Fuck!

Sounding pissed "Taylor cancel the run. I'll be in the study working. Have Sawyer pick up the slack and take the rest of the night off."

At least after dinner with those guys they escorted her back to the hotel and left. Ana didn't leave her room the rest of the night.

Another sleepless night and as it stands my Saturday has encompassed what Ana has been doing. After my morning run and work-out my first update arrives. It was her taking a morning swim, then her father arriving mid-morning, checking into the room next to hers. They met up with an older lady, maybe mid-forties who I gather is her broker by the way they were going over paperwork, followed by all three of them lunching at Shuckers in the hotel. Then it looks like some father/daughter quality time, taking a water taxi to West Seattle hanging out on the beach and strolling around. A couple photos looked like they were deep in conversation, followed by dinner at 6:00 eating fish & chips. There is one photo that shows me he's a gentleman, taking Anastasia hand helping onto the foot ferry. Its nothing monumental yet I find that she seems close to her father.

Picking up Elliot is nothing short of an event, usually entailing him having to fight off women. I smile thinking, he's such a man-slut.

He's dressed in black jeans, boots, and a black turtleneck. His blonde hair is longer than I remember. Frankly any woman who manages to tame my wild brother is in for quite a treat. Not only good-looking, he's very intelligent, funny, a bit of a bad-ass and loyal to those close in his life. Just never fuck with him or his family because it might be him who personally gives you a I really should try harder. He's a great guy and couldn't ask for a better brother.

Hopping in next to me, I notice the black turtleneck set against his blonde hair makes his blue eyes stand out.

"So Chris, I'm happy that we are spending time together. It's been quite a while."

"Yeah, sorry Lelloit, I've been busy with work and such."

"What does your "and such" mean and do they have a name?" giving me a impish grin

rolling my eyes "It's not what you think."

"Gawd Chris you really need a relationship."

"That's rich coming from the noncommittal type as yourself."

"Okay you got me there, but hell man at least get out and lay some pipe once in a while"

I say nothing until after arriving at the restaurant. As soon as we make our way, heads turn, men and women looking at us. Before saying anything we are greeted by a blonde haired, cropped bangs hostess, dressed in a tight black skirt, matching jacket, white blouse damn near unbuttoned to her bellybutton and 4" black heels. Totally Elliot's type. He loves those blondes.

"Mr. Grey, Mr. Grey welcome. Please let me show you to your private table." I swear she was damn near panting.

Elliot flashing a smile. "Why thank you honey and your name is?"

"It's Lois, Mr. Grey."

"Lovely to meet you Lois."

Ignoring them both while we make our way to the private room. It's so easy for Elliot to flirt, that is one thing I never got the hang of. Then again who flirts with subs?

After we're seated with appetizers and drinks ordered.

Elliot pipes in. "What about Lois? She would take either one of us on."

"She's not my type."

"Com'on Chris, I'm so tired of you acting the way you do. What is your type? For years I've let Mom and everyone else think you're gay, even carrying on the facade, but I know better. You're a tits and ass man. When Lois greeted us, you didn't look at her face, going straight to her tits, even if it was subtle. So cut your shit and don't come across as celibate or gay with me, you've left too many cues behind for me not to see right through you... so tell me where do you keep your women, locked up in your bedroom closet?"

I actually laughed... partly out of he's sense of humor, another out of the fact he's more astute than I gave him credit for and lastly... my own joke because they are not my closet but my playroom.

"Fine. Just don't get too curious. Deal?"

"Oh lil'bro, I can't guarantee it but I'll try. So Speak."

pulling out my phone I show him a couple of candid pics of Ana without giving out information.

"Oh yeah Chris she's cute, not my type, though I dig it." smiling at me "Okay Chris I've seen her, tell me the attraction?"

"I'm JUST attracted. She's my type. Petite, brunette, with these blue eyes that call to me. I have to tell you Elliot she is... struggling for the right word... she's Mine."

with a quizzical look on his face "what do you mean "Mine"? It all sounds rather territorial."

"Call it what you will. I just know Anastasia is Mine."

'Okay... bro but what about HER as a person. It's obvious, attraction-wise, tell me about Anastasia."

thankfully I'm, distracted by the steak. Saying nothing, while I cut into the meat. I can tell Elliot won't press me, biting his tongue.

Sighing " I'll be honest with you Eli I haven't spent much time with her. As a matter of fact only a few precious minutes. And don't question me at length about this... It's my gut (though it more than that) I know that I need to pursue this. How it plays-out in the end I don't, won't know unless I go for it. All I know is that I'm captivated."

"Okay gottcha lil'bro. I won't press further. Just tell me how and what you expect of me."

"Don't let on that I told you about her, plus I want it to seem a coincidence that we are there tonight."

"No worries Christian I have your back, always, but tread lightly" sounding sincere. "So when are we heading out?"

"Ummm. I should mention she'll be DJ'ing tonight."

Nearly choking on his food and sounding a little to loud..."No Shit! Really? Never in a thousand years would I expect that. A version of yourself, sure... but the artistic type, nah"

Quietly I add "She's more eclectic than expected."

"Well Chris let's finish and bolt. I'm itching to meet her."