Chapter 20
Elena-pov
As I stand in the shadows, I can't help the massive grin on my face. The windy day combined with the force from the explosion blows my hair so I have to hold back my bob while I watch my plan unfold.
There's something very satisfying about watching something blow up.
One thing Christian should have learned, don't ever underestimate me. I wont stop, I wont stop until I get what's mine, and Christian fucking Grey, is mine!
Taylor-pov
"Christian! Christian!" Ms. Steele's screaming sounds like it's underwater, which would make sense if she was under the water, but she's not. Though, she is in the water.
The blast from the Grace has moved our boat further away, but luckily we're securely anchored in place.
"Christian!" Ms. Steele is still screaming when I finally get off my back. Sawyer, Ryan and I have been knocked over from the force, and we're all coming to our feet at once.
Without a second thought Sawyer and I dive into the water. The new guy doesn't know the drill yet, but we have emergency procedures in place for any situation. If there's a code red, I'm on Grey, and Sawyer is on Steele.
Ryan stays on board of the smaller security boat, I don't have to tell him to call it in but I'm sure he will.
Sawyer and I make it to the wreckage in record time. I see him go straight to Ms. Steele while I search for Grey.
I move so much debris floating in the water, but I don't see him anywhere.
I begin diving under the water, but it's pitch black, I can't see a damn thing.
Every time I pop back up I hear Ms. Steele screaming for Mr. Grey.
"Christian!"
"Get her out of here!" I finally snap over my shoulder at Sawyer.
In his defense, he was trying to get her on the boat with Ryan, but she's putting up quite the fight.
I continue to search for Grey, but I'm starting to panic. I can't find him anywhere.
Determined to find him, I keep going until I notice divers have joined me.
Since I'm out of breath and exhausted, and I can't physically go anymore, I make my way to the our security boat.
Ms. Steele is wrapped in a blanket and tucked under Sawyer's arm, staring blankly towards the water.
Ryan helps me on board then hands me a blanket, but I decline the warmth it will bring me.
"How is she?" I ask Sawyer, nodding towards Ms. Steele.
"She kept trying to go back in, put up a helluva fight too, until finally she just stopped. She's been like this for awhile, she wont respond to anything, or anyone."
"Ms. Steele," I try to gain her attention, but as Sawyer said, she's unresponsive.
We stay on the security boat, watching the divers, waiting for what feels like hours for the them to come up with Grey, but they don't...
Jack-POV
Fuck!
Maybe I should have teamed up with that sick bitch. She's always one step ahead of me. I don't know how the fuck she learned Grey was going to be on his boat, and before me, but she managed to figure it out.
It pissed me the fuck off that Grey's men got to my whore before I could. But I was watching them and they can't find Grey. They will never find him.
I smirk as my plan is finally coming into play. They'll all suspect that bitch, they don't even realize I'm a bigger threat.
Soon Grey's henchmen will no longer be near the precious Anastasia Steele and I can make my move on her then.
Taylor-pov
I'm trying to think who could have done this. The only known threat we have is Elena Lincoln, but it is possible to have unknown threats. Those are the worse because you never know who it could be. Many envy the billionaire, want everything he has, or simply hold a grudge because he fired them. Grey's a good man, but he is a tough man to work for, that's for sure.
I check my pocket for my phone, so I can call Grey's family, but it's missing. It must of fell out while I was diving under the water.
It's getting darker and cooler. Ms. Steele, Sawyer and I are still soaked and Ms. Steele is shivering. Grey will have my ass if she comes down sick so I signal for Ryan to take us to shore where we'll wait for the divers and Grey.
The ride back to shore is eerily quiet, everyone is silent, even Ms. Steele, which is freaking me out more than anything.
When we make it to the dock, emergency vehicles, police tape, and spectators are watching the scene in question. Medics are already rushing towards us before we even step off the boat.
"Take her to get checked out." I order Sawyer. I don't need to tell Sawyer how to do his job, he knows not to leave Ms. Steele's side in events such as these.
"Sir, do you need medical attention?" A medic asks me.
"No," I growl at him as I stare at the wreckage that's smaller from this view.
"Excuse me, sir." I turn around when I hear someone behind me. Two detectives are wanting to question me and I give them my best full detailed report, but it's not much, nobody saw a fucking thing. Sawyer and Ryan did a search before Grey and Steele arrived and stayed guarding the Grace until they were safely aboard. There are only two possibilities that could of happened; a bomb was placed under the boat, or it was placed on the Grace while they were out. No one knew they were taking the Grace out today, and even if they did, they wouldn't know where Grey planned to anchor for the night.
Just as I'm about to find Ryan so I can use his phone to call Grey's parents, I hear my name being called.
When I look passed the police line, I see a uniform granting access to the whole Grey family.
"What's happened?" Mr. Grey asks.
"I was just about to phone you, sir." I let him know. "We're not too sure of how, but someone managed to bomb the Grace."
"Oh my god!" Dr. Grey holds onto her eldest as she covers her mouth.
"Is everyone okay?" Mr. Grey asks me.
"Ms. Steele is in the ambulance." I tell them, nodding to where she is.
"Oh thank god," Dr. Grey and Miss Grey say in unison, both clearly relieved.
Now I have to tell them we can't find their son, that I fucked up.
They're all looking at me, waiting on pins and needles.
"Christian?" Dr. Grey asks before I can continue, not that I was trying, or could. "What about Christian? Where is he, is he okay?"
"I'm sorry," I regret to inform them. "The divers are still searching the waters, but it's been over an hour and they still haven't found
anything."
"Oh dear god, no!" Dr. Grey screams.
The whole family holds onto each other as the ladies begin to fall.
"I'm so sorry," I tell him. "I tried, I tired looking for him before the divers arrived. I couldn't see anything."
Mr. Grey's father pats my back, but he's quiet.
I feel terrible, like this is all my fault because I wasn't there in time. I fucked up. I didn't double check the Grace, I know we have a known threat and I still let this happen, and now we can't find Grey.
"Sir," Ryan jogs up to me as I walk towards the ambulance where Ms. Steele is being tended to. "A man named Welch is asking to speak with you."
"Where?"
Ryan points him out in the crowd behind the police tape. I see him talking to an officer with Barney at his side.
"Follow me." I order Ryan.
"You don't understand-" I hear Welch begin to explain something.
"He's with me." I tell the officer.
The officer allows Welch and Barney through the barricade.
"What's going on?" Welch asks.
"You don't know?" It's good the media haven't found out yet, but I see the news vans so I know they're here.
"No, all we know is there was an accident. I had the chief of police section off the media, but they wouldn't let us through the barricade unless we were family."
I pull him aside, along with Barney and Ryan.
"There was a bombing," I tell them quietly of the situation. "The Grace is destroyed and we can't find Grey."
We discuss what to do, but without Grey, the only thing we can decide is to keep the media as ill informed of the situation as possible. They can't see Ms. Steele from where they are, so they will likely believe Grey is with her.
Before we part ways, Barney hands me new phones for everyone. My phone is missing, Ms. Steele's is likely gone, and I'm not sure about Sawyer's. Our phones may be waterproof, but being submerged for so long there's no telling what the damage is.
I make my way towards the open back of the ambulance where Ms. Steele and Sawyer are waiting, and as I do, I can't keep my eyes off of the wreckage.
The Grey's have joined them, and they are all watching the divers in the distance.
"What's the verdict?" I ask Sawyer.
"They've cleared her, but wanted to take her to the hospital to be sure there aren't any internally injuries." Sawyer tells me of Ms. Steele.
Then why are they still here?!
"She's refusing to leave, sir." Sawyer continues before I can ask.
"Ms. Steele," I call her name, but she's zoned out, staring at the water.
"Ana." I try again, using her nickname she insists we use.
I sigh knowing no matter what I say, she wont agree to leave, not without Grey.
"Go change." I tell Sawyer, who, like me, is still in his wet clothes.
He leaves, only because he knows I'm on Steele.
"You need to change, Ms. Steele." I tell her as I wrap the blanket around her tighter.
She's soaked, and with the wind, I know she's freezing, but she ignores me.
"Ana, sweetie," Dr. Grey approaches the ambulance and sits on the opposite side of Ms. Steele. "You really should change into dryer clothes, you know Christian will worry if you catch a cold."
I'm starting to become concerned when Ms. Steele continues to space everything and everyone out. She's just sitting here with a blank look on her face. I've never heard her so quiet before.
Sawyer returns, and with him he has dry clothes for Ms. Steele.
Dr. Grey and Ms. Grey take Ms. Steele inside the ambulance to change, it's a surprise she didn't put up a fight.
It doesn't take them long and just as they open the doors, the sound of a boat approaching captures everyone's attention.
The diver's are returning.
"Stay with Ms. Steele!" I instruct Sawyer, though he knows his job, as I race with the Grey men towards the dock.
My heart sinks when I see the boat is empty, expect for the divers and their gear.
"It's too dark," They tell us, "We can't see anything."
"You have lights," Mr. Grey accuses them. "Use them and keep searching!"
Now I see where the boss gets it.
"I'm sorry, sir, we've been searching for hours, if he's in the water, he's-"
"Don't!" Mr. Grey growls in warning. "Don't you dare."
"The best we can do, sir, is to look for a body in the morning."
I have to grab Elliot as he lunges towards the diver.
"I'm sorry." I wish they would stop fucking apologizing!
The divers head towards their vehicle to put their gear away.
Once Elliot is calmed down, he and Mr. Grey head towards the women to fill them in.
I watch as Dr. and Ms. Grey break down, but what breaks my heart is Ms. Steele's reaction. She's still in shock, unfazed, showing no emotion. When the realization of what's happened hits her, it's going to hit her hard. I only hope, by some miracle, Grey is back before it does.
Sawyer leads Ms. Steele towards his SUV while most of the Greys head towards their car. Elliot climbs in the back with Ms. Steele, and I know Sawyer will take her to Grey Manor in Bellevue. She'll be safe there, and I know Sawyer will have eyes on her like a hawk.
It's past the midnight hour, most of the emergency crews have left, aside from the few who are staying on duty overnight. Ryan is patrolling the area along with a member of the police department.
I can't keep my eyes off the water as I sit on the dock, wondering about Grey's fate.
Two days ago, I thought the shooting affected me, but this, this shit right here is breaking me. Not knowing where he is, if he's...
I sense someone sit next to me, and I know it's Gail, but I don't move my gaze from the water.
"For the first time in such a long time," I tell her as I watch the waves crash together. "I have no idea what to do next."
"Taylor, come on, sweetie," She coaxes me, and I can tell she's been crying. "You're going to catch a cold, dear, let's go home now."
"I can't, Gail."
"There's no more that can be done here."
"What am I going to do?" I ask absentmindedly.
I almost thought it was raining, but then I realized it's my own tears gently running down my face. I honestly don't know the last time I cried, but if I remember correctly, it was Sophie's birth.
Somehow Gail manages to get me to leave, promising me we can return bright and early tomorrow morning.
She drives us back to Escala in her car and it's almost like I'm on auto-pilot. There's nobody here, but I still have to do my security checks before I call it a night, however, when I lay in our bed, I can't sleep.
Instead of staying home, I get dressed and leave.
Apov
"Christian!" I jolt awake from the worst nightmare ever.
My breathing is chaotic and I'm still panting as I sit up in the bed I'm in.
As I look around the room, I realize I'm in Christian's childhood bedroom, but Christian isn't in the bed with me and his side is cold.
Where is he? And why are we at his parents?
He's not in the room with me so I climb out of the bed to find him.
My nightmare left me a sweaty mess, so before I look for him, I quickly change into a pair of Christian's sweat pants and put on one of his T-shirts. The smell of him still lingers and it's comforting, but I really need his arms around me.
I look everywhere, but can't find him, he's not up here.
He's probably playing the piano, he usually does that when he can't sleep.
As I make my way downstairs, I don't hear any music so I know he's not at the piano, but there is a dim light coming from the family room so I head in there.
It's late, but the Greys are all sitting around, and they all look upset. I'm not sure why everyone is awake this late, but still no Christian.
"Hey, guys." I call their attention. They all look at me with concerned wide eyes. "Where's Christian? I woke up and he wasn't there."
Grace and Mia burst into tears and I frown confused by their reaction.
"What's wrong?" I ask them.
"Ana," Carrick gets up from his seat and makes his way towards me. "They can't find him, sweetheart."
"What do you mean?"
"Sweetheart," He looks just as confused as I am. "What's the last thing you remember?"
"Well, we..." I trail off as I realize I don't know how we got here.
The last thing I remember... Christian and I were- OH MY GOD! It wasn't a dream! It wasn't a dream! It's wasn't
"Ana, calm down." Carrick demands when I begin to hyperventilate.
"Chr..istian. Ch..ristian. Christ..ian. Oh my god," I ignore Carrick's constant demanding that I calm my breathing. "Christian!"
I feel my legs give out and my knees hit the ground just as Carrick grabs me. I feel another set of muscular hands wrap around me, but it's not his, it's not Christian's.
"No!" I fight against them.
"Ana, listen to me." I hear Elliot speak, but I keep trying to get away from them.
"Stop!" I quit moving when I hear Elliot snap. I've never heard him like this so I give him my full attention.
"Christian is going to be okay, okay?"
I nod.
"You need to keep it together, for him, okay?"
I nod again.
"Good. Alright."
He helps me off the floor, sets me on the sofa next to Grace, then sits next to me.
I hear murmurs and whispers, I know they are talking about me, blaming me for this, but I can't concentrate on anything that's happening around me. All I can focus on is Christian.
Where is he? Why can't they find him? Why things like this have been happening since we've been together? Is it my love doing all of this? Nothing like this has ever happened before.
Oh my god, it's all my fault, I caused this.
Why am I here, his family must hate me for what I've done.
My tears begin again and I feel my throat tighten in response.
I need to get out of this house, I can't sit with Christian's family knowing this is my fault. How can they want me here when I continue to hurt their son?
Before anyone can react, I jump up and run down the hallway. I'm not wearing my shoes, but I don't care, I throw open the main door and take off running down their driveway.
It's still dark, dawn is just a whisper away. The cool wind whipping against my wet face is painful, and I can hear someone running behind me, but I don't stop.
"No!" I scream when someone grabs me and easily throws me over their shoulder.
"Let me go!" My demands go unheard as he continues to carry me. "I said let me go, Sawyer, this is kidnapping!"
No matter how much of a fight I put up, he doesn't listen. I even tell him I give up and will walk, but he continues to carry me back to the Grey's house.
He doesn't put me down until we're in the family room, and he practically tosses me onto the sofa.
I glare at him as he walks away, but he just glares right back.
Why did he bring me back here?! Doesn't he realize the guilt is eating me alive and I have no right to be here. I'm no one.
"Ana, where were you going?" Mia asks me.
"I'm sorry," I tell her then look at Christian's parents. "I'm sorry, I just shouldn't be here, I'm just Christian's girlfriend, and I'm not-"
"Darling girl," Grace interrupts me. "You are the most important person to Christian, he would want you here, and so do we. It's love that's making you act this way. You are just as much Christian's family as we are, sweetheart, please don't say otherwise."
I don't know if I believe her, she's probably just saying that. Why should she say something like that just to make me feel better? Her son is missing, it's all my fault, and she's comforting me. Why?
Oh, Christian, where are you? I hope you're okay.