Chapter 21

APOV

Everyone seems to be doing something to keep themselves busy or distracted. Grace and Mia have been in the kitchen, baking up a storm, Carrick is working on Christian's business matters in his office before the sharks try to get a piece of him, Elliot is constantly watching the news, which is all about Christian Grey's accident, and me; I'm just sitting here wondering why I am even here. They wont let me leave, and I secretly think Elliot is in the same room with me to keep watch. Not that I could get far anyway, Sawyer will just bring me back like he did last time.
I've known Christian and his family for years, but right now, it feels like I'm intruding.

The press have got ahold of what happened and are reporting Christian as missing, which means my dad knows because he now has Christian's Google alerts sent to his phone. I know he probably tried calling me, but I don't have my phone so I used the Greys' landline and called him. I didn't want to see him this soon, since I'm still upset with him, but I knew he would worry and I need him, so he's on his way here.
My knee keeps bouncing as I watch the clock and constantly glance out the windows. We're returning to the marina as soon as the sun finally comes up, and I wont stay here. I need to be there when Christian comes back to us, and he will want to see me, I know he will.

"Elliot," Carrick finally comes out of his office, "Let's go."

I quickly stand and follow them.

"Ana, you stay here."

"I'm not staying here." I demand, and insist, "I'm going."
I push passed the guys and head straight for Sawyer's SUV .
Sawyer is already at the SUV by the time I get there.

"Sawyer," I bark how Christian would. "I know you don't work for me, and I know you don't have to take orders from me, but please... He means the world to me, I have to be there."

He quietly opens the door for me and I climb in before anyone can change their minds about me going.
Once we arrive at the mariner, Taylor is already there. He's talking to the officers, and the divers are already in a boat, heading to the wreckage location.
I knew Taylor wouldn't go home.

"Miss Steele, I have your new phone here," Taylor hands me a new cell phone.

"Thank you."

"I'm sorry I forgot to give it to you yesterday."

"It's okay, I understand." I try to give him a smile, but it ends up being a grimace, so instead I give him a small hug.
Taylor wraps one hand around my shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze before we pull away.

He doesn't show emotions well, but I'm sure he understands why I needed the hug and he probably needed one as well, though he would never admit it.
We all stand around as we watch the divers in the distance.
I swear I'm a nervous wreck. I don't know whether to hope they find him or not, because if they do find him, it could only mean...
Carrick and Elliot are standing on either side of me. Elliot has his arm around my shoulder while Carrick holds my hand. I don't feel
comfortable at all, I don't feel they should be comforting me, but I selfishly let them because I need the comfort.
We've been here for hours, and they haven't found a thing related to Christian.
Taylor and Sawyer give each other disapproving looks, then I notice Carrick look towards Elliot, and they share a similar look.
Carrick straightens out when the detective approaches us, but he meets him half way so I can't hear their conversation. Though I do hear the words, "no body found".
My heart is beating so franticly, I fear I may have a panic attack.
Carrick walks back towards us and together we leave the marina, heading back to Bellevue in defeat.
Now what?

Ray-pov

Hearing Annie on the phone, and just listening to the news of what happened to her, and what happened with Grey, it killed me. I don't like seeing my daughter upset.
I don't know what the fuck is going on, this is the second attempt at their life, I just hope it's not going to be a reoccurring matter. I'm trying to be more supportive of their relationship, but this shit is crazy.
I pull down the Grey's family home just as a black SUV does.
As soon as we're parked, the back door to the SUV flies open and my little girl pops out.

"Daddy!" She runs to me, and as soon as she's in my arms she loses it.

"It's okay, Annie." I try my best to comfort her.

"They can't find him, daddy, they can't find him" She hiccups through her hysterical tears.

"I know, baby girl." I kiss her head as she continues to cry.
Christian's father, brother, and the security join us, and together we make our way inside the house with Annie clinging to me.
As soon as we walk in, I'm hit with the aroma of food, and Christian's mother and sister rush out of the kitchen looking hopeful.
Christian's father simply shakes his head and the girls loose it.
Grace falls to her knees and Mia just screams.
It's so heart wrenching to be here. I've been trying to take Annie away from him, and now that he is, I can see it would of hurt her. I don't know what's going to happen now that Grey's chances of being alive are slim to none.
Once the girls are calm, we all head to the family room.

I need to give Taylor the box of files I wanted Christian to have so I head to my truck to get them.
After I hand over the files, and everything I have on Ella Robinson aka Elena Lincoln, Taylor and Carrick go to his office to organize a few things regarding Christian's business and other matters.
Just as I'm walking back out, Grace is passing by with food for Carrick and Taylor.

"There's plenty in the kitchen, Mr. Steele," She tells me. "Just help yourself."

"Thank you."
I'm not sure if anyone is actually eating, and this must be a coping mechanism for her, but at least this gives her something to do, a distraction of sorts.
When I get back to Annie, she's still in the same position I left her in, looking so withdrawn. It breaks my heart seeing her like this.

"Annie, sweetheart." I sit next to her as I hold her close. "I'm sure everything will be okay."

"I need him, daddy." She bursts into tears. "What are we going to do now? What am I going to do without him? Where is he, why can't they find him?"

I wish I had the answers to her many questions.

CPOV

I groan as I wake feeling hazy. The smell of citrus and over used cheap polish is making me feel sick.
My hands feel restrained so I blink open my eyes and see them tied together to a bed post. I'm also only wearing my boxers.
What the fuck?!

I try to remember, but the only thing I can remember is Anastasia and I on the Grace... oh shit, did we get kinky last night?
I move my leg to her side of the bed, but it's cold and empty.
Where is she?
I look around the room, but when I realize I'm not on the Grace, I start to panic.
It's dark in here, but I can tell I'm in a cheap-ass version of a BDSM dungeon.
What the fuck is going on?
I try to pull my wrists free, but the restraints wont budge. I can't even sit up because of the angle my hands are bound.

"Ana!" I call to her, but receive no response.
Fuck, where am I? Where is Anastasia?! My anxiety is through the roof, and it's not concern for myself, but for my baby. If she's not with me, where is she? I don't know what the fuck happened, or why I'm here, but I hope Taylor and Sawyer have her and she's safe. I'm sure they will know I'm missing and will begin searching for me, but how will they find me if I don't even know where I am?
I need to stay calm and figure out a plan on how to get out of here.
I'm grunting and groaning as I try to free my hands. I pull as hard as I can, making enough noise that anyone could hear me, but I can't get free. Whoever restrained me must be a fucking boy scout. The only thing I manage to do is pull myself up a bit more so I can see more of my surroundings.
Just then I hear footsteps and the door creak open. The light outside shines in but once the door is closed, it's dark again.
I can't defend myself against an attack, but I turn myself so I can see who has entered the room with me.
I can't see them, only their silhouette, but I know damn well it's not Anastasia.