Chapter 22

CPOV

I need to stay calm and figure 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.
The bed dips next to me as the sit beside me.

"Hello, lover." She purrs.
Elena! I would recognize that vile voice anywhere.
I instinctively pull my arms to get up, but since they are bound, I can't move.

"What the fuck is your game here, Elena, untie me!"

"Sorry, Christian." She tuts. "But I kind of saved your life, not only when you were younger, but today, so you belong to me now. You owe me and I plan on collecting my reward in full."
Saved my life? What the fuck is she talking about, and why the fuck am I here, in a BDSM dungeon no less. This bitch is fucking crazy if she thinks for one second I'm going to play any of her games. When I get out of here, I'm going to set this place on fire with her still inside. I'm quietly seething my plans to destroy her that I almost forgot she was still in the room.

"I'm sorry about your boat, but you can always buy a new one."
Oh fuck! It hits me at once what happened.

"Where is Ana?"

"Sorry, Christian," She doesn't sound very sympathetic, "But she's gone."
Gone?!

"What do you mean? Where is she, what have you done with her?"

"Nobody could get to her in time so the little mouse drowned." She says this like she's talking about the fucking weather.

"You're fucking lying, you vile bitch! You've had your fun, untie me now!"

"Oh, the fun is only just beginning, baby, you know that."
I pull away when she tries to kiss me, but she just laughs as she leaves the room.
I pull and pull, tugging at the ropes, but she's tied them well. I forgot how skilled she is at this shit.

"Elena!" I yell to her, even though she's not in the room I know she can hear me. "Untie me! Let me go, you fucking bitch!"
Eventually I stop struggling. I'm not able to get myself untied.
Is it true? Is my Ana really gone? Did she really drown?
No, she can't be, Taylor and Sawyer must have saved her, I know it.
But they didn't save you, Grey... My subconscious reminds me.
Oh, please, baby, be okay.

Taylor-pov

It's not looking good, they can't find anything, not even his body.
We've set up shop at Grey Manor, and once I settle Gail down, I get to work on figuring out who could of done this and how they would of known Grey and Steele were on the Grace. I know Mrs. Lincoln is a threat, and I'm not counting her out, but I don't think she would harm Grey, so I'm looking at everyone, leaving no stone unturned.
Ms. Steele's father has agreed to help me with whatever I need and will use his contacts to our advantage.
We're in the process of getting satellite images for the mariner that could help, but while we wait for that, I'm focusing my energy on suspicious subjects and Travis Marshall.

I'm not seeing anything useful, so I gather all the paperwork and head downstairs so Sawyer can help. It may not have anything to do with Grey, it may be someone connected with Ms. Steele and he's around her most.
As I head towards the room Dr. Grey set up for Sawyer, I can feel an energy shift. Everyone is in mourning and it hits me like a ton of bricks that Grey is not here. I can't think he may never come back, I wouldn't know what to do, so like everyone else, I keep hoping that he's alive somewhere. I already have a few men looking at the surrounding islands and shorelines, hoping he's washed up.
Seeing Grey's family and Ms. Steele so distraught like this increases my need to find out what happened and to find him.
I feel like this is my fault, that I should have known something would happen at any given moment. We haven't had threats in awhile, and now that they do, I let my guard down and shit like this happens. I know they wanted to be alone, but I should have been on the boat with Grey and Ms. Steele, then I would of been able to get there in time.
As I make my way to Sawyer's room, I catch a glimpse of him eating the food that Dr. Grey can't stop making.
I pull up a seat next to him at the breakfast bar and lay out the paperwork and photos of those who are associated with Elena Lincoln that Mr. Steele sent over.

"How's Gail?" Sawyer asks me as he continues to eat.

"Not well," I answer truthfully.
I sort through everything and hand him the shit that would be associated with Ms. Steele while I look through those associated with Grey. My main focus is Mrs. Lincoln and Marshall, however, she could have other minions doing her dirty work, and there could also be unknown threats as well, so I have a list of his most recent terminations.

"How's Ms. Steele?" I ask because I haven't seen her since we've returned.

"She's... taking it hard." He sighs as he continues, "I have Elliot on watch while I took a lunch break, but she's locked herself in Grey's childhood bedroom."

"Poor girl," She just started this romantic relationship with Grey and it's already turned to shit.
He nods in agreement.

I put down the list of ex-employees with possible grudges and go through the files Mr. Steele brought over on Elena. It's mainly photos of them together, but there are a lot of her alone or with others. After Mr. Steele learned the truth, like us he followed her and began to be his own private investigator until she fell of the face of the earth. But there must be something useful here.
There are a few with Travis Marshall, but we already know they are connected so I set them aside and focus on the others.
In my peripheral vision I notice Sawyer looking at my photos instead of his own. When I look at him, he's concentrating hard on one picture in particular.

"I think I know her, T." He tells me.

"Who?"

"Her." He points out a grainy image of a girl. I don't recognize her, and it's hard to tell any details about her so I'm unsure how Sawyer can. The photo shows Elena with Travis in focus, but the girl is in a car in the background so it's hard to see who it is.

"She works at GEH," He tells me, sending me on high alert.

"Well, who is she, Sawyer?"

"I don't remember her name, but she's always on my ass, flirting, asking questions and shit. I think Ms. Steele knows her name."
I grab the photo and head upstairs. I know now is not the best time for this, but if asking Ms. Steele who this girl is helps us get answers, then that's what I'm going to do.
When I reach the third floor, Elliot is doing a fine job of standing guard. I would have Ryan on Ms. Steele while Sawyer and I are busy, but Grey wouldn't want anyone on her but the three of us. He trusts his brother, Sawyer and I. Ryan, as well as the other security personal we hired, are new and wouldn't know a threat. As of right now, everyone is a threat.
I knock on the door, but she doesn't answer.

"Mom gave me this." Elliot takes out a key for the door and unlocks it, explaining it was for when Grey would lock his door at night. Dr. Grey kept a key for when he had his night terrors.

"Ms. Steele," I cautiously approach her. She's laying on the bed, wearing Grey's clothing, and I can tell she's been crying. When I come closer, I can see she is still crying. It breaks my heart to see her like this. Everyone has their outlets, a way to keep busy and distracted, but this poor girl, she has nothing but the memories of Grey and she's locking herself away.

"Ms. Steele," I sit on the bed near her, showing her the photo. "Sawyer tells me you could identify this woman, do you think you could take a look for me?"
She sniffs and looks at the photo in my hand.

"T-ha-t's O- l-" She's sobbing like crazy and it's hard to make out what she's trying to say. At least she's no longer mute, but I need her to calm down. She obviously knows who this is and I need to know before I can do anything about it.

"Take a deep breath and try again."

Grace-pov

I can't lose it when I have my family to take care of so I keep repeating a mantra over and over in my head.
Keep it together , Grace. Keep it together , Grace.
I'm hoping and praying like crazy by some miracle Christian is okay and will be home soon.
I know as his mother, I should be allowed to break down, but I have to hold this family together or we will all break. It's seeing Ana so broken like this that's the worse. Everyone is taking this hard, but Ana feels like she lost the love of her life. I'm his mother, but I could only imagine if it were Carry. It's painful that she feels she's imposing and shouldn't be here.
Cooking is helping me stay calm, Mia has been baking, Elliot has been helping with Ana, and Carry has been locked in his office, talking with Ros and dealing with Christian's business matters. Apparently the sharks are already circling.

I notice a flash go passed the kitchen entry way and see Taylor, with Sawyer hot on his heels, heading towards Carrick's office.
I wipe my hands on a towel as I make my way to the doorway.
Not long after Taylor and Sawyer enter, the three of them rush out.

"Gracie, I have to go with Taylor," Carry tells me, "Sawyer's going to stay here."

"What's going on?"

"Just stay here, we'll be back shortly."

"Is it Christian?"

"No, but it could be a lead." He kisses my head before he leaves with Taylor.
I have no idea what is going on, but I'm glad Taylor is involving Carrick.

APOV

Grace finally intervened and gave me something to sleep.
When I finally wake from my nap, I feel a little better, but still very much alone.
I didn't realize how much I care about Christian, I mean, I knew I cared about him, but I didn't know it was this deeply.
My stomach is reminding me that I haven't ate anything since Christian and I had lunch on the Grace yesterday. I don't think I could possible eat much, but I know Christian has a thing with food and me eating enough, so I will try for him.
When I open the bedroom door, Elliot stands from the chair he's been sitting in. He was on the phone but quickly hung up when he saw me.
I look at him hopeful for new information, but he sadly shakes his head.
Together we head downstairs where the rest of Christian's family is.
Grace wasn't kidding when she said she's been keeping busy with cooking.
I make a small plate of food and sit at the table. I'm basically picking at my food, everything but actually eating it, but I try for Christian.
Elliot sits beside me, and for the first time ever, I think he doesn't know what to say. There are no jokes, no smiles, just silence.

"I think I'll go home soon." I let them know.

"Ana," Grace is using her no nonsense tone she uses with her children. "You are staying right here, this is were you belong, not alone in your apartment, and you are welcome to stay here with us for as long as you need to. Do you understand? I don't want to hear anymore talk of you leaving."

"Yes, ma'am."
I do feel I'm imposing, and I'd feel closest to Christian if I stayed at Escala, but his family is keeping me sane. It's probably best I be around other people. I know Kate has been trying to contact me, but the Greys are closer to Christian and I don't want to deal with the Kavanagh inquisition.
I don't understand why they want me here, I'm not family, I'm just some girl, and I feel like I'm in the way, but I wont fight them on this any longer. However, as soon as they want me to leave, I will.
...

Elena-pov

I've had this planned since my little informant told me about Christian's plans to have a date. I made sure my boy toy Travis was ready and waiting with his diving gear to pull Christian out. Christian shouldn't be badly injured, it was just a small bomb that went off and I made sure it went off when Christian wasn't in harms way. My hope was the mouse would be in harms way, but no, she stayed by Christian the whole night.
It was getting late so I had to act before they retired inside the boat for the night.
I gave Travis strict orders to leave the mouse to drowned. I want nothing with her, it's Christian I want.
I knew his security would try and save them, but I didn't expect them to rescue the mouse so quickly. Luckily, Travis was ready for Christian and took him before anyone could get to him.
At first I was a little worried when I saw the mouse survived, but I know Hyde will have a field day with her, now that Christian is out
of the way. No way will those henchmen still guard her and not get paid for it. I just hope Hyde films what he does to her like he did the last one, but this time I'll enjoy it much, much more. I'll have to get the popcorn out as I watch that bitch get what she deserves.

I laughed when they couldn't find Christian, they will never find him. Now they'll think he's dead and will give up looking for him, leaving him all for me.
I'm pleased I taught Travis well, he's such a good pet, learns quickly too. He tied Christian's restraints so tight there's no escaping.
My plan is to break Christian, show him who made him. He's easily forgetting, and it's time I show him that I made him and I can just as easily break him. He's no longer the strong sexy dominant I moulded, so he's going to be my submissive again for as long as I want. And in order for him to give himself to me, to fully commit to me, he needs to believe the mouse is dead or my plan wont work. That will be tricky.
Even though I'm glad the Grace is gone, I apologize. But he can always buy a new one, and he can give this boat a proper name like the Elena.

"Where is Ana?" I knew he would only be concerned for that mouse.

"Sorry, Christian, but she's gone" I try to be as sympathetic as I can, though it's proving difficult, the distant I feel for her shows through.

"What do you mean?"
I roll my eyes as he begins to panic because of that mousey little tramp.

"Where is she, what have you done with her?"

"I didn't do a thing." And I didn't. "Nobody could get to her in time so the little mouse drowned."

"You're fucking lying, you vile bitch!" He wont accept my word that she's dead, he's far too stubborn.

"You've had your fun, untie me now!"

"Oh, the fun is only just beginning, baby," I tell him. "You know that."
I get a little excited at the many thoughts of what we will do together. He's such a good fuck, the greatest. I lean down to kiss him, but he's not ready and moves away.

He'll learn, he did before, he will again.
It's time for the lesson of the day; delayed gratification.
I laugh at the thought of him overthinking the many possibilities I can do with him. He knows them all too well.

"I'll be back, baby."

I hear him pulling at the restraints as I leave, but I know he wont get out of them so it increases my sinister laugh as I close the door.
I can hear him yelling, but with the door closed, it's all muffled.
I smirk as I enjoy a glass of wine.
This time he's of legal age, and I plan on becoming Mrs. Christian Grey. I should thank that stupid mouse for the idea. When Christian yelled out that she was his wife on that news video, I about had a heart attack. I had to do some digging, but I found out that they weren't in-fact married, but I knew once he realized what he said, he would want that. I've told him enough times love is for fools, and it is, but marriage will bring high social standings in the business world, and his money, lots and lots of money.
Once I force Christian to marry me, I will enjoy spending the money he would of never made if it wasn't for me. I'm sure it will take me longer to break him than when he was younger, but I'm up for the challenge. Oh, I can't wait to get started with him.
The queen is officially back on her throne, right where she belongs.