Chapter Six

It's been weeks since... the incident. I've buried myself into my work, we doubled up on stocks and gained two overseas contracts and one in Canada. After the crash Christian had everybody looking through every inch of the wreckage. There was no clue to foul play; Christian and I still don't believe it. There's a nagging feeling, deep inside both of us, Hyde has something to do with it. The kids are back in England with Grandma Grace after a lot of arguments and a very furious Theodore. It was the first time he lost control in such a long time.

"What the fuc-"

"Theodore Raymond you better watch your language! Your going back to the UK, end of discussion." He was hovering over me, eyes the deepest darkest blue.

"What's happening!? Why don't you want us here?!" He slams his fist into the wall, cracking the drywall. He turns, hands in a fist by his side. "What are you guys hiding!?"

"I'm not discussing this, you can wait until your father gets home!" I'm exhausted and have no patience right now.

"Tell me!" His voice is a ferocious roar, making me jump and turn to him. "What are you hiding mom!? What's happening!?" He's pacing the room, hands running through his hair, gritting his teeth together. There's been too much emotion filling these walls. Too many people walking on egg shells around each other. We're hurt, our unit is torn and heartbroken. There's too many secrets and Teddy knows it. He's too protective, lost, he needs to control the outcome of a situation and right now he's helpless. My poor boy, too much of his father in him.

"Shut up! Stop fighting! I'm so sick of the fighting!" Phoebe is standing at the bottom of the stairs.

"Oh God, shut up Phoebe!"

"Theodore don't talk to your sister like!"

"Then tell me whats going on!"

"Stop yelling! Stop it!"

Christian runs into the house followed by Taylor then Sawyer. We're in the middle of a screaming fit, Teddy following me from room to room telling me to reveal our secrets, Phoebe yelling for us to stop fighting, me yelling at Theodore to stop pushing the subject.

"What the hell is going on!?" Christians voice breaks out over all of us. Halting everybody mid-step. We turn to look at him, exhausted and annoyed. "That's it, Phoebe go upstairs, Theodore come with me!" He's barking orders and nobody dares to object. Phoebe runs upstairs crying and Christian leaves with Teddy. Sawyer and Taylor turn to retire in their homes but I stop Taylor.

"Yes ma'am?"

"Cut the crap Jason, we need to talk." I sit on the couch as he stands looking down at me. "Please Jason, sit with me." He finally gives in and sits on the recliner facing me. "They're trying to tear us apart. Hyde's accomplishing exactly what he's out to do. It's important we stay a unit... I'm sorry. I am so sorry. I know the sac-"

"You were right."

"No Ja-"

"Ana I didn't protect you. Since I started working for Christian, my loyalty has always been to him. When he started to become my friend, it was no longer a job. I knew how f*cked up he was. I had to keep him safe, mostly from himself. I saw the difference in you. I knew from the beginning you were better than anybody he's ever brought back to Escala. I wanted to tell you so badly to stay away from him. I felt this unnerving urge to keep you away from the evil I knew he was capable of. I never did though. I never said anything and it killed me. To see you handle everything that was thrown your way, I don't know how you did it. How you dealt with it. I'm sorry Ana."

I can feel my eyes burning, tears threatening any moment. I jump up and grab Jasons neck in a hug. He hugs me back and for the first time since meeting him, we talk, really talk. He's no longer an employee and I finally realize that he's more than a friend. Jason Taylor is my family and I'll do whatever necessary to protect him.

"Ana?" Christians voice snaps me back to the present. I look up at him not saying anything. "Are you ready to leave?"

"Christian I have some contracts to look over, I'm going to be working a little late."

"It's 7:30 Ana. Let's go eat." There's no way, I look at the clock taken back a little. Where did the time go? I look out to the hall and most of the lights are off. I hear the buzz of my phone and see Teddy's number and picks it up. What time is it over there?

"Teddy?" Christian steps forward, alarmed.

"Mom! Shit, everybody's been trying to get a hold of you and dad! Bee is gone. She never returned from dance." My heart stops and I'm shaking my head. I freeze, talk Ana! Christian see's my expression and takes the phone from me.

"Teddy what happen!? …. What!?... Why the f*ck did it take so long to contact us!?... That's not possible. You bought a new phone?... Where's Grace?... Holy shit, hers to!?... That doesn't make sense. We're on our way." He hangs up and calls some other people, making plans and arrangements. Taylor and Sawyer pull up and we're off. It seems like a lifetime later we're at the airport, loading onto a different jet. Carrick waiting for us inside, our phones are now blowing up, Elliott, Mia, Kate, Gail, Ethan, Ray... over and over again until we have to turn them off. Christians hand is on mine, he's talking to me but I can't hear him. So many scenarios jogging through my mind. What if she's, no, no Ana, I shake my head trying to dismiss the thought. My heart can't take this, my emotions are already shot. I'm still mourning. I say a desperate prayer. Please God, I can't handle anything else. Not my baby, not my baby girl. Take me, she has too many plans, dreams. She's too young. Please, God I can't handle if something happens to her. My heart contracts and I start hyperventilating. Everybody's running around grabbing a paper bag, getting me to breathe in it. Thank God for the stewardess, I'd be dead without her quick thinking. Christians rubbing my back and I finally take a moment to look at him. His face has aged, he looks exhausted, tried. I suddenly feel the urge to hold him, comfort him but I don't. I just sit there, staring out into nothing. At some point between refueling and flying off again I fall into a deep sleep. Christians waking me up.

"Ana, we're here." I'm in a daze but instantly gain my composure at the thought of Phoebe. It's five in the morning in London, still dark, I hear Christian talking to Teddy, no sign of her. She still isn't picking up the phone and I no longer can control my emotions, I throw my head into my hands and bawl. Deep, desperate tears. Please God, please, I will do anything. Please, take me. Don't let anything happen to her.

"God!" The name slips out of me, such desperation for Him to hear me. My chest tightens and Christian grabs me, pulling me into his lap and I can feel the tears on his face. He buries himself in my shoulder and lets every built up emotion out. I can hear Taylor sniffling and in the corner of my eyes I see Sawyer hand him a tissue.

The short 20 minute drive took too long, we get out of the car and Teddy runs to me, wrapping his arms around me.

"I'm so sorry mom, I should have watched her better. I'm so sorry."

"Shhh baby, this is not your fault." I can feel his tears run down my neck and I kiss his cheeks. I see Grace talking to Carrick. Christian is looking at Teddy and I as he makes his way over to us, he puts his hand on Teddy's shoulder, Teddy steps away from me and turns to his father. Without hesitation, Christian grabs his son into a hug and they're both silently crying, Christian soothing his son. The scene tugs at my heart, eyes swelling with tears again. A side of Christian I haven't seen since Phoebe was a young girl. I see Grace crying, she's never witnessed this side of Christian, it's enough to cause her to break down. My phone vibrates and I grab it hoping for answers, not bothering to check the ID.

"Holy shit Ana! What's going on?!"

"Oh Kate! We just touched down in London, Bee is missing."

"We're on our way Ana, I'm going to wake everybody up!" Before I can refuse she hangs up, I try calling but to no avail. I get another call, unknown. I pick up and instantly recognize the voice.

"Mrs. Grey, do you think my daughter would look like this too? Her eyes are so beautiful, just like her daddy."

"Leila how the- what did you do to her!?" Everybody runs to me, gathering close and Christian snatches the phone from me.

"Leila?!"

-click-

"Leila?!"