Christian appeared confidently in the doorway of Ana's office. He took a moment to observe the woman seated self-assuredly in front of him. Had she always been this beautiful? This was a very different Ana; poised, professional, assertive. Even casually attired in those god awful jeans, she was spectacular. Her ocean blue orbs still had the ability to look through him and for once he questioned why he hadn't been able to accept her love. Of course he knew why; Elena taught him love was for fools.

Ana glanced casually to her left and then back to Christian. He was still the most beautiful man she had ever seen but she had experienced the darkness inside. She and Luke had just finished an early lunch and he'd insisted on waiting until Grey arrived; just to push his buttons. She wanted to avoid a confrontation and didn't think Luke and Christian should be in the same room. She had avoided all things Christian Grey for two years. She no longer hated him but she detested being reminded of the lowest point in her life. Why did he suddenly want to see her? Curiosity outweighed the inclination to decline the meeting. Anxiety was radiating from Christian; something she never experienced. Suddenly, she felt more comfortable with her friend in the room. They had no secrets.

Christian noticed the familiar stranger in the room for the first time. A flicker of anger crossed his features and just as quickly changed back to his impassive mask. "Miss Steele or do you prefer Miss Rosenblum, is it necessary to have a body guard? Are you afraid of me?" He didn't want her afraid, but he plowed ahead unable to apply a brain to mouth filter. "This conversation is of a very...personal nature. Are you sure you want him here?"

"Christian, Luke is a very dear friend and I have nothing to hide. He knows everything, remember he worked for you. He was just leaving though weren't you Luke?" Ana answered. He made no move to leave. If it would make you more comfortable, I prepared a very detailed NDA for the three of us to sign".

Christian reviewed and agreed to the document, impressed with the detail, and signed it with his Mont Blanc. Peering over the top of the paper, he acknowledged his former security with a nod. He needed information and he wouldn't get it making threats or antagonizing them.

"Christian, what can I do for you? Why did you want to see me after all this time?" Ana gave nothing away as she waited patiently for his answer.

"Miss Steele, I see my training has been beneficial. You are at the top of your game, two books on the NY Times best seller list, guest lecturer at your alma mater, Director of new acquisitions at SIP? You wouldn't be here if it weren't for me teaching you focus and control "he finished waving his arm around her office and a smirk on his face. Why did he say that? He wanted her to be submissive but she was anything but that. This frustrating woman made him lose control at every turn.

She looked at him with her mouth slightly agape. He really believed her success was because of the lessons he attempted to teach her all those years ago. She racked her brain struggling to understand the correlation between the Red Room of pain and her well earned achievements.

Ana stood placing her hands on her desk, looking down on him. "You really believe that bullshit don't you?" Perhaps you have forgotten my 4.0 GPA, or the new authors I signed before our arrangement began. My success is due to hard work, love of a good book, long hours, dedication and devotion from my friends and family. I will credit you with the inspiration for my book. The pain and shame, pausing for a moment to regain control, yes I will give you partial credit for that. But let me share this with you SIR , she spat the Moniker using air quotes, I will continue to thrive because my world is free of contracts, threats, rules and punishments. Years from now you will simply be someone I used to know for a short time, a long time ago. Hell, you probably won't even be a footnote in my personal biography. Now, what do you want Mr. Grey Sir?

A tick appeared at Christian's temple as rage coursed through his veins. No one ever spoke to him with such disdain and disrespect." Miss Steele," he growled "you need to remember with whom you are speaking. I will ruin your sweet, angelic, holier than thou persona. Would you like that? Do you want your employees, friends, and family to see photos of you naked, on your knees with my dick in your mouth? You will do well to answer my questions but never doubt that you will submit to my demands." So much for not antagonizing his former pet. Why couldn't he keep his mouth shut?

Luke moved his seat closer to Ana and whispered in her in ear. She shook her head and glared at her adversary. In a clear calm voice, shaking her head in disappointment, she reached in her satchel and produced a file. "Mr. Grey, I discovered these pictures, well actually it's a video from my phone. I can assure it was recorded unbeknownst to me and no one else has seen it. It must have happened during one of our sessions when my mother was in the hospital. I'm reasonably certain that if these come to light you would be ruined. Even if you produce our contract, it would be too late. The seed would be planted. I doubt even the BDSM community would support you. This does not look sane or consensual. If those photos of me ever become public, I will come forward with this file, medical reports, and my psychiatrist will testify on my behalf. Sex tapes are very popular these days. I'll only sell more books, maybe get a reality show. Look what it did for the Kardashian's. You on the other hand, have the welfare of forty thousand employees to worry about. It is our interest that we leave our past in the past, don't you think Sir?

Christian gazed at the dozen 8x10 color photos; him in all his naked glory, cane in hand, a hand full of her hair in his fist with her head pulled back, obvious fear in her eyes, her body on his playroom floor, bruised and bleeding. It appeared to tell a disturbing and disgusting story. Anastasia had used two of these photos for the cover of her novel. She was correct; it would be difficult to defend even with the contract. His anger at being in this position propelled him forward but Luke was faster.

Taking a moment to calm himself, Christian reluctantly sat down, pulling at his hair and placed his elbows on his knees. "It appears we are at an impasse. Touché Miss Steele."

Exhaling deeply, "Christian, what do you want? It's been a long time. Why are you here? I don't think it's to congratulate me on my book."

"As a matter of fact Anastasia, I do want to talk about your book." It was his turn to reach into his briefcase. Welch had given him news paper articles of the eight dead men. He handed her the file, never taking his eyes off her, waiting for her reaction. "What do you know about this?

Her brow creased as she reviewed the articles one by one and then handed the file to Luke. A look passed between them that did not go unnoticed by Christian. "I don't understand Christian. Who are these men and what does this have to do with me or my book?

In truth, he didn't know what he expected. Anything he wanted to know about Miss Steele, Welch could have gotten for him. His ability to read people was essential to the success of his billion dollar empire. Miss Steele was not a killer, but Sawyer on the other hand…And they were very close.

Once again in control, "Miss Steele, these men are part of the BDSM community. I've been told they were murdered." Looking into her eyes, "I have it on good authority, I could be next".

Silence

Stuttering "But, but why would someone want them dead. Wait, you think I have something to do with this? Are you out of you mind? Look, I was in a dark place for a while, and maybe thought about killing myself…..that garnered shocked looks and gasps from both men. Realizing what she'd admitted out loud for the first time, she hurried on. "I got over it and moved forward. But to take another life? Are you fucking kidding me? What, I became a murderer because of you, a failed relationship? You really think a lot of yourself. It's a wonder your head can fit through a door with that ego!

Christian found himself on the defensive "Anastasia, I don't know what I thought. My source received a copy of your book along with these clippings", he murmured, altering the truth slightly.

Ana leaned back and observed her former Dom/Lover. He was truly worried. If someone wanted him dead, all of his security wouldn't be able to save him. If something scared Christian, mere mortals should be quaking in our boots.

More patiently this time she asked "What other information do you have? What do they have in common? Did they all share the same sub? Who else is working on this with you? Am I your only suspect? He rolled his eyes at that last question, earning him a raised eyebrow and a small smirk.

"Christian sighed rubbing his hand over his face "Barney, my IT guy and Welch are looking into it. They've looked into their backgrounds and deaths. So far it's been a dead end, no pun intended. Six of them don't even live in Seattle and none of the deaths are suspicious. If it weren't for this package I received, pointing to the file and book, I would have dismissed it completely".

Leaning forward Ana Suggested, "Christian, I'm fairly experienced in flushing out details others miss. That's what makes me a good editor. I'll clear my schedule this afternoon. Have Barney send what he has and we'll go over it."

Christian immediately sent a text to his staff. An hour later, the five of them, Luke, Ana, Christian, Barney, and Welch were hunched over spreadsheets, charts, diagrams, and cold cups of Coffee. Eight dead Dominants, having resided in seven states, two hundred subs, over a ten year span; this was a clusterfuck of epic proportions.

Keeping her voice as neutral as possible, "Christian, we have to look into the possibility the culprit was one of yours. Do we have your list?" Ana couldn't look him in the eye. She didn't want to know how many had been before or after her.

"Yes, Welsh and Barney have my list." If she would look at him he would somehow convey her name wasn't on it.

Luke knew Grey wasn't telling the whole truth. "Grey, I have to wonder, why these eight? What do you have in common with all of them? If you are number nine, will there be a ten or eleven if we don't find the culprit? Luke was goading him, trying to get him to come clean. Luke was currently working with local and federal agencies investigating child sex trafficking. Elena Lincoln was on their radar. He remembered her from his days working for Grey. "Is it possible that they know Elena Lincoln? We have every reason to believe she has molested dozens of boys and girls over the last twenty years. I'm going to have my people cross reference these names with the list they have".

Time stood still. Christian stopped listening when Sawyer mention the words dozens and molestation. He thought he might faint. He left the room in search of fresh air.

Ana was left with more questions? Who is Elena Lincoln, what does she have to do with Christian? Was he molested?

Barney added the additional names to the list but it did not yield additional answers.

During the break, Luke noticed a new security detail standing outside the conference room. "Grey, where's Taylor"?

Ana glanced at her watch and noticed the time. They had been working seven hours and getting nowhere. "I hate to do this folks, but I have an appointment I can't get out of. It's my last lesson for the season. She didn't make an effort to move as everyone around her started packing up. Something was gnawing in the back of her mind but it wasn't clear; just beyond her reach. Scribbling notes, she bid the team goodnight. They would meet again in tomorrow.