Christian

I'm roused awake and I'm confused until I realize my phone is what woke me. I hurry to grab it and drop it next to the bed.

"God damn it." I release Ana quickly to dive for my phone.

It's my mother's number.

"Hello?" I clear my throat.

"Daddy?" My girl is sobbing.

"Baby? What's wrong? What happened?" I sit straight up.

"Daddy, I'm so sorry! I love you. Please don't hate me."

My heart clenches at her words. "Oh, lovebug, I could never hate you. I love you. Everything is going to be okay. Don't worry. Just take some deep breaths, okay?"

"Please come get me."

I look at the clock. 4:00am.

"Okay, Ellie. I'm coming. I'll be there soon. Just relax okay. Don't make yourself sick."

I turn to find Anastasia sitting up in bed, clutching the sheet to her chest while she grins at me.

I find my own smile matching hers. "Hurry, get dressed." I hop out of bed, but she doesn't move. "Ana?" I quirk an eyebrow at her as I yank on my jeans, not bothering with my boxer-briefs.

"Are-are you sure you want me to go, Christian? I can stay here."

"Ana." I have a seat on the side of the bed and cup her cheeks. "I promise you I will do everything in my power to make you forget what I said earlier. I hate that you are second guessing yourself. Ellie would be devastated if you didn't come. She needs us. Both of us."

She searches my eyes as the insecurity in hers pours out. Fuck. I did this to her. My temper got the best of me and I fucked up royally. "You're meant to be here, Anastasia." I keep my eyes on hers, showing her I mean it.

Finally, with a sigh, she nods. "Okay."

I smile. "Come on. We're taking the Aston."

XxXxXx

"Christian!" Anastasia's eyes pop out of her head when I open the garage door leading to my Aston Martin. "This is gorgeous!"

I grin. I love her response to my cars. I unlock the sports car and open the door for her, offering her my hand to help lower her. She looks inside and back up to me.

"I don't think I'm worthy enough to sit in this thing. Maybe I should shower first." She giggles.

"Get your sexy ass in the car." I smack her backside and grab her hand to help her in. She continues to giggle as she slips into the low car.

"Fingers." I shut the door and hurry to my side and slide in, folding my long legs into the car. Reaching across her, I pull on her seatbelt and buckle her in, checking to make sure it's situated. I don't plan on keeping to the speed limit.

"Christian... when you said Aston... I was picturing... like..." She shrugs.

"James Bond?" I wink at her and buckle myself.

"Well, yes. I didn't know they still made them. I thought they were all older."

"Still making them. Still beautiful. Still fast." I turn the vehicle on and it hums to life and I see Ana squeeze her clasped fingers together as I throw it in reverse. Fuck, I'm enjoying this too much. "Mind if we make this quick?"

She gives me a bright smile with her bottom lip stuck between her teeth. "Please." Her excitement is palpable.

Once we're out of the gates and onto the highway, I quickly glance around for black and whites before I accelerate, shifting gears as I go.

I chance a look over at her as I hit 90mph and see her clasping her hands under her chin, her face bright, her cheeks pink. I know I'm grinning like a little boy with his favorite toy, but I can't help it. I'm an adrenaline junkie and it seems like the little thing beside me is, too.

"Hanging in there, baby?" I hear her squeal of delight as I pass 100.

"Definitely."

God, she's so fucking sexy. "I'm going to fuck you in this car."

"Aren't you worried we'll ruin the leather?"

"I'm not stopping until we do."

"If you don't stop talking like that, I'll ruin it all by myself." She wiggles in her seat and I groan at the thought of her panties being soaked through.

"My baby likes to play. Sounds like a date up the coast is in order. What do you think?"

She's biting that lip of hers and her delicate fingers come across the console to grip my thigh. "I've never given road head before, but I think it's definitely something I'll consider."

"Fuck, baby." I slow down and shift gears as the exit to my parents pops into view. "You're getting so brazen."

Her cheeks color as I pull off the highway. She looks like she's unsure if she should be so forward and I hate that she can go from hot and bothered to unsure so quickly. I need to shut that shit down quickly.

Grabbing her hand, I place it on my cock. It's hard as steel, pushing against the rough zipper of my jeans. "Tell me what else you want to do to me."

She giggles and shakes her head, looking the other way, but her fingers betray her shyness by squeezing my dick.

"Tell me, baby. What do you want to do on this date? How do you want to fuck me?"

She clears her throat. "Christian... I don't think...we're going to be there soon."

I slow the car down and drop gears. "We've made great time, Anastasia. I'll take my time now. Where do you want to fuck me?"

I watch her as she chews on her thumbnail. "Maybe... on the bluffs?"

I chuckle. "Maybe, huh?"

She nods. "With the water below... during sunrise."

I reach over and run my hand up and down her jean-covered thigh, my pinky caressing the seam between her legs. "And where in the car, baby? On the hood?" She obviously wants to see the view.

She shakes her head. "In the driver's seat."

I'm surprised. "Is that right?"

She gives me a sweet smile and her hand finally relaxes back to her lap. "I want to sit on your lap while we watch the sunrise." My cock twitches and lengthens at her admission.

My head falls back on the headrest and I release her thigh to shift as I turn into my parents gated community. "Jesus, Ana. We're doing this soon." I keep my speed low as we make it through their community, trying my best to get rid of the very obvious hard-on I have.

Anastasia

I love watching this side of Christian. Happy and playful Christian is my favorite and I can't deny that I am anxious for our car date myself, but it doesn't have to do with the hot car sex...well, not just the car sex anyway. I like watching him free. Seeing him behind the wheel of one of his toys is such a beautiful sight. All of his problems seem to be forgotten when he's racing down the highway.

Hand-in-hand, we make our way up to the Grey residence, but I stay by the door in the entryway while he speaks with his mother in the kitchen. Grace is in pajamas with a coffee in her hand as they talk quietly and Ellie has fallen asleep on the couch while waiting for Christian to come get her. It's such a peaceful morning and I find myself with a small smile on my face, feeling like soon, everything will work itself out. Christian and I are on our way to mending, although I know my heart will take some time. Ellie and Christian are just at the beginning of their mend and it seems that Grace is helping Christian navigate through that.

I hear footsteps on the stairs at the end of the entryway and brown slippers and a dark blue silk pajama set come into view. Carrick is looking through slits while his hair is stuck out in all angles and it makes me smile. Carrick is a good looking man, but seeing him like this makes him look like an adorable grandpa and it's such a sweet sight. He walks past the entryway and toward the aroma of coffee in the kitchen, but stops and takes a few steps backwards before he turns to me.

"Anastasia?"

I give him a smile and an awkward wave. "Morning."

He makes his way over and immediately pulls me into a hug, making me laugh.

"Good morning, sweetheart. You've come to get Ellie?"

I nod. "Yes. Christian and Grace are in the kitchen. I wanted to give them some privacy."

"Yes, our Ellie was in a bit of distress last night, wasn't she?"

My eyebrows knit together and I frown. I feel so guilty. "Yes, I know. I'm so sorry. She should have never been in earshot of our argument. We know how sensitive she is about fighting and then with everything with her mom... it was just too much for her. That's my fault."

"Anastasia... are you and Christian okay?"

I'm surprised by his question. "Oh... um, yes. It was just an argument. We've made up."

"Do you have a lot of these?"

My heart plummets into my stomach. Suddenly, I feel unworthy of Christian. I feel like his father is judging me hard. "No, Mr. Grey." I wring my hands. "Usually, we do pretty well at communicating. I should have never pushed him on the subject of Ellie. It was wrong of me. I'm sorry."

He chuckles and squeezes my shoulders. "It's Carrick, Anastasia. You know that... and get those thoughts out of your head. I like you. I'm not judging you or thinking you're somehow unworthy of my son. I just know how he works. He's always been a serious boy... brooding... even harsh sometimes and I want to make sure that both of you are happy. I don't want either of you to end up heartbroken. I don't want either of you to try to force anything because of your love for Ellie. You can have a relationship with her without being together."

"Carrick... do you not approve of me?"

"Anastasia, I thought I made myself clear, but I'll say it again. I like you, Anastasia. I approve of you. For Ellie and for Christian. I just wanted to make sure you realize neither of you are stuck."

I give him a soft smile and hope that he's being honest about liking me. He doesn't seem like a man that would lie about something like this. I think he'd just come out and say it if he didn't want us being together.

"I don't feel like I'm stuck. I love your son. I love your granddaughter. I love being a part of their family... your family. You all have made me feel so comfortable from the very beginning and I can't help but feel like this is where I'm meant to be."

He gives me a grin. "We're happy to have you. You're good for Christian and Ellie." Pulling me in for another hug, I squeeze him and it makes me miss my own father.

"I leave her alone for five minutes and you've moved in on my girl."

We pull back, laughing at Christian's remark.

"Just keeping my future daughter-in-law entertained while you were being chastised by your mother."

I wince at his words, but Christian just gives him a grin. "Appreciate that. I'm sure it won't be the last time you'll have to do that. Let me grab the girl and we'll head out."

As Christian scoops her up from the couch, she wakes and gives him a sleepy grin.

"Hi, Daddy."

His face lights up as soon as she looks at him and I see his past worry about her disappears in that second.

"Hey, lovebug. You ready to go home?"

"Yes. Will you sit with me on the way home? I want to talk."

He blinks a few times and I grin opening my hand up and rocking on my feet. Keys, please!

His eyes stare down at my open hand. "You know how to drive a stick?"

"Yes." I bite my lip. Give me the keys!

He looks so unsure and Carrick chuckles. "Just give her the keys, Christian."

I nod. "Yes, give Ana the keys." I give him a giant grin and make grabby hands.

"Speed limit."

Giving a nod, I reach over and yank the keys out of his pocket, the keychain hanging out a bit. "Of course."

"Okay, Ellie. I'll sit in the back with you and we'll see how Ana handles the Aston."

I snort. "I handle you everyday, Christian. I have no doubt I can handle the car."

XxXxXx

Christian has his arm around Ellie, who is sitting in the middle, but his eyes remain on me and the road and, although it's a little annoying, I understand. It is a very expensive car and there is no way could afford to fix it if I broke it somehow. It drives like a dream though, the gears shifting like butter. My dad's old work truck sounded like it was dying with every gear change, the grinding almost giving you a toothache. My father would die to drive a car like this one.

"Daddy... I'm sorry I was so mean. I don't hate you."

"Thank you, lovebug. I'm sorry, too. I should have listened and been nicer to Ana. We shouldn't have yelled."

I look in the rearview mirror and see Ellie beaming up at her father. "Does that mean I can quit some activities? I'm tired of them, Daddy."

He sighs. "I'll make you a deal. I'll let you pick which activities you want to quit, but I want to take you to talk to someone about you being sad."

"What do you mean?"

"It's called a therapist. I have one, too. I know you're struggling with your mommy dying and I want you to talk to someone that can help make you happy again. You can talk to them about anything you want. Not just your mommy."

"So, when you're being a butt I can tell them?"

I have to suppress a giggle, but I hear Christian chuckle. "Yes, I'm sure they'll hear a lot about me being a butt."

"Oh, Dad. You're not that bad." I gaze to the mirror to see her snuggling into him. "You're a good dad, you just need to listen better."

"So, I've been told."

Christian

I hate how sterile this feels. I am sitting in a conference room with Taylor and my lawyers while we wait for Anastasia and Elliot to show up. I wanted to do this in private, but Taylor encouraged me to do it at work, away from our home and in a place of business so that lines don't get crossed. I ended up agreeing. I don't want anything about the Hyde fucker ruining our home. Taylor seems to think that they'll be more open-minded and agree to what my lawyers have planned if we keep it strictly business-like. I haven't told either of them why I needed them here today and I worry they're both going to be pissed at me.

Elliot arrives first and looks completely confused when Andrea escorts him to the conference room instead of my office.

"What is going on?" He looks at the four of us while Andrea shuts the glass door behind her.

"Jack Hyde."

Elliot's jaw clenches at the name. "What happened? Is Stasia okay? What-"

I put my hand up. "Ana is okay. She'll be here soon. Elliot, these are my lawyers DeAndre Wilson and Diana Ragusa."

He shakes their hands and greets Taylor before having a seat. "I'm going to guess that something has happened?"

Nodding, I rub my palms together. "Yes, but I don't want to repeat myself. Let's wait for Ana."

The door opens and I turn on my heel and give her a smile while Andrea holds the door open for her.

"Hi, baby."

"What..." She shakes her head. "What is going on?"

I slip an arm around her and give her a kiss. "Taylor and I need to talk to you and Elliot about Jack Hyde."

Her eyes fill with tears just from the name and it's like a knife to the heart. "Jack?"

I nod. "Have a seat sweet girl and we'll explain." I pull out a rolling chair for her and seat her next to Elliot, me on her other side. I want her to feel safe and secure during this. When I see her eying the two across the table, I introduce them.

"So... lawyers." Anastasia looks at me. "Does that mean... did he come back? Is he threatening Elliot again?"

I sigh and run a hand through my hair. "He contacted me."

She shakes her head and I reach up and wipe a tear off her cheek that falls.

"Yes, baby. We spoke."

"Christian..." She clears her throat. "What... what did he say?"

"Well, remember I said that I was going to buy SIP and rebrand it?" I curl a piece of her hair around my index finger.

"Yes. I remember. You already bought it?"

I nod.

"Wow. That was fast."

"I needed him gone. I paid more than I normally would have to expedite it, but during this process, I weeded out the bad and brought in a therapist for the others. There was a woman... she came forward about the abuse she experienced with Hyde."

Anastasia's uptight shoulders drop suddenly. "There are more?" She shakes her head. "Of course there were more. Who was it? Who did he hurt?"

My eyes find my lawyers, wondering if the name of the woman is confidential.

Ragusa gives me a nod. "Ms. Steele, the woman in question is in police protection right now. Her name will come to light later. Right now, our hands our tied."

I turn Ana's chair back toward me. "Ana, the woman was found knocked out in her front yard after her admission to the therapist."

"No!"

I nod, taking her hands. "That same day she was found, he contacted me."

"What did he say?"

I lick my lips. I don't want to tell her, but Taylor said it'd be best if she knows all of it. "I recorded what I could."

"And we can hear it, right? I want to know what he said."

"Yes, Ms. Steele." Taylor takes over and pulls up the recording on his device. "This starts in the middle of their conversation, but Mr. Grey managed to get a good amount of it."

"It means I'm not stupid."

"You sure about that, Jack?"

"Say... isn't it interesting that my Mercedes hasn't moved? Did you really think you could get away with that GPS tracker?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Of course you don't. Stop messing with me, Grey. Is this really all worth it for some pussy?"

"Excuse me?"

"Of course, it is such a good one, isn't it, Grey."

"Stop. I'm warning you."

"It's so unfair. Your fucking ape of a brother tore me off of her before I could really have my fun. That tiny little throat of hers was no match for my grip. The things I could have done to her if I could have gotten her to black out. Coming once was not nearly-"

"SHUT THE FUCK UP! JUST SHUT. UP. You're a disgusting excuse for a human being. One way or another, you're going down. I just started, Jack... and the difference between you and I is that the apes are on my side. No one to stop me."

"You sound so sure, Grey. Maybe I need to teach you both a lesson. She was a good lay after all... I could go for another round."

"You stay away from her. I will kill you myself if you even try to come for her."

Taylor turns off the recording when Jack starts to laugh.

Elliot slams his fists down on the table, startling all of us. "I'll kill him. I'll kill him myself. I should have done it the first fucking time." He paces the office and Anastasia watches him in tears. "I need fucking liquor, dude."

I point to the corner cabinet, where we keep a tray with liquor and crystal tumblers for our important clients. He yanks a decanter and tumbler out of it and has a seat, drowning his anger in the dark amber liquid.

Anastasia's eyes leave what he's doing and she turns to look up at me with sad doe eyes that would bring any man to his knees.

"Fuck, baby. Come here." I pull her toward me and into my lap, holding her.

"He's coming for us." She's trembling.

"We'll keep you safe. We have a plan, baby. You know I wouldn't let anything happen to you, right?" I tuck her hair behind her ear.

She searches my eyes. "You want me to go to the police."

"Yes." I breathe out. "You and Elliot. You need to reopen the case."

"But... but Elliot-"

"Ana, don't worry about me. We're going to clobber this fucker. He can say whatever the fuck he wants. Let him try to charge me with anything fucking violent. I'll show him violence." Elliot grinds out and takes another shot of liquor.

Ana rises off my lap and places her hand over his as he reaches for the decanter. "Please. Don't do this. Don't lose your mind to this."

He swallows and I see the tears in his eyes for her. It wrecks me. I hate that they were forced through this shit without my knowledge and without any help from anyone.

Elliot pulls Ana to him and she hugs him around the neck tightly. "We have to go to the police station, Ana."

Pulling away enough to look at him, she sighs. "Sober up, Elliot. I don't like seeing your eyes blurry like this."

He nods. "I'm sorry."

Shaking her head, she hugs him again. "No, I am. This is my fault."

"It's the Hyde fucker's fault." Taylor replies and I agree.

"Let's get some food and then we'll head down with Taylor and our lawyers." Tomorrow, I'll introduce Ana to her second CPO so that she is protected 24/7. I know she has a tendency to wander around the city to take pictures and I won't be having her do it alone anymore.

Anastasia

It feels completely surreal being in the police station. I tried my hardest to put this shit behind me and try to let it go and now the wound is being ripped wide open again. I'm still worried about how this is going to affect Elliot, but there isn't much we can do now. I'm sure Christian will do whatever he can to keep Elliot out of trouble. Reopening this case will also mean that we'll have to go to trial. It means I'm going to have to look that disgusting man in the face when all I want to do is hide in bed and cry my eyes out. Just the thought of him looking at me makes me feel dirty. I don't want him to see me crumble, but I can't imagine being able to hold it together when I see him.

I want to be angry with Christian for going after him, but I can't be. Knowing that he's abused others and that they're still hurting is enough reason for me to do this. If I shatter, then so be it. I can't have him continue to victimize other women. If me taking the stand and reliving my abuse keeps other women untouched, then I'll do it. I'm scared; I won't deny it. Even sitting here with these three large men, I find myself trembling. I'm scared they'll bring him in. I'm scared he'll be here while we're here. Christian and Elliot are flanking my sides and Taylor sits behind me, but they can't keep me from spotting him or him spotting me. Just the thought of seeing him makes me want to lose my lunch.

Christian has his arm over my lap protectively, gripping my thigh while I hug his arm and Elliot has his arm draped over my chair, his hand resting on my shoulder. The detectives are looking at us suspiciously and it's making me even more anxious. I worry they won't believe me... especially since it's been nine months since the incident and I dropped the charges.

"Ms. Steele." My eyes fly up to Detective Harris. "Are you coming today on your own free will? Without these men pressuring you?" Her eyes bounce from Christian to Elliot.

I clear my throat. "Yes. I want to reopen the case. I don't want Jack to hurt anyone else."

The woman gives me a nod and opens the box on the table. "We retrieved your file and evidence from the back room. Luckily, they ran your rape kit before you dropped your case because it looks like your kit is missing."

"Missing? How the fuck does that happen?" Christian is pissed.

My fingers twist together. "But you have the results? The fluid samples and DNA?"

She nods. "Yes. It's in your file. We haven't received a DNA sample from Mr. Hyde, yet, but this will tell us if there is a match."

"Who would take the kit?" Christian is stuck on this.

"I... I don't know. It could have been misplaced. It could have been thrown away accidently."

"What a coincidence." He rolls his eyes.

The second detective, a man named Detective Deaver, scowls at Christian, but Detective Harris ignores him.

"Ms. Steele, I know we already have your account on tape, but because it's been so long, we're going to ask you to go over that day again."

I'm going to throw up. "But... but I already told you what happened. Isn't that enough? Why are you doing this to me?" I gaze up at Christian who is staring intently at the detectives and I worry that if he hears all of it, he'll think of me differently. The thought of having to relive that day again and again is hard enough, but the thought of the man I love closing off because he's disgusted is too much to bear.

"We don't mean to do anything to you, Ms. Steele. Sometimes, people remember things clearer when their trauma isn't so fresh. You might be able to give us more details than last time."

My gaze remains on Christian and he finally looks down at me. "What if I don't want more details coming out?"

Christian's face turns sad. "Baby, do you think that any of us are going to judge you for that? Like you had any control of what happened? Do you think we're going to look at you differently?"

I look down at my lap. I hate that he can read me so easily.

"It's not going to happen, Ana. I love you. Elliot loves you. Nothing you say is going to change that. If anything, we're going to love you even more. Your courage and strength is incredible. You are incredible."

A small smile lands on my face even during this miserable time. "Are you trying to butter me up Mr. Grey?" I look up at him and he chuckles, pressing a kiss to my temple.

Sitting up straighter, I nod. "Okay, I'll do it."

Teaser? Just Ask

Up Next: A run-in with the police.