A/N: Happy Thursday Ladies! Hope everyone is doing okay and staying safe. Here is the next chapter, I'm not totally happy with it but after many rewrites this is the best so far. Thank you all for being patient with me and hopefully I'll be able to get back in the swing of things soon.

Please Be Advised. WARNING: This story has strong, bloody violence, strong language, contains material that some find disturbing, and contain scenes of sexual nature.

I do not have an editor so there are going to be blips and mistakes. Please be kind when reviewing. This is purely for entertainment and not real life.

As always all mistakes are mine. Enjoy!

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

ANASTASIA

SEVEN MONTHS LATER - PRESENT TIME

"Are you headed home already?" I speak into the phone as I climb into my Ford Mustang.

"I just got a call and need to head back up to the office for a quick minute and then I'm heading your way. You there yet?" My husband hates when he beats me home.

"I'm leaving the school right now. My classroom is all packed up for the summer and I won't be returning until middle of August. Let the summer activities begin!" I cheer.

I loved my first year as a teacher but I'm so glad for a break. Kindergarten is not for the faint of heart and I could tell my patience were getting a little thin the last few days before it was over. I swear some parents send their kids to school all sugared up. I learned a lot this year and I can't wait to see the kids that come in the fall.

"I might stop off at the grocery store on my way home though. I think we ran out of popcorn and I plan on pulling a lot of all-nighters with Kate over the summer. We have entire list of shows we want to binge watch on Netflix."

I hear a growl and know that he is only half joking. Christian loves to spend all of his time with me and hates it when I'm busy with Kate.

"Does this mean she'll be at the house all summer?" He whines and I can't stop the giggles that come out. Christian may act like he dislikes Kate, but they do get along great when they see each other. She's become a permanent fixture in our life since I first met her. Christian was wary of her at first, I could tell, but as time went on he warmed up to her. He'll even bring her home some snacks on his way home sometimes when he knows she's here with me.

"Be nice, and not the entire summer. We do have vacation plans coming up to Hawaii." I let him know that I found out his surprise trip he planned for our anniversary.

"You weren't supposed to see that." He chastises.

"Then don't leave your notes on the kitchen counter for everyone to see." I taunt.

"Yeah, yeah whatever."

"I'll see you soon, love you."

"Love you more, baby. See you soon."

The call ends and I pull out of the parking lot and head towards home. A text comes in from Kate but that will have to wait until I get home. I've got to pee so bad and home is closer than the grocery store. I'll slip in make a list of everything I'm going to need over the next week then head to the store.

Pulling into the garage I see John, our lawn service guy, loading up the mowers and bags.

"Hi John!" I yell from the door.

"Hello Mrs. Greyson." He responds with a wave. I still find it weird to hear that last name instead of Grey but that is how Christian would prefer it to most people. I'm used to either now since I prefer my class to call me Ms. Grey and everyone else calls me Greyson.

I'll never forget two months ago when my husband came home from work one late afternoon and found me trying to mow our yard. Poor John had gotten a call that his daughter was in a car crash and needed to leave suddenly. I told him to leave everything here and rush over to the hospital.

I thought I could help by finishing the yard work to ease his stress so I went out to see if I could do a little work around the house. Christian would hire a person to carry me around and not lift a finger if I agreed but I refuse to be helpless. I've done most things on my own until he came around so there is no need to have someone wait on me hand and foot.

John had left the bushwhacker machine looking thing by the short bushes on the side of the house, so I thought I'd trim them for him. The moment I tried to pick up the heavy thing I should've known better. How hard could it be, right? Big mistake, the moment it turned on I was not prepared for the power it had and when it jolted forward the poor bush was cut in two. But the worst part is that I couldn't get it to turn off and took out an entire row of bushes along the side of the house.

Thank goodness for the guy, Carson, who stays in the guesthouse. He came out when I was screaming and saved me from taking out all the trees too. He was super nice but very reserved. He worked it like a pro and had it turned off in no time. By the time we took in all the damage I'd created Christian had come home and to say he was hot under the collar is an understatement. He first made sure I wasn't hurt then unleashed on me. He exploded like a volcano. Everyone was fired; John, Carson, me, even John Deer. Carson was the first to jump in and try to calm the situation. He had somehow mobilized Christian to the back of the house and after a few minutes they came back, and he had calmed down tremendously. It's a big joke now and John's daughter is recovered fully. I found out later that Christian had paid for her physical therapy. John had to replant all new bushes and I've promised to never touch a piece of lawn equipment ever again. Especially after I tried to help again and poured diesel gasoline into the mower and not regular gas. We live and learn.

I hurry through the house and up to the master bathroom. After doing my business I come out and hear the downstairs door close. Christian must be home.

"Hey Babe!" I call out coming down stairs. "I still need to run to the store…" I don't even get to finish my sentence because in the living room are six very large men standing there waiting for me.

I'm frozen for all of five seconds before my arm reaches out and hits the silent alarm on the wall next to the stairs.

"That wasn't a smart thing to do." One of the gargantuan men says.

My eyes are bouncing all over the room for the nearest escape, but the men are blocking every exit.

"We aren't going to hurt you, Sweetheart. My name is Ray and we just need you to come with us quietly." The older man of the group says. It's odd because he looks and sounds familiar like we've met before somewhere, but I can't place it.

The first rule Kate and I were taught in self-defense was to never go with your kidnapper. Always put up a fight or run until your lungs give out.

Fight or flight.

"She's gonna run." I hear from the back of the room. "Hundred bucks."

My chest is getting heavy and I know that I need to keep it in check. I've done really good about not needing my inhaler for a long time, but panic mode is starting to settle in.

"Jose stay back." Ray orders but that's when I see he's closed in on me.

Fight it is.

I use the stair rail and kick up as high as I can catching him off guard. He goes down like a sack of potatoes. I hear some gasps and oohs, but I don't wait around to for it. I take off as fast as I can through the room towards the backdoor, maybe Carson is in the guesthouse and will save me. I only make it halfway across the room before I'm picked up around the waist from behind and feel a pinch on my neck. I fight kicking and screaming before I can feel my body going limp.

"It's okay, sweetheart, we're going home." Is the last thing I hear before darkness consumes me.

My head is pounding, and I feel drowsy. Did Kate and I have another drinking night? Ahh, my mouth feels like I've swallowed cotton balls.

Slowly my eyes open expecting for the morning sun to make the throbbing worse but darkness shadows the windows as I stare out them. There is a small light in the corner of the room, and I see a figure sitting in a chair next to it.

"Oh good you're awake." Kate says and comes over to sit next to me on the bed. "Drink this." She hands me a glass of water and pushes it to my lips.

"How much did we drink today?" I bring my hand up to my forehead to help relieve the throbbing. "I just had the weirdest dream."

"Ana, I'm so sorry." Kate pleads grabbing for my hand. The little bit of light in the room catches her face and her eyes light up with tears in them. "Please forgive me. I didn't want to do this after we became so close. You're my best friend."

"Kate it's okay. We've drank way too much before remember." She talking crazy. Why would she need to apologize? Maybe I'm still dreaming.

A knock on the door startles us and that's when I get a look at the room we're in. We aren't at home. This isn't one of my rooms at my house. I've been to Kate's apartment and she doesn't have a room that looks like this one either.

"What…what's going on? Where are we Kate?"

The door opens and a man I don't recognize stands in the doorway. My dream becomes reality when I stare at the man who takes up the entire doorframe.

"Mr. Grey wants to see her now." He says holding the door wide open and motions for us to follow.

Kate stands and leaves me confused. Why would my husband be calling for me?

"Do you know him?" I ask Kate and push up towards the headboard away from her.

Is this the Twilight Zone? Wake up! Wake up!

"I'm so sorry Ana. Please," Kate begs.

"Mr. Grey doesn't like to wait." He barks.

"We're coming Bruno," Kate snaps at him then turns to me. "It'll be okay, I promise."

She tries to reach for me, but I bat her hands away.

"Stay away from me." I demand and retreat as far as I can.

"You either come on your own or I'll drag you." Bruno sneers and my body starts to shake.

"Shut the fuck up Bruno." Kate turns back to me. "You have to come but I'll be with you the entire time. Everything will be fine."

Kate comes over and my trembling body almost starts to convulse.

"Where is Christian?" I can't help the tears. "Who wants to see me?"

"He'll be here soon."

Kate helps me off the bed and my shaky legs buckle. She pulls me into her, and we manage to walk out of the room and down a long hall. She's whispering reassurances but I'm so scared that I can't understand what she's saying.

Bruno knocks on a large wooden double door and a voice calls out to come in. He opens the door and we follow in behind him. The study has floor to ceiling bookshelves. It has an old world vibe to it with a large marble globe in the corner. A map of the East Coast hangs on the wall. The large dark wooden desk sits in the middle of the room with a salt and pepper haired man sits behind it in a leather chair.

"Have a seat." He commands and Kate helps walk me over and plants me down on a leather wingback chair across from him.

He's a large, stocky man who fills the chair out completely. The better look I get at him the more I see Christian. This must be his father. The family he left behind to start a new life.

Mr. Grey pulls his black rimmed glasses off his face and tosses them on the desk after closing a file.

"My son has more secrets that he's been hiding than I thought, Ms. Lambert." Mr. Grey assert making me cringe at that last name. I dropped that name as fast as I could, not wanting to be associated with a horrible man.

He stands tall and makes his way slowly around his desk then leans his backside on the edge, crossing his ankles and arms. I feel tears slide down my cheeks and use my fingers to brush them away. The movement jolts Mr. Grey and he snatches my left hand.

"Well this changes things doesn't it?" He quips then snaps his neck over at Kate who has left my side. "I'll deal with you later Ms. Kavanaugh. Leave this room and go see your father." He dismisses.

I look up to Kate and see the worry in her eyes. She places a hand on my shoulder and squeezes. She takes her leave and I watch the last bit of strength walk out the door as Bruno shuts us in.

I've never been more terrified in my entire life. Aren't families supposed to welcome you with open arms? Why is he so cold to everyone?

"Tell me, what did my son say about his family?" He questions making me focus back on him.

"He…" I try to swallow but my mouth is dry, and it feels like sandpaper is in my throat. "He told me that he left to start a life on his own. That he didn't want the life his family led."

"Did he now? Did he happen to tell you what this family did for a living or did he keep more secrets?" He pushes. His voice is almost menacing. "It seems that I gave him too much of a rope of freedom over the last two plus years. I should've kept a closer watch on him, but his mother is not a woman you want on your bad side." His eyes soften at the mention of her.

I'm not sure what he means so I stay quiet. I notice a set of double French doors on the other side of the room but I'm not sure I could make it with Bruno lurking by.

"My wife is going to be ecstatic to hear the good news." He says more to himself. "Tell me Anastasia, do you know about what your father did before his death?"

What a strange question? How does he know about Frank? Why does this man have so many people working for him at his beck and call?

"You see Anastasia…"

There is a loud bang outside the room and a flurry of commotion comes for somewhere in the house.

"Aww, the prodigal son has returned." He crosses his arms over his chest. "Bruno take the newest member of the family to the corner." He commands and stands to his fullest height. "It's time I teach my son a lesson about family loyalty."

Bruno obeys and snatches me out of the chair forcefully latching onto my upper arm with so much strength that I know I'll be bruised later.

Just as we make it behind Mr. Grey and off to the side of the room, the wooden door burst open and off the hinges. In the doorway stands my husband. The look on his face is something I've never seen before. He looks like he could murder an army. There is a gang full of men behind him as he makes his way inside not taking his eyes off his father. The closer I look the more I recognize them as the men who were at my house earlier. It's like two bulls about to go head to head. The tension in the room is elevated to the extreme and it sucks all the oxygen out. I'm not sure what's about happen but it can't be good.

Something tells me this isn't going to be a happy reunion.

A/N: Thank you for reading and I hope you like my story! We are at the PRESENT! Christian's POV is next and it's going to be explosive. The next update will be in 2 weeks. I know, I know but things are still hectic here moving businesses and having to do virtual school with 2 kids that take over my computer all day long. I will update next on September 3. Stay Safe.

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