Chapter 8:
Ana turned on the television in her hotel room and cringed when she saw the lead story. Henry Castel and one of his costars from his last movie were standing together on the red carpet to a star-studded charity event looking very friendly. His big arms were wrapped around her and he was smiling down at the woman. It had been one month since Ana gave back the diamond. She had stayed in Seattle with Kate for a few days, long enough to meet up with Mia for lunch and then drive to Montesano to see her Dad. She returned to London to move her belongings out of Hank's apartment and into the apartment that her boss arranged for her. Bloomfield Publishing was more than happy to help her especially when they received a phone call from a certain American billionaire. Ana accepted to do a few author visits in France and Italy so she didn't have to be in London. She knew in her heart that her time in Great Britain was numbered. Even in Italy, Henry Castel was still haunting her with guilt. She knew she shouldn't have accepted his proposal when her heart still belonged to Christian Grey. She had hoped that maybe Hank could crowd the gray-eyed god from Seattle out of her heart and mind. She was packing her laptop away when her cell rang.
"Hey, Sweetie…how's those Italian models this year?" Kate's sassy voice asked. "Did you get to ride on a Maserati?"
"You mean in a Maserati?" Ana answered with a question.
"Oh, hell no! I mean cowgirl position on a good-looking Italian! Girl, get laid so you can get your head on straight!"
"Kate, unlike you my friend, the "ho", I don't need to soak my heartache in sex … wine works just as well and I can't get pregnant." That got Kate laughing so hard that she was snorting. Ana had to smile. Even with a continent and the Atlantic Ocean between them, Kate could make her smile. "So, what's up, chickie?"
"Hmmm, well let's just say that the Seattle gossip circles are in a tizzy after my mother's expose on Elena Lincoln." Kate was giddy. "Mom could be up for a Pulitzer for Investigative Reporting. She uncovered a BDSM ring that was working out of an underground club in Belletown."
"Kate, BDSM is not illegal."
"It is when there are minors involved, blackmail, extortion, and sex worker trafficking."
Ana was speechless. She went to sit on the bed, however she missed and slid to the floor. "Holy Shit!" She breathed. "What … Who … Why?"
"Mom was investigating Mrs. Lincoln for an article series that she has been working on, "Seattle's Powerhouse Businesswomen" and she got a tip that Mrs. Lincoln was not the upstanding Social Matron as she likes to come across as. Once Mom started to nose around, she learned that Elena was pimping out people through the salons. She also owns a BDSM club on Aurora Street that was raided one night and the police found minors, a couple as young as ten being … well let's just say … it made the cops sick to their stomach!"
"Oh, god." Ana closed her eyes and prayed that Christian's name was kept out of this shit-storm. "Who else is involved in this?"
"Jack Hyde, who used to work at SIP. He got fired for trying to molest your replacement and was brought up on charges, but he skipped on bail. Come to find out, he was hiding out at "El Dolor" all this time. A couple of high rollers in business, and a state senator and his wife. Not all the patrons were arrested, but they are being questioned. The police found records of who paid for what and when and who was being blackmailed. Then, the big enchilada, the list of those who requested young boys and girls."
"That woman deserves to fry in hell." Ana said softly. "How is Grace taking this? Elena Lincoln was her friend for a good many years."
"Yes, that was mentioned in the articles, but it also known that Lincoln and the Grey's had a falling out. Of course, Mom would never write a word against Grace since the woman saved her life."
"What about Christian? He did loan her the money to start her salons."
"He sold his shares in Esclava months ago, and you will never guess to who? Elena's ex-husband!" Kate was laughing once again. "I have never liked that old bat. She used to flip around my Dad being suggestive, even front of Mom. Then, she went after Ethan and he told her to fuck off!" Kate lowered her voice as if someone was listening. "She even propositioned me when I was fifteen telling me that she could teach me tricks to catch a rich man. I laughed in her face and told that bitch that I would make my own fortune. I don't need a man to make me rich." She sighed heavily. "There was always rumors and gossip about that woman, but no one said anything to the right person. Who knew she liked her sexual partners very, very young?"
Me, I knew. I knew that she raped Christian when he was only a fifteen year old troubled boy. I knew that she beat him until he could barely walk. I also know that she fucked him up so bad that he thought that she was helping him and he protected her! She is the reason that he can't love or accept love from his family … or from me!
"Ana, Ana, did you hear me? I asked if you heard from Hank lately." Kate nearly screamed making Ana pull the phone from her ear.
"Sorry, I was trying to open a bottle of water, but no, I haven't heard from Hank." Ana found the TV remote and turned off the bothersome thing. "I got all my belongings out of his apartment after I returned to London and moved into my own little flat that I adore."
"Well, listen to you being all British sounding and oh so proper." Kate said using her version of a British accent. "So, when are you coming home?"
"I leave for London in the morning." Ana said not catching on that Kate was referring to Seattle.
"Ana, when are you coming home to Seattle?"
"I have no plans…"
"God, you are so stubborn!" Kate said sternly. "That man is in love with you! Christian wants you, Anastasia. Don't you get it! He wants you!"
"I … don't …"
"Don't lie to me, chickie! I know that you still love him. You broke the heart of the sexiest man in the world for what? To live in a little flat in London working on other people's dreams to get published? Girl, get your head out of your ass and get home."
"Seattle is not home." Ana replied. "And, I don't need a stalking, paranoid, stubborn maniac who has more money than sense."
"Fine, then, come home to watch the city burn Elena Lincoln in effigy. She has zero friends here and I will bet my Manolo Blahniks that she will get prison time! It will be fun, we can have Burn the Bitch parties!"
"You are not right in the head. Listen, Kate, you take care of the parties and I'll be in touch. I do have to go, my other line is ringing and it might be my boss. I love you…. Bye!"
Ana turned off her phone and dropped it behind her head onto the bed. She sighed heavily. Grace did it! Grace brought the Wicked Witch of Butt Plugs down! Bully, for the good doctor! Ana closed her eyes and slowly rotated her head to stretch her tighten neck muscles. She could only hope that Grace was able to keep Christian's name out of this scandal. She got up slowly and started to go into the bathroom when her cellphone did ring. She looked down to see Grace's name.
"Hello, Grace."
"Ana, I was hoping I would catch you. You're not too busy to talk."
"I'm in Italy and I am packing to head back to London. Are you alright, Grace?"
"I did it, Ana. I brought her down. Agnes Kavanagh is a newshound goddess! I gave her a few tips, and she ran with it. She exposed that pedophile piece of shit and brought down a secret sex trafficking ring." Grace was crying and Ana suspected she might be a little drunk! "I saved my son. I saved him, Ana. Me! I was finally able to help him!"
"Oh, Grace." Ana felt her own eyes tear up. "You and Carrick have always been there for Christian, for all your children." A tear slipped down over her cheek. "You are a good mother."
"Yeah, I let an old dinosaur rape my baby boy. I should get the "mother of the year" award any day now." Her voice was very raspy and Ana could not hear what she was saying. Her words were slurred. Ana caught a word or two. "Bitch" and "stoooopid cuunnnnnnnnnnnnt!" Ana had to bite her lip to fight the laugh that threaten to escape. Grace Grey did not cuss like that!
"Grace, are you still there?" Ana asked when she heard absolutely nothing. She was about to ask again, but the connection was lost. Ana stared down at the phone in her hand and contemplated calling the good doctor back, but decided to let drunk Doctors sleep it off! She continued packing for her early morning flight.