Chapter 52

Shit Show

Back in Seattle

Elliot POV

Fuck! Kate just hung up on me! I can't believe this! Why in the FUCK can't anyone listen to me and just do what I ask? They all seem to think they know what the best way to handle the situation is but they have no idea what's at stake. It's not just a person, and I mean the COMPLETE person, but mine and Kate's relationship. If they fuck up my relationship I'm going to beat the shit out of all of them.

I need to call Taylor so this shit can get taken care of. Not to mention I want to give them a piece of my mind. I've never been so angry in my life. Ok, I take that back. I think when I met Rhi and learned about her past I was angrier. This is nothing compared to that. This is anger. THAT was rage.

I'm not even going to call Kate back until I talk to Taylor and my brother. It would be pointless to call her back without having a resolution. I decide that this is not something that can be handled with a phone call. "That's quite obvious. Great. Now I'm talking to myself."

I step into my work boots and get ready to head out the door. Christian hates it when I wear them because they'll get his precious floor dirty. Fuck him. It'll serve him right to have to clean up after my dirty feet considering the mess I'm cleaning up from his paranoia and jealousy. Paybacks are a bitch, my friend.

I grab my keys and head out the door to my pickup and hop in. I call Taylor and surprise, surprise, I don't have to wait long for him to answer his phone. Typical. I swear that thing is a permanent attachment to him. Just as I'm pulling out of the driveway he answers.

"What's up Elliot?" He asks and he sounds tired. I imagine so considering the bullshit that's happened, and the fact that he has to deal with my brother and his issues. I couldn't do it that's for sure.

I try to keep my anger from seeping into my voice, for now anyway, "I'm on my way over to see you and Christian."

"Why?" He asks, like he doesn't know anything right now.

"Why?" I volley back to him. "What do you mean WHY?" The anger I've been trying to keep from my tone has started to infiltrate in and if I could reach through the phone I'd punch him. "What the FUCK is going on? Have you even handled the situation in Vegas? Or are you just sitting around babysitting my brother?"

He's quick to respond, "Elliot, things are being handled the way we normally do." That's it. That's all he has to say, like there's noting else they're going to do. Fuck that.

My patience snaps and I let my anger explode. "You haven't handled anything! You want to know what's happened? Luke pretty much attacked Rhi and Ryan and Reynolds just stood there and watched as Rhi punched Luke in the face. She may have a broken hand. Now, does that sound like things are being handled?!" I yell into the phone. I'm livid by this time and struggling to maintain control.

"What are you talking about? Ryan reported to me that everything is okay, that Luke is under control and all is well." He sounds like he doesn't believe me. Fucker.

I scoff, "I hate to break it to you but everything is NOT well. It's a fucking shit show. Not one of you assholes are listening to me. You think you know everything but you don't know shit. It's all about getting a chance to put your dick in someone, isn't it? Luke wants Rhi, Christian wants Ana and I want Kate. Fuck, for all I know YOU want Rhi too." I pause. I want to see if he has any response to that accusation. He says nothing so I continue, "No one is looking out for Rhi except for Kate and Ana and some guy she just met. You think you know what's best because of all the CPO protection surveillance military bullshit. I hate to break it to you but that shit's worthless in this case. You don't know a fucking thing about this. This isn't just a 'normal' situation. For once, and I've been saying this over and over, just fucking do what I ask. You'll get answers later when the time is right! Fuck!"

I hang up before he has a chance to respond and almost throw my phone out the window. I'm heading toward the Interstate and when I get stopped at a stop light I decide to send Kate a text.

E: On my way to see my brother and Taylor right now. Can you send me a pic of Rhi's hand? I'm going to give them proof that things have NOT been taken care of, like Ryan has said. Taylor said he was told Luke was under control and everything is okay. Obviously it's not so I'm going there to handle things. Can you send it? Please babe.

It takes a few minutes for her to respond and it's not all lovey-dovey like usual, which causes a knot to form in my stomach. I swear I'm going to kill my brother.

K: Let me ask Rhi

Kate POV

Great. Elliot is asking for proof. I don't understand what he needs to prove. That she's hurt? Or that Grey's goons lied and nothing is being done about it? Either way, I'll get the pictures he wants. At least we'll have evidence and a timeline for the doctor and surgeon and whoever else needs it, legitimately. I really hope this isn't just some morbid curiosity. Either way, I need to ask Rhi if it's okay to do it. After all, it's her life and her hand. She shouldn't have to prove things to some high and mighty asshole who thinks he knows everything.

Ana is still in the shower so I can't get her opinion on this matter. Exiting the room, I head to hers and, thank god, the door is still open. I hear them playfully arguing about where the lady is. Whatever that means. Knocking on the door, I get their attention and the arguing stops.

"Hey guys, I hate to interrupt your discussion on some lady but I need to talk to you Rhi. In private." Looking at Alex, "Sorry Alex, no offense."

He looks back at me and says, "None taken."

Rhi and I go into the kitchen where she asks, "What is it Kate? What's wrong?"

I sigh. I'm not sure how she's going to take me wanting to show Elliot but I'd rather be honest than hide the truth. She despises being lied to. "Can I take a picture of your hand? I was talking to Elliot and he wants to see what you're dealing with. Is it okay if I show him?" I pause for a moment then continue, "Besides, I want evidence and this is the best time to do it since it's fairly fresh. I'm sorry Rhi, but if there are issues with those guys again I think it's best we keep a record of everything." God I hate having to put her through this bullshit. I know she just wants it over with, and for people to quit bringing it up, but I really hope this will help with the situation.

She sighs and when she looks at me and I can tell she's exhausted. "Yeah, I guess so. I trust you and your judgement." She smiles, "Besides, I love Elliot and he'd freak out seeing this when we get home. We'd argue and I'd have to punch him too. You'd get upset and in no time we'd all be in a brawl. It's like a fucked-up version of the game Twister." She laughs at some weird image in her head.

I laugh along with her. "Well, that's ONE way to put it." Lord only knows what she's imagining.

She lays her hand out on the counter, as flat as she can, and I snap a couple of pictures of the back of her hand. She can't even flatten her hand all the way, and she definitely can't make a fist. Picking up her wrist, I hold her hand in the air and take pictures from all angles; better to be safe than sorry.

"Thanks Rhi. Go on, go back to your man and try to get some rest." I smile and give her a nudge toward the bedroom. I wonder if she's taken any pain meds but I'm not about to get into that argument with her. Besides, I'm sure Alex will take care of that part.

When I get back to the room, Ana is out of the shower and sitting on the bed. "Where'd you go? Is everything OK?" She asks, curious.

"I was taking pictures of Rhi's hand. I called Elliot and told him what happened today. Needless to say, he was surprised. Apparently he was under the impression that everything was taken care of. He was a little shocked about how quickly things have spiraled out of control. I was so mad that I warned him if it doesn't get fixed it's over." I pause for emphasis. "Then I hung up on him."

Ana's eyes grow wide and her mouth drops open. "Kate! You didn't."

I snort, "Oh yes I did! I'm sorry, but Rhi is a little more important than a relationship. Even Elliot. No matter how much I love him, I can't risk Rhi's safety. Who knows what would happen? Everything she's been through and everything we've done would be erased. I won't risk that." That was one of the hardest things I've ever had to say but it's true.

Ana is quiet for a minute. "Wow Kate. I thought I was the only one who felt that way. I'll leave Christian in a heartbeat if this isn't fixed immediately." She pauses again, "So, why the pictures?"

"He text me saying he was on his way to see Grey and Taylor and wanted to show them proof that things are most definitely NOT under control." I reply. "Believe me, when we get home, those assholes are going to hear from me. Just warning you it probably won't be pretty." I laugh, "We should sic Rhi on them."

Ana looks shocked, "Rhi will kill them all and we'd be planning funerals."

We laugh at the image but she's not lying. Rhi would fuck them up. Just look at what she did to Luke. Sitting down, I text Elliot.

K: I got the pics. I'll send more than one so you can see the extent of the damage. You need to text me when you're talking with your brother and Taylor. Together. Then, and only then, will I send them. No one else is to see this, and it goes to your phone only. Period.

He doesn't answer right away and I'm assuming he's still driving. All I can do right now is wait.

Elliot POV

This is a fucking nightmare. If I lose Kate because of these fucking assholes I'm going to kill someone.

I'm finally on the Interstate and I'm driving way too fast. It's a 20-minute drive to Escala and I make it in 10. I decide to wait until I get inside to call or text Kate. Stepping into the elevator, I punch in the code and head up. My anger rises along with the elevator and if I don't calm down I'm going to blow a gasket. When the door opens, no one is there to meet me, which is odd because Taylor is always there when someone enters GEH or Escala. Safety or paranoia, I'm not sure which at this point.

I don't know where they are so I yell, "Hey assholes! Where the fuck are you?!"

I hear a slight noise and look to my left. Christian rounds the corner nearest the kitchen. "What the fuck Elliot? What are you doing here?" Christian asks. He's got a glass of wine in his hand and is wiping his mouth with a napkin, like he just finished eating.

Ignoring his question I snap, "Where's Taylor? He didn't tell you anything?" Taylor is really pissing me off now, hiding things or omitting them, I'm not sure which yet. I yell, "Taylor! Get your ass out here!"

Coming down the hallway that leads to the security office, Taylor walks over to us. He looks kind of pissed. Yeah, I'm pretty sure he didn't appreciate me yelling at him or hanging up on him. I really don't give a fuck.

As he approaches us he asks, "Elliot, what's this all about? Ryan and Reynolds told me the situation with Luke was under control. Now you're telling me he tried to grab Rhiann, she hit him and now she might have a broken hand? What the hell is going on?" His deep voice laced with irritation. Yeah, like I give a fuck how irritated he is.

I scoff, rolling my eyes. I see Christian tense up at that and hold back a laugh. "That's what I've been trying to figure out this whole fucking time!" I sneer, ready to take a swing at him with my fist. "I've asked you guys to do specific things and you haven't listened to me. Now things are so fucked up I don't know if there's a way to fix it. This is NOT something that is 'routine' or 'normal.' It's also not something you need to know about until the time is right."

I glare at my brother, "Dude, you have to trust me. If there was any threat to you, our family or your business I'd tell you in a heartbeat. As it is, YOU might be fucking up your own future with Ana by being an idiot and not controlling your hounds."

I glance at Taylor and see his expression harden as he clenches his teeth. Yeah, I called you a dog. What are you going to do about it? I know he hates that label but if the shoe fits.

Christian's eyes widen at that last comment. "What do you mean my future with Ana? Tell me what you know." He demands. Bro, I'm not going to make this easy on you so don't even try.

I ignore him and Taylor and text Kate.

E: I'm here with Christian and Taylor. Can you send me the pics of Rhi's hand please? I promise they will stay on my phone only and I'll delete it whenever you tell me to.

K: 'Image Sent"

E: 'Ping.'