Chapter 72

Radio Silence

Kate and Ana POV

"Well, it's been an interesting day, wouldn't you agree Ana?" I ask as Ana plops down on the couch Rhi vacated a few minutes ago, and I look at her, my eyebrows raised.

She sighs, "I agree. It's been an exhausting day. I think especially for Rhi and Alex. I'm so happy she decided to tell Alex some of her past, no specific details yet, but I'm sure that will come in time. She seems so much more relaxed and actually happy after her appointment. I think a lot of it is from not having to hide the injuries anymore." She pauses, "I also think that talking to Dr. W made a huge difference. She really needed Dr. Cameron but Dr. W was a good substitute." She takes a sip of her drink then continues, "I also think we've seen a glimmer of the old Rhi today and I think Alex did too. I also think he's realizing that she's stubborn, independent and a pain in the ass and that he's got his hands full." She laughs.

I laugh with her. "Well, we'll just have to welcome him to the club!"

We're both silent for a few moments before Ana breaks the silence, "Kate? Can I ask you a question?"

Looking over at her, I reply, "Of course. Anything."

She looks at me and asks, "Have you been keeping Elliot updated on everything?"

"Of course. Why?" I reply, looking at her. I'm wondering where this is coming from.

"I was simply curious about what you've told him. I'm wondering if any information has gotten back to Christian." She replies, "I don't want to deal with his controlling, jealous possessiveness. He is kind of overbearing."

This is the first time Ana's even brought up Grey's name since this started at the pool yesterday. After all, she did say she didn't want to talk to him until we get home. I know she's pretty pissed at him. Hell, we all are. He really fucked up.

"Ana, I've just been keeping him updated on things. He promised me he'd take care of things back home. I guess he's trying to get through to Grey and Taylor about staying out of things. He's been successful keeping Grey from coming here." Elliot is such an asset in this situation. "From what I've heard is that right now, Taylor is the one with most of the issues. It's killing him that he can't find any information on Rhi. She's locked down so tight it's almost like she doesn't exist." I smirk at her. "Besides, Elliot knows I'd never forgive him if he told anyone about Rhi."

Ana is looking out the window, silently. She quietly speaks and I'm surprised at her words. "Kate. I don't know what to do. I don't know if I'll ever forgive Christian for causing pain for Rhi. He sent Luke and the guys here because of his paranoia and jealousy and that caused her to spiral." She looks at me again, sadness and anger in her eyes, "From what you've told me, Elliot has tried numerous times to get him to leave us be but he refused to listen. Now he's silent. No texts, no phone calls and no emails. I don't know what he's doing and I don't know what to think." She sighs, "I'm beginning to think that he really doesn't have a heart."

I'm so stunned I almost drop my drink. I know my jaw has dropped and my eyes are wide. I never thought I'd hear her say something like that. She's always said that despite his many flaws she knows he has a heart.

"Why would you say that Ana?" I ask, and I can't keep the shock from my voice.

Sighing loudly, "Kate. You've been telling Elliot what's been happening. Elliot's been telling them to leave us alone. I'm pretty sure Christian's aware of the situation with Luke. Yet, he hasn't once tried to reach out to check on us. Elliot is the only one. What else am I supposed to think? He hasn't done anything to indicate he's feeling any kind of regret about his part in this." She leans her elbows on her knees and places her head in her hands.

I can't help but laugh at the thought that goes through my mind. "Ana. I bet he's terrified of talking to you in any capacity. I can almost guarantee it. The big bad Grey is afraid of little ol' you because he fucked up. I know he's afraid of losing you but I don't think he realizes by him not reaching out he's making things worse."

"I would think he would be pissed enough to contact me in any way he could considering I never even told him I was going out of town. Hell, when we were home he would text and email constantly. Now that I leave town, he freaks out and sends CPO's to stalk us and he's nowhere to be seen. Then he goes silent. The more I think about it the more pissed I get." She laughs darkly, "No offense to Elliot but I don't think anyone could restrain Christian from doing whatever he wanted."

"You never know. Maybe Elliot is finally getting through to him. Maybe he's not trying to contact you because he knows you probably won't respond to him anyway. He knows you're pissed and I still think he's terrified of losing you." I chuckle. God I find Grey's misery satisfying. Twisted, I know, but still satisfying.

"Ana, like I said, maybe Elliot has been handling things better than expected. I mean, Grey hasn't shown his face here, right?" I ask.

Ana sighs, "Not that I know of. No one has other than Ryan, Reynolds and… Luke."

I can hear anger in her tone and believe me I feel the same way. "That's a good thing, right?" I don't wait for her answer so I continue, "Let me ask you something. Have you contacted Christian at all or are you using this time to get away from his control issues?"

She thinks about it for a minute or two. "You know, I think I've been pretty much using this time to get away and enjoy my freedom. He's so intense and always needs to know what I'm doing, where I am and who I'm with." She chuckles. "I know he cares but he drives me crazy sometimes. This whole vacation I've done a lot of thinking and I'm pretty sure I've made my decision. Rhi's situation had a lot to do with it and he and I are going to have a long conversation when we get back."

"How did Rhi's situation have an effect on you and Grey?" I lean forward and take a few drinks of my daiquiri. Right about now I wish I was like Rhi and added more shots.

Looking at me, she replies, "I understand there being a possibility of danger, especially in Vegas, but there's that possibility anywhere. It seems like he has an irrational fear of something that may or may not happen." Her eyes show a distinct sadness before she continues. "You can't have someone live in a cage and expect them to live. Life doesn't work that way. As crazy as it sounds, some of the prettiest cages hold the darkest secrets."

I watch as she takes the lid off her drink and downs almost half of it. It reminds me of Rhi and her ability to drink the way she does. When she looks at me there's a flicker of rage lurking under the surface. "It's none of his fucking business what we're doing here, why and who I'm with. I DO have a life and I'm living it the way I want to; not the way someone else wants me to live." Taking another drink she asks, "Can you ask Elliot what's happening back in Seattle?"

I exhale a breath I didn't know I was holding, "Of course. I need to text him anyway." I smile knowing I'll get to talk with him. "I'll do it right now." Ana nods and I get up and head to the bedroom.