Chapter 6
Ana
As she wandered aimlessly from one room to another, her phone rang with an unknown number. By habit she rejected the call, sending it to voicemail.
Shit. What have I done? What if that was the kidnapper? Or an informant?
The caller didn't leave a message, but seconds later there was another call, this time from none other than Christian Grey.
Holy crap. The Amber Alert. Does he know about Kit?
"Christian?" She braced herself for the deep voice of the only man she'd ever loved.
"No, ma'am. This is Jason Taylor. I'm Mr. Grey's CPO. We've met."
"Yes, I remember." Taylor was the man who took care of Christian's problems. Whatever problems he had, hers were a million times worse. "This isn't a good time to talk. I have a lot going on."
"Of course you do, that's the reason for my call. We've seen the Amber Alert. I feel certain we have your son. May I FaceTime you so you can identify him?"
Could it be true? Had all her prayers been answered?
"Yes! Call me right back."
Ana ended the call and true to his word, Taylor's response was immediate.
"Can you see? I'm in Mr. Grey's apartment. I'm walking to staff quarters. Gail, Mr. Grey's housekeeper, has been looking after the little fella."
"I can hear him. That's his hungry cry. Oh, my God…" Ana wept tears of joy and frustration. Her baby was calling out to be fed and she wasn't there. Her breasts began to leak in response to his howls of hunger.
"Miss Steele, is this your son?" Christian's housekeeper, a lovely woman with dark blonde hair, held Kit. Taylor focused the camera on her son's red, angry scowl.
"Yes! Yes, that's him. Bring him to me, please."
"We think it would be faster and easier for you to come to us," Taylor said. "We don't have a car seat yet and we've sent someone out to get diapers, formula, bottles, that sort of thing. One of my guys thinks he's found a helicopter and pilot in Aberdeen who can pick you up within the hour and bring you directly to Escala. Charlie Tango is in maintenance and unavailable right now."
"Whatever is quickest. I can be ready to go in five minutes if need be." Ana noticed that Kit wasn't wearing the sleeper she'd put on him earlier in the day. "Where are his clothes? Is that a bath towel?"
"Yes, ma'am. He soiled himself, so Gail bathed him. She's worked out a makeshift wardrobe from hand towels, bath towels, and Mr. Grey's tee shirts."
Seeing Kit safe somewhat calmed Ana and she began to gain control over her tears.
"Please thank Mrs. Jones for me," she said. "Can you explain how Kit ended up in Seattle at Christian's apartment? Who kidnapped my child?"
"We're still trying to work out the details, but it seems Mr. Grey removed the child from your home."
"Son of a bitch," she growled under her breath. "I'll kill the sorry bastard."
"As Mr. Grey's CPO, I appreciate the warning." Taylor chuckled. "I think you'll probably need to get in line."
Not knowing what she was walking into, Ana knew she needed some moral support.
"I'd like to have my friend, Kate Kavanagh, meet me at Escala. When she arrives at the building, would you please see that she's allowed entrance to the apartment?"
"Of course. Gail and I are here to accommodate you in every way possible. I'll text you an ETA for the helicopter. I have the address of your father's home: 308 State Highway 107. It appears there is landing clearance in the field across the road from the house. Is that correct?"
Ana wondered how Taylor would know the topography surrounding her home, but with Christian's boundless resources and control, they probably knew every detail of her life. The realization fed her already seething anger.
"Yes, you obviously know the area very well. I'll be ready. May I see Kit one more time?"
"Absolutely," he answered with a smile. As he walked his phone closer to her son, she could once again hear Kit's demanding cries. She marveled at her son's stamina and energy. If nothing else, Kit had inherited his father's drive and determination to get what he wanted.
She raced outdoors in search of her father. She found him leaning against a hemlock trunk, deep in discussion with two deputy sheriffs.
"Dad," she hollered, running to him. She was nearly breathless with relief, when she pulled her father away from the deputies. "Kit is in Seattle. Christian took him."
"How do you know? Are you sure?" Her father had always been a cautious man, not wanting to react until he knew the facts.
"Yes. I'm certain. Christian's CPO put Kit on FaceTime. He's sending a helicopter for me. I need to pack."
"I'll figure out some explanation for these guys. If they see a chopper pull up here, they'll have questions," he said, tilting his head toward the deputies. "I don't want them to call off the search until Kit is in your arms. I don't trust Grey."
"I understand. Tell the deputies whatever you deem appropriate. Maybe something like I'm going to Seattle to meet with Kate and do a television appeal for Kit's return."
She didn't wait for a response, instead running to the house to call Kate, pack the diaper bag, and freshen herself up.
Kate picked up on the second ring. "Hi. I'm at the station. I'm going live on the five o'clock news. How are you holding up?"
"Leave the station. Kit is in Seattle. Christian kidnapped him and took him to the penthouse."
"What the actual fuck…What the hell was he thinking…How did he even know about Kit?"
"I don't know, but maybe you can find out. Jason Taylor, Christian's CPO, is expecting you. Please go to Escala and keep an eye on Kit. There's a helicopter coming to take me to Seattle, so hopefully I'll see you within a couple of hours. I saw Kit on camera. He looks fine, but he's hungry and doesn't have his pacifier, diapers, or clean clothes."
Ana checked the kitchen clock. She hadn't seen Kit since before noon and it was now after four. It would probably be close to six before she made it to Escala.
"I'll cancel the segment and get over there as fast as I can," Kate said. "See you in a bit."
The diaper bag was nearly empty, holding only a couple of diapers and some wipes. Ana raced around the bedroom tossing in rattles, pacifiers, clothes, blankets, diapers, socks. She was probably forgetting something, but her brain felt fried.
She brushed her teeth and ran a comb through her hair. Catching sight of herself in the mirror, she laughed out loud at her ratty sweats. Christian would hate her clothes; the thought was pleasing. Her handbag had seen better days, but thankfully everything she needed seemed to be in it, including her last twenty.
The recognizable thrum of a helicopter became louder and more insistent.
"They're here," her father called. "I'm coming with you."
She gathered her things and bolted for the door. Soon she'd have Kit in her arms once more. He must be hungry. Her breasts were achingly full. The thought of her hungry child triggered a flood of milk. She was beginning to leak through her nursing pads, but there was no time to express excess milk.
"No. Stay here. I'll be fine. Kate will be with me. I hope to be home tonight or tomorrow at the latest. I'll keep you informed."
Her father wore an uncertain look. She knew he would fret every moment until she and Kit were back home.
"I need to do this alone. I'll be back as soon as I can," she said in reassurance.
"Okay, but say the word and I'll be in Seattle."
Ray walked his daughter across the road, embraced her, then watched her duck under the blades to climb aboard the helicopter. As long as there were Christian Greys in the world, he would never stop worrying about her.
As Ana stepped off the elevator into Christian's penthouse lair, she idly wondered how many subs he'd had since she left. He'd sent flowers and issued an offer to take her to José's gallery show, but when she ignored his attempts, he'd quickly given up. Surely he'd contracted a submissive by now.
Here she was, at the Escala penthouse, back where it all began. This is where she felt certain her son had been conceived.
"Where's Kit?" She surveyed the expansive living room, but it was empty.
"With Miss Kavanagh. Mr. Grey's parents are also here," Sawyer said. "Let's check the kitchen."
She groaned inwardly at the thought of having to deal with Christian's parents. She had nothing against them, but the situation was stressful enough; she didn't need the added pressure of making awkward conversation with people she barely knew.
As they approached the kitchen she heard Kit's hoarse cries. She was grateful for the sight of her son in Kate's arms, as he was fawned over by the Greys and Mrs. Jones. Her eyes welled with tears of gratitude that her baby was safe. She was especially appreciative that Christian was nowhere to be seen. She wondered if he'd already been carted off to the police for booking.
"There's my little man," she said, interrupting the group. All eyes were now on her. Kate smoothly handed over Kit. The baby, either recognizing her scent, voice, or both, began to root for his meal. "I'll take him to the living room to nurse. It's good to see you all again." Her greeting to the Greys and Mrs. Jones was a polite afterthought. She had only her son on her mind.
Kate followed Ana into the spacious living room and they made themselves comfortable on one end of Christian's cushy down filled sofa.
Ana reached under her t-shirt and unfastened her nursing bra. Kit latched onto her breast as if his very life depended on it.
"Our boy has a strong survival instinct," Kate observed. "Good thing, considering he has Christian Grey for a father."
"Let's see what you're wearing," Ana said to Kit. She pulled the towel back to see her baby swathed in an adult sized tee shirt and a diaper. The diaper was a different brand from the ones she bought. The tee shirt was silky soft, an unwelcome reminder of Christian.
"Mrs. Jones took very good care of him," Kate said, giving her a reassuring smile. "She put his sleeper and receiving blanket in the wash, so they should be done soon. Kit wouldn't touch a bottle. He was waiting for his mama."
"Did Christian mistreat Kit in any way?" Ana couldn't imagine Christian might harm their child, but then again, he had taken their child away from his only source of nourishment. "I already want to kill him with my bare hands."
"Actively mistreat him? No, I don't think so. But I did overhear Taylor talking to Mrs. Jones, concerned because Christian didn't have a car seat. Seems Christian put Kit in a cardboard box on the floorboard of his R8."
A cardboard box.
Ana paled at the thought. For a man who called Wanda a deathtrap, he was more than willing to risk her baby's life. Now, more than ever, she wanted to tear the man limb from limb.
"Excuse me, ladies, but may I offer you something to eat?" Mrs. Jones smiled kindly. "It's dinner time and with all the activity, none of us have eaten. I have a large tray of enchiladas in the oven."
"Yes, thank you, we'd love a bite to eat. We're famished." Kate said, speaking for both of them.
"Very well," said Mrs. Jones. "Let me know when you're ready to eat. You should also know that the Amber Alert is still in effect. Jason is trying to get that turned off and he expects that when law enforcement show up to arrest Mr. Grey, they'll want to see that Kit is in good health and reunited with his mother."
"Thank you for letting me know," Ana said. "And from the bottom of my heart, thank you for taking care of my son under what I know are very difficult circumstances. Please pass along my appreciation to Taylor for his consideration as well."
"You're most welcome." Ana thought Mrs. Jones was about to turn for the kitchen, but instead she paused for a moment. "The upstairs bedroom and bath are prepared in case you want to lie down or freshen up."
When Mrs. Jones was safely out of earshot, Kate shook her head in disbelief. "Do they think you're going to move in?"
"Perish the thought," Ana said, jokingly using her elbow to jab her friend. "She's just considering my comfort. I think she's exceedingly thoughtful and kind. Christian is lucky to have her."
"She is nice." Kate nodded in agreement. "I like her, too. Aw, look. Our boy's tummy is finally full. He's finally given up the ghost."
Just as he always had when he'd finished nursing, Kit released a soft sigh and closed his eyes. Flopped against the crook of her arm, he drifted off to dreamland.
"Did you say Christian was in his room?" Ana asked.
"Uh-huh. I know that look, Steele. What do you have planned?"
"Can you take Kit for a few minutes? I need a chat with my son's kidnapper."
Happy New Year, Gentle Reader! Hope you're enjoying the story. Thank you for all the kind reviews, faves, and follows. I really do have the best readers in the world. All the best, Paula