Chapter 10

Turning to Taylor Christian responded. "Give us two minutes then send them in." Christian replied then turned back to Mr. Steele.

"Look Mr. Steele. I just shared some shocking and very personal information that I have not shared with anyone except my therapist and Anastasia. As a father, I'm sure you want nothing more than to see me dead. I may have lived my life before I meet your daughter as a cold dominant but Anastasia has changed me. Anastasia's love has made me a better man. I love her, and I have never loved anyone other than my family. I would give everything own to someday be a man worthy of her love."

"I still need to address your questions but let's get the update from the medical staff and come back to this discussion."

"Agreed." Mr. Steele answered.

After his reply Taylor opened the door and the medical staff entered.

Christian rose and addressed the staff. "Everyone let me introduce to Ms. Steele's father, Raymond Steele."

The Chief of Surgery stepped forward and extended his hand to Mr. Steele. "Sir, I'm glad you made here safely. Ms. Steele is out of surgery and is now in recovery. We made extensive repairs to her shoulder and with therapy she should regain full use of it. The source of the internal bleeding was damage to her spleen. The damage was too severe to repair so a splenectomy was performed. She can live a normal life without it, but she will be at an increased risk of illness and with six to eight weeks of rest and therapy we expect her to make a full recovery."

Anyone watching could see the stress leave his face as he asked. "Thank you Doctor. When can I see my daughter?"

"She should begin coming out from under the anesthesia within the next hour or so. When that happens the recovery department staff will bring you back."

Christian stepped forward extending his hand. "I'd like to thank all of you for dropping your New Year's plans and coming in to take care of Ms. Steele." He shook hands with each of the medical staff then continued. "Make sure before you leave that Jason Taylor, my head of security, has your contact information. I or someone from my staff will be contacting you soon regarding donations to your respective departments."

After the last doctor had left the room Mr. Steele walked to the window before asking. "Just who did you bring in to treat Annie?"

"Only the best doctors from any department she needed. She deserved nothing less." Christian responded.

"Thank you for doing that." Raymond sighed. "It makes me hate you a little less."

"No more then I hate myself for how my relationship with Anastasia began. You know we meet when she stepped in for Ms. Kavanagh to interview me for the student paper. When she entered my office at Grey House she tripped and fell. I rushed over to her from my desk and she looked up at me those innocent incredible blue eyes and instantly blew me away."

Christian paused briefly and then let out a brief throaty chuckle before continuing. "We know who was responsible for hitting Ana's car this evening. It was Elena Lincoln, the women who seduced me as a teenager. Recently, I have been trying to cut her from my life and she has been blaming Ana for my distancing myself from her. I believe she may have intentionally ran into Ana's car tonight."

"What's funny about the pedophile coming after my daughter Grey?" Ray growled.

"Sir, there is nothing remotely funny about her coming after Ana. I was chuckling thinking about asking you to kill me now because when Ana learns of our conversation this evening she will kill me very very slowly."

Mr. Steele chuckles at that statement and Christian took a few deep breaths before continuing. "I made my confession to you this evening because I have a gut feeling that Elena Lincoln is about make my past public knowledge when I refuse her help with her legal situation as a result of the accident. My gut feelings have very rarely lead me wrong, it's part of the reason I have so successful in the business world. Mrs. Lincoln has held my past over my head for years but that ends now. The police should be here shortly to confront her about the accident. She will not get away with what she did to Anastasia. I give you my solemn vow."

"Now to answer your question about the medical power of attorney. When you had your accident and Ana was dealing with all the paperwork she became concerned with what would happen if she was in your position before you regained consciousness. I suggested a temporary power of attorney naming her roommate. She liked the idea of the POA but for some reason was uncomfortable giving the power to Ms. Kavanagh. I didn't fight her hard on naming me because my mother is a doctor and I knew I could lean on her should the situation presented itself, which is exactly what I did. I know I overstepped your authority but all I could think about was getting her the best care possible as quick as possible. If you can forgive me for anything I hope you can forgive me for that indiscretion."

"I can't find fault with how you have provided for her care this evening, so I will let that go this time. But until such time as you hold a position of more than her boyfriend you need to remember your place in the future."

"I will sir, I promise." Christian responded.

Both men took seats facing the window and watched the snow fall for a while. Neither men were sure how much time had passed when the door opened, and Taylor and medical staff member entered the room.

"Mr. Steele, Mr. Grey, Ms. Steele is showing signs of waking up. If you'd like to follow me I'll take you to her now."

Both men silently rose from their chairs a followed the nurse from the room.