Chapter 69 (1/2)
”Sir.” Taylor is standing in the doorway.
”Tell Prescott Mrs. Grey is going to work. Can you drive them, please?”
”Certainly.” Turning on his heel, Taylor disappears.
”If you could try to stay out of trouble today, I would appreciate it,”
Christian mutters.
”I'll see what I can do.” I smile sweetly. A reluctant half smile tugs at Christian's lips, but he doesn't give in to it.
”I'll see you later, then,” he says coolly.
”Laters,” I whisper.
Prescott and I take the service elevator down to the basement garage in order to avoid the media outside. Jack's arrest, and the fact he was apprehended in our apartment, is now public knowledge. As I settle into the Audi, I wonder if there will be more paparazzi waiting at SIP
like the day our engagement was announced.
We drive a while in silence until I remember to call first Ray and then my mom to reassure them Christian and I are safe. Mercifully, both calls are short and I hang up just as we arrive outside SIP. As I feared, there's a small crowd of reporters and photographers lying in wait. They turn as one, looking expectantly at the Audi.
”Are you sure you want to do this, Mrs. Grey?” Taylor asks. Part of me just wants to go home, but that means spending the day with Mr. Burning Rage. Hopefully with a little time he will gain some perspective. Jack is in police custody, so Fifty should be happy, but he's not. Part of me understands why; too much of this is out of his control including me, but I don't have time to think about this now.
”Take me around to the delivery entrance, please, Taylor.”
”Yes, ma'am.”
It's one o'clock and I've managed to immerse myself in work all morning. There's a knock and Elizabeth pops her head around the door.
”Can I have a moment?” she asks brightly.
”Sure,” I mutter, surprised at her unscheduled visit. She enters and sits down, tossing her long black hair over her shoulder. ”I just wanted to check you're okay. Roach asked me to pay you a visit,” she adds hurriedly as her face reddens. ”I mean with all that went on last night.”
Jack Hyde's arrest is all over the newspapers, but no one seems to have made the connection yet with the fire at GEH.
”I'm fine,” I answer, trying not to think too deeply about how I feel. Jack wanted to harm me. Well, that's not news. He's tried before. It's Christian I'm more concerned about.
I glance quickly at my e-mail. There's still nothing from him. I don't know if I were to send him an e-mail, whether I'd just be provoking Mr. Burning Rage further.
”Good,” Elizabeth answers, and her smile actually touches her eyes for a change. ”If there's anything I can do - anything you need - let me know.”
”Will do.”
Elizabeth stands. ”I know how busy you are, Ana. I'll let you get back to it”
”Um . . . thanks.”
That has to have been the briefest most pointless meeting in the Western Hemisphere today. Perhaps Roach sent her in here. Perhaps he's worried, given I'm his boss's wife. I shake off the dark thoughts and reach for my BlackBerry in the hope that there might be a message from Christian. As I do, my work e-mail pings.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Statement
Date: August 26, 2011 13:04
To: Anastasia Grey
Anastasia
Detective Clark will be visiting your office today at 3 pm to take your statement.
I have insisted that he should come to you, as I don't want you going to the police station.
Christian Grey