Chapter 135 (2/2)
What?
”No!” My voice mirrors his. Oh no. Oh no. Oh no - how can he think that? The money? He thinks I'm going because of the money?
And in moment of horrific clarity, I realize the only way I'm going to keep Christian at arm's length, out of harm's way, and to save his sister . . . is to lie.
”Yes,” I whisper. And searing pain lances through me, tears springing to my eyes.
He gasps, almost a sob. ”Ana, I - ” He chokes.
No! My hand clutches my mouth as I stifle my warring emotions.
”Christian, please. Don't.” I fight back tears.
”You're going?” he says.
”Yes.”
”But why the cash? Was it always the money?” His tortured voice is barely audible.
No! Tears roll down my face. ”No,” I whisper.
”Is five million enough?”
Oh please, stop!
”Yes.”
”And the baby?” His voice is a breathless echo.
What? My hand moves from my mouth to my belly. ”I'll take care of the baby,” I murmur. My Little Blip . . . our Little Blip.
”This is what you want?”
No!
”Yes.”
He inhales sharply. ”Take it all,” he hisses.
”Christian,” I sob. ”It's for you. For your family. Please. Don't.”
”Take it all, Anastasia.”
”Christian - ” And I nearly cave. Nearly tell him - about Jack, about Mia, about the ransom. Just trust me, please! I silently beg him.
”I'll always love you.” His voice is hoarse. He hangs up.
”Christian! No . . . I love you, too.” And all the stupid shit that we put each other through over the last few days fades into insignificance. I promised I'd never leave him. I am not leaving you. I am saving your sister. I slump into the chair, weeping copiously into my hands. I am interrupted by a timid knock on the door. Whelan enters, though I haven't acknowledged him. He looks everywhere but at me. He's mortified.
You called him, you bastard! I glare at him.
”You have carte blanche, Mrs. Grey,” he says. ”Mr. Grey has agreed to liquefy some of his assets. He says you can have whatever you need.”
”I just need five million dollars,” I mutter through gritted teeth.
”Yes ma'am. Are you all right?”
”Do I look all right?” I snap.