Darker (33 page)

“Coq au vin, for two.” She gives me a fond sideways glance as she takes two plates out of the warming drawer. “I’m just checking that Miss Steele will be with us tomorrow.”

“Yes.”

“I’ll fix lunch for her again.”

“Great.”

Ana returns to join me at the kitchen counter and Mrs. Jones serves us our dinner.

“Enjoy, Mr. Grey, Ana,” she says, and exits the kitchen.

I fetch a bottle of Chablis from the fridge and pour each of us a glass. Ana tucks into her food. She’s hungry.

“I like to see you eat.”

“I know.” She pops a piece of chicken into her mouth. I grin and take a sip of wine. “Tell me something good about your day,” she says when she’s finished chewing.

“We had a breakthrough today with the design of our solar-powered tablet. It has so many different applications. We’ll be able to make solar-powered phones, too.”

“You’re excited about that?”

“Very. And they’ll be cheap to produce and distribute in developing countries.”

“Careful, your philanthropy is showing,” she teases, but her expression is warm. “So is it just in New York and Aspen that you have property?”

“Yes.”

“Where in New York?”

“TriBeCa.”

“Tell me about it.”

“It’s an apartment. I rarely use it. In fact, my family uses it more than I do. I’ll take you, whenever you want to go.”

Ana stands and collects my plate and puts it in the sink. I think she’s about to wash up. “Leave that. Gail will do it.” She looks happier than when she got into the car.

“Well, now that you are more docile, Miss Steele, shall we talk about today?”

“I think you’re the one who’s more docile. I think I’m doing a good job in taming you.”

“Taming me?” I snort, amused that she thinks I need taming.

She nods. She’s serious.

Taming me.

Well, I’m certainly more docile since our assignation in the elevator. And she was more than happy to contribute to that encounter. Is that what she means?

“Yes. Maybe you are, Anastasia.”

“You were right about Jack,” she says, and leans across the kitchen counter, regarding me seriously.

My blood runs cold. “Has he tried anything?”

She shakes her head. “No, and he won’t, Christian. I told him today that I’m your girlfriend, and he backed right off.”

“You’re sure? I could fire the fucker.”

He’s history. I want him out.

Ana sighs. “You really have to let me fight my own battles. You can’t constantly second-guess me and try to protect me. It’s stifling, Christian. I’ll never flourish with your incessant interference. I need some freedom. I wouldn’t dream of meddling in your affairs.”

“I only want you safe, Anastasia. If anything happened to you, I—”

“I know,” she says, “and I understand why you feel so driven to protect me. And part of me loves it. I know that if I need you, you’ll be there, as I am for you. But if we are to have any hope of a future together, you have to trust me and trust my judgment. Yes, I’ll get it wrong sometimes—I’ll make mistakes, but I have to learn.” It’s a passionate plea, and I know she’s right.

It’s just…it’s just…

Flynn’s words come to mind.
You will drive her away if you continue on this path.

She comes toward me with quiet determination and, taking my hands, places them around her waist. Gently, she puts her hands on my arms. “You can’t interfere in my job. It’s wrong. I don’t need you charging in like a white knight to save the day. I know you want to control everything, and I understand why, but you can’t. It’s an impossible goal. You have to learn to let go.” She strokes my face. “And if you can do that—give me that—I’ll move in with you.”

“You’d do that?”

“Yes,” she says.

“But you don’t know me,” I blurt, suddenly panicked. I have to tell her.

“I know you well enough, Christian. Nothing you tell me about yourself will frighten me away.”

I doubt that. She doesn’t know why I do what I do.

She doesn’t know the monster.

She touches my cheek again, trying to reassure me. “But if you could just ease up on me.”

“I’m trying, Anastasia. I couldn’t just stand by and let you go to New York with that sleazeball. He has an alarming reputation. None of his assistants have lasted more than three months, and they’re never retained by the company. I don’t want that for you, baby. I don’t want anything to happen to you. You being hurt, the thought fills me with dread. I can’t promise not to interfere, not if I think you’ll come to harm.” I take a deep breath. “I love you, Anastasia. I will do everything in my power to protect you. I cannot imagine my life without you.”

Quite the speech, Grey.

“I love you, too, Christian.” She folds her arms around my neck and kisses me, her tongue teasing my lips.

Taylor coughs in the background, and I stand with Ana by my side.

“Yes?” I ask Taylor, a little more sharply than intended.

“Mrs. Lincoln is on her way up, sir.”

“What?”

Taylor gives me an apologetic shrug.

I shake my head.

“Well, this should be interesting,” I mutter, and give Ana a contrite smile. Ana looks from me to Taylor and I don’t think she quite believes him. He gives her a nod and leaves.

“Did you talk to her today?” she asks me.

“Yes.”

“What did you say?”

“I said that you didn’t want to see her, and that I understood your reasons why. I also told her that I didn’t appreciate her going behind my back.”

“What did she say?”

“She brushed it off in a way that only Elena can.”

“Why do you think she’s here?”

“I have no idea.”

Taylor returns to the living room. “Mrs. Lincoln,” he says, and Elena stands staring at the two of us. I pull Ana closer to my side.

“Elena?” I say, wondering why the hell she’s here.

She looks from me to Ana. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you had company, Christian. It’s Monday,” she says.

“Girlfriend,” I clarify.

Submissives only on the weekend, Mrs. Lincoln. You know this.

“Of course. Hello, Anastasia. I didn’t know you’d be here. I know you don’t want to talk to me. I accept that.”

“Do you?” Ana’s tone is deadly.

Hell.

Elena walks toward us. “Yes, I get the message. I’m not here to see you. Like I said, Christian rarely has company during the week.” She pauses and addresses Ana directly. “I have a problem, and I need to talk to Christian about it.”

“Oh? Do you want a drink?” I ask.

“Yes, please,” she says.

I fetch a glass. When I turn they are both sitting in awkward silence at the kitchen island.

Shit.

This day. This day. This day. It just gets better and better.

I pour wine into both of their glasses and take a seat between them.

“What’s up?” I ask Elena.

Elena’s eyes dart to Ana.

“Anastasia’s with me now.” I reach across and give Ana’s hand a reassuring squeeze in the hope that she keeps quiet. The sooner Elena says her piece, the sooner she’ll be gone.

Elena looks nervous, unlike her usual self. She twists her ring, a sure sign that something is agitating her. “I’m being blackmailed.”

“How?” I ask, appalled. She pulls a note out of her purse. I don’t want to touch it. “Put it down, lay it out.” I point with my chin at the marble top and tighten my hold on Ana’s hand.

“You don’t want to touch it?” Elena asks.

“No. Fingerprints.”

“Christian, you know I can’t go to the police with this.” She puts the note on the counter. It’s written in capital letters.

MRS LINCOLN

FIVE THOUSAND

OR I TELL ALL.

“They’re only asking for five thousand dollars?” That doesn’t seem right. “Any idea who it might be? Someone in the community?”

“No,” she responds.

“Linc?”

“What—after all this time? I don’t think so.”

“Does Isaac know?”

“I haven’t told him.”

“I think he needs to know.”

Ana tugs at her hand. She wants out.

“What?” I ask Ana.

“I’m tired. I think I’ll go to bed,” she says.

I search her face to see what she’s really thinking, and as usual I have no idea.

“Okay,” I answer. “I won’t be long.” I release her hand and she gets up.

“Good night, Anastasia,” Elena says.

Ana responds, her voice frigid, and she stalks out of the room. I turn my attention back to Elena.

“I don’t think there’s a great deal I can do, Elena. If it’s a question of money…” I stop. She knows I’d give her the money. “I could ask Welch to investigate?”

“No, Christian, I just wanted to share. You look very happy,” she adds, changing the subject.

“I am.” Ana just agreed to move in.

“You deserve to be.”

“I wish that were true.”

“Christian.” Elena’s tone is chastising. “Does she know how negative you are about yourself? About all your issues?”

“She knows me better than anyone.”

“Ouch! That hurts.”

“It’s the truth, Elena. I don’t have to play games with her. And I mean it, leave her alone.”

“What is her problem?”

“You. What we were. What we did. She doesn’t understand.”

“Make her understand.”

“It’s in the past, Elena, and why would I want to taint her with our fucked-up relationship? She’s good and sweet and innocent, and by some miracle she loves me.”

“It’s no miracle, Christian. Have a little faith in yourself. You really are quite a catch. I’ve told you often enough. And she seems lovely, too. Strong. Someone to stand up to you.”

“She’s stronger than both of us.”

Elena’s eyes cool. She looks thoughtful. “Don’t you miss it?”

“What?”

“Your playroom.”

“That really is none of your fucking business.”

“I’m sorry.” Her sarcasm is irritating. She’s anything but sorry.

“I think you’d better go. And please, call before you come again.”

“Christian, I am sorry,” she says again, sincerely this time. “Since when are you so sensitive?”

“Elena, we have a business relationship that has profited us both immensely. Let’s keep it that way. What was between us is part of the past. Anastasia is my future, and I won’t jeopardize it in any way, so cut the fucking crap.”

“I see.” Elena gives me a hard stare, as if she’s trying to get under my skin. It makes me uncomfortable.

“Look, I’m sorry for your trouble. Perhaps you should ride it out and call their bluff.”

“I don’t want to lose you, Christian.”

“I’m not yours to lose, Elena.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“What did you mean?” I snap.

“Look, I don’t want to argue with you. Your friendship means a lot to me. I’ll back off from Anastasia. But I’m here if you need me. I always will be.”

“Anastasia thinks that you saw me last Saturday. You called, that’s all. Why did you tell her otherwise?”

“I wanted her to know how upset you were when she left. I don’t want her to hurt you.”

“She knows. I’ve told her. Stop interfering. Honestly, you’re like a mother hen.”

Elena laughs, but it’s hollow, and I really want her to go. “I know. I’m sorry. You know I care about you. I never thought you’d end up falling in love, Christian. It’s very gratifying to see. But I couldn’t bear it if she hurt you.”

“I’ll take my chances,” I state wryly. “Now, are you sure you don’t want Welch to sniff around?”

“I suppose it wouldn’t do any harm.”

“Okay. I’ll call him in the morning.”

“Thank you, Christian. And I am sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude. I’ll go. Next time I’ll call.”

“Good.”

I stand and she takes the hint and gets up, too. We walk into the foyer and she gives me a peck on the cheek. “I’m just watching out for you,” she says.

“I know. Oh, and another thing, can you not gossip to my mother about my relationship with Ana?”

“Okay,” she says, but her mouth is pinched. She’s irritated now.

The elevator doors open and she steps inside.

“Good night.”

“Good night, Christian.”

The doors close and Ana’s words from her e-mail earlier today come to mind.

Irritating baggage.

I chuckle, in spite of myself.
Yes, Ana. You are so right.

Ana is sitting on my bed. Her look is inscrutable. “She’s gone,” I say, anxious about Ana’s reaction. I don’t know what she’s thinking.

“Will you tell me all about her? I am trying to understand why you think she helped you.” She glances down at her fingernails, then up at me, her eyes clear with conviction. “I loathe her, Christian. I think she did you untold damage. You have no friends. Did she keep them away from you?”

Oh, Christ. I’ve really had enough of this. I do not need this now. “Why the fuck do you want to know about her? We had a very long-standing affair, she beat the shit out of me often, and I fucked her in all sorts of ways you can’t even imagine, end of story.”

She’s taken aback. Eyes flashing, she tosses her hair over her shoulder. “Why are you so angry?”

“Because all of that shit is over!” And I’m shouting.

Ana looks away, her mouth a hard line.

Damn it.

Why am I so volatile around her…?

Calm down, Grey.

I sit down beside her. “What do you want to know?”

“You don’t have to tell me. I don’t mean to intrude.”

“Anastasia, it’s not that. I don’t like talking about this shit. I’ve lived in a bubble for years with nothing affecting me and not having to justify myself to anyone. She’s always been there as a confidante. And now my past and my future are colliding in a way I never thought possible. I never thought I had a future with anyone, Anastasia. You give me hope and have me thinking about all sorts of possibilities.”

You’ve said you’d move in with me.

“I was listening,” she whispers, and I think she’s embarrassed.

“What? To our conversation?”
Christ. What did I say?

“Yes.”

“Well?”

“She cares for you.”

“Yes, she does. And I for her in my own way, but it doesn’t come close to how I feel about you. If that’s what this is about.”