Disclaimer: I do not own Fifty Shades Trilogy
Chapter 7
I'll only speak with my son
xxx [[[]]] xxx
"OK, OK. Try to stay calm, mom... I'm gonna come right over." he replied.
Then Grace said." Christian, wait! I think uhmm... I think he's gonna try and hurt himself. He had a gun in his hand a minute ago and now he's locked himself up in the study..."
As those words reached his ears, it made Christian's skin crawl. "Mom, stay where you are, OK?" he said into the phone." Taylor and I are coming over right away"
During the phone call, Ana had watched and listened to Christian, and noticed that something was very wrong. His voice was trembling heavily, and his face had turned pale at one point.
The second he ended the conversation with his mother, Ana got up from her seat." Christian, what is it?" she questioned, while a worried look was plastered on her pretty face.
"I've gotta go, Ana" he replied." You can stay here till I get back."
"What?" Ana remarked and shook her head fiercely." I'm going with you"
With that, she grabbed her bag and was already walking in the direction of the stairs." What are you waiting for Christian?"
"Ana, you should stay here... don't be so stubborn!" Christian exclaimed, and walked with huge strides after her, while calling Taylor.
They both walked down the stairs, and when they reached the front door, he gently grabbed Ana's wrist." Ana? Listen to me... please"
She looked up at him, and gave him a questioning look." What is it?"
"Where do you think you're going?"
"I'm going where you are going, Christian" she pointed out." Just like I used to"
He shook his head, and softly said." No... you cannot come with me... I need you to stay here, I need you unharmed"
It was then, when Taylor walked up to the two of them." The limo is ready, sir... I've also informed the Police about the situation, and they're already on their way to your parents' house."
"Thank you... give me a sec, will you Taylor?"
"Of course, sir" he replied.
The moment Taylor was out of earshot, Ana fired the next questions at Christian." The Police?! What's going on? Is your mom OK? Is she hurt?!"
Ana was terrified at that moment, her heart thumping wildly against her chest, wondering who wanted to harm Grace.
In response, Christian grabbed Ana lightly on her upper arms, and locked eyes with her." I need you to stay here, Ana... my dad has a gun and I have to find a way to get through to him... I don't know what will happen... All I know is that I need you to stay here, so you cannot get hurt in any way... I don't think I could handle that" he confessed, his voice trembling slightly, while choking up.
As those words reached her ears, tears began to pool in Ana's eyes, her throat closing up." But what about you? Huh? Y... you say you can't bear it if I got hurt... but what if YOU get hurt? Christian? What then?"
Christian knew at that moment that she wasn't going to back down… Ana was too stubborn for it.
He sighed deeply, and grabbed her by the hand. "Fine, Ana... let's go." Christian replied, and walked hastily towards the limo with her hand still in his.
xxx
Approximately twenty minutes later, they arrived at the mansion. There were two Police cars in the driveway, an ambulance, and a bunch of cops outside and inside the house.
The moment Christian and Ana stepped out the limo, the Detective in charge walked up to them.
Taylor stood next to Christian, and scanned the surroundings, and kept a watchful eye at everyone.
"Mr. Grey… evening, sir." Detective Evans said, and shook Christian's hand.
"Hi Detective" he replied, while looking around the premises." Detective, tell me. How's the situation? And where's my mother?!"
Evans cleared his throat, and then looked over at the house." Well, we're not sure, Mr. Grey."
As those words reached Christian's ear, his eyes widened, while he gave detective Evans a furious look." What the fuck does that even mean, Detective?!" He spat, his voice thundering loudly in the night, making the other Police officers and EMT personnel look over at the two.
"Sir, we arrived at the scene ten minutes earlier than you. My colleagues immediately went upstairs to try to make contact with your father by calling him. The negotiator is posted near the study right now... They were able to find it easily, because the head of your security detail had given us precise instructions." Evans explained." At the same time two of my officers have searched for your mother, but there's no trace of her anywhere, Sir"
Ana watched in horror, as "dark clouds" had formed above Christian's head.
He was extremely pissed, and stormed inside the mansion." Fucking useless!" he growled, and strode passed two Police officers.
"Mr. Grey! You cannot enter the house!" Evans shouted, and followed Christian inside.
However, Christian was seething and didn't even look back.
"Ana, stay here… we don't know if Carrick has grabbed Grace" Taylor told her, while placing a hand on her upper arm." It could get very dangerous and things could escalate very quickly… it's safer here, cause we don't know how desperate Carrick is and what he's capable of"
She understood what he meant, and nodded, while feeling as if she wanted to throw up. All kinds of emotions washed over her whole being, but fear had the upper hand."OK, I'll stay"
Oh God! Will Christian's father hurt his wife and then himself?!
No… Tears had spilled from her eyes, as those horrific thoughts bounced inside her skull, her throat closing up.
Taylor was satisfied with her answer, and was already walking towards the house, when Ana stopped him." Wait!"
He stopped in his tracks, and gave her a questioning look." Yes?"
Ana cleared her throat, and whispered." Please, make sure no one gets hurt"
Taylor nodded, and said." I'll do my very best"
He then disappeared into the mansion, and went up the stairs.
~ Minutes later ~
As Christian frantically searched for his mom in the huge mansion, his mind went on overdrive, his heart contracting in his chest.
Fuck! He shouldn't have left his mom with his dad! He should've seen this coming... he should've anticipated it and God, he should've done so much more!
"Mr. Grey?" he heard a voice say all of a sudden.
It was one of the uniformed Police officers who was helping him with the search for his mother.
"Yes, Tucker?" Christian replied, his face pale.
"Detective Evans wants you upstairs, sir." the officer announced." I've just spoken to him on my walkie-talkie."
Christian swallowed hard, and let out a deep breath." What is it?" he questioned, his heart beating a hundred miles an hour.
Officer Tucker avoided his gaze for a second, and cleared his throat." We've received confirmation that Mrs. Grace Grey is indeed in the study with your father, sir"
As those words reached Christian's ear, he literally could feel how his heart dropped inside his chest.
"He's asking for you, Sir... your father." Tucker told Christian." Let's go"
While swallowing the huge lump that had formed in his throat, Christian clenched his hands into fists, and ordered himself to keep it together.
With excessive speed, Christian strode up the stairs and ended up in the hall in record time.
"Detective Evans... I'm here, what do you need me to do? Has he threatened to hurt my mom?" he said in one breath, his voice trembling slightly.
Evans walked over to Christian, carrying a bullet proof vest." Wear this now" he demanded." Then we'll talk."
After a few minutes, Evans took Christian aside." Your father is mentally unstable right now... my colleagues and I have tried talking to him, but he keeps hanging up the phone. Five minutes ago, he called us and demanded for you to go inside the study." he explained." He wants only you inside, without your security detail"
"No" they both heard a voice say.
It was Taylor.
"I won't allow it... Mr. Grey, I understand that you have to do this. It's your mother in there with that maniac, but sir... I cannot protect you if I'm out here." Taylor countered." I cannot let you do this, sir"
Taylor was looking at his boss with pleading eyes."Please, let me go in also"
Evans shook his head at that." Need I remind you that we don't know what Carrick Grey is planning? What if he hurts his wife and then himself?! We have to be careful and not set him off" he insisted." Fortunately the negotiator has gotten through to him a little. Carrick has agreed to let one officer in, as long as his son Christian is with him."
Christian placed a hand on Taylor's upper arm, and looked him straight in the eyes ." I need to do this, Taylor. There's no one else." he told him." If something happens to me, look out for my sister and... Ana, will you?"
As he said those words, Christian felt so powerless and defeated.
"Sir! No, don't" Taylor said, refusing to let his boss go.
"Hey, I'm not helpless you know... you've taught me well, Taylor... I'm also a very good fighter, r'member?" Christian reminded him, attempting to lighten up the gloomy mood." Plus, I'm not going in alone."
With that, Christian turned to face Detective Evans." I'm ready, Detective."
"OK, let's do this"
After giving Christian explicit instructions on what to do and what not to do or say, while in the study with his father, Evans made a call to Carrick Grey, informing him that Christian and a Police officer were ready to come inside the study.
~ Meanwhile ~
Ana had taken a seat on one of the benches in the garden, and waited. She waited and waited and also had asked the Police officers for an update on the situation, but no one wanted to tell her anything.
At the moment, she was terrified, exhausted, hungry, thirsty and cold. However, she wasn't allowed to go inside the mansion, and she sure as hell didn't want to leave. That didn't even cross her mind. Ana had to stay...
'Everything will be OK' she repeated those words in her head, while shivering all over. 'Christian will be fine... he's strong and can handle himself… always has'
When he was 12 years old, Carrick had brought Christian to a martial arts school so his son could learn the art of fighting and with it, he also had learned how to be in control of his temper. Because of the training that lasted years, he also had developed nerves of steel.
By the time Christian was 17, he had earned the black belt and was qualified to teach martial arts. When he was 18, he discovered the world of kick- boxing, and that's when Christian learned to fight harder and became a force to be reckoned with.
Ana kept that in mind, to assure herself that Christian could indeed handle himself in any situation that life would throw at him.
Karate had taught him to be in control of his temper, and kick boxing had taught him to be savage if he needed to be.
So, Ana truly believed that he was going to be OK. YES, Christian was going to be perfectly fine...
"I think you need this, Miss."
Ana was taken out of her thoughts by a voice.
She looked up, and came face to face with a sympathetic face." I'm sorry, but who are you?"
"I'm Henry, and I work for Mr. Christian Grey." he announced, and gently shoved a warm coat and a bottle of water in Ana's hands.
She gave him a small smile in response, and thanked the man.
While Ana and Henry waited impatiently outside for things to unfold, Christian and the Police officer were already inside the study.
"Close and lock the door now!" they both heard Carrick say, his voice shaky.
As soon as the door was locked, Christian looked at their surroundings. The always neat and clean study was a total mess! Books and boxes were on the floor, papers and folders were spread all over his father's desk, and Christian even saw a shredder on a chair, and shredded paper all over the floor.
'What the fuck is going on here?' he thought, and then Christian heard Officer Price speak.
"Mr. Grey, I've brought you your son, just like you asked... so now, can we see Mrs. Grey? How is she?"
Carrick had a revolver in his hand and pointed it at Price." YOU, shut the fuck up! I'll only speak with my son"
His voice thundered through the study, and that's when Christian decided to act.
"Dad, what are you doing? What the hell is going on here? Huh? Where's mom?" he said, and slowly walked towards his father.
"She's fine! Your mom is fine! But I'm not! And yet you come here and the first thing you ask is about your mom!" Carrick shouted, his eyes filled with rage and utter disgust, tears pooling in them." You were always HER son! We used to have a strong bond, you and I, but she stole you from me!"
Christian swallowed hard, his heart bleeding. His father looked a total mess. The always clean shaven, good looking Carrick Grey has definitely hit rock bottom.
He had a huge gash above his right eye brow, his left eye was swollen and his lip was cut open, dried blood still visible.
That must be the result of his altercation with the Russian mob, a few hours earlier.
Tears were pooling in Christian's eyes, his heart sinking, while observing his father...
Carrick was at the end of his rope, and in his eyes Christian saw someone who has given it all up.
"Da... dad, please... calm down. Just let me see mom." he said, while attempting to keep his emotions in check.
Detective Evans had placed a camera on Christian's clothes, and made him wear a wire, so he and the negotiator were able to see and hear everything that happened in the study.
Christian also was wearing an ear bud, so he said only what the negotiator told him to.
"Fine! You wanna see her so badly?! Fine, Christian! My first born" Carrick yelled, and walked over to the other side of the spacious study.
Christian watched, as his father dragged his mom so they could see her.
"Christian" Grace sobbed, her whole body shaking heavily.
"Mom, everything's gonna be alright. OK?" Christian promised, his eyes locked onto hers." We're gonna be fine"
His mom nodded, and frantically began wiping away her tears.
"What do you want, dad? Tell me what you want, and we'll do it. In return, can you please let mom go?" Christian said, his voice breaking.
It pained him so much that it had come to this. He loved his parents so much, and the past years the bond with his mother had gotten stronger─ Just like Carrick had pointed out, while his relationship with his father had gone sour until they only spoke when necessary.
But that was, because his dad began to act weird towards him, and Christian never knew why.
It started right before Ana left, years ago...
"Please, d... dad. Let mom go with Officer Price, so you and I can talk privately." he said." That's what you want, right?"
"Mr. Grey! What the hell are you doing?! Don't do it! That's not the plan!" Christian heard Evans shout into his ear bud, but he ignored the detective.
"What are you doing, Mr. Grey?!" Officer Price said in a calm manner." Stop this immediately."
At that, Carrick walked over to the middle of the study and pointed the gun at officer Price..." YOU, shut the fuck up!"
Christian had closed the gap between him and his father, and kept insisting." Let mom go, so you and I can talk... let me help you, please"
Carrick shook his head and groaned, while placing his left hand on his forehead." No… you just want to trick me!" he shouted, while hitting himself continuously on his fore head.
"Dad, calm down… let us find a solution to your problems… come on, it can't be that bad" Christian insisted, while he took one step closer to his father, while his heart rammed against his chest.
"Stay back!" Carrick shouted, and then he took two steps back." It is that bad, my son… I see no way out." He remarked, his voice soft, while looking straight at Christian.
"There's always a solution for anything" Christian replied." Let mom go with officer Price."
"Mr. Grey, do not trade yourself with your mother! Grey!" Christian heard Evans through his ear bud and also Price say, but he totally ignored them.
Carrick nodded at one point." Fine, she can go! You will stay!" he demanded.
Relieved that his father wanted to do it, Christian nodded." Good, let's do this… then we can come up with a solution for you"
Grace was still standing in her spot, looking disheveled, her mascara running down her face, as tears spilled from her eyes, terrified of her own husband.
"Christian" she whispered, and shook her head." Don't"
Grace was shaking all over, and was afraid. However, to her nothing was more terrifying than her son getting hurt.
And God, she was so afraid that her husband might hurt their son, even if it was accidentally.
"Grey! Listen to me! Don't trade places with your mother! Grey, stop this madness!" Detective Evans yelled and cursed through the ear bud, but instead of doing as instructed, Christian grabbed the ear bud and threw it on the floor.
He walked over to his mom and grabbed her hand." Mom, come on... you need to go now." he said, his voice trembling heavily.
"Christian, no!" she tried, but he led her towards officer Price anyway.
"Mr. Grey, please don't do this! Do not trade places!" Price shouted at one point.
Instead of listening to him, Christian said." Go... please, bring my mom to safety... I beg of you."
Grace shook her head, and sobbed." No, no Christian" she said, and began tugging at her hand, making Christian let go of her.
"Will you shut up, woman!" they all heard Carrick yell, while pointing the gun at Grace.
"Dad!" Christian exclaimed, while his hands trembled." Don't!"
After that, everything turned into chaos, the whole situation escalating, and there was no one in the world who could've prevented what happened next.
"If the target is a threat, you should take him out!" Price heard Evans shout into his ear bud.
In just three seconds, officer Price made an assessment of the situation and acted. Carrick was distracted by Christian and Grace, so Price grabbed his gun and aimed it at the target.
"Put your weapon down!" Price shouted, and cocked his gun." I will shoot you, Carrick Grey!"
Christian watched in horror, as Price aimed at his dad, while his dad aimed the gun at his mom.
He didn't want anyone to get hurt, so he took a step and shielded his mom from Carrick and his gun.
His father all of a sudden smiled and whispered." Good luck, son… good bye" and slowly brought the gun to his own head.
However, Christian knew then and there what he was about to do, so he leaped at his father, being a seasoned martial arts master.
As they both struggled on the floor, Grace sobbed and watched the two, so terrified that she froze at her spot.
Price wanted to shoot, but didn't have a clean shot.
It went by so fast, Carrick and Christian struggling for the gun.
But in the next moment, they all heard an ear- deafening sound...
"Nooooo!" Christian shouted, as he noticed his mother sinking to the floor.
"Christian" was the word that tumbled from her pale lips, a tear rolling down her cheek.
One second later, another shot was fired!
Oh God! Price had shot Carrick right in the chest…
~ Meanwhile outside the mansion ~
When the first shot was fired, Ana jumped up from her seat.
"Oh God! Christian…" She said, and stormed straight towards the front door of the mansion.
"Ana! Don't!" she heard Henry shout at her, but she pushed forward.
Police officers, firemen and paramedics rushed to the scene, all of them hastily moving towards the study.
In the chaos, Ana was able to slip passed the Police officers and detectives.
In a blink she ran up the stairs, and when she finally arrived at the scene, Ana stopped in her tracks…
From a short distance, she saw how the paramedics hoisted Grace up and gently placed her on the stretcher, her white dress all bloody...
Tears instantly spilled from Ana's eyes, her hands shaking, while looking at Grace's pale face.
And then her eyes landed on a body on the floor, covered with a white blanket.
Well, after a few moments that blanket turned red also.
The second her eyes landed on Christian, Ana's heart dropped…
He was sitting on the floor, tears spilling from his eyes, both his hands and his light blue T- shirt bloody…
Taylor stood by him, and was attempting to get Christian on his feet, but he refused, while staring at the body that was lying motionless on the floor.
"Christian…" Ana uttered, and was just about to walk over to them, when one of the Police officers noticed her and grabbed her by the arm.
"You cannot be here." He stated, and dragged her away.
"No..." She protested, and tugged hard on her arm, so the man had no choice but to let her go.
"Miss!" he scolded her, and was about to drag her away once more, when Detective Evans saw the duo argue.
"She can stay" Evans ordered.
"Thank you, detective." She said, while wiping away her tears.
"The coroner will arrive soon… can you get him to leave the room?" Evans asked Ana, referring to Christian, his voice a mere whisper.
She nodded, and slowly walked over to Christian and Taylor.
Her eyes landed first on Taylor.
"He doesn't want to get up, Ana" his bodyguard said in a helpless manner." You try."
Ana let out a deep breath, and swallowed the huge lump that had formed in her throat. "Christian, please… can you get up?" She questioned, while grabbing him gently on his upper arm.
At first, he didn't react. However, a few moments later, he looked up at Ana, dazed and confused, his face white as a sheet." He confessed… my fa─ before he died, my father confessed something horrible about Lei─ Leila." Christian began, but was unable to continue.
Ana gently cupped his face, and whispered." Let's go… Please, get up and then we can talk"
The three of them silently walked away from the scene, letting the coroner and the detectives do their job.
~ Several hours later… around 9 in the morning ~
With a blank expression on his face, Christian sat behind his desk at home, and traced his thumb over a small object.
He had called the office, and announced that he would be taking a few weeks of.
After he had ended the phone conversation, Christian sat motionless in his chair, thinking about everything that happened.
After he, Taylor and Ana had left his parent's house, Christian ordered Taylor to drive immediately to the hospital.
Grace was in critical condition, and was in surgery.
Ana had called Mia and Kate immediately, and within twenty minutes the two had joined them at the hospital.
Mia was inconsolable...
The five of them stayed in the waiting room of the hospital for three and a half hours, till Grace was out of surgery.
The surgeon had told them that the surgery was rather successful. There was a big chance his mom will make it.
Christian was relieved, when he heard the news and asked if he and Mia could see his mom. However, the doctor declined, telling him that Grace needed the rest.
"Come tomorrow, late in the afternoon" Doctor Latrell insisted." Not earlier, is that clear?"
And now here he was, alone in his office at home, pondering till his head felt like it wanted to explode.
As his eyes fluttered shut, Christian felt a sharp and agonizing pain shoot right through his heart and soul…
Within a few hours, he had lost his father and his mom was in critical condition in the hospital.
And not only that, but before he died, Carrick confessed something awful about Leila.
"She didn't com… commit su─ suicide, Christian… she was murdered by Vla─ Vladimir" his father had said.
As those words rang inside his head, Christian felt his skin crawl…
'Why? Why did he have to kill her?' he thought, while massaging his temples with his fingers.
Christian had never been in love with Leila… hell, he never loved her, but he had gotten used to her in time.
She was mentally unstable, and seemed to love him, but the feelings weren't mutual at all.
But no matter how crazy she was, Leila did not deserve to be murdered by that monster…
"Hey" he heard a familiar voice say, taking him out of his thoughts.
It was Ana.
As he opened his eyes, Christian saw her standing on the threshold of the door.
"Hey" he replied, and sat up straight in his chair." Were you able to get some rest? How's Mia doing?"
Ana shrugged, and gave him a sad look." Not really… I couldn't fall asleep. But Mia is sleeping right now, finally..." she replied, her voice trembling.
"Did you rest at all, Christian?"
He shook his head." Nope, couldn't either"
"What do you have in your hand there, Christian?" Ana questioned, while closing the gap between them, her brows furrowed." What are you hiding?"
He shook his head, and traced his fingers over the phone.
"Who's is it, Christian? Is it…" she began, and stopped mid-sentence, her eyes wide.
"Yeah, it's my dad's… before he died, he shoved it in my hands" he explained." So I put it in my pocket I guess… was too shocked"
"Did you find any clues in it?" she asked curiously." Shouldn't you hand it over to Detective Evans?"
"I know that I should give it to Evans, but I want Henry to crack it first." he replied." I wasn't able to open some files."
"Give it to me... Maybe I can try." she said, and sat across from him." Detective Evans expect you to go to the Precinct today, r…?"
He didn't let Ana finish though. "There's a video in it, Ana" Christian confessed, his eyes watering, his voice trembling, while his throat closed up.
"A video?" Ana asked carefully, while her heart rammed against her rib-cage." What kind of video?"
Christian took a deep breath, and locked eyes with her." It's a video of my daughter… my little girl, Savannah"
Note: Oh My God...
That was the new chapter, you all. :)
Next, we will find out how Sawyer saved Baronnes Catania and her people. Plus, we will see more of Ana and Christian's journey into finding
his daughter Savannah.
Thank you so much for reading and reviewing! :)
Please leave me a review, short or long?
;)
Till the next one,
xoxo
J