Fifty Shades Freed (Fifty Shades #3)(71)
Author: E.L. James

"Hmm."

"Is that a yes?"

"Hmm." I smile.

He grins and kisses me again, and reluctantly I roll on my side to face him.

"Well?" he asks.

"Yes. It makes the list. But it’s a long list."

His face nearly splits in two, and he leans forward to kiss me gently.

"Good. Shall we have dinner?" His eyes glow with love and humor. I nod. I am famished. I reach over to gently pull the little hairs on his chest.

"I want you to tell me something," I whisper.

"What?"

"Don’t get mad."

"What is it, Ana?"

"You do care."

His eyes widen, and all trace of his good humor vanishes.

"I want you to admit that you care. Because the Christian I know and love would care."

He stills, his eyes not leaving mine, and I’m witness to his internal struggle as if he’s about to make the judgment of Solomon. He opens his mouth to say something then closes it again as some fleeting emotion crosses his face . . . pain, maybe.

Say it, I will him.

"Yes. Yes, I care. Happy?" His voice is barely a whisper. Oh, thank f**k for that. It’s a relief. "Yes. Very."

He frowns. "I can’t believe I’m talking to you now, here in our bed, about – "

I put my finger to his lips.

"We’re not. Let’s eat. I’m hungry."

He sighs and shakes his head. "You beguile and bewilder me, Mrs. Grey."

"Good." I lean up and kiss him.

From: Anastasia Grey

Subject: The List

Date: September 9, 2011 09:33

To: Christian Grey

That’s definitely at the top.

?

A x

Anastasia Grey

Commissioning Editor, SIP

From: Christian Grey

Subject: Tell Me Something New

Date: September 9, 2011 09:42

To: Anastasia Grey

You’ve said that for the last three days.

Make your mind up.

Or . . . we could try something else.

?

Christian Grey

CEO, Enjoying this Game, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

I grin at my screen. The last few evenings have been . . . entertaining. We have relaxed again, Leila’s brief interruption forgotten. I haven’t quite worked up the courage to ask if any of her paintings hang on the walls – and frankly, I don’t really care. My BlackBerry buzzes and I answer, expecting Christian.

"Ana?"

Who is this?

"Yes?"

"Ana, honey. It’s Jose Senior."

"Mr. Rodriguez! Hi!" My scalp prickles. What does Jose’s dad want with me?

"Honey, I’m sorry to call you at work. It’s Ray." His voice falters.

"What is it? What’s happened?" My heart leaps into my throat.

"Ray’s been in an accident."

Oh No. Daddy. I stop breathing.

"He’s in the hospital. You’d better get here quick."

Chapter Seventeen

"Mr. Rodriguez, what’s happened?" My voice is hoarse and thick with unshed tears. Ray. Sweet Ray. My dad.

"He’s been in a car accident."

"Okay, I’ll come . . . I’ll come now." Adrenaline has flooded my bloodstream, leaving panic in its wake. I’m finding it difficult to breathe.

"They’ve transferred him to Portland."

Portland? What the hell is he doing in Portland?

"They airlifted him, Ana. I’m heading there now. OHSU. Oh, Ana, I didn’t see the car. I just didn’t see it . . ." His voice cracks. Mr. Rodriguez – no!

"I’ll see you there." Mr. Rodriguez chokes and the line goes dead. A dark dread seizes me by the throat, overwhelming me. Ray. No. No. I take a deep steadying breath, pick up the phone and call Roach. He answers on the second ring.

"Ana?"

"Jerry. It’s my father."

"Ana, what happened?"

I explain, barely pausing to breathe.

"Go. Of course, you must go. I hope your father’s okay."

"Thank you. I’ll keep you informed." Inadvertently I slam the phone down, but right now couldn’t care less.

"Hanna!" I call, aware of the anxiety in my voice. Moments later she pokes her head around the door to find me packing my purse and grabbing papers to stuff into my briefcase.

"Yes, Ana?" She frowns.

"My father has been in an accident. I have to go."

"Oh dear – "

"Cancel all my appointments today. And Monday. You’ll have to finish prepping the e-book presentation – notes are in the shared file. Get Courtney to help if you have to."

"Yes," Hanna whispers. "I hope he’s okay. Don’t worry about anything here. We’ll muddle through."

"I have my BlackBerry."

The concern etched on her pinched, pale face is almost my undoing. Daddy.

I grab my jacket, purse, and briefcase. "I’ll call you if I need anything."

"Do, please. Good luck, Ana. Hope he’s okay."

I give her a small tight smile, fighting to maintain my composure, and exit my office. I try hard not to run all the way to reception. Sawyer leaps to his feet when I arrive.

"Mrs. Grey?" he asks, confused by my sudden appearance.

"We’re going to Portland – now."

"Okay, ma’am," he says, frowning at me but opening the door. Moving is good.

"Mrs. Grey," Sawyer asks as we race toward the parking lot. "Can I ask why we’re making this unscheduled trip?"

"It’s my dad. He’s been in an accident."

"I see. Does Mr. Grey know?"

"I’ll call him from the car."

Sawyer nods and opens the rear door to the Audi SUV and I climb in. With shaking fingers, I reach for my BlackBerry, and I dial Christian’s cell.

"Mrs. Grey." Andrea’s voice is crisp and businesslike.

"Is Christian there?" I breathe.

"Um . . . he’s somewhere in the building, ma’am. He’s left his BlackBerry charging with me."

Oh. I groan silently with frustration.

"Can you tell him I called, and that I need to speak with him? It’s urgent."

"I could try and track him down. He does have a habit of wandering off sometimes."

"Just get him to call me, please," I beg, fighting back tears.

"Certainly, Mrs. Grey." She hesitates. "Is everything all right?"

"No," I whisper, not trusting my voice. "Please, just get him to call me."

"Yes, ma’am."

I hang up. I cannot contain my anguish any longer. Pulling my knees up to my chest, I curl up on the rear seat and tears ooze, unwelcome, down my cheeks.

"Where in Portland, Mrs. Grey?" Sawyer asks gently.

"OHSU," I choke out. "The big hospital."

Sawyer pulls out into the street and heads for the I-5, while I keen softly in the back of the car, muttering wordless prayers. Please let him be okay. Please let him be okay.

My phone rings. "Your Love Is King" startling me from my mantra.

"Christian," I gasp.

"Christ, Ana. What’s wrong?"

"It’s Ray – he’s been in an accident."

"Shit!"

"Yes. I am on my way to Portland."

"Portland? Please tell me Sawyer is with you."

"Yes, he’s driving."

"Where is Ray?"

"At OHSU."

I hear a muffled voice in the background. "Yes, Ros," Christian snaps angrily. "I know! Sorry, baby – I can be there in about three hours. I have business I need to finish here. I’ll fly down."

Oh shit. Charlie Tango is back in commission and last time Christian flew her . . .

"I have a meeting with some guys over from Taiwan. I can’t blow them off. It’s a deal we’ve been hammering out for months."

Why do I know nothing about this?

"I’ll leave as soon as I can."

"Okay," I whisper. And I want to say that it’s okay, he can stay in Seattle and sort out his business . . . but the truth is I want him with me.

"Oh, baby," he whispers.

"I’ll be okay, Christian. Take your time. Don’t rush. I don’t want to worry about you, too. Fly safely."

"I will."

"Love you."

"I love you, too, baby. I’ll be with you as soon as I can. Keep Luke close."

"Yes, I will."

"I’ll see you later."

"Bye."

After hanging up, I hug my knees once more. I know nothing about Christian’s business. What the hell is he doing with the Taiwanese? I gaze out of the window as we pass Boeing Field-King County airport. He must fly safely . . . my stomach knots anew and nausea threatens. Ray and Christian. I don’t think my heart could take that. Leaning back, I start my mantra again: Please let him be okay. Please let him be okay.