With or Without You - Complete

Chapter 25

"I really liked them," Ana said as she sat on the sofa with Christian later in the day and watched the flickering flames in the fireplace. It was raining outside—situation normal in Seattle—and while they did not need the fireplace for warmth, Ana liked to have it on when the weather was gloomy. "You said you've interviewed others, but they were the only ones who asked to meet me?"

Christian nodded. He was already inclined to offer the duo the position. A younger female on the team would be a definite advantage, and after seeing their interaction in the elevator after the interview, he was reassured that there would be no fluttering of eyelashes at him, or inappropriate overtures to Ana. His only misgiving was his inability to find anything about them whatsoever. Usually, Welch could find out a person's last meal, when they'd most recently used the toilet, and pretty much everything else from the time they'd left the cradle. But this duo? Nothing. Knowledge was power, and knowing almost nothing about these two discombobulated him. To fly so far under the radar—that there was literally no record of them anywhere—they must have some powerful connections. Which could be a plus, but also a minus.

Taylor had already stated he thought they were great hires, but shared his boss's concern that they were essentially untraceable. As a very wealthy man, it was not out of the realm of possibility that someone might try to infiltrate his life and world via his security protection, and that concerned Christian. Making up his mind, Christian leaned over to kiss Ana.

"Baby? I need to make a quick phone call. Maybe pick out a movie for when I come back?"

Knowing that Christian's phone calls could take at least an hour, Ana smiled at him and suggested she instead use his absence to make a chocolate cake. He was addicted to her choc-frosted creations, and would never turn down the opportunity to indulge. Sure, he'd have to spend an extra half-hour in the gym each morning for a week, but since Ana seemed to appreciate his more defined abs, it was a win win in his book!

"I'd marry you just for your cooking," he said, kissing Ana again before standing up and walking across to his office. Pressing a button on his phone, Taylor stepped in a moment later, Christian explaining, "I think I need to call Mazur."

It was early in the morning at Court, but Abe was used to being woken at all times of the day or night. One downfall of operating an international business in both Moroi and the human world—it was always business hours somewhere!

"Mazur," he said, doing a credible job of sounding awake and alert, despite the fact it was 7:30pm in Pennsylvania, and he had been hoping to have a bit of a lie-in after a busy 24-hours previously.

"Christian Grey," the young billionaire declared, uncharacteristically nervous.

Yes, it was arrogant, but Christian was used to being the biggest mover and shaker in pretty much any situation. Sure, there were others who had a similar net worth to him, but they knew of one-another and usually talked on an equal footing. Mazur was a different entity entirely. The man was a mystery wrapped within an enigma. While they had never met in person, Grey knew of him through mutual associates and understood his reputation as ruthless, but also a straight shooter. So, putting his pride to one side, Christian approached him man to man.

"Thank you for taking my call. I hope it is a convenient time?"

Abe smirked. He'd been expecting this.

"As good as any," he replied, not giving away that he was sitting disheveled in his bed, having been woken by the phone. "What can I do for you?"

Christian paused, carefully planning his words. "I am recently engaged," he said, smiling despite himself. "She is the most precious thing in my world, and I need her protected."