And So I Ran - Complete

Chapter 64

"Mr. Grey? Can I see you for a minute?" Ryan asked. I was sitting in our suite in Claridge's enjoying a late breakfast with Ana. We'd been in London for almost a fortnight but were today flying to Shannon in Ireland. We'd been so busy with all the sights of London that I felt a change of pace was warranted, so I'd booked us a couple of nights at an isolated five-star cottage on the Cliffs of Moher. Stocked with gourmet foods, books, logs for the open fireplaces and with magnificent, uninterrupted views of the ocean, I planned to spend forty-eight hours in bed balls deep in my wife.

"Certainly, Ryan," I replied, giving Ana a reassuring grin as I moved into another part of the suite, out of her earshot.

"I have Taylor and your father on conference," Ryan announced ominously, his eyes not meeting mine. I did the mental calculations. It was half-past nine in the morning, here, which meant it was one thirty in the morning in Seattle. Fuck. I took the proffered phone.

"Grey," I greeted. I knew, without being told, a middle of the night call from Taylor and my father did not bode well, especially since Taylor was not due back from Aspen until tomorrow.

"Christian. There's been a serious development here that you need to know about," my father announced without preamble. "A little over twenty-four hours ago, Elena Lincoln's remaining salon suffered a catastrophic fire. It seemed innocent enough, at first, so there was no need to inform you. However, the authorities investigated and quickly determined it was arson. As part of their inquiries, it's become apparent the salon was trading insolvent, and Elena has been detained under suspicion of arson for insurance fraud."

I grunted my understanding, unsure how this necessitated my attention.

"The authorities raided Mrs. Lincoln's home," Taylor added, taking over the explanation. "As part of their investigation, they seized Mrs. Lincoln's laptop. They were looking for evidence of the financial insolvency and that she'd planned the fire, which they found. However, they also found evidence of child pornography as well as images and videos of her having intercourse with underage boys."

My heart seized in my chest. I'd always feared it. More than Elena's punishments themselves, I'd feared disclosure. My parents knew what had happened, and at least part of what I'd endured, and Anastasia knew everything. Yet I feared everyone else knowing. Elliot. Mia. Andrea. Ray and Carla. People would see me differently if they knew I was a victim of childhood sexual abuse. My stomach was churning, and it was all I could do to stop myself regurgitating my breakfast onto the Axminster carpet beneath me.

"Can they use it? In court? If the warrant was for financial information..."

"The judge wrote it up for 'signs of criminal activity'" my father explained. "She's being charged. I have contacts in the police department, and so far, they've found nothing on the hard drive about you other than proof Elena was defrauding you as a silent partner in her salons."

"There's no...?"

"Not so far. It appears the laptop is three years old, and there's nothing on there from before that time," Dad said delicately.

"Dad? What should I do?" I asked, reaching out to my father for help for the first time since I'd pitched for his support when I'd hoped to start GEH.

"Enjoy your honeymoon, son," Carrick replied fiercely. "Taylor and I have this under control. We'll check in every day."

"If she tries to destroy what I have now, I will end her," I vowed softly. "I love my wife and my child. It was bad enough I had to go through it... I will not let them suffer through this."

"It won't come to that," my father reassured me. "Enjoy your honeymoon with your bride. We have this."