Our Ana | Kate & Ana & Christian

Chapter 23

Kate's Pov;

Just as I'm finishing up at work, Ana calls. I pickup as soon as I notice the vibrations coming from my purse. "Hey, Ana! Are you finished with work?" She's been in trouble for making personal calls before even though I know everyone else at the office does it as well. Jack is always watching her like a hawk. It's completely unprofessional. "Yes. I'm getting ready to leave now. I just wanted to call and let you know Christian is going to Portland this weekend for business and I wondered if you'd like to go and get drinks or something." I collect my belongings as we talk, so that I'm ready to walk out the door as soon as I finish our call. "I'd love to! You know I'm always waiting on you to finally have a Christian free day." I hear her giggle on the other end and it makes me smile. "Well, now I have two." There's some shuffling on her end and I hear Jack's voice clearly. "Ana. Finally I have you on your own...well almost on your own." He must've noticed her phone. Shit. He sounds even creepier than I would have imagined. His voice makes my skin crawl. "K-Kate I have to go." Ana says, her voice cracking with anxiety. She hangs up. Fear chokes me as I realize she's alone with him. I get up and sprint to my car. I have to get to Ana. It could be nothing, but it didn't sound like nothing. I need to see that she's okay. I rush over to SIP as fast as I can and I walk through the entrance and towards Ana's office. The place is deserted. Then as I walk further towards the kitchen I hear voices. "I have no idea what you're talking about, Jack." Ana says and I walk closer following her voice. "Deny it all you want, Ana. I know the truth. You want me." I feel adrenaline build inside me as I come to the realization of what's happening. When I get to the kitchen I see Jack has his hand on Ana's chest, pressing her against the counter top. She sees me, but he doesn't. I step quietly forward, inching closer, my eyes never leave Ana's. As I get close enough to pull him off, he turns his head and looks directly at me. Before he can even fully turn to face me, Ana places her hand over his and pulls his finger back as hard as she can. I hear a snap and he loses his balance, groaning in pain. I quickly slip past him to shield Ana before he's able to recover himself. He reaches for Ana, but I grab his hand and stop him. "Don't fucking touch her!" I growl as I bring my knee up making direct contact with his groin. He collapses in front of me, but I don't stop there. White hot rage builds inside me as I begin to punch him. My fist slams into his jaw and he groans, falling back further from the impact. My fist hits his again and again. Ana tries to pull me off, but her attempts are useless. All I can see is the smug look on his face when he assaulted her. I can hear him saying that she wanted it on a loop in my mind. I don't stop punching until I see blood splatter on my hands. He's screaming swears and groaning in pain, but I feel no sympathy. "Fuck, Kate. Come on, we have to go." Ana tugs on my arm, her voice filled with anxiety. I spit in his face, finding pleasure in the sight of him lying prostrate on the floor, then I let Ana pull me away.

Once outside Ana runs into Christians arms as he's exiting his car. He scoops her up, assessing her for wounds and asking frantically what's happened to her. I stare down at the blood on my fist and all feelings of anger are replaced with fear. I panic, knowing for almost certain I am going to jail. Then I hear Ana say my name and I look up at her. She's telling Christian what happened and she's at the part where I stepped in. When she finishes Christian puts her down and approaches me. "What are we going to do? I've broke skin his blood is literally on my hand!" I hold the fist up to Christian. "It's okay, don't panic. Taylor and the rest of my team with take care of things from here. Just go home and clean yourself up." He orders, cool and calm as usual. "He deserved a good beating, I just wish I could've been the one to do it." Christian says, and I see a hint of humor in his eyes. I can't help my small smile. I wouldn't imagine Christian as someone to get into fights, but looking at him now I wouldn't put it past him. Once again I'm reminded that we're not so different, Christian and I. We're both ambitious and at times domineering. We both love Ana deeply. We're both willing to fight for what we love at any personal cost. We don't often get along well, but at the end of the day we both want the same thing, for Ana to be happy. She's our top priority, always. "Kate." Ana says my name from a few steps away and I glance towards her. Christian steps out of my way as she gestures for me to come closer and I walk over to her. "Let me see your hand. Is it okay?" She asks, her face etched with concern. "It hurts." I admit. "A lot." She gently places my hand in hers and I grimace. "Thank you." She whispers, looking up at me through her long lashes. "For what?" I ask. "Defending me." I smile. "Of course. I'd be a pretty sucky girlfriend if I didn't, huh?" I can feel Christian staring but Ana just laughs. "You didn't have to punch him that many times." She mutters and I smile wider. "I know. It was stupid and reckless and I can tell you with complete certainty that if the situation arises again I will absolutely do it again." I pause for a minute, neither of us saying anything. We just hold hands. "Go home and get some rest, okay. I'll see you this weekend." Ana just nods and I slip my hand from hers and walk to my car alone. She'll be safe with Christian, at least for the night.