Chapter 8


    Iugh. “Thank you, Andrea.”


    “I’ll get your coffee.”


    “Great, thanks.”


    At my desk, I wake my iMac. There’s another e-mail from Ana.


    From: Anastasia Steele


    Subject: The Limitations of Language


    Date: June 20 2011 09:38


    To: Christian Grey


    **. ****, **** *******!


    *** ***** ** **********.


    * **** ***, ***.


    Ax


    Iugh out loud even though I have no idea what she’s written. Andrea enters with my coffee and sits


    down so we can run through the day’s schedule ahead of my first call.


    I’ve been on the phone for what feels like three solid hours. When I finally hang up, stand, and stretch,


    it’s 1:15. Charlie Tango is being recovered today and should be back at Boeing Field tonight. The


    Federal Aviation Administration has handed the inquiry into the emergencynding over to the National


    Transportation Safety Board. The Eurocopter engineer who was one of the first on-site says it’s


    incredibly fortunate that I put the fire out with the extinguishers. It will help to speed up theirs and the


    NTSB’s investigation. I’m hoping to have their initial report tomorrow.


    Welch has informed me that as a precaution, he’s secured all ofst week’s CCTV footage from the


    helipad in Pornd, and from in and around Charlie Tango’s private hangar at Boeing Field. A shiver


    skates up my spine. Welch thinks it might be sabotage, and I have to admit the possibility has been at


    the back of my mind since both engines caught fire.


    Sabotage.


    But why?


    I’ve asked him to have his teamb through all the recordings and see if they find anything


    suspicious.


    After much wheedling from Sam, my VP for publicity, I’ve agreed to a brief press conferenceter this


    afternoon. Sam’s nagging voice rings in my head. “You need to get in front of this, Christian. Your


    miraculous escape is still all over the news cycle. They have aerial footage of the recovery operation.”


    Frankly, I think Sam just loves the drama. I hope that a press briefing will stop them from hounding Ana


    This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    and me.


    Andrea buzzes my phone.


    “What?”


    “Dr. Grey is on the line again.”


    “Fuck,” I whisper under my breath. I guess I can’t avoid her forever. “Okay, put her through.” Leaning


    against my desk, I wait for her dulcet tones.


    “Christian. I know you’re busy, but two things.”


    “Yes, Mother.”


    “I’ve found a wedding nner I want to use. Her name is Alondra Gutierrez. She organized this year’s


    Coping Together Ball. I think you and Ana should meet her.”


    I roll my eyes. “Sure.”


    “Good. I’ll arrange a meetingter this week. Secondly, your father really wants to talk to you.”


    “I spoke to my father at length on the night I announced my engagement. We were also celebrating my


    twenty-eighth year in the world and, as you know, I’m always reluctant to mark these milestones.” I’m


    on a roll. “And I’d just survived a hair-raising crashnding.” My voice is rising. “Dad really rained on my


    parade. I think he said enough then. I don’t want to talk to him now.”


    He’s a pompous prick.


    “Christian. Stop sulking. Talk to your dad.”


    Sulking! I’m fucking pissed, Grace.


    My mother’s silence stretches between us,ced with her censure.


    I sigh. “Okay, I’ll think about it.” The other line on my phone shes. “I’ve got to go.”


    “Very well, darling. I’ll let you know about the meeting with Alondra.”


    “Good-bye, Mom.”


    My phone buzzes again. “Mr. Grey, I have Anastasia Steele for you.”


    My rancor disappears. “Great. Thanks, Andrea.”


    “Christian?” Her voice is small, and uneven. She sounds scared.


    My breath catches in my throat. “Ana, is everything all right?”


    “Um…I went out for some fresh air. I thought they’d be gone. And, well…”


    “The reporters and photographers?”


    “Yes.”


    Fuckers.


    “I didn’tment on anything. I just turned around and ran back into the building.”


    Damn. I should have sent Sawyer to watch over her, and I’m grateful once more that Taylor persuaded


    me to keep him on after the Le Williams incident. “Ana, it’s going to be fine. I was going to call you.


    I’ve just agreed to give a press conferenceter this afternoon about Charlie Tango. They’ll ask about


    our engagement. I’ll give them the barest of details. Hopefully that will be enough to satisfy them.”


    “Good.”


    I chance my luck. “Would you like me to send Sawyer to watch over you?”


    “Yes,” she says immediately.


    Whoa. That was easy. She must be more shaken than I thought. “Are you sure you’re okay? You’re not


    normally so amenable.”


    “I have my moments, Mr. Grey. They usually ur after I’ve been pursued by the media through the


    streets of Seattle. It was quite the workout. I was breathless when I got back to the office.” She’s


    making light of the situation.


    “Really, Miss Steele? You have such great stamina, normally.”


    “Why, Mr. Grey, what on earth are you referring to?” I hear the smile in her voice.


    “I think you know,” I whisper.


    Her breath hitches and the sound travels straight to my groin.


    “Are you flirting with me?” she asks.


    “I hope so.”


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