Freed (Fifty Shades as Told by Christian #3) - E.L. James Page 0,196

travel arrangements for Ana’s surprise party?”

“Your family arrives tomorrow. Raymond Steele will be driving in from his fishing trip in Oregon tomorrow. The Gulfstream is due to take off this afternoon for Savannah to collect Mr. and Mrs. Adams. They’ll fly into Seattle tomorrow afternoon. I wanted to check that you didn’t need hotel reservations for them.”

“No, thanks. They’ll be staying with us.”

“I think that’s all with regard to the weekend. I’ve been liaising with Mrs. Jones.”

“Great. Now, the Taiwanese delegation.” I check my watch. “They should be here by eleven.”

“Everything’s in place.” Andrea is exuding her usual efficiency. “They’re coming from the Fairmont Olympic. In addition to the owners, Mr. and Miss Hwang, and their chief operating officer, Mr. Chen, they’re bringing their interpreter; I’m sorry that I don’t have his or her name yet. Marco will meet them in reception and escort them to the conference room.”

“Odd that they are bringing an interpreter. They all speak fluent English.”

Andrea shrugs. “Lunch is booked in your name, at the Four Seasons at one thirty p.m.”

“Thanks, Andrea, sounds like everything is in hand.”

“Will that be all?”

“For now.”

Once she’s gone, I turn to my iMac and check my e-mail. The title of Ana’s jumps out at me.

From: Anastasia Grey

Subject: The List

Date: September 9 2011 09:33

To: Christian Grey

That’s definitely at the top.

:D

A x

Anastasia Grey

Editor, SIP

I laugh out loud and shift in my seat as I remember the spreader bar and how exceptionally accommodating my wife was last night. Then again, she has been every night since Leila intruded on our lives. Thankfully, that drama is over—Leila is home and Flynn has reassured me that she’s happily settled back into her life in Connecticut.

Ana is as insatiable as ever.

I am a lucky, lucky man.

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.

Our only source of conflict has been Ana’s campaign to rehire Prescott, in spite of the fact that Ana herself said she wasn’t certain about her. I’ve reassured Ana that I’ll give Prescott a good reference, but that’s it, and for me the matter is closed. I return to the documents in front of me for a reread; I need to be on my game.

That done, I check for any further e-mails from Ana, but there are none. I’m restless for the meeting to start, but with forty-five minutes to go, I need to stretch my legs. Leaping up, I grab my phone and head out of my office.

“Andrea, I’m just going to see Ros. I’ve got my phone.” I wave it in front of her, and notice it needs charging.

Damn. “Can you charge this for me?”

“Yes, Mr. Grey.”

With a need to burn off some of my excess energy prior to the meeting, I vault down the stairs to Ros’s office.

Ros has a ream of final questions for the Hwangs, and we’re discussing tactics when there’s a knock on the door. It’s Andrea. “Mrs. Grey called you. She wanted to talk to you urgently. I thought you would want to know.” She hands me my phone.

“Thank you.” Frowning, I step out of Ros’s office and dial Ana’s number.

“Christian,” Ana gasps, breathless and choked.

A frisson runs up my spine. “Christ, Ana. What’s wrong?”

“It’s Ray—he’s been in an accident.”

“Shit!”

“I’m on my way to Portland.”

“Portland? Please tell me Sawyer is with you.”

“Yes, he’s driving.”

“Where’s Ray?”

“At OHSU.”

Ros steps out of her office, distracting me. “Christian, they’ll be here shortly.” My eyes dart to the clock on the wall. It’s 10:48.

“Yes, Ros, I know!” The meeting will take at least two hours. Hell. I was going to take them to lunch.

Ros and Marco can do it.

“Sorry, baby—I can be there in about three hours. I have business I need to finish here. I’ll fly down.” Thank God Charlie Tango is back in operation. “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. I’ll leave as soon as I can.”

“Okay,” she whispers, her voice small and scared.

A fist tightens around my heart. This is not Ana’s usual demeanor. “Oh, baby,” I murmur, overwhelmed with the need to drop everything and join her.

She needs me.

But I can’t. I have responsibilities here.

Sawyer is with her.

“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