Fifty Shades Darker (book 5) novel Chapter 142

Love you.

A x

* * *

From: Christian Grey

Subject: Frustrated

Date: June 17 2011 09:12

To: Anastasia Steele

I hate it when you keep things from me.

Christian Grey

CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.

* * *

From: Anastasia Steele

Subject: Indulging you

Date: June 17 2011 09:14

To: Christian Grey

It’s for your birthday.

Another surprise.

Don’t be so petulant.

A x

Another surprise? When I pat down my jacket pocket, I’m reassured by the presence of the box that Ana’s given me.

She’s spoiling me.

ROS AND I ARE in the car on the way to Boeing Field. My phone flashes. It’s a text from Elliot.

ELLIOT

Hey, asshole. Bar. This evening.

Kate’s getting in touch with Ana.

You’d better be there.

Where are you?

ELLIOT

Layover Atlanta

Missed me?

No.

ELLIOT

Yeah you have. Well I’m back and

you’re getting your beer on tonight Bro.

It’s been a while since I went drinking with my brother and at least I won’t be alone with Ana and her photographer friend.

If you insist.

Safe travels.

ELLIOT

OUR TAKEOFF IS SMOOTH; I pull back the collective and Charlie Tango ascends like a graceful bird into the air above the Portland heliport. Ros smiles with girlish delight. I shake my head; I had no idea she could be this excitable, but then again, I always feel a rush on takeoff. Once I’ve finished talking to the tower, Ros’s disembodied voice asks over my headset, “How is your private merger going?”

“Good, thanks.”

“Hence the house?”

“Yeah. Something like that.”

She nods and we fly in silence over Vancouver and WSU, homebound toward my goal.

“Did you know Andrea was getting married?” I ask her. This has bothered me since I found out.

“No. When?”

“Last weekend.”

“She kept that quiet.” Ros sounds surprised.

“She says that she didn’t tell me because of our non-fraternization policy. I didn’t know we had one.”

“It’s a standard clause within our employment contracts.”

“Seems a little harsh.”

“She’s married someone in-house?”

“Damon Parker.”

“Engineering?”

“Yes. Can we help him with a green card? I believe he’s on an H-1B visa at the moment.”

“I’ll look into it. Though I’m not sure there are any shortcuts.”

“I’d appreciate it, and I have a surprise for you.” I veer a few degrees northeast and we fly for about ten minutes. “There!” I point toward the barnacle on the horizon that will become Mount St. Helens as we get closer.

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