Fifty Shades Darker (book 5) novel Chapter 161

Nervously, I put the phone to my ear. “Mr. Steele?” Feeling Ana’s gaze on my back, I wander into my study just in case it’s bad news.

“Christian, I think you ought to call me Ray. Sounds like my little girl is crazy about you and I’m not one to get in her way.”

Crazy about you. My heart flips and soars.

“Well, thank you, sir.”

“You hurt her in any way and I’ll kill you.”

“I’d expect nothing less.”

“Crazy kids,” he mutters. “Now you take good care of her. Annie is my light.”

“She’s mine, too…Ray.”

“And good luck with telling her mother.” He laughs. “Now let me get back to my fishing.”

“I hope you top the forty-three-pounder.”

“You know about that?”

“José told me.”

“He’s a talkative guy. Good day, Christian.”

“It is now.” I grin.

“I HAVE YOUR STEPFATHER’S rather begrudging blessing,” I announce to Ana in the kitchen. She laughs and shakes her head.

“I think Ray is freaked out,” she says. “I’ve got to tell my mom. But I’d like to do that on a full stomach.” She waves in the direction of the counter where our food is waiting. Salmon, potatoes, salad, and an interesting dip. She’s also selected some wine. A Chablis. “Well, this looks great.” I open the wine and pour us each a small glass.

“Damn, you’re a good cook, woman.” I raise my glass to Ana in appreciation. Her lighthearted expression fades and I’m reminded of the expression on her face outside the playroom this morning. “Ana? Why did you ask me not to take your photo?”

Her consternation deepens, worrying me. “Ana, what is it?” My tone is sharper than I intended and she jumps.

“I found your photos,” she says, as if she’s committed some terrible sin.

What photos? But as I say the words, I realize exactly what she’s talking about. And I feel like I’m back in my father’s study, waiting for a pompous dressing-down for some infraction I’ve committed.

“You’ve been in the safe?” How the hell did she do that?

“Safe? No. I didn’t know you had a safe.”

“I don’t understand.”

“In your closet. The box. I was looking for your tie, and the box was under your jeans. The ones you normally wear in the playroom…Except today.”

Fuck.

No one should see those photographs. Especially Ana. How did they get there?

Leila.

“It’s not what you think. I’d forgotten all about them. That box had been moved. Those photographs belong in my safe.”

“Who moved them?” Ana asks.