Freed: Fifty Shades Freed as told by Christian novel Chapter 10

“Elena, this is a courtesy call. I’m gifting you the business. I’ve been in touch with Debra Kingston; she’s drawing up the paperwork. It’s over. We can’t do this anymore.”

“What? What are you talking about?”

“I mean it. I no longer have the energy for your bullshit. I asked you to leave Ana alone and you ignored my request. We reap what we sow, Mrs. Lincoln. It’s over. Don’t call me.”

“Chris—” I hear the alarm in her voice as I hang up.

My phone buzzes immediately, her name flashing on my screen. I switch it off and look over my to-do list.

I have about an hour before the press conference, so to take my mind off Elena, I pick up my office phone and call my brother.

“Hey, hotshot. Having second thoughts?”

“Fuck off, Elliot.”

“She’s having second thoughts?” He snickers.

“Could you silence your inner asshole for two minutes?”

“That long? Dubious.”

“I’m buying a house.”

“Whoa. For you and the future Mrs. Grey? That was quick. You knocked her up?”

“No!” For fuck’s sake.

He cackles on his end of the phone. “Don’t tell me. It’s in Denny-Blaine or Laurelhurst?”

Ah, the tech millionaires’ suburbs of choice.

“No.”

“Medina?”

I laugh. “That’s far too near Mom and Dad. It’s on the water just north of Broadview.”

“You’re kidding.”

“No. I want to watch the sun sink into the Sound, not rise above a lake.”

Elliot laughs. “Man. Who knew you were such a romantic?”

I scoff. I certainly didn’t. “It needs gutting.”

“It does?” That has Elliot’s interest. “You want me to recommend someone?”

“No, dude. I want you to do it. I want something sustainable and environmentally friendly. You know, all the shit you champion at family meals.”

“Oh. Wow.” He sounds surprised. “Can I see the place?”

“Yes, of course. I’ve not gone to contract yet, but we’re going ahead with surveys over the next week or so.”

“Sure. This is rad. But you’ll need an architect. I can only do so much.”

“What was the name of the woman who oversaw the renovations in Aspen?”

“Um…Gia Matteo. She’s cool. She’s now at some fancy downtown firm.”

“She did a great job at the house in Aspen. And I seem to remember she had an impressive and imaginative portfolio. Do you recommend her?”

“Yeah. Um… Sure.”

“You sound hesitant.”

“Well, you know. She’s the kind of woman who doesn’t take no for an answer.”

“What do you mean?”

“She’s…ambitious. Hungry. Driven to get what she wants.”

“I’ve got no problem with that.”

“Neither have I,” says Elliot. “In fact, I rather like a predatory female.”