Freed: Fifty Shades Freed as told by Christian novel Chapter 203

“Took him down?” Clark interjects, puzzled.

“My father is ex-army. Hyde, um, touched me, and I know how to defend myself.” Her eyes flick to mine, and I can’t hide my pride and awe for my girl.

Don’t mess with my girl.

She’s a warrior.

“I see.” Clark huffs out a breath and sits back on the sofa.

“Have you spoken to any of Hyde’s former personal assistants?” I ask. I’m curious to know if the cops have made more progress than Welch.

“Yes, we have. But the truth is, we can’t get any of his assistants to talk to us. They all say he was an exemplary boss, even though none of them lasted more than three months.”

Damn. “We’ve had that problem, too. My security chief, he’s interviewed Hyde’s past five PAs.”

This news piques Clark’s interest. He frowns, his eyes boring into me. “And why’s that?”

“Because my wife worked for him, and I run security checks on anyone my wife works with.”

Clark’s face reddens. “I see.” His bushy brows draw together. “I think there’s more to this than meets the eye, Mr. Grey. We are conducting a more thorough search of his apartment tomorrow, so maybe something will present itself then. Though by all accounts he hasn’t lived there for some time.”

“You’ve searched already?”

“Yes. We’re doing it again. A fingertip search this time.”

“You’ve still not charged him with the attempted murder of Ros Bailey and myself?”

Maybe that’s the FBI’s prerogative?

“We’re hoping to find more evidence in regard to the sabotage of your aircraft, Mr. Grey. We need more than a partial print, and while he’s in custody, we can build a case.”

“Is this all you came down here for?”

Clark stiffens. “Yes, Mr. Grey, it is, unless you’ve had any further thoughts about the note?”

Again, Ana’s eyes scrutinize mine, but this time she’s frowning.

“No. I told you. It means nothing to me.” My wife does not need to know about that! “And I don’t see why we couldn’t have done this over the phone.”

“I think I told you, I prefer a hands-on approach. And,” he adds, slightly sheepishly, “I’m visiting my great-aunt, who lives in Portland. Two birds—one stone.”

“Well, if we’re all done, I have work to attend to.” I stand, hoping that Clark will take the hint.

He does. “Thank you for your time, Mrs. Grey.”

Ana nods.

“Mr. Grey.”

I open the door and he shuffles out.

Thank fuck.

Ana leans back into the sofa.

“Can you believe that asshole?” I run my hands through my hair.

“Clark?” Ana says.

“No. That fucker, Hyde.”

“No, I can’t.” She looks bemused.

“What’s his fucking game?”

“I don’t know. Do you think Clark believed me?”

“Of course he did. He knows Hyde is a fucked-up asshole—”

“You’re very sweary,” Ana chastises me.

“Sweary? Is that even a word?”

“It is now.”

And just like that, her humor smothers my anger, and it’s gone. Marveling at the spell she casts, I sit down beside her and pull her into my arms. “Don’t think about that fucker. Let’s go see your dad and try to talk about the move tomorrow.”

“He was adamant that he wanted to stay in Portland and not be a bother,” Ana says.

“I’ll talk to him.”

She fingers the buttons on my shirt. “I want to travel with him.”

That should be possible. “Okay. I’ll come, too. Sawyer and Taylor can take the cars. I’ll let Sawyer drive your R8 tonight.”