Freed: Fifty Shades Freed as told by Christian novel Chapter 58

“You better!”

“Laters, baby.”

“Laters, Christian. I love you.”

I let her words settle into my heart.

She loves me.

“Are you going to hang up?” she asks.

“No.”

She laughs. “I have to go. I have a meeting and my boss’s boss’s boss…you know.”

“Yeah. He can be an asshole.”

“He can…but he can also be the best of men.”

I’m staring at her portrait on my office wall; her shy, teasing smile is directed at me. My body and my soul stir. This has to be one of the sweetest things she’s ever said to me.

“I’ll see you tonight,” she says, and the line goes dead before I have a chance to respond.

Anastasia Steele, you are the most disarming woman I know. I stare at her photograph, digesting her words, and I know my smile would light up a dark and soulless night.

Feeling inspired, I find the number for Astoria Fine Jewelry and press call. It’s not only rings I need, but a wedding present for my future wife, too.

My meeting with Welch is inconclusive: there is still no lead on the perpetrator, and I’m beginning to believe the sabotage is a figment of my overactive imagination. Welch’s team is drilling down into all ex-employee records of the companies that GEH has acquired to see if he can find something, but we’ve been over this ground and I think he’s grasping at straws. The only potential suspects we had were Hyde and Woods, but Hyde has been discounted, as he’s been in Florida since he was fired, and there’s no evidence that links Woods to the crash, yet.

“I know how exasperating this is for you, Grey,” Welch says, his voice as gruff as ever. “We are keeping an extra-watchful eye on the Gulfstream.”

“I’m wondering if we overreacted to the FAA report.”

“No. We did not. Not where your safety is concerned. We’ll just have to be patient for the NTSB report. I’m expecting it any day.”

“As soon as you have it…” I let the sentence finish itself.

“Yes, sir.”

“In the meantime, please liaise with Taylor. He’s coming with us to oversee our security while we’re on our honeymoon.”

“Will do. And congratulations once again.”

I nod my thanks. “Okay. That’s it. Thanks for coming in.”

Welch rises and we shake hands.

Back at my desk, I check my e-mails.

From: Dr. John Flynn

Subject: FW: For Christian Grey

Date: July 26 2011 14:53

To: Christian Grey

Christian

I received the attached from Leila Williams. We can discuss when I see you on Thursday.

JF

From: Leila Williams

Subject: For Christian Grey

Date: July 26 2011 06:32 EST

To: Dr. John Flynn

Dearest John

Thank you for your continued support. I cannot begin to tell you what it has meant for me. My parents have embraced me back into the fold. I can hardly believe how considerate they’ve been, given all the trouble I’ve caused them. My divorce from my husband should be final next month. At last I’ll be able to move on with my life.

My only regret is that I haven’t been able to thank Mr. Grey in person. Please pass on this note to him. I would really like to deliver my thanks personally. My life could have taken such a bad turn if not for his and your intervention.

Many thanks

Leila