And yes, I am yours and you, my dear, overbearing husband who refuses to exercise his constitutional right under the Second Amendment to bear arms, are mine. But don’t worry because I shall protect you. Always.
Anastasia Grey
Editor, SIP
She used to cut Ray’s hair. Well, damn it, that’s why she did such a good job. And she’s going to protect me.
Of course, she is. I turn to my computer and Google “gun phobia.”
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Annie Oakley
Date: August 23 2011 10:53
To: Anastasia Grey
Mrs. Grey
I am delighted to see you have spoken to the IT dept and changed your name. :D
I shall sleep safe in my bed knowing that my gun-toting wife sleeps beside me.
Christian Grey
CEO & Hoplophobe, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
From: Anastasia Grey
Subject: Long Words
Date: August 23 2011 10:58
To: Christian Grey
Mr. Grey
Once more you dazzle me with your linguistic prowess.
In fact, your prowess in general, and I think you know what I’m referring to.
Anastasia Grey
Editor, SIP
Her reply makes me grin.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Gasp!
Date: August 23 2011 11:01
To: Anastasia Grey
Mrs. Grey
Are you flirting with me?
Christian Grey
Shocked CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
From: Anastasia Grey
Subject: Would you rather…
Date: August 23 2011 11:04
To: Christian Grey
I flirted with someone else?
Anastasia Grey
Brave Editor, SIP
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Grrrrr
Date: August 23 2011 11:09
To: Anastasia Grey
NO!
Christian Grey
Possessive CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
From: Anastasia Grey
Subject: Wow…
Date: August 23 2011 11:14
To: Christian Grey
Are you growling at me? ’Cause that’s kinda hot.
Anastasia Grey
Squirming (in a good way) Editor, SIP
I love making her squirm via e-mail.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Beware
Date: August 23 2011 11:16
To: Anastasia Grey
Flirting and toying with me, Mrs. Grey?
I may pay you a visit this afternoon.
Christian Grey
Priapic CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
From: Anastasia Grey
Subject: Oh No!
Date: August 23 2011 11:20
To: Christian Grey
I’ll behave. I wouldn’t want my boss’s boss’s boss getting on top of me at work. ;)
Now let me get on with my job. My boss’s boss’s boss may fire my ass.
Anastasia Grey
Editor, SIP
From: Christian Grey
Subject: &*%$&*&*
Date: August 23 2011 11:23
To: Anastasia Grey
Believe me when I say there are a great many things he’d like to do to your ass right now. Firing you is not one of them.
Christian Grey
CEO & Ass man, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
From: Anastasia Grey
Subject: Go Away!
Date: August 23 2011 11:26
To: Christian Grey
Don’t you have an empire to run?
Stop bothering me.
My next appointment is here.
I thought you were a breast man…
Think about my ass, and I’ll think about yours…
ILY x
Anastasia Grey
Now Moist Editor, SIP
Moist? There’s that word again. I shake my head. I like her wet. Moist doesn’t do it for me, at all. But sadly, I must cease, as my meeting with Marco and his team starts in four minutes.
It’s a great meeting. Marco has gone aggressively after Geolumara and our bid has been successful. This acquisition will take us into a new area of green energy, via a cheaper and easier-to-manufacture solar panel.
It’s also looking likely that either I’ll have to go to Taiwan or the shipyard owners will come to us. But first they want a phone conference. Ros is arranging a time.
When we finish up, she asks for a word. We wait for the others to leave.
“Hassan would like you to go to New York,” she says. “Morale is low because of how Woods left. He wasn’t well liked, and because he kicked up a fuss in the press, the tech team is skittish. We don’t want to lose any of them. They’re all good people.”
“Hassan can’t reassure them?”
“He can only do so much, Christian. Your visit would signal real support. You’re good at rallying the troops.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll let him know you’ll be there Thursday.”
“Thanks.”
“Oh, and Gwen is pregnant.”
“Wow. Congratulations!”
I wonder how all that works, but I don’t want to pry.
“Yes. She’s at twelve weeks, so we’re telling people.”
“Three kids! Wow!”
“Yes. We’ll probably stop there.”
I grin. “Well, congratulations once more.”
When I get back to my desk, I call Welch for an update. He’s viewed the footage from outside Escala. “Mr. Grey, I’d like to talk to Hyde’s former assistants again. See if they’ll talk this time.”
“Couldn’t do any harm.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
“Let me know how you get on.”
“Will do.”
I hang up and let Ana know I’m off to New York.