I thought she was going shopping.

“Ros. I’ll call you back!” I hang up and scramble out of the study to the starboard walkway, but she’s gone. I dash around to the port side, and Ana’s tearing across the water on the Jet Ski with the tender in hot pursuit. She waves at me.

No. Ana! Don’t let go. My heart leaps into my mouth.

Hesitantly, I raise my hand and wave back.

This was her plan?

I watch as she races toward the marina with the tender in her wake. I pull out my phone and call Taylor.

“Sir.”

“What the hell are you and Anastasia playing at!” I shout.

“Mr. Grey, Mrs. Grey wanted to try the Jet Ski.”

“But she could fall. Drown—fuck!” Words fail me.

“She’s quite competent on it, sir.”

“For fuck’s sake, don’t let her come back on it!”

I hear Taylor’s sigh. But I don’t give a fuck. “Yes, sir.”

“Thank you!” I press end call.

In the salon, I find the binoculars and watch as Ana pulls up beside the tender. Taylor helps her in, then onto the dock.

I call her number and watch as she fumbles in her purse for her phone.

“Hi,” she answers, a little breathlessly.

“Hi.”

“I’ll come back on the boat. Don’t be mad.”

Oh. I’m expecting a fight. “Um.”

“It was fun, though,” she whispers, sounding exhilarated. And I see her once more in my head, flying past the boat, the wind in her hair and a huge smile on her face.

I sigh. “Well, far be it for me to curtail your fun, Mrs. Grey. Just be careful. Please.”

“I will. Anything you want from town?”

“Just you, back in one piece.”

“I’ll do my best to comply, Mr. Grey.”

“I’m glad to hear it, Mrs. Grey.”

“We aim to please.” She giggles, and the sweet sound makes me smile. My phone beeps.

“I have another call. Laters, baby.”

“Laters, Christian.”

I hang up and Grace is on the line. “Hello, darling, how are you?”

“I’m good, Mom.”

“I’m just calling to check that you’re all okay.”

“Why wouldn’t I be okay?” Shit. Maybe she knows. “Are you calling about the fire?”

“What fire?” she asks, suddenly terse.

“It’s nothing, Mother.”

“What. Fire. Christian.” Her tone is intimidating.

Sighing, I quickly fill her in on what’s happened at Grey House, sparing no details. “Mom, it’s no big deal. No damage.” The last thing I want to do is worry Grace.

“Will you come home?”

“I don’t see any reason to cut my honeymoon short. The fire was contained and hasn’t done any damage.”

She’s quiet for a moment.

“Grace. It’s okay.”

She sighs. “If you say so, darling. How is your honeymoon going?”

“Well, up until this incident—it’s been wonderful. Ana loves London and Paris and the yacht, she’s yar.”

“Sounds heavenly. Did you go to Saint-Paul-de-Vence?”

“We did. Today. It was magical.”

“I fell in love with the place. I won’t keep you, I know you’ll have a lot to think about and do. The reason I called was to invite you and Ana to lunch on Sunday, when you’re home.”

“Sure. That sounds great.”

“Lovely. See you then. And, Christian, remember, we love you.”

“Yes, Mom. Thanks for the call.”

When I hang up there’s an e-mail from Ana.

From: Anastasia Grey

Subject: Thank You

Date: August 17 2011 16:55

To: Christian Grey

For not being too grouchy.

Your loving wife

xxx

I type back.

From: Christian Grey

Subject: Trying to Stay Calm

Date: August 17 2011 16:59

To: Anastasia Grey

You’re welcome.

Come back in one piece.

This is not a request.

x

Christian Grey

CEO & Overprotective Husband, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.

A couple of hours later, I’m sitting at the small desk in the study and I get the call I’ve been dreading. “It’s arson,” Welch says.

“Fuck.” My heart sinks.

Who the hell is doing this to me? What do they want?

“Exactly. A small incendiary device was placed beside one of the server cabinets. Interestingly, it was designed to set off smoke, but that’s it. I think it’s a warning.”

A warning?

“Any idea when it was placed?” I ask.

“We don’t have that information, yet. We’ve already doubled security. I’ll post a guard 24/7 outside the server room. I know it’s the lifeblood of the company.”

“Good idea.”

“Will you come back early?”

“Do I need to?” I don’t want to end our honeymoon.