“Taylor will take you home, Elliot.”

“I’d like to see you into the apartment first, Mr. Grey,” Taylor says.

“Okay.” I sigh, knowing that he’s still in mother-hen mode, concerned about my safety. He parks beside the elevator and climbs out of the car.

Elliot opens his eyes. “I’ll stay in the car,” he mutters. I reach over to shake his hand, but he grabs it, forcibly. “Fuck off with your fucking handshake,” he grumbles, and tugs me into an awkward embrace, which is clumsy and male and…welcome.

“Don’t crease the suit,” I warn, feeling oddly touched by his gesture. He releases me.

“Good night, bro.”

I slap his knee. “Thanks again. Do you need the stuff you left here?”

“I’ll be back Friday night for the rehearsal dinner.”

“Okay. Good night, Lelliot.”

He grins and closes his eyes.

Taylor accompanies me up to the penthouse.

“You know you don’t have to do this, Taylor.”

“It’s my job, sir.” He looks straight ahead.

“Are you armed?”

Taylor’s eyes flick in my direction. “Yes, sir.”

gun to Canada and, if so, how he got it through security, but I don’t want to know the

Plausible deniability.

“Why don’t you ask Ryan to take Elliot home? You must be exhausted.”

“I’m good, Mr. Grey.”

“Thank you again for your part in all the organization of today.”

He turns to me with a warm smile. “It was a pleasure.”

to the penthouse open and I wander in. Ryan is standing, waiting for me.

“Good evening, Mr. Grey.”

“Ryan, hi. All quiet tonight?”

“Yes, sir. Nothing to report. Do you

“No. I’m fine. Good night.” I leave him in the foyer and amble into the kitchen. From the fridge I pull a bottle of sparkling mineral water, unscrew the top, and start to

My apartment is quiet. The low hum of the fridge and the distant rumble of traffic are the only sounds I hear. The place feels empty.

My footsteps echo across the room as I meander to the window. The moon is high, and it shines in a clear night sky with the promise of another halcyon day, like today. Ana is near, under the same moon. She’ll be home soon. Surely. I lean my forehead against the glass. It’s

Shit.

I saw her a few hours ago, and yet I’m missing her.

For fuck’s sake, Grey.

the most fulfilling day. Carefree. Adventurous. Sociable.

Flynn would be proud. I remember when we first sailed on The Grace, Ana asked me if

I don’t understand why I’m suddenly feeling despondent; a familiar sense of loneliness is creeping into my psyche. I recognize its key ingredients: the emptiness, the longing, like I’m missing something. I’ve not felt it since I was a teenager.

Hell.

I haven’t felt lonely for years. I’ve had my family, though I’ve kept them at a distance. And there was Elena, of course, and I’ve been content with my own company and the occasional company of my submissives.

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