Page 130 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

Aaron stared at her. “You live in the Sapphire?”

She nodded. Was that a bad thing?

“Okay, well. My garage is in the back, so I’ll drive around and follow you to your place. What color is your car?”

“A sparkly white.”

He chuckled, and they headed downstairs. After he opened the front door, she pointed down the street toward her car. He kissed her cheek and told her he’d pull his car around and find her in a few minutes.

Anna grinned as she walked to her car, her heart light and feeling as if the world was full of wonderful possibilities. Aaron was kind and liked her, even knowing who and what she was. If that could happen, anything was possible.

Alex stared out the car windshield as Tony drove toward the airport. He hated the idea of leaving Anna alone in the city. What if something happened to her? Aaron was with her, but...

He needed to call Aaron and let him know he was leaving. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and made the call.

Aaron answered within two rings. The background was noisy. “Hey, Alex.”

“Hello. How are things going?”

“With Anna, or in general?”

Alex grimaced. “Both?”

He could hear the grin in his friend’s answer. “Great.”

Alex sighed. “Aaron, listen. I’m on my way to the airport to go home for a few days. I need you to keep an eye on Anna for me while I’m gone.”

“Home? Are you going on one of those mystery trips?”

Alex laughed bitterly. “I wish.” That sounded easier than facing the German Elders for breach of protocol. “I got into some trouble and have to go see my father. I’m hoping I’ll be back in a few days, but... I don’t know for sure.”

Aaron didn’t respond for a long moment. “Are you okay?”

“I don’t know.” He winced at the crack in his voice.

“What did you do?”

“I can’t say, Aaron. Just, please, take care of Anna while I’m gone. If something happens, call Seth. I won’t have access to my phone.”

“I will.”

“Thanks. Don’t tell Anna anything about the call. If she asks, just say I had to go out of town unexpectedly.”

“That’s all you told me.”

“Don’t tell her I’m in trouble. Please.”

“I . . . okay.”

He ended the call and tossed his phone on the dashboard before leaning his head against the headrest and staring up at the car’s roof.

Seth patted his shoulder from the back seat. “She’ll be okay. Why’d you tell Aaron not to tell her you got in trouble?”

“If she knew I was in trouble, then Devin might find out from her and suspect I had something to do with his missing slaves. I can’t let my father get into trouble because of what I’ve done.”

Chapter 53

Alex rubbed his face as he sat in his bedroom at his father’s Schloss, waiting to be called into the Elder’s Chamber. All the German Elders had come together for his trial. Thankfully they were keeping it to themselves. Vati didn’t think they would turn him over to the American Elders. Especially Devin.

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