Page 79 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

Alex walked over, his jaw set and eyes hard, and sat on the couch. Devin nodded to Ian as he took a seat on the nearby chair and Ian left the room.

Devin snapped his fingers. “Anna, come.”

Anna jumped to her feet, stumbling on the hem of her dress, and hurried across the room to drop to her knees at Devin’s feet. Her body trembled as he stroked her hair—unkempt but still soft—as if to comfort her. “You didn’t brush your hair.” He found a lone tangle in the silken threads, yanked his fingers through it, and she gasped. He grabbed a fistful of hair and pulled her head back until she looked at him upside down. She gasped for breath and tears filled her eyes. “Never come to me with unbrushed hair again. Do you understand?”

She moved her mouth, trying to find enough air to form words. “Y-yes, Master,” she choked out.

He released her hair and her head snapped forward. She fell forward on her hands and coughed. Devin would have sworn he heard a rumble from Alex’s direction.

“Is that really necessary?” Alex’s voice cut through the air like shards of ice, matching the fury that blazed in his eyes.

Devin hesitated. Not knowing how the interrupted ritual had affected Anna, being the cruel Master might backfire, especially with Alex around. Damnit. She obviously wasn’t mindless this morning; she looked at him with absolute terror in her eyes. As much as he enjoyed her fear of him, he knew he had to adjust his plans. For now. He was going to have to continue to pretend he cared about her again so she’d trust and love him. Obedience out of fear was far less effective than obedience that came from love.

Fuck. This is exactly why I performed the ritual in the first place. So I didn’t have to worry about all this shit.

He sucked in a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment, forcing himself to relax. I have a plan. “No. I suppose not.” He opened his eyes. “I didn’t sleep well last night.” He petted Anna’s hair again, gently this time, and she stopped trembling.

“That often happens when plans go awry.” Alex raised his brows, eyes glinting with amusement.

Fucking arrogant bastard. “Yes. My evening certainly didn’t go the way I expected it to.” He glanced down at Anna. “I suppose we need to discuss our unexpected situation, then. Don’t we?”

“We do.” Alex stretched out his arm along the back of the couch and crossed his leg at the knee. “I want her to live outside the Manor. In an apartment downtown. I will gladly pay her living expenses.”

Straight to the point. Devin respected that. The sooner they were done negotiating, the sooner he could fuck Anna and test her reaction to him.

He stroked his beard, considering Alex’s statement. Anna living downtown had its appeal. Despite the risk of living alone, the GPS tracker in her necklace would allow him to keep track of her location. She wasn’t stupid enough to go out without it again, not after her afternoon with the Russians. “Do you have a place in mind?”

“I do. There’s a two-bedroom apartment in the Sapphire on hold for her.”

Anna looked up, just the barest amount, but quickly lowered her gaze again.

Devin narrowed his eyes. How was it possible that he already had an apartment for Anna? Unless... “You knew something was going to happen last night.” It wasn’t a question.

Alex gave a single, slow nod, and Devin clenched his jaw, glaring at him. “How?”

Alex only arched an eyebrow and gave the faintest of smiles.

Fucking bastard!

Devin knew the building Alex was talking about. It had a good reputation and was only a few blocks from his office. It would be more convenient for him to visit Anna there, rather than driving all the way out to the Manor, south of San Francisco. He could send men over to fuck her, or do whatever to her. Yes, this is a good idea... even if it does come from Alex. “Agreed. But I want to pay half of her expenses. After all, I’m her Master too.”

A hint of a smile appeared on Alex’s face again. “I can afford it far better than you can.”

“You mean your family can.”

Alex shrugged. “There are benefits to belonging to one of the wealthiest families in the world.”

Devin narrowed his eyes. Was that a slam on his own personal finances? “I can afford my share.”

“If you insist.” Alex shrugged. “I want her to have her own car and credit cards.”

“Fine. I will call the bank on Monday and have Ian find a suitable?—‍”

“I have a car for her already.”

“Of course you do.” Fucking bastard. “What kind of car do you think is appropriate for her?”

“A Mercedes, of course.”

---