Page 95 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

“I should let you go so you can get ready.”

Aaron swallowed back the disappointment and let out a strained laugh. “Okay. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Break a leg.”

He grinned at the ballet way of saying good luck. “Thanks.”

He ended the call and lay back on the floor, grinning up at the ceiling.

Wilhelm watched his eldest fidget with the small boxes on his lap while they waited for Anna to come downstairs. He hadn’t seen Alex nervous about a woman in a very, very long time.

Footsteps echoed in the wooden foyer and Anna appeared a moment later. Both men stood as she stepped into the room and she gave a shy smile. The green silk dress that Alex had picked out for her fit perfectly.

“You look very pretty, Anna.” Wilhelm walked over and kissed her cheek, inhaling her scent as he did so. She smelled heavenly. He might admit to himself he was in danger of falling in love with Anna as much as his sons, but was, at the moment, keeping his feelings at bay. Knowing that he, as an Elder and her full owner, had the right to bed her tempted him even more, but he wouldn’t do that to Alex.

Alex walked over and gave Anna an affectionate smile. “You really do look beautiful, Anna.”

“Thank you, Master.” Anna’s eyes closed as Alex brushed his lips against her cheek and Wilhelm knew she felt about Alex the way Alex felt about her. It would be an interesting evening.

Alex took Anna’s hand and led her to the couch. “Come. I have something for you.”

They sat next to each other and Anna winced as she sat gingerly on the edge of the seat.

“How are you feeling?” Wilhelm took his seat in the nearby easy chair and frowned as she schooled her expression away from one of pain.

She forced a smile. “I’m fine, thank you.”

What had Devin done to her that she had to hide the fact that she was in pain? It was natural for her to be after so many piercings. He tilted his head and studied her face. That man...

Alex turned to Anna and opened the jewelry box he’d been holding. Inside was a bracelet made of linked diamond circles. Each link consisted of a small cluster of exquisite diamonds surrounded by a circle of black diamonds, linked together by another, larger black diamond. On either side of the clasp was a small silver disc with an etching of a double-tailed lion holding a sword, like the one on his own ring. And Alex’s.

Alex pulled it out and handed it to Anna. “Do you like it?”

She took it from him and studied it for a moment before looking back up at Alex, her brows drawn together. “It’s very pretty, Master.”

Alex’s jaw twitched. “Anna, you don’t have to call me Master. At least not when we’re away from the Manor.”

She lowered her gaze for a moment and then looked up and nodded, giving him a tiny smile. “Okay.”

Alex smiled and took the bracelet from her to fasten it around her right wrist. “This tells people you belong to me.” He pointed to the etched discs. “This is my family crest.” He held up his right hand and showed her his own signet ring. It was identical to Wilhelm’s, except that every other diamond that circled the lion was black. “The black diamonds represent me.”

She looked down at the bracelet and back at Alex. “It’s my mark from you?”

Alex cupped her cheek and looked at her with such love in his eyes, Wilhelm couldn’t imagine Anna not seeing how much his son cared for her. “Yes. And it means that I can, and will, protect you.” He tilted his head. “Anna, please, unless you have a very good reason, don’t take this off. It is nice enough to wear at formal events and speaks much louder than your necklace does. The black is... it means something very significant. Even if Devin gives someone permission to... hurt you... if they see that, they will think twice.”

“Why?”

Wilhelm wondered if Alex would tell her the nature of his position in The Brotherhood, beyond his role as Elder-Son.

Alex shook his head. “Now is not the time to talk about it. I will tell you sometime. Just not now.”

She studied his eyes for a moment, then nodded. “I won’t take it off.”

Alex grinned. “Good girl.”

Anna beamed at his words. It amazed Wilhelm how much a simple word of praise lit up her entire spirit.

Alex handed her the other package—a flat, rectangular box wrapped in white paper with a pink ribbon. She stared at it for a moment, hesitant to open it.

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