Page 157 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

Aaron frowned. “Why would you call Devin?”

Anna bit her lip. “Alex is scary.”

Aaron’s brows shot up. “What?”

“He tells me things because he wants to keep me from Devin.”

“What are you talking about?”

Anna twisted the blanket around her fingers. “I know he’s your best friend, but I don’t like him. He’s scary and controlling.”

“I don’t understand what you’re talking about.” Aaron stared at her. “He cares for you a lot.”

Anna stared at the blanket and shook her head. She knew the truth about Alex. Hopefully Aaron would discover it sooner than later.

She sighed, not wanting to argue. “Do you want to go shopping with me or not?”

Aaron nodded and her heart lightened. Shopping for ballet things sounded like a wonderful way to spend the afternoon, and would keep her from thinking about Alex.

Alex’s phone buzzed as he stepped out of the shower, reminding him to check his voicemail. He hadn’t been in the mood to speak to Devin earlier and had let the call go to voicemail. If something had happened to Anna, Aaron would have called.

It had taken several hours, but he was feeling normal again. Somewhat. The images of what he’d been tricked into doing to those girls would haunt him forever.

He sighed as his phone buzzed again, insistent that he listen to the voicemail from the bastard Elder. He sat on his bed, pressed the button for the voicemail, entered his password, and listened.

As the message from Devin played, he grew more and more bewildered. The glee in Devin’s voice had been clear as he spoke. “Anna called me to request permission to dance with the school this summer. I granted it. She asked me to call you because...” There was a deliberate pause and Alex envisioned Devin’s smug face. “Because she was too afraid to call you.” Then he hung up, but not before Alex heard a self-satisfied chuckle.

What had Devin done to her? He ran his hands through his hair and stared at the floor. How the hell was he going to keep Anna safe if she was afraid of him?

Chapter 65

Later that afternoon, Anna drove to the Manor for the Friday Gathering, wishing she could have stayed with Aaron instead. Every mile made the longing worse.

Ian waited for her at the top of the entrance stairs and she grabbed her overnight bag and got out of the car. Just inside the door, she removed her shoes and then followed him quietly upstairs to her room.

Ian followed her inside and closed the door behind him. Her shoulders slumped, but she swallowed and forced a smile on her face before turning to him. “How may I please you, my lord?”

Ian’s mouth dropped open, and then he shook his head vehemently. “That’s not why I came in with you. I—‍” He waved his hand toward her. “I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

Her brows drew together. “Why?”

“Because of what happened this morning. You were in so much pain.”

She tilted her head. “You were there too?”

Ian nodded. “Are you okay?”

She hesitated, wondering why he wanted to know. “I’m okay.”

“Good.” He shifted on his feet and looked around the room. “Okay. Well, I’ll see you in a few hours.”

Maggie entered as Ian opened the door, carrying a tray of food. “Good evening, Mistress,” Maggie said with a curtsy. “How was your week?”

“Um. Interesting. And good.” Ian’s concern confused her. She leaned on the bed as Maggie placed the tray on the table. She sighed as thoughts of Aaron filled her heart and she began to miss him again.

Maggie turned. “You look sad, Mistress.”

“I just... miss someone.” She wiped at a tear that fell over her cheek and forced a smile. “It’s alright. I’ll be okay.”

---