Page 165 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

He sucked in a shuddering breath and reached for Anna’s hand, but she snatched it away.

Anna looked up at Isaak with red eyes. “I understand, Isaak.” She turned to Aaron. “You’re done before I am this afternoon. I’ll call the front desk and have them let you into my apartment to get your things. I can walk home.”

“No, Anna. We can work something out.”

Anna shook her head. “We can’t. You can’t quit. Neither can I.” She stood. “I’ve loved every moment of being with you.” She turned and walked out of the office.

Aaron glared at Isaak. “I can’t believe you just did that to her.” He stood, nearly tipping over his chair. “I might be late to rehearsals. I have someone to go talk to.” He stormed out of the office, slamming the door behind him.

Anna leaned against the wall just outside the ballet administrative offices, staring at the bulletin board across from her. Slowly, her back slid down the wall as her legs gave out. She sat down hard on the linoleum floor and pressed her shaking hands against her mouth to keep from crying out. It felt as if a metal band had wrapped around her ribs, preventing her from sucking in the air she needed to live.

It had all been too good to be true. Happiness was not meant for her. She was a slave. She had no right to expect anything other than to be used for men’s pleasure. My purpose in life is to provide sexual pleasure to men. The brief respite of happiness had come to an end, plunging her back into the stark, cold reality that awaited her for the rest of her life.

A door slammed and she jumped. Aaron appeared a moment later, looking around, his face red and fists clenched. He spotted Anna and his face softened. He reached for her. “Anna...”

No, it hurt too much to look at him. To be near him. To hear his voice. She leaped to her feet and ran past him, down the stairs and out the front door.

Why couldn’t Alex have left her to her fate? To lose herself in Devin’s will sounded so much better than the pain scorching her body and heart. It felt like her heart was being squeezed by Ian’s big hands. Maybe if he squeezed hard enough, it would burst. She’d die and her misery would be over.

What she wouldn’t give to have a glass of wine right now. She wondered if there was enough wine in the world to numb her mind and heart.

Chapter 69

Aaron screeched to a halt in front of Alex’s house, chest heaving, fists white on the steering wheel. Anna! How could this have happened? It had to be some sort of sadistic “Master” thing of Alex’s. Alex was on the board. He knew the rules. But the bastard had encouraged him to go after Anna. And he had. And he’d fallen for her. Hard.

Jumping out of the SUV, he slammed the door behind him and stormed up the stone walkway. He pounded on the glass door until Frau Gersten opened it. He hadn’t been paying attention and almost hit her. Her eyes were wide as he brushed past her into the house.

“Alex!” His voice echoed off the wooden walls of the entryway. He spun around to the housekeeper. “Is he here?”

She nodded.

“Alex!” he shouted at the top of his lungs. “Where the fuck are you, you fucking bastard?” He stormed into the living room, but Alex wasn’t there. He was about to run up the stairs when Alex appeared in the hallway that led to the downstairs living area and kitchen.

“Aaron?” Alex’s voice was calm, but his stance betrayed his alertness. “Is something wrong with Anna?”

Aaron glowered at him and stomped over to him, fists clenched. “You should know.” He pulled his arm back and punched Alex in the face.

Alex jumped back and grabbed his cheek, his eyes wide. “Aaron! What the?—‍”

Aaron reared back for another one, but Alex caught his hand before he could make contact. Seth and Tony appeared and watched with shock on their faces.

Alex released him, and Aaron took another swing. This time Alex grabbed both of Aaron’s hands, spun him around and pinned him against the wall, facing away from Alex. “What the hell is going on, Aaron?” Aaron struggled against the hold, but Alex was far too strong and well trained to let him go. “Tell me what is going on.”

“Why the fuck did you tell me to go after her?” His cheek was mashed against the wall, and his words sounded mushy. “What the hell kind of game are you playing with her? And me? I thought we were friends.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He released Aaron and pushed him away, watching him with wary eyes. “Is Anna okay?”

“Don’t act like you don’t know!”

Alex glanced helplessly at Seth and Tony, then back at Aaron, who clenched his fists again. “Is. Anna. Okay?”

“No!” he shouted. “No, she’s not okay. Why the hell would she be okay? Isn’t that what you wanted?”

Alex’s eyes widened. “Where is she? Seth, find her.” Seth turned and hurried out of the room. Alex ran his hands through his hair. “What the hell are you going on about? What happened?”

“You, Mr. Member of the Board,” he said with a sneer and stepped forward, stabbing Alex in the chest with his index finger. “You made us break up. You knew about the rule, and you told me to go after her.” He shook his head and softened his tone. “What kind of sick bastard are you?”

“Break up?” Alex’s brows furrowed, and he frowned. “Why would you break up with her? I thought you were in love with her.”

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