Page 210 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

Isaak nodded. “With Travis. You know him, yes?”

“Yes. He’s a nice guy.”

“Good. Don’t tell anyone yet. I haven’t posted the cast list.” Isaak winked and kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you when you get back.”

Anna watched Isaak walk away, the sting of the previous hour softened by Isaak’s encouraging words. At least she would be able to keep dancing. She smiled up at Kurt and Wilhelm. “Travis is the son of the L.A. Elder.”

Wilhelm raised his brows. “I had heard Brandon let some of his sons out and about. He is a good man.”

Wilhelm gazed down at Anna, whose sadness had lifted a bit with Isaak’s offer. He had a suspicion that Isaak’s motivations were more than simply giving Anna an opportunity to dance with one of the most prestigious dance companies in the country. Isaak cared a great deal for Anna. Was he trying to get her away from Devin? If only that were possible.

But Alex was right. She couldn’t leave Devin. She was bonded to him and the city. Only a stronger bond elsewhere would allow her to leave.

Devin walked up a few minutes later to let Anna know he was leaving. She thanked him for letting her continue to dance.

“Don’t make me regret the decision.”

“I will do my best, Devin.”

Devin looked at Wilhelm. “I have need of Anna on Sunday afternoon. Would it be alright if she cut her weekend short with you?”

Anna’s face paled at Devin’s words, and Wilhelm studied Devin for a long moment. What was going on? “I suppose,” he said slowly. “May she spend the night with us when you are done?”

“I’m afraid not. We’re leaving early the next morning for the airport and we won’t be done until late.”

Wilhelm frowned, but nodded. He didn’t like it, but he didn’t have a good reason to say no to her Master. His gut instincts weren’t enough to protest a Master taking his slave back.

Devin turned to Anna. “I will have Ian pick you up at your apartment at four on Sunday.”

“Yes, Devin,” she whispered, and swallowed hard. The fear in her eyes made Wilhelm want to scurry her away onto his plane and back home to Germany, but it just wasn’t possible. Not yet anyway.

“Good.” Devin nodded to Wilhelm and Kurt, then turned and left.

Chapter 97

Late Sunday afternoon, Anna paced in her living room as she waited for Ian to arrive. Up until Friday, she’d been looking forward to the trip to D.C. with Devin. Anna had never traveled, and he’d said he wanted her to enjoy the trip. Did he still feel that way? He’d been furious with her on Friday.

This visit to the Manor would be anything but pleasant. She fell heavily on the couch and stared at the floor as she pondered what he would do to her. Would he finish in time for her to get enough sleep so she could walk tomorrow?

A knock at the door made her jump. She stared in the direction of the locked apartment door, momentarily fantasizing about hiding under her bed and pretending she’d run away.

No. Devin would find her.

She stood and walked to the door with trembling legs and pulled it open. Ian’s broad shoulders nearly filled the doorway. A sudden flash of memory, of Alex standing in the same spot made her chest tighten, and she gasped for breath. No matter that Alex didn’t care about her anymore. He’d never hurt her like Devin did, save the one time when he was drugged. But that wasn’t his fault.

Ian gazed at her with sorrowful hazel eyes. Over the past several weeks, Anna had discovered he was a genuinely nice person and she’d begun to consider him a friend. With Devin’s permission, he’d even come out and spent the night with her a few times. Devin had lifted his no-sex-during-the-week restriction after a few weeks, when she began having difficulties functioning. With Seth gone, she didn’t have anyone else to call when she needed company to quell her restlessness, though Devin had been sending men to her apartment again. Including Zach.

That Ian was looking at her with regret already made her swallow hard. “You ready?”

Anna chewed her lip, again wondering if there was any way to avoid going to the Manor. But there wasn’t. Anna reluctantly nodded.

“Anna...” He sighed. “I—Please know that what happens this afternoon...” He shook his head. “I wish I didn’t have to do it...”

She gave a jerky nod, his plea heightening her fear.

Ian crossed the hallway and hugged her. “I have to obey Devin. You know that, right?” Anna nodded again. He was as much a slave as she was. She hugged him around his waist. After a moment, he released her. “C’mon. Let’s get your things so Devin doesn’t get any angrier.”

Ian drove to the Manor and neither of them spoke during the long drive. He turned on the radio to the classical station and Anna tried to focus on the music instead of where she was going. Her dread built with every mile and Ian offering comfort by patting her knee only made it worse.

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