Page 213 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

Chapter 99

“Anna.”

Anna jerked and opened her eyes. Devin sat next to her, stroking her hair. She held her breath, afraid to move and upset him, though her gaze darted around the familiar surroundings of her bedroom at the Manor. Sunlight streamed through the windows behind her. A sharp contrast from her last coherent memory of the darkness of the dungeon. She blinked and took stock of her body. She didn’t hurt anywhere. In fact, she felt remarkably well.

She turned slowly to look up at her Master. He wore a crisp white dress shirt and black slacks, and his hair was damp. “I’m sorry, Master,” she whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“I know you are, Baby.” He smoothed her hair away from her face. “You’ve accepted your punishment and I’m confident you won’t disobey me again, will you?”

“No, Master.” She would do everything in her power to make sure she obeyed him perfectly. She liked it—liked him—better when he was affectionate.

“Good girl.” He leaned down and kissed her, stroking her cheek, and she relaxed. “Good girl,” he repeated.

There was a knock at the door, and Sarah entered, carrying a tray. “Oh!” She clasped the tray and bowed her head with a small curtsy. “Good morning, Master.”

“Good morning, Sarah.” Devin stood and walked to the door, pausing with his hand on the knob to glance back at her. “Eat breakfast, then get ready. We leave in ninety minutes.”

“Yes, Master.” Anna sat up on her hip.

Devin smiled affectionately at her before leaving. Anna crawled out of bed, wrapped herself in a silk robe from the foot of the bed, and took a seat at the small wooden table where Sarah had laid out her breakfast. “Good morning, Mistress,” Sarah said cheerfully. “Are you excited about your trip?”

“I... Yeah.” After last night, she was apprehensive about going anywhere with Devin. She didn’t want to risk angering him.

“Is there anything else you need, Mistress?” Anna shook her head and Sarah said she’d be back in a bit to retrieve her tray.

Anna ate and then went into the bathroom to get ready. After showering, she dressed in the navy skirt suit hanging on the back of the bathroom door. She then rearranged her belongings, transferring some items from her bag to the small matching carry-on that sat next to the packed luggage by the fireplace.

Her watch indicated she had about ten minutes before it was time to leave, so she curled up in the big comfy chair by the window, her e-reader in hand. Though the Kindle was from Alex, and she didn’t really want to be reminded of him and his cold demeanor, the practical side of her reminded her it was easier to take one small tablet rather than several large books. And it fit nicely in her new white leather purse.

She stared at the Kindle, but her mind wandered. A flutter of excitement in her stomach made her put it down. She’d never been on a plane before. And now she was heading all the way across the country to Washington, D.C.!

Ian knocked on the door and entered. He wore a dark suit, his brown hair pulled back into a ponytail.

Anna slid her Kindle into her purse and stood, rubbing her fingers as he approached.

“How are you feeling?” he asked.

“Fine, thank you.”

“I’m sorry I had to hurt you,” he said softly.

She looked up into his soft hazel eyes and nodded. “I know.” She took a step forward and wrapped her arms around his waist.

He hugged her back tightly for a long moment, then slowly pulled away. “Are you ready?”

She nodded and gave him a timid smile.

Anna, Devin, his son Tyler, Ian, and Maggie rode in the back of a stretch limousine heading down the freeway to the airport. Maggie’s eyes were wide as she stared out the window, making Anna wonder if she’d ever been outside the Manor. Anna sat next to Devin and watched the buildings pass by. He’d been very kind and gentle with her all morning.

Devin laughed. “Oh, I almost forgot.” He pulled away and dug into his jacket pocket, then held out something to Anna. It was a pink diamond ring. The large pink diamond was square and surrounded by tiny white diamonds. The setting looked antique.

“Oh, Devin, it’s beautiful!”

Devin slipped it on her left ring finger. “This way, other men will know that you are mine at just a glance.” He smiled and captured her lips with his, kissing her deeply and caressing the side of her neck. After he pulled away, she leaned her head against his chest and held out her hand to admire how the ring sparkled in the light.

Tyler sat across from them, frowning as he stared out the window.

Devin shook his head. “Don’t pout, Tyler. It’s unbecoming.” He smiled. “But I’ll share her.”

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