Page 216 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

“Yes, Devin.”

“Maggie will unpack your things while we’re gone. Wear something nice. We’ll eat in the restaurant downstairs.”

Anna crawled off the bed and went into the bathroom to clean up. She dressed in a sleeveless black sheath dress with a high neckline. She was checking herself in the mirror one last time when Devin came up behind her.

“You have been a very good girl today, Anna.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out her diamond Elder-Mistress necklace. “Don’t disobey me again. Do you understand?”

Relief washed over her and she nodded. “Yes, Devin.”

Devin fastened the necklace in place, then kissed her neck. “Eat well at dinner. It will be a long night.”

Anna followed Devin out of the room, wondering what he meant. They took the elevator down one floor and walked to a door very similar to their own room. Devin knocked and a moment later, the door opened, revealing a girl a few years younger than Anna with blonde hair and blue eyes.

“Uncle Devin!” She lunged into his arms.

Anna stared at the girl hugging Devin, her heart twisting in her chest. She used to greet Devin like that. Before things changed. She stepped back and behind Devin.

Devin hugged the girl just like he used to hug Anna. “Denise.” He pulled away and studied her with a tilted head. “I think you’ve grown.”

Denise giggled. “I’m eighteen now.”

“Are you really?” Devin shook his head, a mock sad look on his face. “Your poor dad.”

Tom came up behind his daughter. “You have no idea. Phone calls day and night from boys.” Tom let out an exaggerated sign.

Devin laughed. “Yeah. We get that with both girls at home.”

Anna bit her lip, wishing the floor would swallow her up. They were talking about their daughters who were only two years younger than her. But she wasn’t a daughter. She was Devin’s Mistress. A sex slave. My purpose in life...

“Come on in and see how much the others have grown.” Tom said, opening the door wider. “Where’s—‌Oh, there you are, Anna.” He smiled at her. “Thought Dev had left you upstairs.”

Anna forced a smile. I wish.

Devin grabbed her hand and pulled her into the room. “I wouldn’t do that.” Tom’s suite was the same as hers and Devin’s, though decorated in shades of green. It was much noisier than their room, too. Shrieks and laughter from young children filled her ears. How many kids did they have?

Anna followed Devin and Tom into the living room and Anna stared at the children—five plus Denise—filling the room, from the small toddler to a couple of teenagers. They were loud, and Anna wanted to cover her ears and run away.

There was another shriek of “Uncle Devin!” and they all ran up to Devin, covering him with hugs and kisses. Anna leaped back out of the way. Devin laughed with delight as he accepted a kiss from a tiny little blonde girl who toddled over to him, sweeping her up in his arms and hugging a boy that looked to be about eight. Anna studied his expression. An expression she’d forgotten existed. Or maybe had never known. Had he ever looked at her like he looked at Tom’s children? Or had his eyes always held that tinge of hunger for her?

Anna glanced over at Kelsey, who sat on the couch with a radiant smile as she watched her children tackle Devin to the floor. Anna’s throat constricted at the sight of the woman’s evident joy in her children, something Anna would never experience. When Kelsey looked in her direction, Anna hastily dropped her gaze to the floor, determined not to cry.

A few minutes later, Tyler walked in with a guy about the same age as him and Anna. He was tall and thin, with blond hair the same color as Tom’s and blue eyes like Kelsey. This must be another son. Tommy?

“Hi,” the blond guy said, walking up to her with Tyler at his side. “I’m Tommy. You must be Anna. Tyler said you were pretty.” He grinned and wagged his eyebrows at Tyler. “That’s an understatement.”

Anna wasn’t sure if she should give him her practiced smile or not. She glanced at Devin, who was still occupied with the other children, and decided to just a normal smile would do. She hoped. “Hello.”

“Is this your girlfriend, Ty?” Denise giggled as she walked up to them.

“Uh, no.” Tyler glanced at Denise. “She’s . . . uh . . . a friend of my dad’s.”

Denise tilted her head as she studied Anna closely. “How old are you?”

“Twenty.” She looked around for Devin, who had moved to the couch, holding the little blonde girl and talking to Kelsey. He looked up and smiled. She drew her brows together, praying he’d understand the desperate plea for help, and he motioned for her to join him.

“Excuse me.” She slid around Denise and hurried to Devin’s side. He patted the cushion next to him and Anna sat stiffly on the edge of the seat, clasped her hands in her lap, and kept her gaze downcast. She could feel Kelsey watching her, but didn’t dare look up.

“I see Tyler and Tommy have arrived,” Tom said. “Shall we?” He stood and helped his wife to her feet.

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