Page 221 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

“Of course.” He didn’t want her getting into more trouble. “Call me if you need anything.”

“Yes, Alex.”

“I’ll talk to you later.”

“Bye.” She ended the call.

Alex and his father walked back out to the family sitting room where Kurt waited, an anxious look on his face. He handed his brother his phone and collapsed in the nearby easy chair.

“Is she alright?” Kurt asked in German. “Did that bastard hurt her?”

“Yes. She was disobedient.” Alex snarled the last word. “So he punished her. Brutally. So badly, she passed out. Twice.” He told Kurt a little about what Devin had done and then looked at his father. “Can’t you do something, Vati?”

Wilhelm shook his head sadly. “I have no authority to do anything, Alex. She’s his slave as much as she is ours. He has the right to punish her for disobedience.”

“How was that disobedience? She was just acting like a normal girl.”

Wilhelm frowned. “Maybe something else happened that we don’t know about.”

“Do you think she could have done anything that would warrant that sort of punishment?”

His father shook his head. “Not to us. But Devin...” He sighed. “Devin sees things differently. I can’t go to the Elders with a complaint like that. The Americans have a right to do as they see fit. Just as we do here. We do not interfere in the workings of other countries.”

“Even if it’s cruel?”

“Even if it’s cruel.” Wilhelm shook his head. “I don’t like it any more than you do, Alex.”

Alex ran his hands through his hair. He stared out the window of his father’s study. “I can’t stand the thought of her being with him, Vati. It drives me crazy.”

“I know, son. And that’s why you’re here. To learn what you can do.”

Alex jumped to his feet and strode to the staircase at the far end of the room.

“Where are you going?” Kurt asked.

“To study.” Alex hurried to the library, determined to study harder and faster. He had to rescue Anna from Devin.

Anna slid the phone back into her purse and hurried to the restaurant door where Devin waited. She was thankful for Alex’s command. She didn’t want to tell Devin that Kurt had only called so Alex could check on her.

“Everything okay?” Devin moved aside so she could walk in.

Anna nodded. “Kurt’s coming to opening night of Nutcracker.”

Devin smiled “Good. I know he enjoyed seeing you last week.”

“I enjoyed seeing him, too.”

Devin led her to a large table at the side of the dining room where Tom’s family and Tyler sat. Devin pointed to a chair and she sat between father and son.

“Everything alright, dear?” Kelsey asked, smiling at Anna warmly.

Anna nodded. “Just... a friend calling to say hi.”

Chapter 104

After lunch, Devin and Anna visited the Capitol building to watch a Senate session. They sat in the front row of a balcony on the side of the room. As they entered, a number of senators glanced up at them. Some appeared surprised, while others seemed pleased. Several made eye contact with Anna and offered smiles.

Anna’s brows twitched, wondering why she’d garnered so much attention. “Devin?”

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