Page 245 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

Devin watched Tommy try to get Anna’s attention throughout the afternoon. Anna smiled politely, but stayed by Devin’s side. He was pleased she didn’t go running off with Tommy again, though he wished she would cheer up. He liked it better when she was happy. Her entire demeanor changed and she attracted much more attention. Damn women and their moods. Men were so much simpler.

Of course, he wouldn’t be having this problem if Alex hadn’t interfered. On the other hand, she might not have had as much life in her if the German hadn’t interfered. Devin sighed. Having Anna as Elder-Mistress was far more complicated than he’d expected. Devin didn’t like having to manage her moods, but he knew enough about her—and people in general—to know you couldn’t command genuine happiness.

If anything, letting her be used in front of Tommy made the young man even more determined to gain Anna’s attention, though not from jealousy. He genuinely cared for her. And she was happy when she was with him. He supposed allowing Jake to fuck her right in front of Tommy hadn’t been his best idea. She was quiet and attentive, but lacked the happiness she’d shown after spending time with Tommy at the Gathering.

Perhaps it wouldn’t be such a bad idea if he let her and Tommy spend time together. Anna knew to come when he wanted her. But once they were back home, Anna would have happy memories of Tommy and look forward to seeing him in April at the Spring Gathering. Hopefully, Tommy would find a girlfriend by then and Anna would be content to just fuck him at the Gatherings. She wouldn’t begrudge Tommy a girlfriend. She was too well trained for that. Tommy needed to start looking for a wife, but that didn’t mean that the two of them couldn’t be together, or even have affection for one another.

The same went for Tyler, though if Tyler wanted to marry Anna, Devin wouldn’t mind, as long as Tyler remembered that he had limited powers until he became Elder. But with Anna by Devin’s side, that would be a long time from now. A very long time.

Devin put his arm around Anna’s shoulders. “Why don’t you go spend time with Tommy?”

She looked up sharply and let out a little gasp. “Don’t you want me with you?”

“I always love having you with me. But we’ll be leaving soon and Tommy likes you. And if I’m not mistaken, you like him too?” Anna chewed her lip and gave a small shrug. “Go. You’ll stay at the hotel with Tom and me tonight, but you can go see Tommy in the morning. How does that sound?”

Her brows twitched, though her eyes shone with hope. “I—if it would please you, Devin.”

Devin smiled at her. She was sufficiently submissive now. “Go have fun.”

Her eyes lit up and she smiled, her beauty emerging like a sunrise. “Thank you.” She bounded off up the path to where Tyler and Tommy were walking.

Tommy’s face lit up when she approached, and he took her hand. Tyler frowned and looked back at his father. His son’s jealousy amused Devin, though it was a waste of energy. Tyler could have Anna anytime he was home.

“What are you doing?” Tom gave him a sideways glance. “You’re okay with Tommy and Anna together?”

Devin shrugged. “It’s not like she’s staying here for long. Let them have some fun together. It makes her happy, and when she’s happy, she’s much more useful to me.”

“You do realize young woman are rather sensitive? If you push them together—‍” He sighed. “When Tommy finds a girlfriend here, she’s going to be hurt.”

Devin rolled his eyes. “She’s just as likely to find a boyfriend back home. Believe me. I know of at least one young man back home who is dying to date her, and I’m sure there are several more.”

Tom shook his head. “Messing with her head will only cause trouble.”

“Messing with her head will solidify her bond with me. She’ll eventually realize it isn’t wise to date and she’ll be happy with being my mistress.”

Tom snorted. “If you want her to be happy being your mistress, you should treat her better.”

“I do treat her well.”

Tom cocked his brow. “By killing her? By having the Sons rape her? By having an old friend of ours push her up against the wall and fuck her in front of everyone?”

Devin frowned. “It’s what she’s for, Tom. I had her raised the way I did so she could handle that stuff.”

“Physically, but not emotionally. She’s still human. And barely twenty. She wants to be loved. That’s why she adores Tommy so much, because—‍” Tom sighed. “Because he acts like he loves her and treats her accordingly.”

Devin sneered. “Love is for the weak.”

“Well, thank you for your assessment of my mental strength, all because of my love for my wife and family,” Tom said sarcastically.

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Really? You married Sandy because you loved her. At least that’s what you said when we were here.” Tom motioned around. “I married Kelsey because I loved her, and I still do. Who’s happier now that we’re in our forties?”

“Sandy’s a whiny bitch.”

“And you had nothing to do with that?”

“I don’t control her emotions.”

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