Page 252 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

“How did you—‍” He looked down at his arm, which was still facing up. “Shit. You seduced me!”

She crossed her arms over her chest and leaned back on one leg. “You wouldn’t answer me.”

“For good reason. You weren’t supposed to know.”

“Know what?”

Greg sighed and leaned back in his chair. “Alex brought me here to keep an eye on you. To protect you.”

Anna snorted. “Protect me? From what?”

“From... things that he would normally protect you from.”

“What are you talking about? He’s never protected me from anything.”

Greg frowned. “Are you serious? He’s never protected you from anything? What about keeping Devin from taking complete control over you?”

Anna pressed her lips together. “I don’t know if I consider that protection.”

Greg’s eyebrows shot up. “You can’t mean that.”

Tears burned her eyes. “I think it would have been better had he left me alone.” Why had she admitted that? She hardly knew the guy.

“Anna...” He sighed and stood. “Think about what you’re saying.”

She snorted. “He doesn’t have to live with Devin. I do.” She swallowed hard. He had no idea what Devin had done to her. How he sent Zach over to torture her on a regular basis. How Devin had raped and tortured her literally to death so he could become The Chairman.

Alex had abandoned her to Devin. He didn’t care about her enough to stay and “protect” her, as Greg had claimed. Anger surged through her veins and she spun around. “Get out. And tell Alex I don’t need his protection. It’s never done me any good.” She ignored the little voice in her head that tried to remind her he’d protected her from many things in the past.

If she wasn’t important enough for him to stay in San Francisco, then she didn’t want to have anything to do with him. She glared at Greg, who still hadn’t moved. “Get. Out. And stay away from me. I don’t need a useless babysitter.”

“I won’t stay away. I don’t answer to you.”

“This is my apartment.”

“Which Alex’s family pays for.”

She narrowed her eyes. “So, that gives you a right to be in here?”

“Yes.”

“Fine.” She turned on her heel, stormed into her room to dress.

As she packed the things she needed for her night at the Manor, Greg walked in. “Where are you going?”

“None of your business.”

“It is my business.”

She spun around and glared at him. “Then figure it out yourself.” She picked up her bag and went to find her car keys.

Keys, purse, and bag in hand, she stormed out of the apartment, slamming the door behind her. Not long after, she was on the freeway, speeding toward the Manor. The Manor where Devin did terrible things to her.

Swallowing hard, she glanced at the speedometer and pulled her foot off the accelerator. Why was she in such a hurry to get to the Manor? It was no better a place than her apartment. For that matter, why did Greg’s presence bother her so much?

Tears burned her eyes. Because it reminded her of Alex, and she didn’t want to remember Alex. It hurt to remember him. Alex had abandoned her.

Feeling very alone, she wiped away the tears that spilled over her cheeks. She had believed that Alex would be her protector, but he had abandoned her. She was left with Devin, who sometimes loved her and sometimes hated her. Why did you leave me, Alex?

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