Page 263 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

She shook her head. “He was so angry and disgusted with me.”

“Anna, what Devin makes you do makes me angry and disgusted,” Wilhelm said. “It does not mean I feel that way about you.”

Ben knew nothing about The Brotherhood—or the Council, as Devin was calling it now. How could he possibly understand what it was like?

“Liebling, do you want to stay with us tonight?” Wilhelm asked.

Anna blinked and then looked up at him. “How may I please you, my lord?”

His face fell and he shook his head. “Anna, that is not why we want you to stay. I do not think you should be alone in your grief.”

Anna searched his eyes and blew out a shaky breath of relief when she saw the truth in his eyes. She gave a small smile, thankful for his kindness and understanding, and nodded.

Wilhelm glanced at his son. “Kurt, please call Jim and have him bring some things of Anna’s over so she does not have to go get them.”

Anna frowned. “Who’s Jim?”

“Greg’s replacement while he is out of town.”

“Oh.” She hadn’t known Greg had left. She hardly saw him anymore.

“Ja. Alex was called out of town about a week ago. Otherwise, he would have been here with us. Greg went with him.”

The last time Alex went out of town was the beginning of the end for the two of them. He’d returned, hurt her, then announced he was moving back to Germany. She closed her eyes, not wanting to think about Alex, though being in a room with his father, who looked so much like him, made it especially difficult.

“Anna, is there anything special you need from your apartment?” Kurt asked from across the room.

She glanced at Wilhelm. “Do you want me to stay the weekend like we had originally planned?”

“If you would like, Liebling. I always love having you with us.” His blue eyes were so much like Alex’s...

Anna turned away and told Kurt what she needed, including her dress for opening night. “It’s dark pink chiffon that goes lighter at the bottom and changes to purple.”

Kurt made a face that made Anna smile and he repeated what she’d said into the phone.

Anna leaned back against Wilhelm again. “Why did you get here so late? I thought you said you’d be here earlier today.”

“We got a late start. Issues with the jet, but everything is fine now. We have had that one for many years. It is time for a new one.”

“I guess it’s good that you were late.” She sighed. “At least Ben knows the truth about me now.”

“It is not easy, knowing that the woman you love is being forced to do things she does not want to do. He just needs time to process it. Does he know about Alex?”

Anna shook her head. “I didn’t get a chance to explain all that. Jack interrupted before I could.” She closed her eyes. “Maybe it’s for the best that it ends now.” But she didn’t want it to end. She loved Ben. She missed him. As much as she adored Wilhelm and Kurt, she loved Ben and would give anything to be with him at that moment.

“Anna, if you do work things out with him, please do not feel obligated to stay with Kurt and me. We want you to be happy.”

She hugged Wilhelm. “Thank you.”

The evening passed quietly, with a hotel dinner delivered to their room and a funny movie Kurt hoped would cheer her up. Despite their efforts, Anna couldn’t shake off her sadness.

“Anna, as much as I desire you, I will not make you sleep with me,” Kurt said as the movie they were watching ended.

“But—‍”

“I want to make love to you, but only if you want to. And I do not think you really want that right now, do you?”

Anna bit her lip and shook her head slowly.

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