Page 269 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

But the satisfaction was short-lived. Ian wrapped his arms around her waist and she shrieked and kicked at him too, but he grabbed hold of her arms and legs, immobilizing her.

She glared at Devin, rage oozing through every pore of her body. “I hate you!” Her voice cracked with emotion. “I hate you and I’ll never forgive you for this.”

Devin dabbed at his nose and arched a brow at the blood on his finger. His hair was mussed, his lip was bleeding, and a bruise was forming on his cheek. “I don’t want your forgiveness, Anna. I want your obedience. Which I will have,” he added in a dark voice. He smiled wickedly. “Take her to my room, then get rid of the body. Mr. Durham here is going to have had an accident off the bridge.” He gave a mock gasp and then grinned. “The same bridge your parents died under. Fitting, don’t you think?”

Anna struggled against Ian’s grip. “You fucking bastard! I hate you!”

Devin shrugged. “Take her away.”

She fought against Ian as he tried to walk her out of the room. When she wouldn’t cooperate, he picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder. She caught sight of Ben’s body and stared at him as Ian carried her out of the room, but as soon as he was out of her sight, she started fighting again. She kicked and screamed the whole way to Devin’s room. Her screams echoed throughout the Manor and more than one door opened, someone peering out to see what was going on.

When Ian arrived at Devin’s room, he closed the door and put Anna down on her feet. She glared at him, chest heaving and hands balled into fists.

“Anna, please don’t?—‍”

Anna slapped him across the face. He didn’t even wince. “Don’t you dare.” Her eyes narrowed. “I thought you were my friend!”

“You know as well as I do that I have to obey Devin.”

“I hate you!” she screamed. “I never want to see you again.”

“That’s not going to happen and you know it.”

She lunged at him, but he grabbed her wrists before she could hit him. He held her arms above her head, so she kicked at him, but he didn’t flinch when she made contact with his shins. He calmly held her away from him, allowing her rage to work itself out. Finally, she collapsed in exhaustion, dangling from his hold. Ian picked her up and carried her to the bed, gently placing her on the dark green bedspread.

“I’m sorry, Anna. I am truly sorry,” he said in a soft voice, brushing her hair out of her face with a gentle hand. “But you know Devin as well as I do. Would you have disobeyed him?” He gave her an apologetic look before walking away, closing the door firmly behind him.

Anna stared at the wall across the room as tears streamed silently down her cheeks. Iron bands wrapped around her lungs and she struggled to breathe. If only she could rip her heart out of her chest and throw it away. The pain was excruciating. How could Devin have done such a terrible thing? How could he have?—

No. She knew how he could have. The same way—the same reason—he killed her. He let nothing stand in the way of what he wanted.

She squeezed her eyes shut and tried to think of anything but what Devin had done.

A weak smile crept across her face, even as the tears fell harder. Ben had forgiven her. She rolled to her side, curled into a ball, and pulled the jewelry box out of her pocket. She hugged it to her chest. He still loved her. He was going to ask her to marry him.

The thought was bittersweet.

Chapter 127

Devin grimaced in pain as he climbed the stairs and limped down the hallway to his bedroom where Anna awaited. She’d kicked him hard in the knee and it was swollen.

He frowned. Anna was unexpectedly strong when she was angry. He’d heard of such things, but never witnessed them. How could he have? He needed to be careful from now on. Pushing her over the edge could cause irreparable damage, both to his body and his goals. He touched his swollen lip and scowled. He would deal with it, but not in the way she’d expect. No, he already had plans for the evening. He would just make it more painful.

Slamming open the door, he strode inside, doing his best to conceal his injury. He would never let her know she’d hurt him.

Anna lay on his bed, facing away from the door, and he went to stand next to the bed. “Feeling better?” He smoothed her hair and Anna smacked his hand away.

“Don’t touch me.”

Devin smiled, anticipating what was to come. Time to break her again. She flipped over and started to kick at him, but he grabbed her ankle before it made contact and twisted enough to make her gasp. She winced and he raised his brow. “Do you want to finish your performances?”

She hesitated, and he stared hard at her. She trembled, then went limp. “Good decision.” He stepped away. “Why don’t you undress for me?”

“No.”

Devin unzipped her jeans and yanked them down her legs, and did the same with her sweater and underwear. Then he rolled her to her back, undressed and lay next to her. She lay unmoving on her back, staring at the ceiling, as he kissed her neck and played with her breasts. “Come now, Anna. You’re still alive. Enjoy it.”

Anna turned her head away. Devin bent down and bit her neck and she cried out. “Ah, you are alive. I was beginning to wonder.”

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