Page 274 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

A chill ran through her body and she let Matt help her to her feet. Alex really didn’t care about her. If he did, he would have come.

Wilhelm pulled his phone out as he watched Matt walk Anna out of her apartment. The poor girl. He tapped his screen to call his eldest son. “Vati?” came Alex’s groggy voice over the line.

“Alex, wake up.” Wilhelm spoke in German. “I need to speak with you.”

Sheet and blankets rustled through the phone’s speaker and Alex cleared his throat. “What happened? Is Anna okay?”

“Devin killed Anna’s boyfriend. Right in front of her, as far as I can tell.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“I am.” Wilhelm told Alex what Anna had told him.

“That fucking bastard,” Alex growled when Wilhelm had finished.

“My exact sentiments. How are the plans progressing?”

“Slowly. I have to be careful if we’re going to keep it a secret.”

“Will it be done by the time Anna gets there?”

“It will. I will make sure of that.”

“Good. You might want to send Seth out to help Greg get Anna to Frankfurt. She is extremely reluctant to visit, and his presence might soften her a bit.”

Alex chuckled. “Who knew she could be so strong willed?”

Wilhelm chuckled as well. “It would be good for her to learn some stubbornness.” He paused. “Alex, I don’t know what Ben’s death will do to her. She is extremely distressed and blaming herself. She’s... different than she was. Devin has been terribly ruthless. You’re going to have to be very, very careful with her. You must always have your temper under control or you will traumatize her.”

Alex sighed. “I know, Vati. As soon as she gets here, I will put out word that my team and I are unavailable. I don’t want to do it beforehand or it might alert Devin.”

“Do you think she might be more willing if she flew commercial? It might be less intimidating than in the family jet.”

“Maybe. But I hate the idea of her on a commercial jet.”

“Don’t be a snob. Lufthansa does an excellent job in their first-class.”

“I know, but... I don’t want her getting hurt.”

“That’s why you’re sending your men to bring her to you safely. Greg would never allow anything to happen to her.”

“Neither would any of my men. Seth, especially.” Alex paused. “I think I will send him out. Just don’t tell Anna.”

“I won’t, believe me. Every time I have mentioned the trip, she becomes either hostile or stops talking to me.”

Alex sighed. “Poor Anna.” He paused again. “I don’t like the idea of her living alone. Do you think you could convince her to let Jenna move in with her?”

“I agree. I’ll speak to her about it.”

“Good. Keep my name out of it and it might go better. I don’t want to command her and make her resent me any more than she already does.”

“I will. Alright. I will let you get back to sleep. I know you need it, but I thought you might want to know.”

“Thank you for calling. I always want to know if something happens to her.”

“I know, son. Good night.”

Wilhelm slipped his phone into his pocket and headed back to Matt’s apartment. He hoped that Alex’s plan would work. Any more trauma in the poor girl’s life could send her over the edge, and Wilhelm didn’t know if even Alex could bring her back.

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