Page 289 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

“That’s not comforting.”

Anna pressed her lips together and turned to walk into her room. “I have to shower. Do whatever you want.”

Chapter 135

Anna walked back into her bedroom, feeling numb after her shower, and stared at the bed. After a moment, she collapsed on the floor, twisting her fingers together. Devin was right. She had vulnerabilities now. Her friends were targets. Anytime she angered Devin, he might go after them instead of her.

She closed her eyes. It would be better if she stayed away from them. But she danced with them every day. And the thought of not being around them... her heart twinged at the thought. But was she being selfish?

The knock at the apartment door startled her out of her thoughts. She hoped Jenna had left while she was in the shower.

She crawled to her feet, hurried to the door, and opened it. Both Devin and Ian stood there. Her body refused to move, refused to think. All she could do was stare at them as icy fear shot through her body, trembling and clenching her fists.

“You gonna stand there all night, Baby?” Devin raised his eyebrows.

Anna blinked several times. He didn’t sound angry. He sounded... happy? She stepped back to let them inside.

Devin looked around. “Is Jenna here?”

Anna swallowed as her stomach churned. She didn’t know if she wanted to punch him in the face again or fall to her knees and beg her to leave her and her friends alone. “I don’t know.”

Devin wandered into the living room. “Hello, Jenna,” she heard him say. “And you must be her boyfriend Matt.” Anna couldn’t hear their response, but it made Devin laugh. “Anna’s been sharing stories, has she?” He looked back at Anna and arched a brow.

She backed away and into Ian. She jumped away and pushed herself against the wall. Ian opened his mouth to speak, eyes full of regret, but she turned away and stared at the floor.

Devin walked back to her and pulled her close. “Can’t we kiss and make up?” He kissed her in just that way that made her knees weak.

Her mind rebelled, but her body obeyed. His lips caressed hers and he ran his hands up and down her back. He pushed her into her bedroom and onto her bed, where he untied her robe and kissed her breasts, making her sigh and gasp. Ian crawled behind her and kissed the back of her neck and teased her pussy. Anna moaned and leaned her head back. Her mind screamed to fight. To fight their touch and refuse to give in. But her mind was weak and she wanted relief from the pain. She closed her eyes and gave herself over to the pleasure.

Devin stood next to Anna’s bed, watching her chest rise and fall as she slept. It was three o’clock in the morning and he and Ian had made her scream with pleasure so much, she’d lost her voice.

As angry as he was with her, he couldn’t punish her and risk hurting the baby. At least, not punish her in the way she deserved. Her body would likely protect the baby, but he couldn’t risk it. And if he couldn’t enjoy her bleeding and screaming in his dungeon, why bother at all? He would have to be content fucking with her mind until the spring. It was easy enough to do.

Making her enjoy herself at the hands of the men who killed Ben was a good start. As much as she probably wanted to, as a Half-Immortal, she couldn’t resist sexual touch. It was so easy to fuck with her mind. Terrorize her then be nice. Force her body to respond to him and Ian. Scare her. Isolate her. She would be so fucked up in a few weeks she’d do anything for him.

Damn Alex for having her go to Germany, though. But he would enjoy fucking her mind up so much that even Alex couldn’t get through. Then the German would get tired of her and send her home to him. He’d see she wasn’t worth it. Why did Alex care so much, anyway? He hardly knew the girl.

He shook his head and glanced at Ian, who was sitting on the bed, watching Anna as well, but his eyes were soft. Devin frowned. “You care for her.”

Ian snapped his head up and studied Devin’s face, then shrugged. “She’s a sweet girl.” He pressed his lips together and Devin could see a comment on his tongue, but he didn’t say anything else.

Devin narrowed his eyes at his most loyal slave. He was obedient, yes. But would his feelings for Anna get in the way of that obedience? “Make sure you remember your loyalties, Ian.”

Ian clenched his jaw and nodded.

Devin would have to keep an eye on him. Anna could manipulate anyone if she wanted to. “Let’s go. I have things to do in the morning.”

Chapter 136

Anna woke with a start. The sun was high in the sky and she was alone in her bed, but evidence of the previous night’s sexual adventures was obvious in the twisted sheets and the scent of Devin on her pillow. She looked around; their clothes were gone. They must have left after she’d passed out.

Guilt surged through her like a powerful storm. She didn’t deserve the memory of Ben. She was weak and unworthy. How could she have enjoyed her time with Devin and Ian so much? A small voice in the back of her mind reminded her that she had been trained this way, but she couldn’t bring herself to believe it. If she had truly loved Ben, she would have resisted. Somehow.

Disgust welled up inside her, causing her stomach to churn. She despised herself for her lack of self-control.

“Anna?” Jenna knocked on the door and it opened. Anna looked up as Jenna walked in. Her face was inscrutable. “It sure didn’t sound like he hurt you last night.”

Anna sat up and hugged her knees to her chest, shame tingling throughout her body. “He didn’t,” she said in a low voice. “He—‍” She sighed. “I’m a terrible person.”

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