Page 364 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

“No kidding.” Alex sat up and rested his elbows on his knees. “I feel like I’m abandoning Anna to him by leaving.”

Seth picked through the electronic components until he located the SIM card. “You don’t think?—‍”

“No. I don’t think Devin had anything to do with it.” Alex played with his wedding band. The one Anna had picked out for him. It had her name and the city they lived in engraved inside. He hadn’t told her, but the reason he’d done that was for identification purposes. If something happened to him and there was no other way to identify him, her name and the city would give whoever found him enough information to locate her and tell her?—

Alex shook his head. No, he wouldn’t think about that. He was coming home. To her. To their baby. She needed him. And he needed her.

Anna’s stomach churned as she drove into the garage after rehearsal. Something wasn’t right with Alex. She didn’t know how she knew. She just did. Alex’s car was in the garage, as was the SUV. They were all home.

She grabbed her bag and hurried inside. Alex was in the great room with his laptop, frowning at the screen. “Alex?”

He jumped when she spoke. He put the computer on the table in front of him and hurried to her, wrapping his arms around her.

She felt the desperation in his embrace. “Alex, what’s wrong?”

He didn’t say anything, but led her back to the couch. The computer screen showed a map of Russia.

She looked into her husband’s beautiful eyes. They were filled with worry. She reached up and stroked his cheek. “What’s wrong?” Had something happened to his family? Had Devin called and demanded her presence at the Manor that evening? What could make Alex so worried that she could feel it, even without reading him?

Alex swallowed. “I got a call. For a mission.”

Anna’s mouth dropped open and she stared at him. Her jaw trembled as terrible images flashed through her mind of the last time he’d returned from a job and had been manipulated by Devin to attack her. “I thought you said you wouldn’t get any for a few months.”

“I can put word out, but they don’t have to listen.”

She opened her mouth to speak, but her voice wouldn’t work. Finally, after several attempts, she managed to force out a soft whisper. “When do you leave?”

“Wednesday.”

Her eyes burned with tears. “You’re not going to be at the Gathering.”

Alex shook his head sadly. “I won’t make it, Schatzi. I’m so sorry.” He pulled her close and she buried her face in his shirt.

“When will you be back?”

“I’m hoping to be back the following Tuesday. But I can’t promise that. These things can... take time.”

Anna nodded, unable to speak over the lump in her throat. A week. A week without her beloved.

Alex kissed the top of her head and rocked her gently for a long time. “The house will be a bit crowded until we leave.”

“Are the others here?”

“Not yet. Greg and Jason should be here soon. Erich will be here tomorrow with Sebastian. Jesse and Michael, too.”

She sniffed. “Okay.”

“I’ll keep my evenings free, so we have time together. I’ll do my best to get the planning done during the day while you’re gone.”

Anna nodded, squeezing her eyes shut.

“You can call Vati anytime you need to. I’ll speak to Aaron and let him know to keep you company. If you want, he can stay here with you. Or Jenna.”

“I don’t want anyone except you,” Anna said, her voice cracking.

“I know, Schatzi. But I’d feel better if you weren’t here alone.”

“Okay.” Her mind was a jumbled mess of goo and she couldn’t think straight.

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