Page 368 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

Anna nodded and retrieved a short, low cut purple empire-waist dress from her suitcase. “I have this.”

Devin nodded with approval. “Good. Hurry and get ready. Dinner is at six-thirty.”

Anna showered, styled her hair, and applied her makeup, then headed back out to the living room.

“Anna!” Tommy jumped up from the couch. He embraced her tightly and kissed her passionately.

Anna leaned into his embrace, thankful he seemed the same happy young man he’d been when she’d last seen him in the summer. “Hi, Tommy.”

“God, you look incredible, Anna.” He glanced down at her cleavage and raised his eyebrows. “Really incredible.”

Anna blushed. “Thank you.”

“Did Devin make you get a boob job?” he asked in a low voice.

“I... uh...” Devin had apparently not told him she was pregnant. She glanced at Devin, who nodded. She looked back at Tommy. “No. I’m pregnant.”

“How—‍” Tommy’s jaw dropped open. “But I thought?—‍”

Anna shrugged. “I’ve been told it happens sometimes.” She looked past Tommy to Devin, who watched them with an expression she couldn’t quite read, but that made her nervous. She wondered if she should tell Tommy she’d married Alex, but thought it best to ask Devin first.

“Hey, Anna.” Tyler walked up and gave her the wicked grin he’d given her every time he’d visited from Harvard. He hadn’t hurt her—Devin wouldn’t allow it—but his demeanor was more like his father’s than the nice kid she’d first met. She didn’t completely trust that, given the opportunity, he wouldn’t hurt her.

“Hello, Tyler.”

He looked boldly at her breasts and grinned. “Fuck, you look good, Anna.” He reached out and trailed his finger along the edge of her dress. “Very nice.”

Devin appeared at her side and took her hand. “Time for dinner.”

The Elders, their Sons, and Anna made their way down to the hotel restaurant. A hostess showed them to a private dining room where the rest of the American Elders and their sons awaited them. The table was elegantly arranged, adorned with fine china, crystal glassware, and polished silverware. The culinary experience that followed mirrored the grandeur of the New Year’s Eve dinner she had shared with Alex’s family.

Anna’s heart ached and she remained quiet, lost in the memories of her time in Germany with Alex and his family. She was careful to maintain a friendly and approachable demeanor, though, offering warm smiles and polite conversation whenever someone spoke to her, which thankfully wasn’t often.

After dinner, much to Anna’s relief, Devin took her back to their room, alone. She’d been afraid that the evening might unfold like the first night of the previous Gathering in Washington, D.C., when Devin had assumed the role of Chairman. She shivered at the remembrance.

He took her directly into the bedroom. “Undress, Anna.”

Anna obeyed and stood silently in front of Devin as he looked her over. He ran his hands over her breasts and belly and smiled. “Beautiful,” he murmured. “Undress me.”

Anna obediently unbuttoned his shirt and pushed it off his shoulders, then removed the rest of his clothing. She couldn’t stop the twinge of sadness that flew through her body, wishing she were with Alex instead of Devin.

Devin’s eyes flashed with anger and he grabbed her wrists, holding them tightly. “Ow!” She tried to pull away. “Devin, you’re hurting me.”

He yanked her forward onto the bed and flipped her onto her back. He pinned her hands above her head and leaned over her, snarling. “Alex is not here. I am.” His eyes were black and cold. “Don’t let your attention stray again.”

Anna tugged at his grip, but he shook his head and raised his eyebrows. She blinked away hot tears. “Yes, Devin,” she whispered. Was he going to break his promise to not hurt her?

He leaned down and kissed her neck and caressed her breasts with one hand. He held her hands in place with the other one. She whimpered as he twisted her nipple.

“You’ve gone soft, Anna.” He nudged her legs apart and thrust inside her with one swift movement.

She arched her back and screeched. “Please, Devin, that hurts!”

He flashed a wicked grin and thrust in hard over and over again, holding her hands above her head. She struggled against him, trying to get a knee in between their bodies. “No, Devin. Please don’t!” If he kept being harsh, he might hurt the baby. The thought flooded her body with courage and she narrowed her eyes, looking directly into his. “I am an Elder-Mistress,” she said in a commanding tone. “You are to treat me with respect.”

Devin clenched his jaw, narrowing his own eyes. He leaned back and slapped her hard across the face. “Don’t you dare take an arrogant tone with me, bitch.”

Her arms jerked, trying to cover her face, but he held her firm. Tears rolled down her cheek and she unleashed all the strength she had, kicking and biting at him until she finally wedged her knee in between them and shoved him off of her. He rolled to the side and she lunged off the bed, but before she could take more than a single step, he grabbed her around her waist and threw her back on the bed, face down. She groaned as the baby was pushed inward and tried to scream as he pushed her face into the bedcovers. He kneeled on the backs of her thighs and pressed his cock in between her ass cheeks.

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