Page 383 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

Devin took a step toward her and Wilhelm snaked his hand out and smacked the other man’s chest. Wilhelm gave him a warning look and shook his head. Devin’s eyes widened and he stepped back.

Wilhelm’s body finally allowed him to go to her and he held her as great sobs wracked her body. Hot tears streamed down his own cheeks as he leaned his head on her back.

“Anna? Wilhelm? What?—‍”

Wilhelm looked up to see Aaron standing above him, his eyes wide. The dancers from Anna’s class stood in the doorway, eyes wide with concern.

Aaron searched his face and then swallowed hard. “Alex...”

Wilhelm pressed his lips together and gave a single, somber nod. “He... is... gone.” Wilhelm’s voice cracked and he shook his head.

Aaron sank to his knees next to Anna and put his hand on her head.

Wilhelm leaned forward and put his head on Anna’s back once more. His mind resisted accepting the truth of what had happened. Alex was so... so full of life. He couldn’t be dead.

Aaron shifted next to him. “What about Seth? And Tony? And the others?”

“I’m sorry,” Devin answered in the most somber voice he’d ever heard come from the sadistic Elder’s mouth. That alone confirmed the truth of what had happened. Devin despised Alex, but even he couldn’t be so heartless to feel joy over someone’s death. Especially if he had any concern about Anna.

A groan escaped his mouth and he sucked in a hard breath as his heart shattered again. The weight of the devastating truth pressed down on him, leaving him lost in a world of disbelief and sorrow.

Chapter 180

Wilhelm stared at the headboard of Anna’s bed as he sat in the chair near the window. Memories of his son, his firstborn and heir—now gone—consumed his mind. He sighed. Not only was Alex gone, but also his nephew and the men who had served alongside them—Wilhelm had known them all. Seth and Tony had lived in his home until Alex had moved to California. The rest still had rooms in his home. The pain in his heart was so intense that it bordered on being unbearable.

Aaron had asked how it was possible Alex was gone. After all, he was bonded to Anna, and she was still alive. Sadly, the bond only prevented Devin and Alex from hurting or killing one another. It didn’t protect his son from dying in one of the countless ways people met their end every day.

If only Sebastian could return and tell him what had happened, but that was impossible. Assassins and other Brotherhood ops team members died when they were out. There was no reason for the Immortal to break the rules and return to share the story of what happened. Alex’s job was dangerous. Two years ago, another Assassin had been killed during a mission. It was just one of many risks of being a Brotherhood Assassin.

Alex was the best. But even the most talented got killed sometimes. Devin had said he’d tried to get more information about what had happened, but no one seemed to know anything. Alex and the others were too good at their jobs. No one would have known they were there.

Wilhelm was torn about what to do next. He needed to go home to his family, but he couldn’t leave Anna here alone. It had been twenty-four hours since he’d told her, and she hadn’t spoken or moved voluntarily since. He’d taken her home and given her a bath and tucked her into bed. She just lay there with her eyes open, staring out into space.

Leaving her here would leave her vulnerable to Devin. The Elder had offered to take care of her while Wilhelm returned to his family in Germany, but Wilhelm had refused. Firmly. He didn’t trust him to put Anna’s needs above his own desires. There was no love lost between Alex and Devin, and Devin was probably glad about Alex. Wilhelm hated to think about what would happen to Anna if he left her here alone with Devin.

No, he couldn’t leave without taking Anna with him. Who knew what Devin would do? And now that Alex was... well, Alex’s “ownership” of Anna had passed to Wilhelm. He wasn’t bonded to her, but at least as an Elder Wilhelm could match Devin’s authority, if not override it.

The next afternoon, Wilhelm watched Anna staring blankly out the window of the family jet, her hand tightly clutching Alex’s wedding ring, which hung from a chain around her neck. She had refused to part with it even during her bath, so he’d found a chain that would allow her to keep it near at all times without hurting her hand, which had become bruised from her relentless grip.

They were on their way back to Germany. Wilhelm had decided to take Anna home with him and had told Devin to fuck off when he protested. Wilhelm wouldn’t abandon Anna when she needed him most. It would be difficult having both Ilsa and Anna dependent on him, but he would manage. Maurice, Ilsa’s lover, was with her now, as were the children. His wife was surrounded by loved ones and was a strong woman. The strongest woman he knew.

Anna... Anna had strength in her, but it had been so badly beaten down that she didn’t know it was there. But she would survive. Maybe he would encourage Kurt to look after her once they were home. With Alex gone, Kurt would take his brother’s place as Elder-Son. It wouldn’t be inappropriate for Kurt to take his brother’s wife, after he divorced Gretchen, which Wilhelm would now encourage. He didn’t want Gretchen anywhere near The Brotherhood. Even if Anna wasn’t interested in Kurt, Gretchen was not a good wife for an Elder-Son. It hadn’t mattered before...

A memorial service would be held on Sunday for Alex and his men. Wilhelm had told Aaron and Isaak that he would fly over anyone who wanted to come. Many of the dancers had shown interest. That was good. Anna would be surrounded by friends for a few days. But he couldn’t send Anna back to San Francisco until she could take care of herself. He didn’t know how long that would take.

Lili, the stewardess, walked quietly up to where Wilhelm sat. “Herzog, lunch is ready.”

“Thank you, Lili. We’ll be there shortly.”

She curtsied and walked away.

Wilhelm put his hand on Anna’s arm. He’d learned quickly that he had to physically get her attention before talking to her. She was so lost in her own little world, she heard nothing going on around her. If the plane fell from the sky, he doubted she would notice.

“Liebling.”

She blinked, but didn’t turn to him.

“Let us go eat.” He took her hand and she followed him meekly to the dining area.

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