Page 77 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

Alex snorted.

Anna’s eyes widened and she stared at him. He waved his hand in the air, motioning for her to continue. She inhaled deeply. “My first thought was to ask to dance more than just twice a week, and I asked before I realized what I was doing. He said he’d call Isaak...” She closed her eyes and blew out a long breath, the sound like a breaking heart. “I don’t think he meant it.”

Alex reached across the table and put his hand on hers. “I will make sure you get to take those classes.” His voice was firm.

“But if Devin doesn’t want me to?—‍”

Alex shook his head. “He’s not the only one in control of your life anymore, remember? He shares it with me now. And I will make sure you get to dance as much as you want.”

He could see hope leap into her eyes, and she opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out until a strangled, “Why?” found its way past her lips.

“Because I watched you during Sleeping Beauty. You were enthralled. And if you danced with Aaron at his graduation performance, and with your parents being as talented as they were... Well, you must be good.” He gave her his most affectionate smile.

“Is Aaron your best friend?”

He grinned. “I’d have thought you’d figured that out by now.”

“I hadn’t thought about it much. You were... You weren’t very friendly when we went to the ballet.”

Alex sighed. “I’m so sorry for the way I acted toward you. Believe it or not, I’m actually a pretty fun guy to be around.”

She smiled shyly. “Kurt said it was more fun to stay at your house than the hotel.”

He rolled his eyes. “Mein Bruder . . .”

Anna glanced down at her plate and deliberately set her fork down. “Is there anything I can do for you before I go see Master Devin, Master Alex?”

He mirrored her action and set his own fork on his empty plate. “Nein, Schatzi.”

She wiped her hands on her napkin. “I should go, then.”

“I’ll come along. I imagine he’ll want to speak to me as well.” Alex held out his hand to Anna as he stood. “I believe I know where we can find Devin.”

She placed her small hand in his big one and looked up at him with her big green eyes. When she gave him a heart-melting smile, it took all his self-control not to lean down and kiss her. How could anyone want to hurt this precious girl?

The more he thought about the abuse Jack and Devin had heaped on her, how they had brainwashed her, the angrier he got. It was all he could do to stay in the room and not start planning an assassination of his own design. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so angry.

Sebastian’s words echoed in his mind. If you kill Devin, you will kill Anna.

Devin was lucky. It was the only reason that man was still alive. Jack, on the other hand...

No. As much as Alex longed to remove the man’s head from his body with his bare hands, he couldn’t do it without permission, and he was unlikely to get it. Jack was a Brother, and he’d just been doing what his Elder told him to do.

Alex had to be patient. He would get his revenge someday.

Anna glanced at the door and hesitated. He didn’t blame her for being nervous about going to find Devin. Alex wasn’t looking forward to it, either. It would take every ounce of discipline to keep his hands off the sadistic Elder.

Alex walked to the door and frowned when the knob wouldn’t turn. He glanced back at Anna, his brows furrowed.

“It’s always locked from the outside. Devin said it’s to keep me safe. You have to knock.”

Alex turned back to the door and muttered to himself in German. How could being locked in her own room keep her safe? More likely it was to keep her contained, so Devin knew where she was. Yet another reason to get her out of the Manor and into her own apartment.

He knocked on the door and it opened. Glancing back, he held out his hand again. He loved the feel of her skin. It was so soft. “Komm mit mir.”

She hesitantly slipped her hand into his, and he led her out into the hallway. They had taken only a few steps when Anna pulled at his hand, but he refused to let go. She stopped, tugging hard against him. He didn’t want to let go; he liked the assurance that she was next to him.

“Master, please,” she whispered. “I shouldn’t walk with you like this.”

---