Page 91 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

“Of course.”

Anna smiled brightly, her heart leaping at the idea of being free to do as she pleased. “Thank you.”

He kissed her again, sliding his hand down the base of her neck, and she shivered. “I’ll see you Wednesday night. I’ll pick you up at your apartment.”

“Yes, Devin.” She gave him a last smile and crawled carefully out of the car, wincing at the pain deep in her belly. If Alex wanted her tonight, she would please him as best she could, but it would be very painful. Especially with how large he was. But she wouldn’t let him know he was hurting her. Unless he wanted that.

Devin watched Anna pause and look up at the house before glancing back at him with those big green eyes of hers. A flash of memories from over two decades earlier flew through his mind: dropping Anna’s mother off at her house so many times when they were dating. He stared at Anna. She was the spitting image of Anya and?—

He shook his head. No, Anya had made her choice. She’d chosen Trevor over him, and now she was dead. Choices had consequences. And Anna was Devin’s prize from making the best of the situation. She was completely his.

Well, not completely.

Fucking German.

Anna gave a tentative smile and turned to the house, the faintest limp visible in her steps making Devin smile. His heart hardened once more. He’d enjoyed every minute of hurting her this afternoon. Pulling on her new piercings, fucking her hard, and using his spikes deep inside her cunt to make her whimper and cry out in pain. Even now, the thoughts of her sounds made his cock twitch.

He’d been careful not to leave bruises, though. Alex would certainly fuck her tonight, and Devin didn’t want questions raised. He had to play nice until Alex was taken care of.

Chapter 37

As the sun began to set, Alex moved into the living room to await Anna’s arrival. He heard the car pull up out front, and a few minutes later, Anna knocked on the front door. He listened as Frau Gersten opened the door and greeted her, letting her know that he and Vati were in the living room.

Trying for nonchalance, he pretended to read while he watched from the corner of his eyes as Anna came into view. She walked across the foyer and paused at the threshold of the room. He looked up, as did his father, to see her smiling at the two men sitting on the couches.

As she stepped down into the sunken room she winced. It was the tiniest muscle twitch in her cheek, and had he blinked, he would have missed it. Guilt twinged at his heart knowing he’d caused her pain with his piercings.

Alex stood and approached, tilting his head and furrowing his brows. “Anna, are you alright?”

She nodded and forced a smile that did nothing to reassure him. “Just a little tired, Master.” She stared at his chest.

“Are your piercings still bothering you?”

“A little, but I’m okay.” She looked up at him with a smile. “It doesn’t hurt so much that I can’t...” She glanced at his father.

He swallowed at the thought of what she meant by that and focused instead on how good it was to see her. He allowed himself to rest his hand on her shoulder, thumb resting against the pulse of her throat. “I’m glad you’re here.”

She looked up at the affection in his tone and locked her gaze onto his eyes. He felt her heart flutter against his thumb and a small smile appeared on her lips. “Me, too,” she whispered.

He slid his hand up to cradle her cheek and she closed her eyes, leaning into it. Her expression told him that his presence made her feel safe. Her cool skin warmed under his touch, a faint blush to her skin radiated out from the point of contact, and he watched it spread in fascination. In that moment, every cell in his being longed to pull her into his arms and rest her head against his chest.

It took immense effort to hold on to his control. He dropped his hand and her eyes snapped open, staring at his chest once more. Damnit! He’d scared her again. He watched the warmth in her skin dissipate as he stepped away and cleared his throat. “Are you hungry?”

Anna thought for a moment and then nodded.

“Gut. We have reservations in an hour.”

She glanced down at her jeans. “I don’t know if the other outfit I brought is good enough for going out.” Her cheeks darkened in what could only be shame. As if she were supposed to have come to him with a full wardrobe, despite having been effectively house-bound for over four years.

“I got you a dress to wear.” He motioned toward the upper floors. “It’s upstairs in one of the bedrooms.”

She nodded, all meek and shy once again. “Thank you, Master.”

Alex frowned at her calling him Master again, but before he could address it, his father walked over and kissed her cheek.

“Hallo, Anna.”

“Hello, Wilhelm.” She gave him a warm smile and then looked around. “Where’s Kurt?”

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