Page 287 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

What had he first said? That he’d escaped? From where? After Vlad became Elder. Vlad? He’d escaped from Vlad? Vitaly had captured him. Had he been in Russia the whole time?

Her dreams. She’d dreamed... but Alex said they were real. He’d gotten angry because she didn’t believe him in her dreams. He’d always been in the same room. He’d been imprisoned by Vitaly?

Peter! Peter had to have known Alex was alive! And he hadn’t told her? Anna stumbled to the cold building next to her and leaned hard against it. How could?—

“Hey, sweetheart. What’s a pretty thing like you doing out alone this time of night?”

Anna looked around and saw a man walking up behind her with a creepy smile on his face. Anger gave way to fear and she looked around. The street was narrow and devoid of people. She backed away, trying to figure out where she was. None of the buildings looked familiar.

She hurried away from the man, breaking into a run when she heard him following her. It was the middle of the night. Where were the bars that stayed open all night? Wasn’t anyone out this late?

Arms wrapped around her waist and she shrieked, kicking and screaming, then suddenly she was on the ground and the sound of flesh hitting flesh was behind her. She turned and saw the man who had been following her up against the wall, another man with long dark hair and a beard punching him in the face.

Anna didn’t wait to see what happened next. She sprinted down the sidewalk and waved down a taxi at the corner. She gave the driver her address and slumped into the seat, wrapping her arms around herself and trying to stop shaking.

By the time she unlocked her apartment door, Anna felt like her head was going to explode. Anger, fear, hurt, confusion... they all took turns consuming her. Her skin was raw, her mind swollen.

She stumbled inside and collapsed on the floor, sobbing.

“Anna?” Aaron walked out of his room, bare-chested and running his hand through his hair. “What are you doing home? I thought you were going to see Mr. J.”

She stared at Aaron. What would he say when he told her Alex was alive?

He drew his brows together and walked closer. “Anna, what’s wrong? Did he hurt you?”

The memory of what had happened shoved away the fears and anger reared its ugly head. She snorted. “You could say that.” She stood and lifted her chin, wiping the tears away. “I found out who Mr. J is.”

Aaron’s brow shot up and she heard quick footsteps from across the apartment. Cameron appeared a second later. “You saw him?” he asked excitedly.

Anna looked back at Aaron, her jaw trembling. “It’s Alex.”

Aaron stared at Anna’s tear-streaked face. “Mr. J is... Alex?” He shook his head. He couldn’t have heard her correctly. Alex was dead. “Are you sure?”

“Who’s Alex?” Cameron asked.

“Alex, Aaron,” Anna said in a strained voice. “Alex is alive and hiding behind the persona of Mr. J.”

Aaron shook his head. “No . . . he’s . . . dead . . .”

Her face screwed up, but he wasn’t sure if it was in anger or grief. “He’s been in the city since July.”

Aaron’s jaw moved, but he couldn’t form any words. Alex was alive? How was that possible? He, too, didn’t know if he should be angry, happy, or what. How did you process the idea that someone you thought was dead was really alive?

A gentle hand touched his, and he looked down to see Cameron looking up at him with his blue eyes full of concern. “Aaron? What’s going on?” he asked in a gentle voice.

“Alex—‍” Aaron choked out over the lump in his throat. “Anna’s husband. The one we thought was dead. He’s not.”

Cameron’s eyes widened. “Omigosh!” He slapped his hand over his mouth.

Anna’s phone rang in her purse. She pulled it out and narrowed her eyes, stabbing the ignore button. “Wilhelm,” she said, looking up at him. “He probably knew too. He had to have known.”

Suddenly, Aaron felt the anger that he saw on Anna’s face. He had trusted Wilhelm. Why hadn’t Wilhelm told him? Why all the secrecy? “I need some air,” he growled and went into his room to get dressed. He slipped his flip-flops on and stormed out of the apartment.

Chapter 144

Back at his condo, Alex ran his hands through his hair as he slumped down on the couch in his unlit living room. Oh, what a mess. This was not how it was supposed to go. Not at all. Anna was supposed to be happy to see him, not be angry and slap him.

He’d never seen her so angry... never imagined she could even get that way. He would strangle Devin for what he’d done to her... once she was freed from him.

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