Page 14 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

He looked her up and down and grinned. “You look good.” His tone was innocent, but his eyes betrayed his darker thoughts.

“Kunzberg,” Kurt said in a low voice.

“Excuse me?” Zach turned a bright smile to Kurt.

“Her last name is no longer Perkins. It is Kunzberg.” Kurt’s hand tightened on her waist, as if to keep her by his side.

“Ah, yes. I’d heard you’d gotten married, but... I thought you were widowed?” Zach drew his brows together as he looked at Kurt.

“She was married to my brother, Mr. . . .”

“Senator, actually. Senator Zach Vail.” Zach extended his hand and Kurt shook it. “Brother, eh?” Zach grinned. “Nothing like keeping it in the family.”

Anna thought she heard a low growl come from Kurt, but he didn’t respond to Zach’s comment.

Zach turned back to Anna. “Devin said you were doing better in the last few weeks. I’m glad to hear it.” He looked at the woman. “Madison, do you remember Anna? She’s a friend of Devin’s. Anna, this is my wife, Madison.” He gently patted her protruding stomach. “And our little girl.”

The woman smiled brightly at her. “Of course. Anna. From the... CFO event, right? How are you?”

“Fine, thank you.”

Kurt raised his brows. “You are a friend of Devin’s?”

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without him.” He smiled through his words. “You know him?”

“I do. That is how you met Anna?”

Zach nodded. “It is. About... three years ago, I believe. We lived in the same apartment building as well.”

Kurt’s jaw clenched. “I see. Well, if you will excuse us...” Kurt steered Anna away from the couple and back toward Wilhelm. “He hurt you, ja?”

Anna nodded. “He’s very cruel.”

“Anyone can see that if they look at him for longer than three seconds.” He growled. “I remember Alex mentioning his name. I cannot believe he is in political office.”

“Devin said he’d been grooming him for several years.”

Kurt rolled his eyes. “No wonder your country is the mess that it is. If that is the type of man Devin thinks should be running the country...” He shook his head.

They found Wilhelm and then made their way into the theater. Anna couldn’t hide her smile as they passed by the doors Kurt had pulled her through the last time. She glanced up at Kurt, who watched her with sparkling eyes. He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. Wilhelm glanced back and gave an approving nod to his son.

Yes, Kurt has definitely changed.

Their seats were in a box slightly to the right of center stage. Anna suppressed a whimper when she saw Zach and his wife taking seats in the box next to their own. Kurt kissed her cheek, took the seat closest to Zach, and put his arm protectively around Anna’s shoulders. She sighed contentedly and leaned against him, ready to enjoy a pleasant evening. Kurt wouldn’t let anything happen to her.

“Anna, do you want to come back to the hotel with us... with... me?” Kurt asked softly as they waited outside for their limo after the performance was over.

Anna looked up into his eyes and smiled. “Yes,” she whispered.

A grin spread across Kurt’s face. “Gut.”

“You two go on up to the room,” Wilhelm said as they walked into the hotel lobby. “I think I will have a drink at the bar.”

“Wilhelm—‍”

Wilhelm shook his head. “Nein, Liebling, you go with Kurt.”

Anna and Kurt made their way to the elevators. Her heart pounded as they rode upstairs and walked into the suite.

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