Page 20 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

“Your purpose for her is barbaric and forbidden.”

“For you, maybe. I was made Chairman by the Elders of my country and the Immortals. I didn’t stage a coup d’état.”

“Not blatantly.”

Devin laughed. “It’s not my fault that the Elders of this country are weak and willing to follow rather than lead. I just took advantage of the situation.”

“A situation of your own making.”

Devin shrugged. “Advantages must be seized or lost. I always choose to seize them.”

“Yes, we are quite aware of your propensity to seize opportunities.”

Devin sighed, as though weary of the conversation. “I won’t allow you to take Anna. It’s as simple as that.”

Wilhelm raised his eyebrows. “Well then, consider this. I am taking Anna. She is mine, just as much as she is yours. You bribed her into leaving my home two years ago and kept her incoherent that entire time. I am entitled to some time with her without you watching everything we do.”

Devin chuckled. “It is fascinating watching your family when you visit. I particularly enjoyed watching your little threesome yesterday. Anna does seem to like big cocks.”

Wilhelm frowned at Devin. “You stretch your hand far beyond where it is allowed, Devin. What I do in the privacy of my hotel room is not for your entertainment.”

“Where Anna is concerned, everything is within my reach.”

Wilhelm turned and looked at Kurt. “Get Anna on the plane,” he said in a quiet voice. “We are leaving.”

Kurt nodded and pulled Anna towards the plane, with Wilhelm following closely behind. Anna cast one last, fearful glance over her shoulder at Devin, her grip on Kurt’s hand tightening with every step.

“Stop!”

The trio froze mid-step. Something in Devin’s tone sent a shiver of terror down Anna’s spine and she wanted to drop to her knees and beg forgiveness.

As if from a nightmare, the air grew icy and the pale orange lights dimmed. Darkness crept across the tarmac until the entire area was shrouded in shadows except Devin, who stepped away from his vehicle, surrounded by a ghostly-pale light. His eyes blazed with furious intensity, like sparks of angry fire in the obsidian void. “You will not take Anna from me.”

Wilhelm turned back to him and started to say something, but in a flash, Devin was in front of him with his hand around Wilhelm’s neck. Anna rubbed her eyes because Devin seemed bigger than Wilhelm. But that wasn’t possible...

Devin’s fingers squeezed into Wilhelm’s neck and Wilhelm offered no resistance. “No! Devin, no!” She ran to him and pulled at his arm.

Devin swept his arm out, pushing Anna aside and sending her flying back several feet before landing painfully onto the ground. His black eyes bored into Wilhelm’s, his voice turning raspy, as if channeling energy from the very gates of hell. “You will not take Anna from me. You will get on your plane, both you and your son, and you will leave this country. I forbid you—or any member of your family—to have any sort of contact with Anna. I forbid you from ever stepping foot in this country again. You and every member of your family. No one is welcome here. Leave and never come back.”

Devin released Wilhelm’s neck and, to Anna’s horror, Wilhelm and Kurt both turned and walked to the jet without saying another word. They climbed the steps without a single glance back. Devin waved his hand and the door to the jet closed and the engines started.

The jet began its journey down the runway, and Anna’s anguished scream pierced the darkness as she sprinted after the accelerating jet. It lifted off the ground and quickly disappeared into the night.

There were no stars in the sky, just as there was no hope in her heart. Devin had banished Wilhelm and Kurt, and they would never return. Her legs gave out and she fell to her hands and knees, the asphalt biting into her skin. She buried her face in her trembling hands, her heart shattered into a million pieces.

The sound of footsteps caught her attention, and she turned to see Ian making his way towards her. She clambered to her feet, but he was too fast and caught her before she could take a single step. He picked her up and carried her back to Devin, dumping her onto the ground in front of him.

“I hate you!” She climbed up his body and screamed into his face, pounding on his chest.

He calmly grabbed her wrists and twisted her arms until she fell back to her knees with a cry.

“There. That’s where you belong. On your knees in front of me.” He looked at Ian. “Put her in the car.”

Ian picked her up and put her in the back seat. Devin got in next to her. “I believe you need another attitude adjustment.” Ian got in the driver’s seat. “Take us to the Manor.”

Chapter 13

Anna lay on her bed in the Manor in agony. Ian had brought her back to her room just as the sun rose and she’d slept for a few hours, but everything still hurt. Even her toes hurt. Devin had injected her with his self-proclaimed “nerve juice,” intensifying the pain of everything he had done by a hundredfold. He’d started off gently, just touching her. Even normal sex had been agony, especially anal with Ian. As time went on, he employed more brutal methods, such as knives, whips, and electricity. When the first dose of nerve juice had worn off, he’d given her a second one and began again.

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