Page 205 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

Aaron realized his mistake and looked up apologetically. “I’m sorry, man. I’ll try and explain later. Yes, we’re going to Katrina. She’s at the Mandarin.” He swerved around a group of people.

“Is she okay?”

“I honestly don’t know. Will you call her? I need to call someone.” He put the phone back up to his ear when Hugo nodded. “Anna, Hugo’s gonna call you and stay on the line with you until we get there.”

“Okay . . .”

Aaron nodded to Hugo. Aaron ended his call with her and called Tom to let him know he’d spoken to Anna and the information he’d gotten from her.

Anna’s phone beeped. It was Hugo.

“Hugo?” she said in a tiny voice.

“Katrina? Are you okay?”

“I don’t know.” She stared at Jack’s body, unable to look away. A deep bloody gash was on the side of his head, and scratches and bruises covered his naked body. His head was cocked in an unnatural position. “I don’t know what happened...”

Hugo didn’t say anything, but by his breathing, it sounded like he was walking very fast.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. Tonight was supposed to be their night together. She should have fought Jack harder. Then she would be in Hugo’s arms right now instead of naked and bloody in a strange hotel room with her horrible guardian. She fell to her knees and started sobbing. “I’m so sorry, Hugo...”

“Why are you sorry? What happened?”

Anna was too ashamed to admit she’d had sex with her guardian. Hugo would never see her the same way and their relationship would be over.

“Katrina?”

Her hand shook as she pulled the phone away and ended the call. Her whole body tingled as if every nerve were in overdrive. She found her dress and pulled it on, her skin screaming in protest at the silky material. She sat down on the bed and stared at the circular patterns in the carpet.

Her body ached. The cuts stung as her dress moved against them. What had happened to Jack? How did he end up dead? She only remembered hurting as he forced himself into her body and then getting angry.

Someone pounded on the door. “Anna?”

Anna walked to the door without thinking, feeling dazed, and opened it. Immediately, she was enveloped in Hugo’s embrace. “Are you okay?” She could sense him looking around. “What happened?” He held her at arm’s length and looked her up and down. “What happened?” he repeated in a softer tone.

Anna didn’t answer. Instead, she looked at Aaron. “He found me.”

Aaron nodded. “Tom’s on his way. Where is he?”

Anna tilted her head toward the bathroom. Both men looked and jumped at the sight of the broken, naked body. Aaron stepped into the bathroom and looked down at Jack. “Pretty sure he’s dead. But I’m not touching him.” He looked back at Anna. “Did someone come in with you two?”

“I don’t know. I don’t remember anyone. He—‍” Anna tried to pull away from Hugo, but he held her tight. She looked up at him, tears in her eyes. “You should just let me go now, Hugo.”

Hugo shook his head. “Who is he?”

“My guardian.”

“Your guardian?”

“He’s been abusing her since she was twelve,” Aaron said. “She didn’t come here voluntarily.”

“Oh, Katrina...” Hugo pulled her back into his arms. He kissed the top of her head and petted her hair.

There were voices in the hall, and Tom and Tommy hurried inside seconds later. “Holy shit,” Tommy exclaimed. “What happened?”

Tom walked over to Jack’s body and put his fingers on his neck. “He’s dead.” He looked up at Anna. “Does Devin know?”

Anna shook her head. “Jack said he—‍” She swallowed. “That he wanted to have fun with me before he called.”

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