Page 267 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

Hugo handed the picture back to him. “No. I haven’t.”

Devin studied the tall dancer, his eyes full of suspicion. Hugo was well respected in the company, and for him to declare he hadn’t seen Anna would make the others reluctant to contradict his words.

Movement nearby caught Aaron’s attention, and he turned to see Jasmine glaring at Hugo. His stomach twisted as Jasmine opened her mouth.

“I’ve seen her.”

A smile crept across Devin’s face. Aaron stared as Devin slowly walked to Jasmine, his eyes hungry. “Where?”

Her eyes widened and her mouth opened, her jaw trembling. She glanced at Aaron, who shook his head.

“I mean . . . I think I did . . .”

Devin stepped closer and leaned in, speaking low into her ear. “Anna likes to steal men away from their women. She likes the power it gives her over them.” He gazed into her eyes and trailed his fingers down her neck. “Did she steal one from you?”

Jasmine blinked and sucked in a shaky breath, but as she turned to gaze into Devin’s eyes, her fear gave way to blind infatuation. “But I got even?—‍”

“Alright, Devin.” Aaron stepped forward before Jasmine could give him any information, his mind whirring for something—anything—to keep Anna out of danger. “Yes, she was here.”

Devin wheeled around. “Was?”

He nodded. “We went on tour last week. She didn’t come along because she told me she was leaving. She didn’t want anyone else to know, but she got accepted to the Paris Opera Ballet.” That would be believable to everyone here. She was that good.

Devin’s eyes flashed but didn’t make any other movements. His hand was still on Jasmine’s neck. “And you didn’t think it strange that she was here without me?”

Aaron shrugged and jutted his jaw, hoping he looked uninterested. “I didn’t think she’d run away. She’s not stupid.”

Devin stared for a moment, then looked at Tom. He shook his head. “No, I can still feel her. She’s still here. Where did she stay?”

Aaron glanced at Tom, who looked up from his phone and gave a tiny nod. “With me.”

Devin blew out a breath and slowly shook his head. “You are a stupid, stupid man, Aaron.” He released Jasmine. “You would dare hide Anna from me?”

“How was I supposed to know she ran away? She just...” He waved his hands in the air. “Showed up one day.”

Devin looked around the room again. His eyes stopped on Nate, and then on Justin. “I thought you had been fired in San Francisco.”

Justin lifted his chin. “It was a bogus charge. I left of my own free will. Isaak just didn’t want to admit he was wrong.”

“Something is off.” Devin turned back to Aaron and pointed at him. “Take me to your apartment. Now!”

Shit. “I need to change shoes.”

Devin frowned and huffed, then nodded and walked back to the doorway, speaking softly to Tom.

Aaron sat down and pulled his slippers off. “Hugo!” he whispered, doing his best to not move his lips.

“Yeah.”

“I’m leaving my bag here. Get my phone. Oh-five-two-two is the pin. Call Wilhelm. Tell him what happened. As soon as I’m gone, do it. I don’t know how to keep him from finding her.”

“Do you want me to call her and tell her to get out?”

“Call Wilhelm first. He’ll tell you what to do.” Aaron slowly stood and slipped his flip-flops on, giving Hugo a desperate look. “Hurry.”

Hugo nodded and Aaron turned and walked as slowly as he thought he could without being obvious. How would they keep Devin from getting Anna?

He shot Jasmine the dirtiest look he could muster as he walked by. He would personally strangle her if Anna was hurt. At least she had the decency to look ashamed.

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