Page 348 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

Chapter 173

Aaron was pleased to see Anna handling Alex’s second departure better than the first one. Monday and Tuesday, he’d hardly seen her smile at all. Today she smiled a few times.

After lunch, they ran through Hugo’s ballet. Aaron was in it as well. He especially liked the part where both he and Hugo got to dance with her.

It was in the middle of this dance when Aaron began to feel a little dizzy. He thought he was getting sick until he saw Anna stumble and grab her head.

“Katrina?” Hugo said, putting his arm around her.

Anna looked up, her eyes wide and filled with fear as they darted around. Finally, they locked on Aaron’s. Her jaw moved a few times before she gave a great shudder. “Devin...”

Aaron’s heart stopped and he couldn’t move for what felt like an eternity. He shook his head, forcing himself to repeat what Anna had said. Devin. “Hugo, find someone to rehearse with so it doesn’t look like we’re missing.” He sprinted across the stage to grab his and Anna’s bags.

“Wha—why? What’s going on?”

Aaron turned to look at Hugo, fear coursing through his body. “Devin’s coming.” Hugo’s face turned ashen as Aaron grabbed Anna’s hand. “I’m taking her to her place. I’ll call you later.”

He dragged a stumbling Anna off stage and a second later heard Hugo calling names. Aaron knew he could trust Hugo to do what needed to be done.

Aaron’s phone rang in his bag. He ignored it as he pulled a stumbling Anna through the maze of the backstage. It started ringing again and he stopped and pulled it out. He didn’t recognize the number, but answered it anyway. “Hello?”

“Aaron, oh, thank God! It’s Kelsey, Tom’s wife. I’ve been trying to call you for half an hour.”

Aaron froze. “Kelsey?” He’d met Tom’s wife a handful of times.

“Tom and Devin are on their way to the theater. Tom told me to call you since he couldn’t get away.”

“Anna felt him coming. I’m dragging her out as we speak.”

“Tom said to take her to her condo and into Seth’s bedroom. That’s all I know.”

“Thanks, Kelsey. I will.” He shoved his phone into the pocket of his sweatpants and glanced at Anna as he started dragging her forward again. Her face was pale and damp with sweat. She stumbled every other step. How was he going to get her home?

“I know she’s fucking here, Tom. What the hell is wrong with you?” Devin stood in Tom’s kitchen, shouting at his friend. “Why can’t you feel her?”

Tom frowned. “Watch your language, Devin. My kids are home.”

Devin had flown into New York to spend the day with Tom before flying into Boston in the morning. He hadn’t told Tom he was coming. He might be paranoid, but he was beginning to not trust anyone. Even his oldest friend. Someone was calling hits on his loyal supporters. He wouldn’t rule anyone out. Who would be next?

A wave of unease washed over him. He knew what was going to happen in the morning and didn’t want to be anywhere near Boston until it was done.

As soon as he’d landed, he felt her. Anna. His elusive prey. She was here.

Tom sighed and shook his head. “I think you’re being paranoid.”

“Am I?” Devin glared. “I don’t think so. Let’s go visit the ballet company again. I’ll bet anything she’s there.”

Tom rolled his eyes. “Fine. Let me tell Kelsey I’m leaving.”

Tom parked his Jaguar behind the theater and Devin had his door open before he’d turned the ignition off. Devin could feel Anna as easily as he could feel the cool breeze on his face. They strode through the back entrance, the security guard balking until he saw Tom’s nod.

He heard the music coming from the stage as they approached and didn’t bother to wait for the dancers to stop before walking onto the stage. That black man was in the middle of the stage, dancing with the woman he’d manipulated the last time he’d been here.

The music stopped suddenly and everyone turned to look at him and Tom. Anna was here, somewhere. He looked around as the ballet master approached.

“Hello, gentlemen,” he said pleasantly. “May I help you?”

Devin glared at him. “Where is she?”

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