Page 36 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

“Good morning.” She gave a nervous smile. “Do I—I mean, did you enjoy yourself... with me?”

His eyes lit up. “Oh, yes. Very much so. If nothing else, we’ll have great sex.”

Anna nodded and looked away. He hadn’t hurt her. Yet.

“I was thinking maybe we could go apartment hunting today, unless you have previous plans.”

“No, I... don’t do much when I’m not dancing.” She chewed her lip. “I don’t have to go with you.”

“You don’t have an opinion on where you live?”

“Why would I? As long as Devin approves, that’s all that matters.”

He studied her for a long moment without speaking. “What if he wanted you to live in a metal box with no windows?”

“Then I would live in a metal box with no windows.” She sighed. “I dance because he wants me to dance. I eat because he wants me to eat. It’s just easier that way.” Peter frowned at her. “You don’t believe me?”

“I think it’s sad that you believe that. He cares about you a great deal. He told me he wanted me to help him keep an eye on you because you needed to be watched at all times.”

She stared for a moment and then shrugged. “I suppose that’s true. Though I don’t think he cares much about me. Not anymore, at least. Maybe I can be a better slave to him if you’re around to remind me.”

Despite Anna’s protests that she didn’t care about the place he picked, Peter insisted on taking her along to search for an apartment. They drove through areas that had been recommended to Peter and visited many buildings. Peter was interested in large apartments near the water, and he found several that fit his desires. At each stop, he asked her opinion and she always told him the place was nice. He didn’t seem to grasp that she really didn’t care which one he picked. Anything would be better than where she currently lived, and even if it wasn’t, it didn’t matter. My purpose in life is to please Devin. And pleasing Devin meant keeping Peter happy. If Peter liked it, that was all that mattered.

They stopped for dinner at a Mexican restaurant close to Anna’s apartment. “I think I like that one by the bridge the best.”

“Okay.” She picked at her rice, reminding herself she needed to eat to keep Devin from getting angry, but she was having a hard time forcing the food down.

He slammed his fork down and glared at her. “You know, I’m trying to be nice and make sure you like the place we’re going to live. And you don’t seem to care.”

“I’m sorry, Peter, but I told you, my opinion doesn’t matter. If you like it, get it.” His glared deepened and she sighed, not sure what else to say. “Why don’t you ask Devin?”

He hit the table with his fist, the metal silverware clanging together, and Anna jumped. “I don’t care what Devin thinks.” He cursed in Russian. “Finish eating. I’m taking you home.”

Anna ate a few more bites and then put her fork on her plate and folded her hands in her lap. “I’m finished.”

He muttered in Russian the entire drive back to her apartment. His tires squealed as he stopped in front of her apartment. “No wonder you drive Devin crazy. You can’t even do something as simple as offer your opinion.” He growled. “Get out. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Anna blinked back the tears and jumped out of the car as quickly as possible.

His tires squealed again as he sped away from the curb.

She trudged up to her apartment, flung herself on the bed and sobbed. She couldn’t do anything right. Devin was right. She was useless. She turned on the TV and turned out the light.

A pounding on her apartment door woke her sometime later. She stumbled to the door to find Devin glaring at her.

“Damnit, Anna. Why do I have to keep coming here to deal with you?” He slammed her against the wall and swiped the door closed behind him, all the while glowering at her. Grabbing her hair, he dragged her through her apartment and into the living area.

He shoved her down onto the bed and stood with his hands on his hips, his face a contorted mask of rage. “You pissed off Peter and I promised him I’d deal with your attitude.”

“But Devin, I?—‍”

He kicked her ribs and she curled into a ball with a cry. “I don’t want to hear it. I’m sick of having to remind you how to behave.” He pulled a syringe out of his pocket and waved it in her air.

Despite knowing it was pointless, she tried to crawl away, crying out in desperation as pain surged through her side. He’d broken bones with his well-placed kick. “No! No, Master, please... Please, I’ll do better. I promise.”

Devin laughed wickedly. “This stuff really works on you, doesn’t it?” He kneeled, grabbed her hair again, and stuck her neck with the needle, injecting the fluid before pushing her down on the bed again. “You always promise and you always fail. I can’t trust you to keep your word.” He flashed a cruel smile. “At least I have someone to tell me what you’re up to now.” He stood and began to undress, glaring down at her as he pulled his shirt off.

She groaned at the pain in her ribs and gasped as the blanket beneath her grew razor blades. Her tears slashed her skin as they fell down her cheeks.

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