Page 359 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

“She knows she did wrong, let her be,” Wilhelm countered.

“Release her, both of you,” Shaw commanded.

“You have no jurisdiction here, Wilson.” Devin released Anna’s elbow and Wilhelm let her go as well.

Anna dropped her gaze to the cobbled ground as she stood between the man that loved and cared for her, and the man who wanted to use and abuse her.

“You are attracting the attention of outsiders, and even you should know how dangerous that is, Devin.”

Devin lifted his chin. “He’s trying to take my slave away from me.”

“He’s going to torture her,” Wilhelm said, his voice soft but intense.

Creda, the British Mistress, stood next to Shaw, studying her. Anna gave her a pleading look. She knew Creda didn’t like her but was so desperate, she didn’t care.

Shaw shook his head. “It’s disrespectful to call her a slave, Devin.”

“Whether you like it or not, it’s the truth and you know it.”

Shaw turned his gaze on Anna. “Who brought you here today, Anna?”

“D-Devin. Devin brought me.”

Shaw studied her for a long moment. “You ran away from your Master?”

Anna’s eyes widened in fear. She had run away. She knew she had, but the memories were so fuzzy, she really only remembered arriving in New York. Finally, she nodded timidly.

“What is it that you want?” Shaw asked, looking back at Devin and Wilhelm.

“I want my sl—I want Anna back,” Devin snapped. “She ran away in March and I just found her a few days ago.”

“I would like time with Anna as well,” Wilhelm said. “And I would like assurance that Anna will not be tortured within an inch of her life.”

Shaw looked around and sighed. “This needs to be discussed somewhere more private. Anna, stay with Devin since he brought you. Those of us with Mistresses will discuss the situation after the funeral and make a decision.” He gave Devin a firm look. “Do not begin your discipline until after the decision is made.”

Devin clenched his jaw, glaring at the British son-of-a-bitch interfering in his business. How dare he tell Devin what to do! And in his own country, no less. But Devin knew he didn’t yet have the power to do anything different. Yet. Damn Anna for running away!

“I won’t take the pleasure of... disciplining her until I return home.” He pulled Anna away from Wilhelm, satisfied by the old man’s look of despair.

“You’ve embarrassed me, bitch,” Devin whispered as he pulled Anna through the crowd toward the cathedral. “You will pay for that.” He grinned as she shuddered next to him. He had discovered some interesting new uses of the pain juice while she’d been gone and was looking forward to trying them on her.

For now, he just needed to get her home without any fuss. He had to behave himself. He sucked a deep breath. He could stay in control for a few more hours. As soon as the Funeral Gathering was over, though, he would be in his jet and heading back to San Francisco. Once he got Anna back to the Manor, he could lose control to his heart’s delight.

Chapter 178

Wilhelm watched as Devin dragged Anna away, and then looked back at Shaw. “You do realize that if you let her go home with him, he will torture her.”

“As distasteful as it is, Wilhelm, she is his slave,” Shaw said sadly. “Yes, she is your Mistress as well as his, but his claim of ownership is stronger. No one likes it, but it is what it is. If we decide that he may take her home, we will put limits on what he may do to her, but?—‍”

“You think he will listen?” Wilhelm spat, disgusted at the man’s naiveté. “He performed the forbidden ritual to make her that way, and you think he will listen if you say ‘do not hurt her too much’?” He shook his head. “Give her to me. I will make sure she is safe. You have no idea the things he will do to her.”

Shaw lifted his chin. “We will discuss it later, Wilhelm, and let you know our decision. He would be foolish to ignore us. His powers have faded and he knows it.”

“So you give Anna back to him so he can revive them?”

“His Immortal pawn, Kaveh, has been banished. It won’t happen.”

Wilhelm sucked in a breath. “He has?”

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