Page 161 of The Life of Anna, Tenth Anniversary Edition, Act 2

Alex lay on his back with Anna lying on top of him, her eyes full of love. He’d been so unbelievably stupid the night before. It was a wonder Anna had forgiven him. But he was very thankful. So thankful.

She ran her fingers across his chest, giving him goosebumps, and he shivered. The delight in her eyes made him want her to do it again. He couldn’t imagine a better morning than this: waking up, making love, and then gazing at his beautiful wife for as long as he wanted. Technically, she should be in class right now, but he was glad she’d stayed home. She wasn’t dancing until Tuesday, so missing one class wasn’t too big of a deal.

It was late morning and neither of them were inclined to get out of bed. He reached out to twirl a lock of sable silk hair around his finger.

“I missed you,” he whispered, trying to maintain control of his emotions. “I didn’t mind being imprisoned so much, but it was torture being away from you.”

Regret filled her eyes. “I’m so sorry, Alex. I should have listened to you. I should have?—?”

He pressed his finger gently to her lips. “I understand why you didn’t. Yes, things might have been different, but what matters now is that we’re here. I don’t hold it against you. None of my men do.” He flinched at the memories of his fallen men.

She stroked his cheek, sorrow in her eyes. “How’s Erich doing?” she asked after a moment.

“Adjusting. He’s looking forward to coming out in November to confront that son-of-a-bitch.”

“November?” Anna frowned and then inhaled sharply. “When you...”

Alex nodded and closed his eyes. “First Monday in November, Tyler will be killed. Friday will be the funeral. Devin will be expecting a bullet to the head, but it won’t come. Saturday at the Funeral Gathering, I will confront him.” He opened his eyes to see Anna staring at him, eyes wide. He grimaced. “I don’t mean to upset you, Schatzi .”

She shook her head. “No, it’s—?” She bit her lip. “Can I come?”

Alex didn’t want Anna anywhere near Devin. He wanted her home, safe and far away from that monster. He must have frowned because she narrowed her eyes. “I’m not letting you go anywhere without me.”

He carefully kept his face impassive as his heart swelled with affection for his stubborn wife. He must not have kept his face as impassive as he thought, though, because her eyes narrowed even more.

“I mean it, Alex. The last time you went out of town, you disappeared for years. If you disappear, I’m disappearing with you.”

“You can’t come with me. I’ll be on a job.”

“Then tell the Elders that your wife won’t let you go.”

“Anna!”

Her brow raised. “I know the Elders who are sending you.”

“I have to go to Boston in three weeks.”

“Boston?”

“Oscar.”

Anna looked thoughtful for a few minutes. “That’s my last week of performances.”

Alex nodded. “I was going to come to you that Saturday after your last performance.” He grinned. “Bring you a bunch of pink roses.”

She grinned. “You still could.”

“I might.”

She gave him an affectionate smile and pushed forward to kiss him, her soft lips caressing his. Her leg brushed his cock, and it came to life.

She smiled. “I want to come with you,” she murmured against his lips. She nipped his bottom lip, and he inhaled sharply, wrapping his arms around her and rolling her onto her back.

“Come with me where?” He sighed as he gazed into her eyes. She was so beautiful...

“To San Francisco.”

He chuckled and kissed her again. “You should stay here, where it’s safe.” Why was the room spinning?

“You want to leave me?” She pouted.

“Of course not, Schatzi . I—?” Alex stiffened as he suddenly realized what she was doing and pulled away from her. “You’re manipulating me.”

Her eyes widened and she shook her head, but he put his hands on both cheeks. “Anna, don’t you dare try and manipulate me.” He gave her a stern look and she blinked rapidly a moment before bursting into tears.

“I’m sorry!” She looked up at him, all hints of seduction gone. “I’m sorry, Alex, but I can’t stand the thought of you leaving me again.” The tears slid down the sides of her face and onto his hands. “Please,” she whispered. “Please don’t leave me. I’ll be a nervous wreck the entire time.”

“You can call me while I’m gone.”

“But what if you don’t pick up? What if something happens to you?” Her eyes filled with grief. “Please, Alex. Please don’t leave me here.”

Alex rolled onto his back and ran his hands through his hair. The thought of leaving her didn’t sit well with him, either. He knew she’d be a mess with him gone. But what could he do?

“Anna, even if I take you to San Francisco, I still have to go to Boston.” He sighed. “I don’t want you seeing what I do.”

“It’s okay if I know, but not okay if I see?” She sat up on her elbow and frowned. “Devin killed Ben in front of me. Tyler is as cruel as Devin. Oscar nearly killed me. Rylan raped me so many times I can hardly count. Seeing you work can’t be any worse than that.”

He grimaced at the truth of her words, but he still couldn’t take her with him. “You have to dance while I’m in Boston. I can’t take you away from that.”

“Change the date.”

“I can’t do that. We’ve worked out all the details. I can’t just call my father and tell him I’m pushing off the job. You don’t do that to Elders.”

“Fine.” She rolled to the edge of the bed and stood. “I’ll call him.”

She walked away, and Alex jumped up and grabbed her hand. “You can’t??—?”

“Stop telling me what I can’t do!” She spun around. “Why are they making you leave me? Don’t they know what that will do to me?”

“I’m doing this for you.” Alex grabbed her shoulders. “I know your country will be better off without these men, but the only thought that will be going through my head as I pull the trigger is how much they hurt you.”

She began to shake and Alex worried that she would rage again. He hadn’t told her about the previous night yet. He studied her eyes, but there was no anger. Only what could be described as insane grief.

She dropped to her knees and hugged his legs. “Please, Alex. I can’t lose you again. I can’t. I won’t survive.”

“Nothing’s going to happen to me, Schatzi .” He bent down to pull her arms from around his legs before crouching down next to her and hugging her tightly.

“That’s what you said the last time.” She sobbed into his shoulder.

He stared out the window behind her as he stroked her hair. “I will talk to Vati. If he believes it is a possibility, I will approach Tom and Vlad.” He pulled her away and cupped her cheek. “But we must obey our Elders, Anna. I cannot go against their wishes.”

Anna nodded and sniffed. “Okay.” She gave him a brave smile through her tears.

Alex hoped Vati had a solution for this. He had no idea what to do.