The Life of Anna, Part 4: Ensnared

by Marissa Honeycutt

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  “I just made the flight arrangements,” Peter said Monday evening when they were back in San Francisco. Peter had told Anna that he was going to St. Petersburg for a week after Nutcracker was over to visit Dariya.

  “Did you tell Dariya?” Anna asked softly.

  Peter nodded. “She’s placated for the moment. I need to go. I’ve barely spoken to her since I left and she’s...upset.”

  “I know.” She didn’t understand why he felt the need to justify himself. It wasn’t as if their “relationship” was real. He needed to maintain his relationship with the other girl. Anna tried to smile and tell him she was okay with it, but couldn’t bring herself to speak the words.

  A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts and she went to answer it.

  “Jack, what are you doing here?” Anna exclaimed after she opened the door. He leaned against the doorpost with a smug look on his face.

  “Why do you think, Baby?” he asked with a grin, pushing the door open. He saw Peter sitting on the couch. “Is this the new boyfriend?”

  Peter stood. “I am. And you are?”

  “Anna’s former guardian. I don’t believe we’ve met, although Devin told me quite a bit about you.”

  Peter’s face remained impassive.

  “Jack is a very good friend of Devin’s,” Anna explained as a warning that he would tell Devin about anything that was amiss.

  Peter’s face broke into a smile. “Ah, of course.” He walked forward and shook his hand. “I have heard much about you.”

  “You’re Vitaly’s grandson, eh?”

  “I am.”

  Jack nodded and studied Peter for a moment. “You look like him.”

  Peter smiled. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  Jack laughed. “You should.” He glanced at Anna and then looked back at Peter. “You don’t mind if I use Anna for a bit, do you?”

  Peter shrugged. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t hurt her. Opening night is Friday and she’s taking longer to recover these days.”

  “Really?” Jack looked at Anna. “That’s too bad.” He sighed. “I suppose I can take it easy on her this time. I’ll just make up for it after the first of the year.”

  Anna motioned to the bedroom door and she and Jack walked through it. He wasn’t nice, but he wasn’t as mean as he normally would be and he left, mostly satisfied, an hour later.

  Anna heard Peter say goodbye to Jack and then he rushed in to check on her. “Are you all right?”

  Anna sat up and nodded. “Yes,” she said softly. As all right as she ever was after a visit like that. Peter sat next to her and she lay her head on his chest. “I suppose this is a reminder that all of this isn’t real,” she said softly.

  Peter didn’t answer, but hugged her tightly. After a while, Peter kissed her on the head. “Go shower. I’ll take care of the bed.”

  “Thank you,” Anna said. She kissed his cheek and headed into the bathroom.

  *****

  Nutcracker opened as a great success. Aaron and Stephanie danced the Grande pas de deux beautifully, as usual. Peter was stunning as he and Erin danced in the snow scene. Anna felt like she performed well, and Peter told her that she outshone her fellow ribbon dancers.

  Afterwards, Peter escorted her out to the party in the lobby. His parents, brothers and sister, and Vlad and Nina had all come up to see him. They were happy to see them both again and praised Anna for her beautiful dancing. Mikhail thought Peter had been wasted as the snow king, but Peter said he didn’t mind.

  “It was nice not to have all the pressure of dancing the prince, like I normally do,” he remarked. “I don’t mind it, Papa. I really don’t.”

  Mikhail mumbled something in Russian and Peter laughed.

  Devin walked up a few minutes later and greeted everyone. Anna resisted the urge to step closer to Peter. Peter had to play the part. That was all there was to it.

  “Peter, you really are an excellent dancer. I would love to see you and Anna dance together. That would be...quite a pairing.”

  “I agree,” Peter said. “Isaak mentioned the possibility once she’s promoted to Principal.”

  Principal? Isaak was already talking about that? Oh, she would love to dance with Peter. And Aaron. Anna was thankful she didn’t have to make her partner decisions. She didn’t know if she could choose between the two.

  Devin and Vlad walked away for a bit and the family continued talking. When they returned, Devin looked pleased.

  “Anna, may I borrow you for a few minutes?” Devin said, offering her his arm.

  Anna nodded nervously and took the proffered arm.

  “You danced well, Anna. I was very pleased.”

  “Thank you, Devin,” she said softly.

  “You have been doing very well in everything lately, Anna. You’ve even managed to charm Vlad, which is not easy to do.”

  “I did? I thought he disliked me.”

  Devin shook his head and guided her around a corner where there were fewer people. “No. He said he understood why I wanted you.” He looked around before opening a door and pushing Anna through gently, before joining her. It was a small janitor’s closet and Devin closed the door and turned the light on. He turned her around and kissed her neck while pulling her skirt up. “I don’t get near enough of you anymore,” he murmured before delving his fingers inside her panties.

  Anna leaned her hands on the wall and moaned softly as he thrust his fingers in and out of her. He straightened suddenly and a moment later was pushing her up against the wall and thrusting his cock into her. They both panted as he rammed himself repeatedly into her body.

  “Come for me, Baby,” he whispered, and Anna did a moment later. He drove himself deeper inside her and groaned as he came. “I needed that,” he said in a low voice.

  They fixed their clothing and emerged from the room a few minutes later.

  “I think I want you to stay with me once a week. Both of my daughters are out of the house, so I don’t have to explain your presence.” He glanced at her. “While performances are going on, I want you Monday evenings. Peter can bring you over and I’ll drop you off at the studio on the way to work on Tuesday morning.”

  “Yes, Devin,” she said softly.

  “Tell Peter, as I won’t likely have a chance. Come at...oh, seven-thirty will be fine.”

  “Yes, Devin.”

  *****

  Anna told Peter about Devin’s new demand when they got home that night and were lying in bed. “Every Monday?” Peter asked.

  Anna nodded. “While there are performances.”

  Peter sighed. “I guess it could be worse. He could want you every night.” He turned over to his side to kiss her. “I don’t know if I could part with you more than one night a week.” He slid his hand down her bare hip. “I like having you in bed with me.”

  Anna looked up at him. “I’d rather be here with you, too,” she said in all sincerity.

  Peter smiled, his brown eyes warm, “It makes me glad to hear you say that.”

  Anna didn’t want to think about the fact that he would eventually leave her and go back to St. Petersburg. She just wanted to enjoy what was going on here and now.

  Something brushed her hip and she looked down. “Again?” she asked with a smile.

  Peter grinned and shrugged. “Can’t help it,” he said, and captured her lips with his.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  The myriad of Nutcracker performances made the next month pass quicker than Anna would have expected. Anna spent Monday nights at Devin’s house. Her morning sickness showed up a few days before Christmas. Anna had woken up and ran to the bathroom before Peter realized what had happened. He wet a washcloth for her and rubbed her face and neck with it as she sat on the floor every morning.

  Peter flew to St. Petersburg the day after the Nutcracker closed. Anna found the apartment very lonely without Peter there, but resolved to not sink into another depression. She did
n’t want Peter to feel guilty for leaving. She could see it in his eyes that he didn’t want to leave. But Elder-Sons and grandsons, must perform their duties.

  The next day was what would have been Anna and Alex’s 3rd wedding anniversary. Anna couldn’t make herself get out of bed. She had put his picture on the bed next to her and stared at it, missing him so much she could hardly breathe.

  *****

  Anna attended a formal New Year’s Eve party with Devin and Tyler. Several of the Deacons were there as well, including Jayce and Trenton.

  “See, Anna,” Devin said as they danced together close to midnight. “You are much more useful to me when you have a stable relationship. Even with Peter gone, you are holding it together. You have been very pleasant to be around all evening, and have charmed the men I told you to charm.” He spun her around and then kissed her bare shoulder. “I like this version of you.”

  “What happens when Peter has to go home?” she asked quietly.

  Devin smiled. “Maybe you’ll come live with me,” he murmured in her ear. “With the kids all moved out, the house is rather empty. And I would love to have you in my bed every night.”

  Anna blinked and stared at his chest. Live with Devin? In his house? She didn’t know what to think about that and just hoped that Vitaly would never die.

  *****

  Most of the week that Peter was gone, Anna kept to herself. Jenna came over one afternoon and they hung out, but for the most part, Anna was content to be alone...aside from missing Peter. He had sent a text message letting her know he had arrived safely, but she hadn’t heard from him since. She didn’t really expect to, though; he was with his girlfriend. He had told their friends in the Company he was visiting his family.

  Friday morning, Anna met Peter at the airport and greeted him happily after he gathered his luggage.

  “Peter!” she exclaimed and ran to hug him. She had missed him more than she realized.

  “Hello, Anna,” he said with an affectionate smile.

  “Did you have a good trip?” she asked as they walked towards the car.

  “Yes. How was your week?”

  “Good. Not very interesting, but that’s okay.” She smiled up at him. He looked preoccupied. “Are you okay?”

  Peter nodded. “Tired. It’s a long flight.”

  He wasn’t very talkative as they drove back to the apartment, though he did say that he appreciated the warmer weather here. Anna wanted to ask about his seeing Dariya, but was hesitant. He wasn’t very forthcoming with information about her in general, and now that he was home from seeing her, seemed even less inclined to talk about her.

  Anna looked at him as he drove. “You’re growing your goatee out again?” He had shaved it off for Nutcracker. It was very thick already.

  Peter shrugged. “Dariya likes it.”

  “Oh.”

  Anna looked down and noticed a ring on his right ring finger that he hadn’t had before. Three colored gold bands were put together as one ring. Anna stared at it for a moment. “Did Dariya give that to you as a Christmas present?” she asked quietly with the premonition that it wasn’t just a Christmas present.

  Peter tightened his hand on the steering wheel and shrugged slightly. “Something like that,” he said softly after a moment.

  Something like that? What did that mean? Unless.... “Peter, did you get married?” she asked softy.

  His knuckles turned white. “Why do you have to be so observant, Anna?”

  Anna took that as a yes. She turned to look out the window and rubbed the back of her hand, determined to keep silent the rest of the way home. She didn’t want to upset him any further.

  She told herself it shouldn’t bother her. It’s not like Peter was ever going to marry her. Sooner or later, he would go back to Russia and get married. He just did the marrying thing sooner than she expected. It wouldn’t make any difference in how they related to one another. After all, their relationship wasn’t real.

  Neither of them spoke for the remainder of the drive. Anna was proud of herself for not crying. After all, what good would crying do? It’s not as if it should have been a surprise...really.

  Peter parked the car in their stall and they walked to their apartment together in silence. He reached for her hand and held it while they walked, but didn’t speak. When they got to the apartment door, he unlocked it and they both went inside. Anna went to sit on the couch while Peter unpacked.

  Anna didn’t know what to do. What would happen now? Why didn’t he tell her he was going to get married? Should she move out? No, Devin probably wouldn’t like that or allow it.

  She sighed and stared out the window. Why did she feel the need to be loved so much? Why couldn’t she be like the other Elder-Mistresses and not care about things like love and marriage?

  “Anna? Can we talk?” Peter asked a few minutes later, sitting down next to her.

  She forced a smile. “Sure.”

  Peter played with his ring. “She accused me of falling in love with you,” he said. “And said she didn’t believe me when I said that I would come back and marry her.”

  Anna shook her head. “Why would she think that? All this is just to keep me...sane.”

  “Because I did fall in love with you, Anna.”

  Anna looked at Peter in shock. “You...you can’t. Dariya...”

  “I couldn’t help it, Anna. I tried not to, but the more I got to know you....” He sighed. “You’re a difficult woman not to love.”

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

  He took her hand in his. “She told me if I didn’t marry her while I was there that she would end things. We’ve known each other since we were children. I couldn’t lose her.” His expression was pained. “She knows enough about the Brotherhood that she doesn’t complain about me being gone, as long as I visit her often.”

  “Doesn’t she mind you being here with me?”

  “Yes, but she knows it’s only temporary. She is a good choice for a wife, Anna. A proper wife is difficult to find.” He paused and looked at his hands. “If I thought I had any sort of chance to take you for a wife, I never would have married her. But Devin will never let you leave here, and I have to return to Russia sometime in the near future. Dedushka isn’t going to live forever and he’s...been sick lately.”

  “Does she know you...love me?”

  “I didn’t tell her in so many words, but I didn’t deny it when she accused me of it.”

  “She must hate me.”

  Peter laughed sadly. “I wouldn’t recommend meeting her in a dark alley.”

  Anna was quiet for a few minutes. “When did you get married?”

  “Monday. We flew to Gibraltar.”

  “Didn’t you have to go through the Elders? Germany is very strict about approvals and stuff.”

  Peter shook his head. “Germany is strict about everything. No, as long as Dedushka approves, that’s all that matters. It’s not as big a deal since I’m not next in line for Elder yet.”

  “Did you...get your piercings?” Anna bit her lip, but was curious.

  He nodded and then grinned. “You want to see them?”

  Anna had never had issues with sleeping with married men, but she felt awkward with Peter having been married less than a week ago. “Do you love her?”

  “I do.” He shrugged. “We’ve been together for so long, I suppose I couldn’t imagine my life without her.” He glanced at Anna. “But being with you these last few months has been....” He sighed. “I hate to imagine my life without you either, but we both know this can't last.”

  Anna nodded. “I know,” she said sadly.

  “I want to enjoy the time we do have together. I don’t want anything to change...if that’s possible.” He gave her a tender smile.

  “I don’t want anything to change either.”

  He leaned forward and kissed her. “I missed you,” he whispered.

  “I missed you too.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him ba
ck.

  He stood and tugged her to her feet. “Shall we see how you like my new jewelry?”

  *****

  Monday morning, Anna saw Peter staring at his wedding ring as he sat on the bed.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked, kneeling behind him and kissing the back of his neck.

  “I don’t know if I should wear this while I’m here. I don’t want there to be questions asked.” He turned to look at her. “I don’t want people to think badly of you.”

  “I don’t know if anyone would think of it as a wedding ring. We don't wear ours on our right hand.”

  “You do,” he pointed out.

  “I married a German. I had other rings...I don't know what happened to them.” She paused. “But, no one’s ever taken much notice of my ring.”

  “Would you be uncomfortable if I wore it?”

  “It doesn’t change anything if you wear it or not.”

  “That’s not an answer.”

  “Peter, it’s not my place to tell you to wear it or not. I’m only a slave.”

  Peter frowned. “You’re not a slave to me.” He cradled her cheek and kissed her. “I’m sorry I ever made you feel that way.”

  Anna smiled. “It’s okay. You don’t anymore.”

  “Good.” He kissed her again. “I’d like to make you feel something else,” he murmured against her lips and pushed her backwards onto the bed.

  “Did I mention I like your new jewelry?” she asked in a husky voice.

  “You did. Several times.” He laughed and kissed her neck. “I’ll have to make sure you tell me again tonight.”

  Anna reached her hand down. “Or now?”

  Peter groaned. “I wish we had time.” He sat up and pulled her with him. “But we need to get moving.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four