“Who’s Aaron?”
“A dancer. I danced with him in my last performance.”
Devin smiled. “You don’t need to ask permission to go places, Anna. I will talk to Alex about getting a calendar set up for you so you know when we need you. Aside from that, do as you wish.”
“Really?”
“Of course, Baby.”
She gave him a bright smile. “Thank you.”
He kissed her again. “I’ll see you Wednesday night. I’ll pick you up at your apartment.”
“Okay.” She gave him a last smile and got out of the car, wincing slightly. As she walked up to the front door of Alex’s house, butterflies started fluttering in her stomach.
*****
Devin watched Anna walk towards the house and then drove away. It was easy to lie to her. She ate up anything that was remotely affectionate.
He’d enjoyed every minute of hurting her this afternoon. Pulling on her new piercings, fucking her hard and using his spikes had made her whimper and cry out. Even now, the thoughts of her whimpers made his cock twitch.
He was careful not to leave bruises, though. Alex would certainly fuck her tonight and Devin didn’t want questions raised. He had to play the nice guy until he got rid of him.
*****
Frau Gersten opened the door and told Anna that Alex and Wilhelm were waiting for her in the living room. Anna walked into the room and smiled when she saw Alex and Wilhelm, both sitting on the plush couches, reading. They looked up as she appeared in the doorway. Alex stood as she stepped down into the room, walking over to her.
“Anna, are you all right?” he asked.
She nodded, realizing she must have winced in discomfort. She tried to play it down. “Tired.”
“Are your piercings still bothering you?”
“A little, but I’ll be okay.” She gave him a bright smile.
“I’m glad you’re here.”
She gazed up into his blue eyes. “Me, too.”
He cradled her cheek and she closed her eyes and leaned into his hand. Why did she feel safe around him? His warmth radiated out from him and she longed to rest her head against his chest.
He pulled away slowly and she opened her eyes, confused. Why was he backing away from her?
“Are you hungry?”
Anna nodded. She hadn’t eaten since breakfast.
“Gut. We have reservations in an hour.”
She looked down at her shorts and T-shirt. “I don’t have anything to wear.”
“I got you a dress to wear. It’s upstairs.”
She gave a nervous smile. “Thank you.”
Wilhelm walked over and kissed her cheek. “Hello, Anna.”
“Hi, Wilhelm.” His affectionate smile warmed her.
She looked around. “Where’s Kurt?”
Wilhelm’s face turned sad. “He had to return to Frankfurt this afternoon. Gretchen, his wife, is in the hospital.”
Anna blinked. “Oh.” She hadn’t totally forgotten about Kurt, but with all that had happened, thoughts of him had been pushed to the back of her mind. She had been looking forward to seeing him again.
“He said to tell you goodbye for him and that he hoped to see you soon,” Alex said stiffly.
Anna looked up at him, wondering about his changed demeanor. She gave him a hesitant smile. “Thank you.”
“I’ll take you upstairs so you can get ready.”
*****
Alex walked back into the living room after getting Anna situated in one of the guest rooms. The look of disappointment on her face when she realized Kurt was gone haunted him.
Vati looked up. “Are you all right?”
Alex frowned and sat down. “She was disappointed that Kurt was gone.”
Vati’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “She spent quite a bit of time with him last week. It’s natural for her to be disappointed.” Alex let out a soft growl and Vati chuckled. “You needn’t be jealous, Alex. I saw the way she looked at you when she walked in. She likes you.”
“More than Kurt?”
“She doesn’t know you very well, but I believe you will change that.”
“I’m going to encourage Aaron to ask her out,” Alex said quietly after a few minutes of thoughtful silence.
“Why?”
“Because she needs to experience life. She’s never even been on a date.”
“So take her on one.”
Alex shook his head. “I want to, Vati. But if I ask her out now, I’ll never know if she’s with me because she wants to be or because she feels like she has to be.” He paused. “I wouldn’t make love to her this morning either. I want her to know that—”
“You didn’t make love to her?”
“I bonded with her at the ritual. Isn’t that enough?”
“Why don’t you want to be with her?” Vati sounded irritated.
“I do, but I want her to know I’m different. That I’m making love to her, not just fucking her.”
“You need to be with her, Alex. It will solidify your bond with her. Until you do, she may not have confidence in her connection to you.”
Many of the Brotherhood’s rituals revolved around sex. All types of sex. Alex didn’t mind. He liked sex. “I want her to know the difference,” he said softly.
Vati frowned, but didn’t say anything. Alex could tell he was upset. But how could he have sex with Anna and still differentiate himself from the other men?
“I want it to be different, Vati,” Alex repeated, running his hands through his hair. He was quiet for a few minutes. “I don’t know what else to do. I don’t know how else to be sure of her feelings for me. To be sure that she knows I’m different.”
“You are different, Alex. She will learn that in time.”
“I don’t want her to get hurt.”
“Part of being alive is getting hurt, Alex.”
Alex glared at his father. “Don’t you think she’s been hurt enough?”
Vati didn’t answer right away. “Yes, Alex. She has. But avoiding her and encouraging her into a relationship that cannot last is not going to keep her from getting hurt.”
“Then what else should I do?”
“I don’t know, son. I wish I did.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Anna sat down on the bed, holding the program from the ballet. She should call Jenna and see if they could go shopping sometime soon.
She put the number into her phone and then hit send. It rang once...twice...three times.... “Hello?”
“Jenna? It’s Anna.”
“Anna? Omigosh! You called! I’m so happy!” she exclaimed. “You have a phone now?”
Anna smiled. “I do.”
“Yay. So, did you get things figured out after moving out of Jack’s place?”
“Yes. At least I think so."
“So where are you living?”
Anna hesitated. “I guess I have an apartment downtown.”
“You guess? You don’t know?”
“I haven’t seen it.”
“You haven’t seen your apartment? Anna, you’re not making any sense.”
Anna sighed. “It’s...really complicated.”
“Okay...but, you’re not with Jack anymore?”
“No.”
“Good. So, when can we hang out?”
Anna laughed softly at Jenna’s eagerness. It was nice to be wanted. “I need to find a cocktail dress for something on Wednesday. Could you help me find one?”
“Shopping? Hell, yeah! How about tomorrow?”
“That would be great.”
“Cool. Are you going to Aaron’s party? He was asking if I’d heard from you this morning.”
Anna smiled. “Really?”
“I think he likes you, Anna. He kept talking about how pretty you looked on Saturday.”
“Aaron wouldn’t feel that way about me. I’m his ‘Little Giselle’ remember?”
Jenna laughed. “He’s aware that his ‘Little Giselle’ is all grown up no
w. Very aware.”
Anna shook her head. “I don’t think I'm really his type, Jenna.” Besides, she needed to be available for Alex and Devin.
"Why not? You've turned into a sexy woman. Guys will be tripping over themselves to ask you out. I mean, Kurt's a cool guy and all, but he's married. You shouldn't pin your hopes on a married guy, even if he is one of the hottest guys in town."
“He left to go back to Frankfurt this afternoon.”
“Oh. Well, then you’ve gotta come to the party and meet the guys.”
Anna reminded herself that Jenna didn’t know about what had gone on in Anna’s life the last few years. The last thing she needed was a bunch of guys to be around. But, at the same time, going to a party with Jenna sounded like fun. “I’ll come.”
“Cool! You should call Aaron and tell him.”
“Can't you tell him?”
“He gave you his number and invited you himself. You should call and let him know that you’re coming.”
Anna couldn’t argue with Jenna’s logic. “Okay.”
“What time do you want to go shopping tomorrow? The party’s at seven.”
“How long do we need?”
“Who knows? I could spend the whole day shopping. Call me in the morning and we’ll figure out what to do.”
“All right. Sounds good.”
They said good-bye and Anna hung up. She stared at the program with Aaron’s number on it. He had nice handwriting.
*****
Aaron sat on the floor in his dressing room, stretching for the matinee of Sleeping Beauty. His thoughts inevitably strayed to Anna, as they had been doing constantly since he’d seen her backstage last week. She had been pretty when she was twelve; she was gorgeous now. His Little Giselle, all grown up.
She’d been such a sweet girl when he knew her before. Big green eyes that sparkled when she danced. He would forget that she was only twelve sometimes; she was such a mature, amazing dancer. She did things he’d only seen Russian ballerinas do.
After the initial shock of being told he, the best dancer in his class, was dancing with a twelve-year-old, he looked forward to every rehearsal. Dancing with Anna was like dancing with an angel. He'd had to remind himself he was just acting when he flirted and declared his love for her in dance.
He never would have admitted it at the time, but he’d developed a little crush on her. Nothing inappropriate; he just loved dancing with her and she was so sweet he’d wished they were closer in age.
And now she was older. And prettier than ever.
Aaron sighed. He’d been hoping to hear from her this week about coming to the party tomorrow night.
Unexpectedly, his phone rang. “Hello?”
“Aaron, it’s Anna.”
Aaron’s heart leapt in his chest. “Anna! Hi, how are you?” He tried to suppress his grin but failed miserably.
“I’m fine. Are you busy?”
“Just stretching before the evening performance.” He needed to get out there soon, but he had a few minutes.
“Oh, I don't want to bother you-”
“I’m glad you called, Anna,” he interrupted. “I'd let you know if I couldn't talk. So, to what do I owe the honor of your phone call?”
“I was calling to let you know I could come to your party tomorrow night.”
His heart skipped a beat. “Really? That's awesome! D'ya need me to pick you up or anything?”
“No, I...I think I have a car.”
“You think?” How could she not know if she had a car or not?
There was a pause. “It’s a long story.”
“Okay, I'll text you my address. It starts at seven, but you can come any time. It's all really informal.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” she said, sounding sincere.
“Me, too,” he said, his voice soft.
There was a pause and Aaron chewed the inside of his cheek. Had he been too forward? Alex had said she scared easily. Shit. That was the last thing he wanted to do.
“I should let you go so you can get ready.”
Aaron swallowed back the disappointment and let out a strained laugh. “Okay. I guess I'll see you tomorrow.”
“Sounds wonderful, Aaron. Break a leg.”
He smiled at the artistic way of saying good luck. “Thanks.”
He dropped the phone back into his bag. She had said, “Sounds wonderful.” And it sounded like she meant it. He grinned again. Maybe he hadn’t been too forward.
*****
Wilhelm watched his oldest son fidget with the small boxes he held in his lap as they waited for Anna to come downstairs. He hadn't seen Alex nervous about a woman in a very, very long time.
She smiled shyly at the two men as she walked into the room. The green silk dress that Alex had picked out for her fit perfectly.
“You look very pretty, Anna,” Wilhelm said, standing and walking over to her. He kissed her cheek and inhaled as he did so. She smelled heavenly. He might admit to himself that he was in danger of falling in love with Anna as much as his sons, but was, at the moment, keeping his feelings at bay. Knowing that he, as an Elder, had the right to bed her tempted him even more, but he wouldn't do that to Alex.
Alex walked over and gave Anna an affectionate smile. “You really do look beautiful, Anna,” he said in a soft voice. He, too, kissed her cheek.
Wilhelm could see Anna's eyes close as Alex kissed her, and knew she felt about Alex the same way Alex did about her. It would be an interesting evening.
Alex took Anna's hand and led her to the couch. “Come. I have something for you.”
They sat next to each other and Wilhelm sat nearby.
“How are you feeling, Liebling?” Wilhelm asked when she winced as she sat.
“Better, thank you,” she said with a smile that went straight to his heart. He would miss her terribly when he left in the morning.
Alex turned to Anna and opened the jewelry box he had been holding. Inside was a bracelet made of linked diamond circles. Each link consisted of a small cluster of white diamonds surrounded by a circle of black diamonds, linked together by another, larger black diamond. On either side of the clasp was a small silver disc with an etching of a double-tailed lion holding a sword, like the one on his own ring.
Alex pulled it out and handed it to Anna. “Do you like it? The black gems are black diamonds.”
She took it from him and looked at it closely. She looked up at Alex, clearly confused. “It's very pretty,” she said, looking apprehensive.
Alex took it from her hands and fastened the clasp around her right wrist. “This tells people that you belong to me.” He pointed to the etched discs. “This is my family crest.” He held up his right hand and showed her his signet ring. It was like Wilhelm's, except that every other diamond was black, making a black and white circle around the lion. “The black diamonds are specifically representative of me.”
She looked down at the bracelet and back at Alex’s face. “It's my mark from you?” she asked.
Alex cupped her cheek and looked at her with love in his eyes. “Yes. And it means that I can, and will, protect you,” he added softly. “Anna, please, unless you have a very good reason, don't take this off. It is nice enough to wear at formal events and speaks much louder than your necklace does. The black is...it means something very significant. Even if Devin gives someone permission to...hurt you, if they see that, they will think twice.”
“Why?”
Wilhelm wondered if Alex would tell her the nature of his position in the Brotherhood.
Alex shook his head. “Now is not the time to talk about it. I will tell you sometime. Just not now.”
She studied his eyes for a moment, then nodded. “I won't take it off,” she promised.
Alex was pleased. “Good girl.”
Anna beamed at his words. It amazed Wilhelm how much a simple word of praise lit up her entire face.
Alex grinned and handed her the other package, a flat, rectangular box wrappe
d in white paper with a pink ribbon. She stared at it for a moment, hesitant to open it.
She looked up at Alex nervously and he gave her a gentle smile. “Consider it a late birthday present.”
She blinked back tears and stared at the present. “I haven't had a birthday present since I turned sixteen,” she said in such a soft voice Wilhelm wasn't certain he'd heard correctly. She stared at it a moment more, lips pressed together, and then timidly pulled at the ribbon. It came loose and fell into her lap. She turned it over to slide her finger under the taped paper and pushed it aside to reveal a brown box with a picture of something that looked like Wilhelm's tablet.
“What's a Kindle?” she asked, studying the box.
Alex chuckled. “An e-reader.”
“E-reader? Like, books?” Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she gazed at Alex.
He grinned and nodded. “Yes. An entire library at your disposal. Kurt said you mentioned that you liked to read.”
Wilhelm chuckled softly. That was putting it mildly. Kurt had teased Alex mercilessly about Anna saying she read for fun. Alex was also an avid reader.
Anna clapped her hands over her mouth, blinking rapidly. “An entire library...?”
“Well, any book that is available electronically.” Alex chuckled, obviously thrilled that Anna was pleased. “It's set up with an account, so you just tap on the book you want, it will download onto the tablet, and you can read it within seconds.” He pulled it out of the box and turned it on. He tapped on the screen several times and showed her how it worked.
“Oh, Alex!” Anna launched herself into his arms and hugged him tight.
Wilhelm laughed. “Apparently the way to Anna's heart is through a good book.”
Alex held her briefly and then took a deep breath and gently sat her back on the couch. Anna's expression fell as he did so. She likely could sense the wall Alex was erecting again between them.
“Shall we go?” Alex said in a strained voice.
Anna nodded and Wilhelm gave Alex a disapproving look as they stood. He was giving her mixed signals. Alex returned the look with a “what else do you suggest?” expression.
CHAPTER NINE
Wilhelm smiled as Anna laughed at a silly joke Alex had just told her. He loved how easily she laughed. Her sweetness was such a refreshing change from other women he knew.
The Life of Anna, Part 2: Entwined Page 7