The Life of Anna, Part 3: Embraced (37 page)

“Alex.”

Alex jumped at the whisper. Seth stood over
him. He looked at his watch. It was three-thirty. “Fuck, why didn’t
you wake me earlier?” They were supposed to wake him at two-thirty
so they could pack up the SUVs.

“Relax, Alex. We loaded up already. We wanted
to let you sleep and have more time with Anna.”

Alex relaxed and his heart warmed. “Thanks,
Seth.”

“Take your time getting up. Everything’s
ready. All you need to do is take care of Anna.”

Gratitude filled him as Seth left the room.
He had such a great team of men.

He looked at Anna sleeping peacefully next to
him. Her face was fuller than it was when they married. He ran his
hand over her expanding belly and was overcome with emotion. His
eyes filled with tears as he thought about their future
together.

She was happy and healthy and safe. The baby
was healthy. He couldn’t ask for anything else. The baby would be
born at the end of the summer, near his birthday in August. He
couldn’t wait to hold the tiny bundle in his arms.

He debated if he should dress first and then
wake her or wake her before he got up. He didn’t want to leave her
presence any sooner than he had to. He leaned over to kiss her and
whispered her name.

*****

Anna slowly opened her eyes in the darkness.
It took her a moment to remember why Alex was waking her this early
in the morning. When she remembered, sadness enveloped her
heart.

“You have to get up?” she whispered.

Alex nodded. “The SUVs are packed though. The
guys took care of it already.”

Anna smiled as her heart warmed. “They’re
good guys.”

“
Ja
, they are.” He leaned over and
kissed her. “I need to get dressed.”

“Can I come?”

Alex chuckled. “Of course.”

Anna followed Alex into the dressing room and
closet area. She dressed in a t-shirt and sweats while Alex dressed
in black BDU pants and t-shirt and boots.

“You look very sexy in that,” she said.

“Do I?” He grinned and turned so she could
see all sides of him.

“Oh, yes,” she giggled.

He walked up and put his arms around her.
“Oh,
Schatzi
, I’m going to miss you terribly.”

“Me too,” she whispered. She tried to ignore
the dread in her heart as he held her.

They walked downstairs to where the guys were
hanging out in the great room. She looked at each of them, knowing
and caring for each one of them.

Aaron sat on the edge of one of the couches
near Seth. He looked up when she and Alex entered the room and gave
her a smile. She was thankful he was here and that she wouldn’t be
left in an empty house.

Frau Gersten had laid out drinks and
breakfast pastries, which were being eaten. She, of course, would
still be here, but Anna didn’t have much of a relationship with
her. She was always very polite and respectful, but not especially
warm.

Alex held her close as he ate and chatted
quietly with Sebastian and Erich. Anna leaned her head on his
chest, but didn’t eat. She wasn’t hungry. She just wanted to be
with Alex.

Alex ran his hands over her belly. He did
that a lot. She loved that he had embraced the baby
whole-heartedly.

The dread in her heart continued to grow as
time passed and too soon it was time for them to leave. She walked
with Alex to the entryway, hugged each of the men, and then
returned to Alex.

“I love you, Anna,” Alex said holding her
tight against his chest. “I will be with you in your heart while I
am gone.” He cradled her cheek and looked her in the eye. “I will
return to you,
Schatzi
.”

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she nodded.
“You better,” she said in a cracked whisper.

He smiled as tears filled his eyes. “You’ve
made me the happiest man, Anna. I am so proud to be your
husband.”

Anna’s smile wavered with her tears. “I love
you so much.”

Alex kissed her hard and held her so tight
she could hardly breathe.

He pulled slowly away, his lips lingering on
hers. She took his hands and kissed both his rings.

“
Ich liebe dich,”
she said in
halting German. She hoped she hadn’t butchered the words.

“Oh, Anna,” he said in a broken voice. “I
love you, too. So much.” His eyes showed how thrilled he was at her
attempt at his native language. He sighed and looked into her face
for a long moment. “I must go.”

Anna nodded, trying not to cry more than she
already was. She walked with Alex to the door. The other guys had
already gone outside.

Alex hugged her one last time and then
stepped away. “I will see you soon,
mein Schatzi
.”

Anna gave him a brave smile and a small nod.
He gave her one last loving look and then walked outside, closing
the door behind him.

She stepped to the window and watched as he
got into the front seat of the first SUV. He looked back and waved
at her. She waved back and the vehicles disappeared around the
curved road a moment later.

She stood there for a moment, staring out the
window at the empty spots on the street. Aaron came up behind her
and put his hands on her shoulders.

A sob escaped her throat and she fell to her
knees. Aaron knelt behind her and hugged her as she cried. When the
tears had subsided enough for her to be able to walk, he took her
up to her bedroom and held her until she fell asleep.

*****

Aaron once again watched Anna closely during
class. She was quiet, but seemed determined to dance as well as she
could. She was more focused today than she had been yesterday.
Maybe staying busy would help her not miss Alex so much.

Most of the other dancers were extra nice to
her. They liked Anna. She was sweet and kind.

Travis, Jenna and Aaron took her out to
lunch. She was quiet, but not overly upset. Aaron admired her
composure.

Anna ate her lunch for the sake of the baby.
She wasn’t hungry in the least. But the baby needed food. So she
ate.

Her heart ached for Alex. He’d been gone less
than twelve hours and it hurt so badly, knowing that he wouldn’t be
there when she got home tonight. Their home. The beautiful home
that Alex had bought her.

Aaron had offered to stay with her tonight
and she accepted. Her dreams had been troubled lately and she was
afraid of sleeping alone. She had terrible dreams of things
happening to Alex. What scared her most was that her dreams were
sometimes real and the thought of anything happening to Alex
terrified her. What would she do if something happened...?

No. It didn’t do any good for her to worry
about that. He would come home to her. He promised. She rested in
his promise.

Her phone ringing interrupted her thoughts.
It was Devin’s ring.

“Hello, Devin.”

“Hello, Baby. How are you doing?”

“Okay.”

“Did Alex leave?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry he was called away, Anna. I can
imagine how difficult it is for you.”

“Thank you, Devin,” she said in a quiet
voice, trying not to cry.

“I am having dinner with the Elders at the
hotel tomorrow night. I need you to be there. We’ll drive up to
Santa Rosa Friday morning.”

“Okay,” Anna said meekly. “What time do you
want me at the hotel?”

“Five.”

She would have to leave rehearsal early. “All
right. May I change at the hotel after rehearsal?”

“Of course. I’ll be at the hotel around two.
Tommy and Tyler are in town as well.”

“All right,” she said softly. “I’ll see you
tomorrow.”

She put the phone down on the table next to
her and looked up at her friends with a small smile. Tommy’s
presence would certainly help her feel better.

*****

Anna rode the bus up to the hotel after
leaving rehearsal early. Isaak hadn’t been happy about it, but knew
better than to question Devin. She’d ridden to the studio with
Aaron that morning.

She fiddled with her wedding rings as she
waited for her stop. She’d left her engagement ring at home,
thinking maybe Devin wouldn’t mind just the wedding bands. She
hoped he wouldn’t make her take them off. She felt connected to
Alex with them on.

The bus stopped in front of the hotel and she
wheeled her small suitcase into the hotel lobby and to the
elevators. Devin had texted her the hotel room number and she went
straight up to the suite.

She knocked on the door and Devin answered a
few moments later. He greeted her with a deep kiss and led her
inside.

Tom Pendleton sat on the couch, sipping a
drink. He smiled when he saw her and stood to greet her. “Hello,
Anna. How are you?”

“Good, thank you,” she replied. “You?”

“Much better now that you’re here.”

Anna giggled, which made him grin. “Tommy
will be happy to see you.”

Anna blushed. “I’m looking forward to seeing
him as well.”

“Anna,” Devin said. “Why don’t you shower and
get ready for dinner?”

“Excuse me,” she said to Tom, and turned and
followed Devin into the bedroom.

“You have something sexy to wear tonight?”
Devin asked as he showed her the bathroom.

Anna nodded and pulled out a purple empire
waist dress that was short and low cut. It hid her belly without
making her look too pregnant.

“Good. Hurry and get ready. Dinner is at
six-thirty.”

Anna showered quickly, styled her hair and
did her makeup in record time. She smiled, remembering how long it
used to take her to get ready.

“Anna!” Tommy exclaimed as she walked back
out to the living room, jumping up and walking quickly to her. He
embraced her tightly and kissed her passionately.

Anna gazed shyly into his excited blue eyes.
“Hi, Tommy.”

“God, you look incredible, Anna.” He glanced
down at her cleavage. “Really incredible.”

Anna blushed. “Thank you.”

“Did Devin make you get a boob job?” he asked
quietly.

“I...uh.” Devin had apparently not told him
she was pregnant. She glanced at Devin, who smiled and nodded. She
looked back at Tommy. “No. I’m...pregnant.”

Tommy’s jaw dropped open. “How...? But I
thought....”

Anna shrugged. “I’ve been told it happens
sometimes.”

She looked past Tommy to Devin, who was
watching them. Something in his eyes made her nervous and she
quickly looked back at Tommy. She wondered if she should mention
that she got married as well, but decided she should ask Devin
first.

“Hey, Anna.” Tyler walked up and grinned at
her.

“Hello, Tyler,” she said nervously. When he
had been home at Christmas, he had roughed her up and she was a
little afraid of him now.

He looked boldly at her breasts and grinned.
“Fuck, you do look good, Anna.” He reached out and trailed his
finger along the edge of her dress. “Very nice.”

She swallowed and gave him a timid smile.

Devin walked up and took her hand. “Time for
dinner.”

*****

The Elders and their Sons met downstairs in
the restaurant. They ate their long, succulent meal in a private
room. More than one of the younger men came up to Anna and caressed
her breasts. But they weren’t hurting her, so she really couldn’t
protest that much. If at all. She just had gotten used to being
treated a certain way and was uncomfortable with men other than
Devin or Alex touching her.

After dinner, Devin took her back to their
room.

“Undress, Anna,” he commanded.

Anna did as she was told and then stood in
front of Devin. He looked her over. He ran his hands over her
breasts and belly and smiled. “Beautiful,” he murmured. “Undress
me.”

Anna unbuttoned his shirt and pushed it off
his shoulders, then removed the rest of his clothing. She couldn’t
help the twinge of sadness, wishing she were with Alex instead of
Devin.

She saw a flash of anger in Devin’s eyes and
he grabbed her wrists, holding them tightly.

She winced. “Ow,” she whimpered. “Devin
you’re hurting me.”

He pulled her forward onto the bed and turned
her on her back. He held her hands above her head and leaned over
her. “Alex is not here. I am.” His eyes were black and cold. “Don’t
let your attention stray again.”

Anna tugged her arms to try and free herself,
but he held her firmly in his grip.

“Yes, Devin,” she whispered, blinking away
tears. Would he hurt her? He wasn’t supposed to, but didn’t think
it was a good idea to remind him.

He leaned down and kissed her neck and
caressed her breasts with one hand. He held her hands with the
other one. She whimpered as he twisted her nipple.

“You’ve gone soft, Anna,” he murmured against
her breast. He nudged her legs apart and thrust inside her with one
swift movement.

“Aack!” she cried out as he forced his way
into her body. “Please, Devin. That hurts.”

He gave her a wicked grin and thrust hard
while holding her hands. She wiggled, trying to get away from the
pain. She hadn’t been hurt in a long time and she wasn’t used to it
anymore.

She struggled against his grip and tried to
get her knee in between their bodies. “No, Devin. Please don’t.”
She was afraid he would hurt the baby. The thought made her
indignant and her eyes flashed with anger. “No! I am an
Elder-Mistress,” she said in a commanding tone. “You are to treat
me with respect.”

Devin narrowed his eyes and slapped her
across the face. “Don’t you dare take an arrogant tone with me,
bitch.”

She cried out when he hit her and couldn’t
stop the tears from rolling down her cheeks. She used all her
strength to fight against him, using her legs especially. She
managed to get her knee up and pushed him off enough that she could
scramble off the bed, but he caught her before she got more than a
step away.

She screamed as he pulled her back in bed by
her hair and pushed her face down onto the bed. He held down her
upper body and she felt him press his cock between her ass
cheeks.