The Life of Anna, Part 5: Emerged (37 page)

“I’m going to deal with Jasmine.” Her eyes
widened and he felt her fear again. “Anna, she’s threatened you. I
won't allow her to do that.”

“What did she do?”

“She threatened to call Devin.”

Anna gasped and looked at Jasmine, eyes
filling with tears. “Why would you do that?” she asked, truly
bewildered. Her tone made Alex even more adamant about making sure
Jasmine didn’t talk to Devin.

Alex tried to guide Anna back to her seat,
but she turned and glared at him. “You can't seriously think I’m
okay with you going anywhere alone with her.”

“I’m not going alone. My men will come.”

Her eyes narrowed and she crossed her arms.
Alex’s brows raised at this new, defiant Anna. It was kinda sexy
and he grinned, which made her frown. He stopped smiling, though
his heart still pounded with desire for her. That lower lip
sticking out like that....

He shook his head slightly and gave her a
firm look. “Anna, I don’t want you to see what happens.”

Her brows arched. “What are you going to do?
Sleep with her?”

“What? No, of course not.” He glanced over
and saw Aaron watching him, an amused look on his face.

“I warned you she was stubborn,” he said with
a laugh.

“Anna, please trust me....” He trailed off
when her brows raised even higher. Okay, that probably wasn’t the
best choice of words, but she didn’t need to see him reprogramming
Jasmine’s mind. At least, that was his plan, if Sebastian would
help. Since he wasn’t an Elder yet, he couldn’t do a lot of things
without Sebastian’s help. If Sebastian refused, he would just wait
until Vati arrived tomorrow. Vati would take care of it.

He looked around, realizing that they were
being watched. After having just kissed Anna, it probably wasn’t a
good idea to go off with Jasmine, even if he had absolutely no
intention of doing anything except removing a threat. He ran his
hands through his hair and looked down at Anna, who was looking at
him with a defiant expectation in her eyes. He liked this new Anna,
but was careful to keep his face impassive. “All right. Fine. Do
you want dessert first?”

Anna stared up at Alex in surprise. He’d
given in to her? Well, good. He should have. There was no way in
hell she was letting Jasmine near him alone.

“Anna, do you want dessert?”

She had been looking forward to dessert, but
had lost her appetite when she’d seen Jasmine touching Alex.
“Yes...I guess so.”

Alex grinned at her and then looked to his
men and said something in German. Seth leaned down to say something
quietly to Jasmine and her eyes widened and he helped her to her
feet. When they had gone, Alex took Anna to Jasmine’s place and sat
down.

“What was that about?” Lara asked.

Alex’s face turned firm. “She threatened
Anna, er Katrina. I won't stand for that.”

Lara’s eyes widened and then she smiled. “I
figured her apology was full of shit.” She shook her head and
looked between Anna and Alex. “So, you two are really married?”

Anna glanced up at Alex, who was looking at
her carefully. “Is it okay if they know?”

“It’s a little late for that,” she said with
a smile, her heart swelling with affection for him. “It’s
not...dangerous, is it?”

Alex shook his head. “Sebastian’s reinforced
Tom’s protections, and I can protect you.” His eyes grew firm. “I
will protect you,” he added in a soft voice and then looked at
Lara. “
Ja
, this is my wife.” He put his arm back around
Anna’s shoulders. “I went on a business trip and there was an
accident. She was told I was dead.”

“But you’ve been here for a few months,
though,” Lara asked. “Haven’t you?”

Alex nodded. “And I had my reasons for doing
what I did, which I am not at liberty to discuss. But I have spoken
to Anna about them.” He gave Anna a tender smile. “We will work
through those issues.”

“So, should we start calling you Anna, now?”
Lara asked with a smile.

Anna shook her head. “At least, I don’t think
so.”

Alex shook his head. “Please continue to call
her Katrina. I will try and remember too,” he added with a
smile.

Dessert arrived and the conversation moved to
other subjects. Anna glanced at Hugo, who gave her a sad smile. Her
heart ached for him, but she couldn’t deny the fact that she felt
like she was where she was supposed to be. With Alex.

To everyone’s surprise, Alex insisted on
paying the massive dinner bill. “I am so happy that Anna has good
friends around her,” he said. “It is the least I can do.”

“You gonna throw some parties?” Aaron asked,
leaning back in his chair and grinning.

Alex grinned. “Maybe, but not like our old
ones.” He looked at Anna. “Perhaps a wedding reception? We never
got to have ours.”

Anna sighed. “That’s true.” They’d begun
planning it before Alex left, but it never happened.

“
Kommen Sie
,” Alex said softly,
helping Anna to her feet. “Let me show you the home I purchased for
us.” He caressed her cheek. “I don’t expect you to stay with me,
but I would love for you to see it.”

Anna’s heart fluttered at his touch. And his
understanding. “I’d like that.”

They said their good-byes and headed towards
the exit. Alex had promised Aaron he’d not have her out too late,
to which Aaron told him that maybe he should.

Anna curled up next to Alex in the back of
the town car, resting her head on his chest and sighing. She traced
his fingers on his right hand, running her finger over his wedding
ring. “You still wear it,” she commented, feeling guilty that she’d
taken hers off.

“Hugo is a good man, Anna. I understand why
you removed yours. But,” he took a deep breath. “I hope you will be
willing to put it back on someday in the near future.” He cupped
her chin and brought her face up. “But only when you are ready. I
don’t want you to feel obligated.”

“Your father told me that if I...didn’t want
to be with you, that he would permit a divorce.”

“
Ja
, I know. I asked him to.”

Anna gasped. “You did?”

“
Schatzi
, love forced is not love at
all. I spoke to him and told him that you needed to know that you
were totally free to choose me. To choose us. You needed to know
you could walk away. Then, and only then, would I know that you
truly wanted to be with me.”

“But you are still my Master,” Anna said
softly.

“
Ja
, Anna. I am. But, unless your
life is in danger, I will not command you to do anything. I give
you my word.”

Silence filled the car for a few minutes as
Anna continued to trace his ring. “Did you...I mean, is there a way
for me to be free?”

She heard his heartbeat increase and he took
a deep breath. “I believe so,” he said softly. “It’s never been
done before, but Sebastian believes it will work.”

“What is it?” She tensed, afraid of what it
involved.

“To simply not perform the final ritual. I
could perform it, but then you would be permanently bonded as a
slave to me. You would be my mindless slave instead of Devin’s. I
don’t want that. I want you free.”

“But your father said I would always belong
to him.”

Alex sighed. “It’s true, to an extent. Your
father gave you to him. But that is a different gift. Devin forced
you to be his slave, and I did as well. To prevent him from totally
controlling you. Those bonds, we believe, will dissolve once your
birthday passes and no final ritual is performed. You were given to
Vati as an Elder-Mistress, not as a slave.”

“Can that be undone?”

Alex hesitated. “
Nein
, but Vati and
I spoke extensively, and agreed that if you do not want to continue
to be an Elder-Mistress, we would not use you as such. Technically,
you still would be, but just...unused in that manner.”

“So you just hide me away until after my
birthday?”

“
Nein
. I must confront Devin. I
must...demonstrate before the Elders that I am more powerful than
he so that my decisions are not contested.”

“You’re really going to confront him?”

“I must.”

“He’s so powerful, though.”

“Not as he was when you were with him. And I
have the element of surprise in my favor. He believes I am still in
St. Petersburg. Neither Vlad nor Peter will tell him
different.”

“So...when do you have to confront him?”

“It can be done any time before your
birthday, but we have chosen a time.” His voice lowered and he
became very somber.

“When?” she whispered.

“At Tyler’s funeral.”

“Tyler?” Anna exclaimed. “But Tyler’s
not....” She trailed off. “You’re going to kill him?”

“He is my last target.”

“Oh.” Anna shuddered. “When?”

“The first week in November.”

“And sometime between now and then, you’re
going to...take care of Oscar?” she asked in a quiet voice.

“
Ja
.”

“Oh.” Anna’s mind felt a little numb. To hear
him speak of killing people was so...he was so dangerous. It was a
little frightening.

“Anna, I know what Oscar did to you. The
night Devin killed you.”

She inhaled a shaky breath, horrible memories
flooding her mind.

“I know what the Sons did to you, that’s why
they’re included on my list.”

Anna blinked back tears, emotions threatening
to overwhelm her. Alex was the only person who could truly protect
her. Could truly avenge her. Could truly confront Devin and
win.

“Devin will suffer,
Schatzi
, for
what he did to you. I promise you. If Jack were alive, he would be
right there next to him.” Alex gave a small smile. “But you already
avenged yourself on him.” He cradled her cheek and kissed her
gently. “You are a strong woman Anna. A woman worthy of an
Elder.”

“I’ve never felt strong before,” she
whispered, gazing into his eyes.

“That’s because Devin never wanted you to. He
beat you down so that you would not know the strength inside you. I
admire your strength.” He grinned. “I liked that you stood up to me
tonight.”

Anna’s eyes widened. “You did?”

He nodded. “It was very sexy.”

Anna let out a giggle and Alex’s grin
broadened. “My favorite sound.” He brought his face close to hers.
“I love you,
Schatzi
. I loved you when you were young and
scared. I love you still, now that you are older and strong. You
are the most beautiful woman in the world. Both inside and
out.”

His lips caressed hers lightly and Anna slid
her hand up his hard chest and around his neck. He traced the
outline of her lips with his tongue before slipping between her
parted teeth. She let out a soft moan and his kiss deepened. He
held her tightly against him and she could feel his desire; it
matched her own. When he pulled away, as the car stopped in front
of his building, her lips were swollen.

She traced his cheekbones and ran her
fingertips over his smooth cheeks with a smile. “I like that you
shaved.”

“I thought you might,” he kissed her gently
and then stepped out through the open door, extending his hand to
assist her. “
Kom mit mir, mein Liebe
.”

They rode in the elevator up to the top
floor. Anna looked at him for a moment in the reflection of the
elevator doors and then reached up, wrapping her arms around his
neck. “Kiss me again,” she whispered.

He grinned and did so. She barely heard the
elevator ding and didn't register it had stopped until he picked
her up and carried her to a door set in an angled wall. “Is it all
right if I carry you in?” he murmured against her lips.

She wrapped her arms tighter around his neck
and nodded. She didn’t want to be put down, she didn’t want to
leave his arms. She wanted...she wanted him to make love to her.
She looked up into his face as he opened the door and walked into a
circular entry hall.

He smiled and moved to put her onto her feet
but she shook her head. He raised his brows, questions in his
eyes.

She cradled his cheek and leaned up to kiss
him. “Make love to me,” she whispered.

He stared at her for a moment, studying her
eyes, and then nodded. She saw in his eyes that he understood. She
needed to be with him. Needed to reestablish their bond. She was
his wife, and there was no one in the world who could take his
place. She may have loved other men while he was gone, but he had
her heart and always would.

Their lovemaking was long and sweet and earth
shattering. Alex gazed into her eyes as he joined his body with
hers. The sensation of him inside her, filling her, without the
barrier of the condom he’d used as Mr. J. brought tears to her
eyes.

“You are mine,” he whispered. “I have taken
your body as you have given it to me.” He wiped away the tears that
slid down her cheeks and smiled gently. “We are husband and wife.
Nothing can separate us.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck as he
began to move. His piercings rubbed her in just the right way and
she moaned loudly. He kissed her deeply and then murmured in
German. Her head spun as a powerful orgasm began deep inside
her.

Her eyes closed as she felt herself melding
with him, as they had on their wedding day. Their souls touched
once more, renewing the bond between them, stronger now because
Anna was a stronger woman than before. She felt his strength wrap
around her like a shield and it was a welcome sensation.

They were one once again.

Alex gazed tenderly at his beloved wife, his
treasure, sleeping peacefully in his bed. He ran his hand down her
exposed arm, marveling at how soft her skin was. He caressed her
flushed cheek and smoothed her hair back from her face.

Making love to her had not been expected, but
had been oh-so welcome. He felt whole again. For the first time in
a long time, he felt like himself. His whole self. They completed
each other. It was as simple as that.