“Thank you,” she whispered.
Moments later, the door opened and closed. She sat up and took off the blindfold. In her hand was a pink rose. On the nightstand was a single red rose that looked a little crushed, next to a plate of strawberry stems.
Anna yawned and looked at the clock. She’d arrived almost two hours ago. She turned out the lights and went to sleep with a smile on her face.
*****
Anna woke late the next morning. She smiled, remembering the previous night, though the knowledge that all this would end soon saddened her. But at least she knew it would end and could prepare for it.
She showered, dressed and ate lunch before allowing the car to take her to the library, her mind full the entire time with thoughts of Mr. J.
She saw Max at the information desk and went to say hi.
“Did you enjoy the roses last week?” he asked with a grin.
“You knew?” she exclaimed.
“Of course. I wouldn’t let just anyone throw flowers around my library.”
Anna laughed. “Well, good thing because it would be difficult to walk around here if there were roses all over the place.”
“Yes, but it would smell good.”
Anna nodded in agreement.
“Have you found today's roses yet?”
She shook her head.
He grinned and winked at her. “Then go. Enjoy yourself.”
The roses were placed in much the same manner as they were the previous week, but this time leading to The Phantom of the Opera, a biography of Marius Petipa, and a book on the Paris Opera Ballet. Anna noticed a French theme and she practically hit herself when she remembered the French restaurant and hotel. Her heart warmed when she realized how much thought he had put into her evening and felt the delight building up in her as she wondered what he would do next time.
Chapter Twenty-One
Tom called her on Tuesday to let her know that the Summer Gathering was in a week and a half. The same weekend that the Company was going out of town.
“You need to stay in the apartment while Devin is so close, Anna. Do you understand? You can’t go out, not even on your terrace.”
“But I have....” She sighed. “I have something I do on the weekends.”
“I’m sorry, Anna. I won’t let you put yourself in danger. If I have to have someone stay with you to make sure you don't leave, I will.”
“All right, fine. I’ll stay inside.” No matter how badly she wanted to see Mr. J., she didn’t want Devin to find her.
“He’ll be arriving in DC next Thursday and leaving the following Thursday. He might even be coming here to the city. You must stay inside until I call you and tell you he’s gone.”
“I’ll miss rehearsals.”
“I will talk to Vincent, Anna. My power to protect you is growing weak. I need you to please do as I ask.” The urgency in his voice made her realize how serious he was.
“I will stay inside until you say it’s all right to leave. I promise, Tom.”
“Thank you, Anna.”
“Is he...getting weaker?”
“Yes. And he’s not happy about it. I have a feeling this will not be a pleasant weekend.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’d rather this be an unpleasant weekend for me than for you.” He sighed. “Thank you for understanding, Anna. You doing this will take a load off of my mind.”
*****
Saturday night, she, Aaron and Cameron went out for Moroccan food, a theater showing of the movie “Casablanca,” and then Anna was taken to the Hotel Casablanca, all courtesy of her mystery man. Anna was sure to tell Mr. J. how much she enjoyed the themes he picked out, and he seemed to appreciate her thanks. After a wonderful evening of lovemaking and a peaceful night’s sleep, she visited the library and followed Mr. J.’s roses to a travel book on Morocco and two other biography-type books about the country. Anna couldn’t wait to get home and read them.
She had told Simon when he called to make the arrangements for the weekend that she wasn’t allowed to leave the apartment the following weekend. Simon said Mr. J. would be disappointed, but would understand. But when Anna looked at the calendar for the following weekend, she realized it was Alex’s birthday. If she didn’t go to see Mr. J., it would be two weekends of not being with him. Would he lose interest if she didn’t go? Would he think she had lost interest? But she didn’t think she could bring herself to go have sex with someone on Alex’s birthday. She’d rather stay home alone and think about him.
Sunday afternoon she gathered up the courage to call Simon.
“Hello, Katrina. How are you?”
“Bored,” she laughed. “Being stuck in here kinda sucks.”
Simon laughed. “Is that why you called me?”
“No, although it is nice to talk to somebody. I...needed to tell you that I’m not available to go out next Saturday.”
“Oh?” He sounded wary. “May I ask why?”
Anna hesitated. She had made up her mind, but now was having doubts. “I was married when I was twenty and my husband died just a few months into our marriage.” She paused. “Saturday would have been his thirty-third birthday and...I don't think I’d be good company that night. I’m sorry,” she added quickly.
“I see.” There was a long pause and Anna started feeling a little queasy. “Have you eaten dinner?”
“What?”
“I asked if you had eaten dinner.”
“No.” What a strange question.
“Good. Don’t. I’ll talk to you soon.” He ended the call and Anna frowned. What was that about?
She found out half an hour later when there was a knock on the door. The doorman stood there with two paper bags that smelled amazing and a bunch of pink roses. A grin spread across her face as she took the roses and the bags. “Thank you.”
She put the bags on the kitchen table and pulled out an Italian dinner, complete with breadsticks and salad. In the second bag was a box of chocolate covered strawberries with a note that read, “Think of me when you eat these.” Like she could think of anything else when she was eating chocolate covered strawberries. There were also two DVDs: Pride and Prejudice and An Affair to Remember. Anna’s heart beat when she saw the second movie. Was he trying to tell her something? Was he engaged as well? Is that why he had to keep things hidden?
No, she told herself. It was just a classic romantic movie. They’d only been together for physical enjoyment, right? Although he treated her romantically, he barely knew her. Some guys were just romantic-types.
“Don’t over-think it, Anna,” she told herself and went to put Pride and Prejudice in the DVD player while she ate.
*****
Aaron and the rest of the company returned home on Monday afternoon.
“Where’d all this come from?” he asked, pointing to the empty containers from the previous night.
“Mr. J. sent them over.”
He grinned at her. “I think someone likes you.”
Anna rolled her eyes. “We’ve spent three nights together. And he’s never spoken to me.”
“Maybe not with words, but he certainly has with his actions.”
“I’ve been told he is a very good man.” She shrugged. “Maybe he treats all his lovers like this.”
“He has multiple lovers?”
She shrugged again. “I wouldn’t be surprised. He’s very...virile.” She blushed.
“Is that code for ‘has a big schlong’?”
Anna laughed. “Maybe. But I can’t imagine him being happy with sex just once a week.”
“I dunno, Anna. You are that good.”
“But he doesn’t let me do anything. He does it all. I’m not allowed to touch him.” She realized what he had said. “Thanks.”
“Well, then. I’d just go with it. Does it matter if he fucks other women?” Aaron threw away the empty containers and rooted through the fridge.
The thought of him being with someone else made her
cringe, but it wasn’t like she had a right to demand anything else. “It shouldn’t.”
“Yeah, you’re right. It shouldn’t. You’re gonna marry Bastard-Kurt eventually. I say just enjoy your time with Mr. J. so you have happy memories of your time in New York.” He raised his eyebrows. “Those Kurt can’t take away from you.”
“I wish he wasn’t such an ass. Kurt, I mean.”
“Yeah, I figured. Is he coming out for the Gala?”
Anna shrugged. “I haven’t talked to him since he yelled at me.”
“Maybe you can talk to him...see what the hell is wrong with him. I just can’t believe the nice, laid-back Kurt is acting like he is.”
“Maybe you could talk to him. You know, before he goes off and fucks Jasmine again.”
Aaron growled. “I can’t believe he did that to you. Fucking asshole. She’s so fucking arrogant about it now, too. Whenever you’re not around....” He rolled his eyes. “I want to hit her sometimes.”
“Did he go see her when he came to yell at me?”
He shrugged. “Maybe. Dunno. I can’t believe he’d rather have her over you. I mean, even if he is not liking you for some reason, you’re still really, really good at sex.”
“We can’t have sex until we’re married. It’s not allowed.”
“That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.”
Anna shrugged. “It’s the way it is.”
“Well then, doubly enjoy your time with Euroman. Kurt deserves it.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Aaron was pulling his slippers on when Hugo sat down next to him. “How’s Katrina holding up?”
Aaron smiled at the talented dancer/choreographer. He had it bad for Anna, poor guy. Aaron knew how that felt, which is why he had given up trying to find another woman like her. Or even halfway like her. Hugo even knew her secret and still cared deeply for her.
Hugo and Anna danced very well together, so Aaron wasn’t surprised when Hugo chose her for his partner in his new ballet. Again. Jasmine had been his primary partner before Anna showed up and she was pissed, which probably contributed to Jasmine’s dislike of Anna, and her justification for the way she tormented her. Aaron was glad Anna got to show that...woman...up somewhere, though he wasn’t certain that Anna knew Jasmine had been Hugo’s partner. Wasn’t sure if telling her would be helpful or hurtful.
“She’s doing okay. She feels awful about missing rehearsals.”
“I’d rather her be safe, though. Maybe I could stop by tonight and we could dance a little in the living room there. She might not feel so left out if we did.”
Aaron nodded. “If you want, I’m sure she’d be thrilled. There’s not a ton of room, but we could move the furniture.”
“Sounds great. I’ll call her at lunch.”
Vincent clapped his hands and warm-ups began. Aaron closed his eyes, enjoying the movement of his body and his mind drifting to thoughts of Cameron.
Unexpectedly he began to feel like he was suffocating. He opened his eyes and held his chest. The other dancers didn’t seem to notice. Was he having a heart attack? The room felt dim, even though sunlight streamed in from the windows as it always did. His stomach churned and he turned to stare at the doorway of the studio.
“What’s wrong?” Hugo whispered.
Aaron just stared. Something was coming.
Five seconds later the door slammed open. Tom walked in, eyes searching the room until he locked on Aaron’s. He shook his head slightly and then the darkness appeared in the room.
“Devin,” Aaron whispered.
The music stopped abruptly and the dancers all turned and looked. Devin stood in the doorway, an invisible cloud of darkness around him. He was beyond angry. He stood with arms crossed over his blue dress shirt as he searched the room. Nate and Justin knew who he was. Vincent, too. But everyone else was clueless that the most powerful man in the country had just walked into their studio. Some of the women even gave him flirtatious smiles.
Idiots.
“Can I help you, Mr. Pendleton?” Vincent asked politely, walking over to the men. “You’re Devin Andersen, correct?”
Devin looked at him with cold eyes. “I am. You wanted to take Anna away from me.” He spoke softly, but his tone was ice-cold.
“I wanted to have one of the best dancers I’d ever seen in my company. It had nothing to do with you.”
“Anything she does is my business.” He turned and looked around the room again and then pulled something out of his pocket. “I’m looking for someone,” he said loudly, his voice silky. He held up a picture of Anna. “Have you seen this woman?”
The dancers looked at each other. Everyone in the room would have recognized her, but the power that Devin radiated made them hesitant to answer.
Hugo strode over and took the picture from him. “She’s pretty,” he commented lightly.
“Yes, she is. Have you seen her?”
Hugo handed the picture back to him. “No. I haven’t.”
The room was silent. Hugo was well respected and for him to declare he hadn’t seen Anna made the others reluctant to say otherwise.
But then Aaron saw Jasmine looking at Hugo with narrowed eyes, and he felt sick as she opened her mouth. “I’ve seen her.”
An evil smiled crept across Devin’s face. Hugo and Aaron both cursed as they watched Devin walk slowly over to Jasmine with hungry eyes. “Where?” he asked softly.
She looked around nervously, meeting Aaron’s eyes. Aaron shook his head slightly.
“I mean...I think I did,” she stammered.
Devin stroked her cheek seductively. “Anna always has women as enemies,” he said softly. “She tends to steal men away from their women. She likes the power she has over them.” He gazed into her eyes and trailed his fingers down her neck. “Did she steal one from you?”
Jasmine blinked, clearly frightened, but as she gazed into Devin’s eyes, she began to relax. She smiled and nodded her head. “But I got even—”
“All right, Devin,” Aaron said loudly before Jasmine could say anything else. “Yes, she was here.”
Devin wheeled around. “Was?”
He nodded. “We went on tour last week. She didn’t come along because she told me she was leaving. She didn’t want anyone else to know, but she got accepted to the Paris Opera Ballet.” That would be believable to everyone here. She was that good.
Devin’s eyes flashed, but didn’t make any other movements. His hand was still on Jasmine’s neck. “And you didn’t think it strange that she was here without me?”
Aaron shrugged, trying to remain casual. “I didn’t think she’d run away. She’s not stupid.”
Devin shook his head. “No, I can still feel her. She’s still here. Where did she stay?”
Aaron glanced at Tom, who nodded. “With me.”
“You are a very, very stupid man, Aaron,” he said in a low voice, releasing Jasmine and walking over to him. “You would dare hide Anna from me?”
“How was I supposed to know she ran away? She just...showed up.”
Devin looked around the room again. His eyes stopped on Nate and then on Justin. “I thought you had been fired in San Francisco,” he said suspiciously.
Justin frowned. “It was a bogus charge. I left of my own free will. Isaak just didn’t want to admit he was wrong.”
“Something is off.” Devin turned back to Aaron. “Take me to your apartment. Now!”
Fuck. “I need to change shoes.”
Devin frowned at him and then nodded and walked back to the doorway.
Aaron sat down and pulled his slippers off. “Hugo,” he whispered.
“Yeah.”
“I’m leaving my bag here. Get my phone. Call Wilhelm. Tell him what happened. As soon as I’m gone, do it. I don’t know how to keep him from finding her.”
“Do you want me to call her and tell her to get out?”
“Call Wilhelm first. He’ll tell you what to do.” Aaron stood and slipped his flip-f
lops on, giving Hugo a desperate look. “Hurry.”
Hugo nodded slightly and Aaron turned and walked away. How would they keep Devin from getting her? He glared at Jasmine as he walked by. He would personally strangle her if Anna was hurt. She had the decency to look ashamed.
*****
Anna huddled on the couch, hugging a pillow to her chest. Her mind felt hazy, unfocused, as if it were being scrambled from outside forces. Her body trembled uncontrollably. She couldn’t put a coherent thought to even try and figure out what was going on.
Her phone vibrated next to her and she stared at it. What did she do with that? Press the green button.
“Anna? Anna?”
She heard Wilhelm’s voice faintly. “Wilhelm?”
“Pick up the phone, Anna. Put it to your ear.”
Anna did as she was told. “Wilhelm?”
“Where are you?” His voice was clearer now.
“At my apartment,” she said in a shaky voice.
“Go into your room and shut the door. Lay down on your bed and stay there until I call you back.”
He ended the call and Anna stared at the floor.
Room. Anna stood on trembling legs and slowly made her way to her room. She closed the door and then stumbled to her bed. She curled up in a ball and trembled, staring at the door.
*****
Aaron walked in front of Devin and Tom.
“I can’t believe you didn’t know she was here, Tom,” Devin growled.
“I’m not as powerful as you, Devin. I don’t know everything that goes on in my city.”
“You should have known.” He growled again. “But I can still feel her. She hasn’t left yet.”
Aaron prayed that Hugo had gotten a hold of Wilhelm and that somehow Anna wouldn’t be there when they got home. Stalling was the only thing he could think of to do.
“Ow! Fuck!” he exclaimed hopping on one foot like he’d stepped on something. He stopped and brought his foot up to his knee, taking his shoe off.
The Life of Anna, Part 5: Emerged Page 19
