Chapter 105

The next afternoon, Anna had her first official rehearsal for Arches with Hugo. He had already taught her quite a bit. They worked on the pas de deux most of the afternoon. She adored dancing with him.

He held her in the final pose longer than Anna expected and she caught his eye in the mirror, smiling. “Is it really held for this long?”

He chuckled. “No. It was just nice.” He set her back up in arabesque and turned her to face him. “Have dinner with me tonight,” he said in a soft voice, holding her around her waist.

Her heart fluttered. “Okay.”

He grinned. “Pick you up at eight?” Anna nodded and Hugo laughed. “Did I make you speechless?”

“It’s not that hard to do.”

“I’m learning this. You don’t talk nearly as much as most women.” He chuckled. “Maybe that’s why I like you.”

Anna’s cheeks grew hot as she went to change her shoes to go home. She paused by the door and turned back to look at him. “Eight?”

He gave her a bright smile. “Eight.”

After dinner, Hugo walked Anna back to her apartment. “I had a really nice time tonight.” Anna smiled. “I guess I always have a nice time with you.”

He grinned and leaned against the doorpost, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “Is that a bad thing?”

“Not at all.” She chewed her lip as she saw him watching her. “What?”

His eyes turned soft. “I was thinking about how much I enjoyed kissing you the other night.”

Anna’s body tingled and her heartbeat quickened. “I liked it too.”

“Aaron said you just got out of a bad relationship. I don’t want to scare you away by moving things along too fast.”

Anna’s eyebrows furrowed. “He said that?”

Hugo’s eyes narrowed. “Is it not true?”

Anna hesitated. “It’s really complicated, but yeah, I suppose that’s the easiest way to explain it.” How else could she explain Devin?

He rubbed the back of his neck. “It wasn’t with Aaron, was it?”

“What? Oh, no. No, of course not. He’s... a really good friend.” She looked up. “Are you upset?”

“No. You’re just reluctant to talk about your past and it makes it hard to get to know you.”

She looked down at her feet. “I’m sorry. It’s not easy to talk about.”

“Was he abusive?”

Her head snapped up. “Aaron?”

Hugo smiled. “Nah. I know him better than that.” He shook his head. “I meant your past relationship.”

“Oh. I—?” She sighed sadly. “I don’t really want to talk about it.”

Hugo’s eyes grew sad and he pushed himself away from the doorpost. He stepped close and cradled her cheek. “I wish you would trust me, but I understand. If you ever want to talk, I’m a good listener.”

“Thanks,” she said softly, putting her hand on his.

He took a small step closer and Anna’s breath hitched in her throat. “Is it okay if I kiss you again?”

Her whole body tingled as she nodded. He smiled tenderly as he bent down and gently caressed her lips with his. His hand moved from her cheek to the back of her head where it tangled in her hair. She stepped forward and put her hands on his upper arms for support. He slanted his mouth against hers, increasing the pressure, teasing her lips with his tongue, and slid his other hand down to her lower back. Anna held back a soft moan as his tongue explored her mouth, drawing her own tongue to him and caressing it, sending delicious shivers through her body.

Their bodies touched as he held her close, and she could feel his heat radiating into her. He had held her close many times today, and Anna realized the intimacy he created with her while they danced. But this was more intimate than dancing together. She slid her hands up his arms, over his shoulders, and around his neck as he deepened his kiss.

Her phone rang in her purse and they reluctantly pulled apart. She pulled out her phone to ignore the call, but frowned as she looked at the screen. “It’s Aaron.” Aaron knew she was out with Hugo. Why would he call her? She silenced the ring and looked up at Hugo. “He wouldn’t call unless it was important.”

“Is he home?”

“I don’t know.” She tapped the answer button on the screen. “Aaron? What’s wrong?”

“Where are you?” He sounded upset.

“Outside the apartment.”

He didn’t say anything else, but a moment later the door opened and he looked between her and Hugo. “Something’s... happened.”

Anna didn’t like the look on his face. “What?”

Aaron looked hesitantly at Hugo and back at her. “Tom’s here.” He looked back at Hugo. “I’m sorry, Hugo. But I really need to talk to Kat alone.”

Hugo looked a little bewildered as he nodded.

Anna bit her lip. “I’m sorry.”

Hugo offered a weak smile. “It’s okay.” He leaned forward and kissed Anna on the cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” He and Aaron shook hands, and then Hugo turned and walked to the elevator.

Aaron pulled her into the apartment, closing the door behind her.

Tom sat on the couch, elbows on his knees, head hung. He looked up as Anna walked into the room. “Did you tell her?”

Aaron shook his head and then turned to Anna. “Hon... it’s Jenna. She’s—?” He swallowed and looked up at the ceiling. “Devin took her a few days ago and said if you didn’t come home that he’d kill her.”

Anna stared at Tom. “A few days ago? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because you would have gone home or gotten in touch with him.” Tom stood and walked over to her. “We can’t let Devin have you back.”

“Is... Jenna okay?” Her heart sank at her own question, afraid she already knew the answer.

Tom shook his head. “No. He killed her.”

Anna struggled for breath as she stared at him. She could barely speak over the lump in her throat. “You let him kill her?” She glowered at Aaron. “I could have stopped him and you didn’t tell me?”

“If I’d have told you, you would have contacted him.” Aaron put his hand on her shoulders. “Anna, he would have found you.”

“So what?” she shrieked, slapping his hands away and taking a step back. “She would still be alive. You should have let me make the choice. It’s my life!”

Tom shook his head and spoke in a soft but firm voice. “No, Anna, it’s not just about protecting you. It’s much bigger than that. He’s using you to take over our country. He’s eroding our democracy. He’s got control of the president, for God’s sake. Even you should realize that’s not good.”

Anna turned to walk away, but Tom grabbed her by her shoulders and turned her back around to face him. “He wants control of the country, Anna. If you return to him, there is nothing we can do to stop him. He will continue to grow more and more powerful, and then he will control everything. Freedom—what you’re just beginning to taste—will be gone. Do you want everyone in this country to be Devin’s slave?”

Anna paused, chest heaving. “That’s what he wants?”

“Yes.”

Being Devin’s slave... she wouldn’t wish that on anyone. She took in a shaky breath. “Why didn’t you stop him earlier?” she asked softly.

“We didn’t realize what he was really trying to do. I never took his ideas that seriously. We thought... we just thought he knew better. He’s a smart guy and our politicians are pretty dumb. But when he came back from Vitaly’s funeral, his plans escalated, and we realized he was trying to become Immortal. Yes, we should have done something earlier. We know that now... We should have listened to the Germans.”

“Can you still stop him?”

“If you stay out of his reach, yes.”

She stared at him for a long time and then gave a slow nod. “Okay.” She trudged to her room and closed the door.

Poor Jenna... poor Matt! Matt had lost two loved ones by Devin’s hand.

Anna collapsed on the floor and sobbed.

Later that night, Anna lay in her bed in the dark room, staring out the window. Her jaw clenched and her body trembled with anger and sorrow. Why did so many people have to die because of her?

She sat up, unable to lie still anymore. She was half-tempted to call Hugo and ask him to come back, but she didn’t think that would be appropriate. Instead, she got out of bed and crept into Aaron’s room. The lights were out. It was after midnight. But his head turned when she walked in.

She walked across the room and lay down next to him. He turned onto his side and held her tightly against his chest.

He sighed. “I can’t believe she’s gone.”

“I can’t believe it either.” Tears streamed down her cheeks.

“I called Justin. We’re going to fly out tomorrow for the funeral.”

“I can’t go, can I?”

“No.”

Anna sucked in a shaky breath. She hoped Devin had killed Jenna quickly, like he had with Ben, but she was afraid to ask for details. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know.