Chapter 110

Hugo and Aaron flanked Anna as they walked down the hallway and into the elevator down to the lobby. The doorman hailed a cab and they went back to Anna’s and Aaron’s apartment. Hugo kept his arm around her the whole time.

“What can I do to help?” Hugo asked as they walked inside.

She looked at him, searching his eyes. “Do you still want to be with me?”

He cradled her cheek. “I’m not going anywhere, Kittycat.”

She smiled, but then the reality of what had happened hit her. If Devin ever found out about him... “You could get killed,” she squeaked, grief stabbing her heart like a jagged knife.

Hugo caught her before she could fall to the floor and led her to the couch. He held her in his lap with his long arms wrapped around her body.

Aaron kneeled next to her. “Anna... Kat.” He glanced at Hugo. “Kat, nothing’s gonna happen to Hugo. We’re not in San Francisco anymore, remember? You’re safe. He’s safe.”

“But Jack?—?”

“Got lucky and now he’s gone. Hon, it’s okay to be happy for once. Don’t let your fears ruin it.”

She blinked back tears as she gazed at Aaron. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. She knew he wished that he was the one making her happy.

He brushed her hair out of her face. “I’m just the doomed best friend, destined to be forever shoved aside for your boyfriends.” He chuckled. “Maybe I should just become gay, or rather, lean further in that direction.”

Anna gasped. “Aaron!”

“What? I’ve gone out with guys before. And no other girls ever interest me.” He shrugged and then laughed. “Then I can see you naked and Hugo won’t get pissed.”

Hugo narrowed his eyes, partially mocking. “I haven’t even seen her naked.”

Anna blushed as Aaron laughed. “You really should change that.”

Hugo shook his head. “I don’t want to know why you would say that.” He laughed. “I was going to try tonight, you know.”

Anna buried her head in Hugo’s chest, her face hot. “I’m sorry, Hugo.”

“Nothing to apologize for.” He kissed her head. “Do you want to go take a shower and clean up? We can watch a movie or something afterward.”

Anna nodded. She felt gross and was sticky from blood and other things, so she stood and went to her room.

“She’s worth it, you know,” Aaron said after Anna disappeared around the corner.

Hugo nodded. “I know. I just had no idea—?” He pressed his lips together. “She was always so reluctant to talk about her past. I guess I understand why now.” He grimaced. “That was really her guardian?”

Aaron nodded. “He started sexually abusing her after her parents were killed.”

“God...” Hugo shook his head. “And he came after her for that?”

Aaron shook his head. “It’s much bigger than just his abuse. There’s... someone out there who wants to control her and he wants her back. That’s why she’s here. To keep her from him.”

“Why?”

Aaron hesitated. “Because she’s very special. It’s the easiest way to explain it.”

“Anyone can see she’s special just by looking at her.”

Aaron smiled. Hugo was a good guy. He’d watched him as Anna explained to Tom what had happened, looking for any sign of disgust, but all he saw was sadness for Anna. Aaron couldn’t help but approve of the guy as being worthy of her. “She is.” He cleared his throat. “The thing is, with what happened tonight... She really will be okay.”

“I think that’s one of the most disturbing things I’ve heard in a long time. I can’t imagine what she’s gone through to make tonight nothing to be concerned about.”

Aaron shook his head. “You don’t want to imagine it. Trust me.”

“You know?”

“I know almost everything about her. I’ve known her since she was twelve. I danced Giselle with her back then. I was there when she found out Alex was dead. I was there—?” He sighed. “I’ve seen her go through hell so many times I don’t even want to count them.”

“Why didn’t you help her?” It was an accusation, and rightly so. For someone who didn’t know Devin.

Aaron leaned back on the couch. “Because the person who is behind all this is incredibly powerful, and getting killed would have hurt her worse than trying and failing to get her out of a situation that she couldn’t possibly get out of. I would have been dead and she would still be where she was. As it is, I’ve been able to help get her out of that situation with the help of some very, very powerful people. I hope you can understand that someday.”

Hugo stared at him for a long moment and then nodded. “I know you, Aaron. I know you’re a good guy and I will trust what you say, even though I don’t understand it.”

Aaron smiled grimly. “Thanks.” His phone rang and he raised his eyebrows at the picture on his screen. “Hi, Wilhelm.”

“Hello, Aaron. Tom told me what happened. Is Anna alright?”

“As alright as can be expected. Did you try to call her?”

“ Ja , it went to voicemail and I thought she might be still ignoring my calls.”

“Why would she do that?”

“I believe she is angry with me. I have tried to call her a few times and she has not answered.”

“Why would she be angry with you? She loves you.”

“I did not call her when I heard about Jenna, and I hurt her feelings.”

“You didn’t call?”

“Things have been... very busy here. I forgot to call. I feel terrible, but, as I said, I have not been able to get in touch with her.”

“That’s really unlike you, Wilhelm.”

Wilhelm sighed. “Please do not start, Aaron. You will understand in a few months, but I cannot go into it right now.”

Aaron heard the rebuke in his voice. “I’m sorry. I was out of line.”

“Is Anna there?”

“She’s in the shower.”

“Please have her call me when she gets out. I want to hear her voice tell me she is alright. Tell her it is a command if necessary.”

“Isn’t it late there?”

“ Nein, it is very early. But I do not care. I want to hear from her.”

Aaron winced at Wilhelm’s irritated tone. “I’ll have her call you as soon as I see her.”

“Danke.”

They said goodbye and ended the call. Aaron stared at the floor. What on earth could have made Wilhelm forget to call Anna?

“Who was that?” Hugo asked.

“Her—?” It wasn’t his place to explain she was a slave. “Her father-in-law. Alex’s father.”

“Wilhelm . . . sounds German.”

Aaron smiled. “He is. He’s the Duke of Hesse.”

Hugo’s jaw dropped and then shook his head. “No, the German state outlawed titles years ago.”

“Except for a few families.”

Hugo looked like he was going to protest, and then stopped. “That’s true.” He leaned back in his seat. “God, I’ve learned more about Katrina tonight than I have the entire time I’ve known her. Which son was Alex?”

“The oldest.”

“Did he have brothers?”

“One brother, two sisters.”

Hugo stared up at the ceiling with sad eyes. “I’m not going to get to stay with her for long, am I?” He lifted his head and looked at Aaron. “Unless the brother is married already?”

“He was. He divorced a few years ago.”

“Divorced? I didn’t think that was allowed in those families.”

“Gretchen was a... blight on the family, to say the least.”

“An unmarried brother,” Hugo said softly and shook his head. “She’ll be expected to marry him. Unless the father has decided against it because she’s American?”

Aaron felt terrible as he shook his head. “No, Wilhelm is quite fond of Anna. He’s the one who came up with her new name.”

“Does she know what’s expected of her?”

“She’s guessed.”

Hugo sighed and rubbed his face. “What do I do with that?”