Chapter 135

Aaron walked in front of Devin and Tom, praying for a miracle.

“I can’t believe you didn’t know she was here, Tom,” Devin growled.

“I’m not as powerful as you are. I can barely keep track of the millions of people that live here, let alone the millions that visit every year.”

“You should have known.” He growled again. “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 at the apartment when they got home. Stalling was the only thing he could think of to give her more time.

“Ow! Shit!” He hopped on one foot, like he’d stepped on something. He stopped and brought his foot up to his knee, taking his shoe off.

“What the hell?” Devin snapped. “Why did you stop?”

“I stepped on something.” Aaron peered at the bottom of his foot and ran his hand over the sole, as if searching for something.

“You’ll live. Get moving.”

“Hey, these feet are how I make a living, man. Just give me a sec.” He ran his hand over his foot again and picked at an invisible splinter, stalling for as long as he could before sliding his foot back into his shoe. Even a few seconds could make a difference.

Devin huffed. “How far away is it?”

Aaron straightened and pointed to the tall glass building a few blocks away.

“Then let’s go.” Devin took off and Aaron fake-limped slowly behind him.

Anna could hardly breathe. Sweat trickled down her forehead, and her whole body shook. Her teeth were chattering so violently that her jaw throbbed with pain. After being away from Devin for long, the darkness that swirled around her was suffocating her and she feared it would kill her before anyone could save her. She buried her face in the pillow, as if it could filter out the darkness from the surrounding air.

Then, suddenly, a glow of warmth rushed over her body, banishing the darkness like the sun appearing after a thunderstorm. Her lungs loosened, and she sucked in a deep, cleansing breath. The warmth seeped through her pores into her very soul and she relaxed. She knew Devin was coming—he was so close now—but the fear was gone.

The apartment door opened. Male voices echoed in the hall. One voice definitely belonged to Devin. She would never be able to forget the rage that filled his voice when he was angry. And still, the fear couldn’t grab hold of her. All she could do was watch the door with curiosity. How would he not see her once he walked into her room?

The warm feeling grew stronger. She felt enveloped by tenderness, as if love itself had manifested into a soft blanket and wrapped around her.

She could sense Devin outside her room. She could hear his voice out in the hallway, yet she couldn’t seem to feel her fear. How was that possible?

Aaron’s heart pounded as he unlocked the door to his apartment. He pushed open the door, praying Anna had time to escape.

Devin stepped inside and looked around. He arched his brow at the pink roses on the coffee table. “Roses?”

Aaron shrugged. “Cameron. My boyfriend.”

Devin looked him up and down like he was evaluating him. “You’re gay?”

Aaron frowned. “Gotta problem with it?”

Devin smiled, almost warmly, and shook his head. “Not at all. I appreciate men who appreciate other men.” He swept his eyes over Aaron again and then turned to search the rest of the apartment.

Aaron shuddered at the thought of Devin touching him. He knew what went on at Brotherhood events, and had enjoyed many of them, but Aaron felt like he needed a shower from Devin just looking at him.

Devin searched Aaron’s room and bathroom and then walked to the opposite side of the apartment to Anna’s bedroom. He opened the door. Sunlight streamed into the hallway. Aaron held his breath.

“How many closets do you have in the damn place, Aaron?”

Aaron’s mouth dropped open in shock, but he snapped it shut. What was Devin talking about?

Devin closed his eyes and then blew out a breath. He frowned and opened his eyes, glaring at Aaron. “When did she leave?”

“I-I don’t know. She wouldn’t tell me.”

Devin nodded and frowned. “She’s gone now. Shit. She must have been at the airport when we got here.”

Tom shook his head and rolled his eyes. “Can we go now? I’m dying to see Kelsey and the kids.”

Devin grimaced. “Yeah, you hopeless romantic.” He turned back to Aaron and raised his eyebrows. “I should kill you for what you did.” Devin strode away, and he and Tom left the apartment.

On the floor of the bedroom in the apartment directly above Anna’s, Alex rolled onto his back, gasping for breath. He stared up at the ceiling, his vision blurry.

“You did well, Alex.”

Alex gave Sebastian, who towered above him, a weary smile. “I feel like I was just put through a meat grinder.”

Sebastian laughed. “It is a very intense process, protecting someone like that. It will be easier the next time.”

“God, I hope there’s not a next time.”

Sebastian nodded. “I hope not as well. But you will know what to do if there is.”

“Will I be able to do it without you?”

Sebastian pursed his lips. “As Devin grows weaker, it will take less energy to shield her from him.” He sighed. “We will have to see. If you need me, as you did today, I will come. All you have to do is ask.” He reached down and pulled Alex to his feet.

“Good thing we already knew the apartment was empty.”

Sebastian chuckled. “You are always prepared. I would have been more shocked had you not known.”

Alex chuckled and then shivered. “I can’t imagine what would have happened had Tom not warned me in time.”

“That is why you came here, yes? To protect her. Your imbuement of my Immortal gift was a wise decision on your father’s part.”

“Didn’t realize I’d have to protect her like this.” He reached for his phone, but it wasn’t in his pocket. “Did I leave my phone at home? I wanted to call Vati.”

Sebastian smiled and handed him his phone. “I texted him. You were unconscious for a few minutes and I wanted to be sure he knew everything was alright.”

“I passed out?”

The Immortal nodded. “It is to be expected. The amount of energy you expended is immense.”

“That explains why I feel like I need a nap.”

Sebastian chuckled. “Rest, and then you must finish preparing for your mission. The time is close.”

Alex grinned. Yes. The time was close. Time to deliver the first blow to Devin.

Aaron leaned against the wall and slid down to the floor. His legs had turned to jelly and wouldn’t hold him anymore. What the hell had just happened?

A phone rang in Anna’s room, and then he heard her voice. A moment later, she ran out of the room and into his arms. “Aaron!” She fell into his lap and he wrapped his arms around her, burying his face in her hair. She was shaking as badly as he was. “What happened?”

“I have no idea. He thought your room was a closet... I don’t know how, but I’m so glad.”

They huddled together for a long time on the floor, both lost in their own thoughts. After a while, he told her what had happened at the studio. “I think I still may strangle Jasmine. Fucking bitch.”

Anna didn’t argue.

After a few more minutes, he gently pushed her to her feet. “I should get back to the studio and let everyone know you’re okay.” He stood. “Hugo wanted to stop by tonight and practice a little here. Would you be up for that?”

Anna’s face softened and she nodded. “Yeah. That’d be nice.”

“Call me if you need anything. Even if it’s in the middle of rehearsal. Vincent will understand.”

She nodded. “Thanks, Aaron.” She hugged him hard. “I’d be lost without you.”

“I didn’t do anything, but I’m glad you’re okay.”

Aaron hurried back to the studio as quickly as he could. He knew Hugo would be extremely worried, and meant to give him an assuring smile as soon as he walked into the room, but when he saw Jasmine, his temper exploded and he stormed over to her.

“You fucking bitch!” he shouted over the music, which promptly stopped. “You almost got her taken by him!” He pulled back to hit her, but someone pulled him away before he could swing his arm. Yeah, a small rational part of his mind told him hitting her probably wouldn’t be a good idea. He shrugged off whoever was holding him but glanced at Stef, who stood next to her. “You remember her guardian? That’s nothing compared to what that man did to her. A walk in the park.”

Stef’s eyes widened and then fixed on Jasmine. The resounding crack as her hand hit Jasmine’s cheek was one of the most satisfying sounds Aaron had ever heard.

Jasmine struck back and a catfight ensued, which Aaron watched gleefully. Stef outweighed Jasmine by twenty pounds and she got in some good throws before Vincent, seemingly reluctant, stepped in. “Enough!”

Everyone stopped. Vincent didn’t yell often, if ever.

Everyone in the room froze. The two women looked at him, their hair sticking up from their buns. Jasmine had a bruise on her cheek.

“Jasmine, did you hear Hugo tell that man that he hadn’t seen Katrina?”

“Yeah, but?—?”

“Did you know it was a picture of Katrina?”

“Yeah, but?—?”

“Don’t you think there might have been a reason why Hugo lied about seeing her?” Vincent’s stare became very harsh and Jasmine cowered. “Katrina came here to be protected. From that man. That man...” Vincent clenched his jaw and shook his head, dragging his hand through his hair. “Your jealousy of her has gone far enough. It’s bad enough you’ve stolen the attention of her fiancé from her.”

Jasmine’s olive complexion paled into an ugly ash color. “You knew?”

“Yes.” He looked around the room. “Anything you hear or see today will absolutely not be repeated at any time, anywhere. If I find out anyone has repeated these things, they will be fired immediately and not given a good reference for their next job.”

“What the hell, Vincent?” Jasmine whined. “What’s so special about her?”

Vincent breathed in deeply. “Do you know what torture is, Jasmine? Real torture? The type that takes you to the brink, and you pray that death will finally take you? But it never does.”

Jasmine wisely didn’t say anything, and shook her head.

“That is what that man has done to Katrina. Many, many times. If you had taken even a sliver of what she’s gone through, you wouldn’t be here today.” He glared at Jasmine. “I think you need to go home for the day or I will fire you.”

Jasmine grabbed her bag and ran out of the room.

Vincent rubbed his face and blew out a breath. “Let’s continue this after lunch, shall we?” He turned and walked out of the room.

Aaron was bombarded with questions, but he didn’t answer most of them. He was pleased to see everyone on Anna’s side instead of Jasmine’s. He would be surprised if Jasmine was still here at the end of the week.