Chapter 152

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 thumb over his wedding ring. “You still wear it.” Guilt filled her heart.

“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 no love at all. I spoke to him and told him you needed to know you were completely 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 tracing his ring. “Did you... I mean, is there a way for me to be free?”

His heartbeat raced next to her ear 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 to me as a slave. 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, though I was trying to protect you. Those bonds, we believe, will dissolve once your birthday passes with no final ritual 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 we agreed that if you do not want to be an Elder-Mistress, we will not make you. Technically, you still would be, but just... unused in that manner.”

“So, can 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 will is 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 imprisoned in St. Petersburg. Neither Vlad nor Peter will tell him any different.”

Anna scooted closer. “When do you have to confront him?”

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

“When?” she whispered.

“At Tyler’s funeral.”

“Tyler?” Anna exclaimed. “But Tyler’s not—oh!” She looked up. “You’re going to kill him?”

“He is my last target.”

Anna shivered. “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 blinked. To hear him speak so casually of killing people was so... He was so dangerous. She shivered again.

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

She sucked in a shaky breath, horrible memories flooding her mind.

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

Anna blinked back tears and buried her face in his chest. 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 that. If Jack were alive, he would be right there next to him.” Alex hugged her close. “But you already avenged yourself with him.” He kissed the top of her head. “You are a strong woman, Anna. A woman worthy of an Elder.”

“I’ve never felt strong before.”

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

Anna leaned back to look at him. “You did?”

He nodded. “It was very sexy.”

Anna giggled 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 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 himself and she could feel his desire radiating from his body; 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 car door, extending his hand to her. “ Komm mit mir, meine Liebe. ”

They stepped into the elevator and Alex pushed the button for 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.”

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

Nodding, she wrapped her arms tighter around his neck. She didn’t want to be put down, didn’t want to leave his arms. She wanted...

She wanted him to make love to her. She smiled up into his face as he opened the door and walked into a circular entry hall.

He began to set her down, 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 face, 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’d never let go of her heart and never 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 erupted 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 loving, protective shield.

They were one once again and all was right in the world.