Chapter 36

Anna drove to the theater and carefully parked Alex’s silver Mercedes roadster in the parking garage. The car was so powerful that driving it was a bit intimidating. But she’d done well, considering how little she drove these days.

She grabbed her bag from the passenger seat as she got out and Aaron walked up and hugged her. “Hey.”

She smiled. “Hey.”

“How ya doin’?”

“Okay.” She closed the trunk and stroked the car. “It’s so him, you know?”

Aaron nodded. “I always thought so.” He took her garment bag from her and they walked across the street to the theater. “What did you and Peter fight about that made you leave? And does Devin know?”

Anna’s heart sank. She didn’t know what to tell Devin. “I haven’t told Devin.”

They made their way through the backstage maze of hallways until they came to the row of dressing rooms for the soloists and principals. Aaron stopped at the door with her name marked on it. “At least you’ll have privacy for this performance.”

“Yeah,” she said, opening the door and switching on the light. A vase of red roses sat on her vanity. Anna picked up the accompanying card, which was from Peter. It simply read, “I’m sorry.”

Anna smiled to herself. She missed him dearly, but this was the reality of their situation. Peter would stay with her as long as Devin deemed necessary, but he would eventually return home to his wife. He needed to keep Dariya happy. After all, he was going to spend the rest of his life with her. Anna would soon only be a memory. Hopefully a good one.

“Holy shit. Is that what you two were fighting over?”

Anna turned to find Aaron standing in the doorway, his mouth hanging open and his eyes wide with astonishment. She rushed to the door and watched as Peter walked down the hallway with Dariya, who appeared even more stunning than she had earlier, clad in a slinky black dress.

“Who is that?” Aaron cleared his throat. “She’s fucking hot!”

“Peter’s . . . friend from St. Petersburg.”

Aaron turned back to Anna, an apologetic look on his face. “Sorry.”

She shrugged. “She’s very beautiful.”

“So are you.”

Anna shook her head. “Not like that.”

Aaron put his hands on her shoulders. “Anna, you are a knockout. Guys watch you wherever you are. Yeah, she’s hot. And you are too. But you have... I don’t know... there’s something about you that makes you even more beautiful than that.”

“The fact that I’m a Half-Immortal?” She gave a wry smile.

Aaron laughed. “Well, that could be part of it. But tonight at the party, see who gets more attention. You or her.”

“Men like blondes. And I don’t care if they find me more attractive. Sometimes I wish they didn’t.” Anna sighed. “I just... why would he love me if he has someone like her at home?”

Aaron furrowed his brows. “What are you talking about?”

Anna’s eyes widened and she clapped her hand over her mouth. “Nothing.”

Aaron frowned, pushed Anna inside the dressing room, and closed the door behind him. “Who is she?” He raised his brows. “Tell me.”

Anna shared the entire story with Aaron, explaining how Peter had gotten married during his trip to St. Petersburg and the unexpected arrival of Dariya that afternoon at the apartment.

Aaron got more and more angry as she spoke. “That fucking bastard.”

“Aaron, you know our whole ‘relationship’ is fake. So we’re having a fake fight. He’s not going to tell anyone they’re married.”

“I thought he loved you.”

“He does. But... C’mon. You know Devin’ll never let me leave. Peter has to get married.”

Aaron frowned. “Yeah, okay.”

“I left of my own free will. He didn’t kick me out.” He gave her a doubtful look. “I did. Please don’t be angry at him. He’s doing what he needs to do for his wife.”

Aaron sighed. “Alright. I’ll back him up.” He frowned. “For you.” He glanced at his watch. “I gotta go get ready. I’ll see ya later. Come get me if you want to talk.” He kissed her on the forehead and left.

Peter knocked on the door a while later and walked inside. “Hey, you okay?” He closed the door behind him.

Anna nodded. “I miss you.”

He sighed. “I miss you too. She’s... gone to the lobby. Man, did I get some looks when I came in.”

“Why did you bring her?”

“I didn’t have a choice. She wanted to see the theater. I told her that she couldn’t let anyone know we were married or I’d ship her back to Russia and not visit her.”

A smile crept across Anna’s face. “That might be nice.”

Peter rolled his eyes. “Yeah, but I do have to live with her the rest of my life.” He walked to Anna and put his arms around her waist. “And when I move back to Russia, I will come here and visit you,” he said softly and kissed her, and what started out as a playful tease quickly progressed to a kiss filled with hunger.

He walked her backward to the couch, laid her down, and settled on top of her. He pressed his hips against her thigh. She reached into his sweatpants and stroked his hard cock. “Do we have time?”

Peter sat up and pulled at Anna’s sweats. “Always.”

When her pants were on the floor, Anna took his cock in her hands and guided him into her body, sighing as he entered her.

“I love being with you, Anna,” he murmured against her neck as he began moving in and out of her.

They made love quickly and quietly. He crushed his lips against hers as she began to cry out her climax. A moment later, he groaned and stiffened as he came.

“I love you,” he whispered and kissed her again.

“I’ll tell Devin about Dariya,” Peter said as they made their way out to the lobby for the after-party, hand in hand. “Dariya said she was planning to stay all week. I told her I would be busy most of the time, but she said she still wanted to stay. I also told her she can’t come to the theater to hang out during the day, but she still insisted on staying in town.” He kissed Anna’s head. “So, we’ll have time together here.”

Anna nodded. “I’m glad.”

The other dancers had accepted their explanation that Dariya was just a friend, and they believed that she and Peter had a disagreement about her, but were in the process of resolving it. This allowed Peter to be affectionate, although it also clarified why Anna wasn’t staying at their apartment.

When they arrived in the lobby, Peter spotted Devin and went to talk to him about what had happened. Anna went to get something to drink.

“Anna.”

Anna turned and nearly spit out her drink. “Jackie! Mikhail! Wh-what are you doing here?”

Mikhail beamed. “We came to surprise the both of you.” He hugged her. “We don’t get to see Peter dance as much as we’d like and wanted to take advantage of his being close.” Mikhail had warmed to her the last time they’d been in town and was quite affectionate with her now. Mikhail looked around. “Where is Peter?”

Anna looked around the room, wondering where Peter and Devin had disappeared to. “He... had to speak to someone.” Oh, what would they do when they found out Dariya was here?

Anna spotted the tall blonde across the room. Dariya noticed her at the same time and shot Anna a disdainful look. Dariya’s blue eyes grew wider when she noticed Peter’s parents, and a sinister grin crept across her face as she started walking toward them.

Anna searched desperately for Peter and finally located him in the corner, still talking with Devin. Devin was frowning and shaking his head.

“You danced beautifully, Anna.” Jackie hugged her. “I can’t wait to see you and Peter dance together.”

“Thank you...” Peter, I need you. I can’t handle this without you! “Isaak hasn’t promoted me yet, though...” She drifted off as Dariya approached.

Dariya spoke in Russian from behind Peter’s parents and a surprised Jackie and Mikhail turned to see her. Their expressions were one of complete shock. Mikhail spoke to her in Russian and didn’t seem very happy.

Jackie looked back at Anna. “Anna . . . do you know . . . Dariya?”

Anna nodded. “We met this afternoon.”

Jackie’s eyebrows furrowed as she shifted her gaze between Anna and Dariya, her lips parting in uncertainty.

Peter finally appeared, his face unreadable. “Mama. Papa.” He greeted them with kisses on the cheek. “I didn’t know you would be here.”

Mikhail frowned at Peter and spoke in Russian.

Peter nodded and put up his hand, then gave Anna an apologetic smile. “Devin would like to speak to you.”

Anna nodded and hurried away, glad to be away from the family tension. As she approached Devin, though, her apprehension rose.

He frowned when he saw her. “Why didn’t you call me when you left Peter?”

“I-I’m sorry, Devin.” She twisted her fingers together and stared up into his face, trying to figure out if he was going to punish her for not anticipating him wanting her to call. “I was... settling in.”

Devin looked at her for a long time without speaking. “He’s been married for a while now. How are you doing with that?”

Anna knew he wasn’t asking to be nice. He was asking to make sure she wouldn’t lose it and go crazy again. “I-I’m okay.” She smiled sadly. “We went into it knowing it was just for appearances. I can’t begrudge him having a real relationship. Especially with someone that looks like her.”

Devin didn’t respond and Anna stayed silent.

“He assured me she would be gone by the end of the week. I want you back in the apartment the day she leaves. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Devin.”

“You’ve matured, Anna. You’re much more stable than you used to be. I’m pleased to see it.”

“Thank you, Devin.” She paused and bit her lip. “Do... do you know what happened to my wedding rings? And Alex’s band?”

Devin studied her with narrowed eyes. “Why?”

“I’d like to know where they are, if they can be found. Not to wear, but...” She sighed. “I know I belong to you and I’ll never have any sort of real relationship. I just... would like to have them. For the memories.”

He gave a sharp nod. “I know where they are. I’ll get them for you next time I’m at the Manor.”

“Thank you, Devin.”

Devin looked amused. “Maybe I’ll have you come stay with me this week since Peter is busy. It’s a shame to let your pussy go unused.”

“If you’d like, Devin,” she whispered. The thought of being with him every night made her shiver. But he was her Master and it was her duty to please him.

“I understand you have access to a car?”

She nodded. “Alex’s.”

“Good. Get what you need for the week and plan on staying with me until Dariya’s gone.” He smiled. Not a nice smile.

“Yes, Devin.”