Chapter 6

As they rode in the back of the town car, Wilhelm told her what had happened in the family over the last two years. Liesl had gotten married as planned, though the celebration had been much subdued. Greta was engaged and the wedding was in two months.

“We would love for you to come, Anna. We missed you at Liesl’s wedding.”

Anna stared out the window. She vaguely remembered the visit when he asked if she’d go back to Germany with him to attend Liesl’s wedding. She’d laughed in his face and said no. Rather rudely, if she remembered correctly. There was no way in hell she’d go to Greta’s wedding either. It was hard enough avoiding thoughts of Alex in San Francisco. It would be impossible at his family home.

He reached over and took her hand. “ Liebling , you are still part of our family. We love you and we miss you.”

She sighed. “Why won’t you just leave me alone? Let me go.”

“Because you are family and there is nothing to let go of. The moment you married Alex, you became a Kunzberg. Nothing will ever change that.”

“What if I married someone else?”

He paused. “Are you . . . dating someone?”

Anna snorted. “No. I won’t ever date again.” She stopped and thought for a moment. “I don’t think Devin would like it if I did. I was just curious.”

“Even if you married someone else, Anna, you would still be part of our family. You can try to disown us.” He chuckled. “But we will never disown you.”

They arrived at the Ritz-Carlton a few minutes later. She winced as she walked into the expansive marble lobby, her chest burning in pain as it reminded her of her home with Alex. Her home where she’d been so happy. So protected. So loved. She glanced back at the doors that beckoned her, tempting her to flee. Yet something deep inside was reluctant to leave Wilhelm. His warm presence nibbled away at the walls she’d built around her heart to protect herself.

Wilhelm took her hand and led her to the elevators. “I spoke to Aaron yesterday, and he suggested we take you out for a birthday dinner on Sunday.” Wilhelm pushed the call button and glanced at her. “How does that sound?”

Anna looked at her muddled reflection in the brass doors and shrugged. “It’s not necessary, Wilhelm. I don’t see much point in celebrating anything. Especially my birthday.”

The doors slid silently open and they stepped inside.

“I would certainly consider your birthday worth celebrating, Liebling . I am very glad you are here.”

Anna pressed her lips together. I’m not. The doors closed and the elevator car whisked them up to the ninth floor.

The doors opened again, and they stepped out and headed down the hallway. “Your friends have been worried about you. We all have. Aaron has kept me posted as best he could, but even he rarely sees you.”

“Aaron?” Anna thought for a moment. “I saw him at the Spring Gathering.” She paused. “Why was he there? He’s not a Brother.” She hadn’t considered that fact when she’d seen him. She was only annoyed that he kept trying to bother her.

“He is. I brought him in six months after you disappeared.”

“Why you? He lives here. Wouldn’t it make more sense for him to be with Devin?”

“His father is German, so I could do it. Devin would not have brought him in.”

“He was hanging out with Tommy.”

“Ah, yes. Tommy Pendleton. A good young man.” Wilhelm smiled.

“You know him?”

“I have gotten to know him. He has been concerned about you as well.”

She knew about Tommy’s concern. Anna suspected he still wanted to be with her, but she would never get involved with another man. Devin wouldn’t approve and it would only end in misery, if she was lucky. More likely, it would end in pain and death. Her pain. His death.

Wilhelm unlocked the door to the hotel room and stepped aside to let her in. She walked into the enormous living room area and froze when she saw Kurt sitting on the couch. He jumped to his feet when he saw her and hurried across the room. “Hello, Anna.”

Confused at the sensations coursing through her chest, she stepped back and studied him intently. He was different. Older. Matured. Gone was his mischievous smile and glinting eyes. He gave her a genuinely affectionate smile that would have made her melt, if she’d been susceptible to such things. Which she wasn’t. He stood tall and confident, with an air not unlike his father’s. And Alex. An aura of authority and respect.

Her mouth opened, but no sound came out.

Kurt stepped forward and gently wrapped her in his arms, holding her close. She stiffened, but she couldn’t bring herself to pull away. His warmth surrounded her and, even as her mind screamed against it, she closed her eyes, slid her hands around his waist, and leaned her head against his chest. He wasn’t Alex; she knew that. But not being Alex was a good thing.

He felt... right, and for the first time in two years, she let down her guard to let him hold and comfort her. Tears came unbidden, and a moment later a great sob escaped. He guided her to the couch and pulled her into his lap, stroking her hair and speaking in soothing tones. She felt like she cried for an hour, and maybe she did. But Kurt held her and let her cry as long as she needed.

When she’d cried herself out, she relaxed against Kurt’s chest. Wilhelm handed her a tissue and she dried her eyes. She sat up and saw that the front of Kurt’s shirt was very wet.

She dabbed at it with the tissue. “I’m sorry I got your shirt wet.”

Kurt chuckled. “It is just a shirt.” He stroked her cheek. “I think you needed to cry.”

She looked into his kind gray eyes and smiled. “I do feel a little better.”

“ Gut ,” he said softly, his hand still on her cheek. He looked intently into her eyes. “I am glad you came, Engel . I have thought about you often.”

“You have?” His confession surprised her. Perhaps because of the playboy that he’d always been, she’d assumed he’d forgotten about her. Shame filled her heart as she realized she’d forgotten him. She’d forgotten about a lot of things during the last couple of years. Except Alex.

He nodded. “When Vati returned from his visits and told me how you were, it broke my heart. When he told me that you had moved out of the Schloss , I wanted to come with him to see you. Derek and Sofie have had a difficult time with the divorce, and I have been hesitant to leave them. But they are doing much better now.”

“Are you—I mean, is the divorce final?”

Kurt nodded. “It was finalized a few months ago. Gretchen is receiving plenty of financial support so she and Otto are well taken care of.”

Anna cringed at the sound of Alex’s son’s name. It wasn’t the boy’s fault, but it was still an unpleasant thought.

“I am sorry. I did not mean to bring up unhappy memories.”

Anna shrugged. “I don’t have many good memories.”

Kurt frowned. “I do not believe that is true. I remember how happy you were with my brother.”

She pressed her lips together. Even the “good” memories hurt. She preferred not to think about them. She stood. “I shouldn’t be here. I should go.”

Kurt grabbed her hand. “Please stay, Anna,” he pleaded softly. “Please. I have missed you.”

Anna stopped and looked back at him. The emotion that filled his eyes pained her. He cared for her. A lot. It was written all over his face. Is that why he’d come to San Francisco? To be with her?

“No.” She shook her head and backed away. She didn’t like the emotion she saw in his eyes. Even more, she feared the emotions bubbling up inside of her. “Please don’t, Kurt. I can’t deal with that.”

“Deal with what?” He stood, his voice husky with emotion. As much as she struggled, he held her hand tight and wouldn’t let her go.

“You. Feeling. Anything.”

Unexpectedly, Kurt leaned forward and kissed her. His lips were gentle, but insistent. His hand tangled in her hair and his tongue probed at her lips. She opened her mouth to receive him and let out a little moan as he invaded both her mouth and her heart. After a moment, she stopped fighting and leaned in and kissed him back. He nibbled at her lower lip and she gasped softly when he sucked on it. She moved her hand to the side of his face, her fingers tracing his cheekbone to his ear and down to his neck.

He pulled away, his lips lingering against hers. He gazed into her eyes. “Anna... I love you.”

“K-Kurt... No. I—I can’t. I can’t.” She pressed a hand to her chest and flinched. “It hurts too much.”

He brushed her hair away from her face. “I am not asking you to love me, Anna. I am only asking that you let me love you. I can be patient.” He gave her a sheepish smile. “Well, I can be now. I have learned quite a bit the last few years.”

Anna stared at him, her jaw trembling. She’d sworn to herself she’d never get involved with another man. And here she was, so quickly after reaffirming that vow, kissing Alex’s brother.

But she couldn’t bring herself to regret it. Not a single second. She traced his cheekbone again, and then his lips. “You’ve changed.”

“In a good way or a bad way?”

“Good, I think.”

“You did not like me before?” He pouted, but there was that familiar glint of mischief in his eyes.

She smiled. “I think you know the answer to that.”

His eyes softened and he smiled. “I do.”

Wilhelm cleared his throat and they both jumped. Anna had forgotten he was in the room. She looked sheepishly over at him, but he was beaming at them. “I think Anna needs to eat.”

Kurt looked her up and down. “You have lost a lot of weight, Engel .”

Anna looked down. “I’ve gained a bunch in the last few weeks. Devin makes me eat.”

Kurt grimaced. “I would hate to see how you looked a few weeks ago.”

“Devin said I was too skinny and not worth fucking.”

Both men’s jaws dropped open and Anna covered her mouth. “I’m sorry.” She looked down, her cheeks burning. It was true, but crudely stated.

Wilhelm recovered quicker than Kurt did. “It is fine. I am glad you are doing better now.”

Anna smiled. “I think I am too.” For some reason, she felt more like herself than she had in a very long time. At that moment, the idea of celebrating her birthday didn’t seem as ridiculous as it had an hour ago.

Kurt and Wilhelm took Anna to lunch at a cozy Italian restaurant around the corner from the hotel. Her fondness for the two men had been rekindled by the time they finished eating. An unfamiliar emotion swirled around her heart. Happiness. It was nice. Very nice.

Anna realized she appreciated Kurt’s attention. No one would ever replace Alex. He’d been her soul mate—or so she’d thought at the time. But unexpectedly, Anna found herself thinking about a future with Kurt. After all, he was now an Elder-Son, and an Elder-Son could be with an Elder-Mistress.