Chapter 78

At break, Anna listened to the message Devin left on her phone. “Trent and Maki are coming to our house tonight, so be ready for them when I get home. I’ll be bringing Trent from the office. Be downstairs in the living room in something sexy. See you then.”

Our house? Anna’s stomach filled with butterflies. Mixed emotions flooded her as she thought about Devin using that term. But it made her smile, albeit nervously. Despite her uncertainty about his new demeanor, she couldn’t deny that she liked it.

She returned to the studio for the next part of rehearsals.

Justin tilted his head and raised his eyebrows. “Something’s made you happy.”

“Oh . . . just . . . a message.”

“Your new boyfriend?” Justin had been trying to figure out her relationship status in a roundabout way, though it didn’t seem that he wanted to date her. He was just... curious.

She shook her head. “Not a boyfriend.”

“Why are you so secretive about this guy?”

Anna looked away. Why was she secretive about Devin? It’s not like Justin wouldn’t figure it out sooner or later, especially when opening night came around. Devin was well known in the city.

Was she ashamed of Devin? No, that wasn’t right. It seemed okay to have a boyfriend. But to be a mistress? It seemed... antiquated. Wouldn’t he be just a lover? She was his lover, but he wasn’t necessarily her lover, though she was—Oh, it was so confusing!

She was his slave, but she couldn’t say that. Slavery wasn’t a real thing in today’s world, even though it was. The girls at the Manor were slaves. They had no identification. To the outside world, they didn’t even exist. Anna was a slave because Devin took her. There was no escaping, no changing her life. There had been a chance with Alex...

She glanced down at her wedding ring. Alex .

Justin touched her hand. “Hey, I’m not judging or anything. I’m just trying to get to know you.”

Anna looked up at him. His gray eyes were sincere and looked sad for her. She gave a small smile. “Do you know who Devin Andersen is?” She didn’t know if he’d been here long enough to know who he was.

“Who doesn’t?”

“He’s... the one I... spend time with.” Somehow, just coming out and saying she was his mistress didn’t seem right.

“Ah.” He tilted his head. “Isn’t he old?”

Anna shrugged. “I think he’s in his mid-forties.”

“Guys your own age aren’t interesting enough?”

She frowned. “I was with Peter for over a year.”

“And then you jump into a relationship with one of the richest men in the city?”

Anna opened her mouth to retort, but couldn’t come up with anything smart to say. “I’ve... known Devin my whole life.”

Justin raised his eyebrows in shock. “That doesn’t make it sound any better.”

Anna looked back down at her ring and rubbed it, wishing Alex was still alive. Explaining her position in Devin’s life was so complicated. It hadn’t been when Alex was alive. And it wasn’t like she had a choice. Justin couldn’t possibly understand that, even if she could somehow explain it.

Fortunately, at that moment, Isaak walked into the studio and she didn’t have to continue the conversation. She pushed Justin’s comments to the back of her mind and concentrated on dancing.

When they were done with rehearsal, Justin sat next to Anna as she quickly untied her pointe shoes. “I wasn’t trying to make you feel bad, Anna.”

She gave him a sideways glance and then looked down at her knotted ribbon, trying to get the satin ties loose.

“You’re just a really sweet, pretty girl, and I don’t get why you’d—?” He shrugged. “I dunno. You seemed really happy with Peter. It sucks he had to move away.”

“Yeah . . .” That was a whole other complication.

“But then you jump into... whatever... with Andersen?” He shook his head. “It’s okay to be single for a while, ya know. Play the field or something.”

Anna stared at him for a long minute. He genuinely felt bad for her.

Justin pursed his lips. “Travis doesn’t think very highly of him.”

Anna shrugged. What could she say? Travis knew what Devin did to her.

“Did he give you that?”

Anna looked up and saw him nodding toward her wedding her ring. She blinked back tears. “No,” she said softly. “It’s my wedding ring.”

Justin stared. “You’re married?”

“Was.” She stared at the satin ribbons for a moment before attempting to free the knot again. “He died almost four years ago.”

“I’m sorry. I think I remember people talking about that.”

Her knot finally gave way. “I kinda lost it after that.” She pulled her shoes off and put them in her bag.

“How long were you married?”

“Three months.” She squinted at the ceiling. “Well, not even.” She stood and slipped her flip-flops on. “I need to go. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She felt him watching her as she walked away.

Later that evening, Anna studied herself in the bathroom mirror. She wore a short, dark-green dress that flared around her hips. Thong, garter belt and stockings, push-up bra, and heels completed the outfit. She hoped Devin would be pleased. The clock on the vanity showed it was almost six, so she made her way downstairs to the living room. Looking around, she contemplated how she should present herself. Kneeling would be the safest course of action. But where?

She settled onto her heels by the door just as she heard male voices coming up from the lower level of the house. Hands on her thighs, head down, she waited for the men to walk into the room. Devin took two steps into the room and looked around. Trenton sat down on one of the couches.

“There’s my girl,” Devin said in a pleased tone.

Anna relaxed. Just a bit.

“Let me see you.”

She gracefully stood and looked straight ahead as he examined her. He turned and walked out of the room without saying anything. Anna blinked back tears. She had displeased him! She had tried so hard, and she had displeased him. A tear escaped as she hung her head. She quickly wiped it away and then clasped her hands in front of her hips.

Devin returned a few minutes later and stood in front of her. “Anna.” His tone was gentle.

She slowly looked up and was surprised to see him smiling at her. “Did I displease you, Master?”

“No. Not in the least.”

He held up a silver chain with a pendant. Her Elder-Mistress necklace! She gasped. “Master?”

He walked behind her. “Hold up your hair.” She obeyed and he clasped the necklace around her neck, then kissed her neck at the clasp. “I am very proud of you, Baby. You deserve this back.”

She hadn’t worn her necklace since Wilhelm had been banished. She touched it softly. “Thank you, Master.” Her heart glowed warm and she beamed.

He turned her around and traced the circle. “My Mistress...” He leaned forward and kissed her. “Very pleased...”