Anna took a deep breath. Allister didn't know what she was saying, or she was so tired that she was imagining things. Had All just said that Adam would fall in love with her? It was easier for the sun's rays to dry up the sea. “Your son is a murdering psychopath who has feelings for me? Wow! How flattering! I should throw myself out of that bedroom window right now and spare him...” “Don't talk like that, Anna. I need you to promise not to attempt your own life.” “After you're gone, any promise I've made won't make any difference, because you won't be here to see if I kept it.” Allister turned pale and Anna immediately regretted the harsh way she had spoken to him and took his hand again. “I'm sorry. Tonight hasn't been easy.” “You didn't tell me about dinner.” Anna lay down next to him and talked about Ryan and the woman who looked like a snake. Allister was amused by the way Anna deliberately told and described things as she saw them. Anna didn't even notice when s
“Wow! I think the conversation between you was very enlightening. You no longer look tired, like you're carrying heavy burdens. You look light.” “And I feel light.” He said and leaned back on the pillow. Anna approached him and began to caress his face. Allister held her hand firmly, forcing her to stop, and looked at her seriously. “No, Anna.” She felt her face burn with embarrassment and pulled away. “I'm sorry, for a moment I forgot... You're not well yet...” “I'm perfectly fine to have sex, Anna.” “I didn't... That wasn't my intention. You never touched me and your wife told me about the relationship and what you... You see me as a daughter.” Allister stared at her for a few seconds before replying. “You... Ah, Anna. Your desire for me is so flattering...” “Then... We can consummate our love. There's no reason to wait any longer. Neither of us will live long enough to...” “You think I haven't thought of that? Being with you, being your first man was
Allister was enjoying himself and laughed again. “He was born Alpha. No one will ever be able to exercise authority over him. But I believe you can soften him up. I know you. And everything you represent is the opposite of him. He needs you in his life to balance him out. He knows he has no limits and finds no reason to limit himself. You will become his motivation.” “I don't want to become anything of his.” “He doesn't either. But I believe that your meeting was predestined.” “Would you ask him not to keep taking me away from you? I'd rather have lunch here with you.” “I will, but today I want you to have lunch with him. Listen to what he has to say. I think that what he says to you over lunch will determine something I've avoided all my life. I want to know if my intuition is right.” “I don't think he's going to do business with me.” “Yes, he will, Anna. I can feel it.” “Fine, but then ask him to spare me having to be in his presence.” “After that, you won't
Adam had finished his lunch and picked up the glass, but when he put it back on the table, it didn't look as if its contents had been touched. Anna drank the entire bottle of wine left on the table and got drunk very quickly. It was the first time she had ever drunk, and she liked the feeling. She remembered her father's addiction and understood it. To spend twenty-four hours with that feeling of freedom was magnificent and tempting. It was as if all the world's problems had ceased to exist. “I called you here to let you know what will happen after Allister's death.” He said in a cold tone. Anna stared at him. Just as beautiful as her father. Perhaps what he wanted would be best for her. She raised her open hand in the air and smiled when he looked at her surprised and confused. “When someone reaches out and raises their open hand in the air, it's so that you can authorize them to ask a question.” She said debauchedly and saw an amused glint pass through his eyes before he
Anna laughed, leaning back in her chair. She was so drunk that she didn't understand the danger she was in, but no one would have been able to tell in a few years whether she would have acted differently if she had been sober. “And you invite a 'good-for-nothing' to lunch with you and ask for favors... That's not very coherent.” Adam looked at Anna's empty, clean plate. She hadn't even served herself. “Aren't you hungry?” he asked annoyed. “Yes, Adam. I am.” She said and looked at him suggestively. Adam stood up. “Come on. I'll show you the safe.” Anna stood up and overbalanced, but managed to hold on to the chair before falling. She turned to Adam. “If I'd fallen, you'd like that, wouldn't you? You're the typical bad boy.” She said and burst out laughing. Adam looked at the door, and Jenna was watching them with a smile on her face. “Take her. Remind me not to serve alcohol next time.” He said coldly and angrily and went into the apartment. Jenna went over to
Anna felt him put his hand on her shoulder, starting to panic. At first, he just stroked the spot, but then he squeezed until he drew a groan of pain from Anna, who stared at him with tears in her eyes, as he kept his hand there, squeezing even harder, while staring at her coldly. Anna knew they would hear if she screamed, but she didn't want to worry Allister or give Adam the pleasure, so she closed her eyes and bit her tongue, determined to endure the pain in silence. The grip lessened, but his hand remained on her shoulder. Anna opened her eyes and saw a mixture of surprise and coldness in Adam's eyes. He released her and put his hand back in his pocket. “Go on, miss.” “Do you need any help?” Anna knew she was facing a troubled man. Perhaps a conversation could transform him into someone more... human. “If you stay here, I won't be able to control myself, and you won't like what happens.” Anna stood with her mouth open, not knowing what sound should come out of it.
Allister was surrounded by beeping machines, hoses were coming out of his arm and his mouth was covered by a mouthpiece that helped him breathe. Anna suddenly felt cold. And fear. She never thought she would see that imposing man, so frail. He turned his face towards her and took the mouthpiece out of his mouth. “Come closer, Anna.” She obeyed, but the fear was evident in her gaze. “I took care of you. Those were the months of my life when I was happier than in my entire life. I was born again when I met you.” Anna began to cry. He was saying goodbye. “Don't say that. Are we going to be happy for a few more years? Please, All! Give me a few more years!” She said tearfully. “I still have a lot to talk to you about. Things I don't know how to say, because in my projects, I would do everything in the course of our lives together, and words would become unnecessary because you would know. I have nothing to compare this feeling that binds me, attracts me and makes me dependent
Anna chatted happily with Allister, as if he were as young and healthy as she was, and his father was amused. He didn't have the strength to laugh, but Adam could see the sparkle in his eyes. A sparkle that indicated life. There was still life there. They arrived home after spending the night in hospital. Everyone refused to leave Allister. Anna understood that, despite their differences, they loved each other. All of them. Ryan stayed in one of the apartments on that floor, to be closer to his uncle, and his grandfather and mother were on their way to Las Vegas, to stay there too. Only Allister's eldest son would come, visit and return to his own apartment in the city. Time went by. Anna met Ryan's family. His mother, brother, sister-in-law and grandfather. It was obvious that he had inherited all his mother's features and only his grandfather's lighter hair. He never tired of saying how much his grandson disappointed him, but he tried to stay close to Ryan at all times, as