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
Anna was convinced that she was being held prisoner so that she could be killed at some opportune moment, and she remembered her father. She wanted to say goodbye to him. He was the only person she wanted to see again before she died. She was lying on the floor, face up and staring at the ceiling, when she heard, after many days, the door opening. She felt so weak from the fruit diet that she didn't have the strength to look at who it might be. She heard the sound of shoes walking lightly, approaching and stopping near her. She looked out of the corner of her eye and saw expensive Italian shoes, very well polished, but she refused to see who they belonged to. Adam? Ryan? Her brother? Would the hand that killed her make a difference? “Something wrong with the bed?” The familiar icy voice sounded in the silence of the room and Anna had to control herself not to show any emotion. He would feel less inclined to prolong the torture if she didn't seem to mind. He might kill her quic
Anna turned her face towards the open door. If she ran, she could get there, but there should be a crowd of men in black suits outside. “You wouldn't get far and I'm not saying that because of the pack outside.” He said, guessing her intention. She turned around with a frown. “Pack?” “I didn't come here for that... I'm not going to have this conversation with you.” He said impatiently. “Do you understand everything you're going to have to do in front of everyone?” “Is a pack another name for lawlessness? For a tribe of cruel men?” “Do you understand, Anna?” He asked again and seemed ready to be merciless. “I understand, but... I'm not going to marry you. I don't want your dirty money! I can't even stand you, you're disgusting! I'll do what you say about your cousin, because I know he has something you want. And I know you're going to take it from him anyway. So, it's for him that I'll do it, but simulating a marriage with you to get rid of the need to be an honora
Kate stood up and everyone started to do so, except Anna and Suzy. “I'm going to fight for your father's last will to be done, Mr. Lens. It's not going to end like this.” She said defiantly and Adam looked at her interested. “What is my father's last will?” Kate took an envelope out of her briefcase and handed it to Suzy. “You can still choose to do what's right, Mrs. Lens.” “I'll wait.” Adam said sharply, opening the door in a suggestive invitation for everyone who remained to leave. Everyone left without speaking to Anna, until she was alone. She breathed a sigh of relief and still fought the urge to scream. Ryan came back into the office and sat down next to her. “Is there anything I can do for you?” “Ryan... I need my bag. It's not with my clothes...” “I'll find out where they kept your things and ask them to deliver them to the green house.” “Thank you.” “But, Anna...” “There is a 'but'...” “The vials of morphine found in your bag have been sent bac
Ryan approached and hugged Anna. His gesture seemed to calm her down. Anna gradually controlled herself and when she was better, she pulled away from Ryan. “I'm sorry...” “I won't let it happen again, Anna. You'll be well fed. Now, sit down and help yourself. I'll accompany you.” Anna sat down and ate furiously. It had been a long time since she had seen real food, and it seemed that nothing was enough to satisfy her. When she finally finished off the last grain of rice from the pot, she leaned back in her chair and looked intently at Ryan. “Thank you.” He smiled. “Anna, there's something I'm very curious about... Adam isn't being good to you, as far as I can tell, and yet you're going to pass on everything my uncle left you to him? Did he threaten you in any way to make you take this decision?” “No.” Anna said, knowing that she couldn't trust anyone. “Then... Why?” “Because it's his. All shouldn't have given me something that rightfully belongs to his son.”
Kate was livid and Anna was pleased with her reaction. But she took off her gloves and went into the house, with Kate following hesitantly. Kate put her suitcase on the table and looked determinedly at Anna. “I know how it might have seemed, me going into Adam's room, but this is my personal life, and I don't mix personal matters with professional ones. The fact that I went out with Adam doesn't interfere with my professional ethics.” “Yes, it does.” “Anna, your suspicion is offensive.” “So, I think I've achieved my goal.” “You can't be... You're kidding, right?” “No.” “That's a very bad feeling, Anna.” “So is being betrayed.” “I didn't betray you...” Anna picked up a glass and filled it with water and began to drink quietly. “I don't trust you, Kate. Tell me what you've come for and leave me alone. It'll be better for both of us if we never meet again.” “Adam blackmailed you into not accepting your inheritance. I need to know, because I can guarantee you
Ryan got up to leave, and Anna followed him to the door. When he bent down to kiss her cheek goodbye, she turned her face away, and he planted the kiss on her lip. He stopped in surprise, and when he saw Anna's eyes closed, as if waiting for more, he kissed her again. Anna found his kiss even gentler than Allister's on her face, and longed to feel his hands on her body, so she responded with ardor. She might never be able to have Adam, but Ryan was a good substitute. He had the same physical attributes as his brother, and she was very much in need. She ran her hand through his soft hair and pressed her body to his, but Ryan pulled away at that moment, showing that he was doing it with difficulty, and looked her in the eye. “Tomorrow, I'm going to surprise you. I hope you like it.” He said and left. Anna felt grateful to be able to wipe that fake smile off her lips, despite her frustration at having her wishes indifferently ignored, she was pleased with herself, and went into t
Adam came closer and reached up to grab Anna's neck and began to squeeze it. He felt very much like breaking it, and would like to do so when the time came... He saw the defiant look in her eyes, and her lips tighten into a line, to prevent him from knowing the pain she was feeling, and with his other hand, he ran his fingers over her lips, in a futile attempt to make them relax, then, the hand that was holding her neck went down to her waist, and the hand that was on her lip went behind the nape of her neck, and pulled her to him, and before lowering his head to her inviting lips, he faced the beautiful green eyes staring at him in indignation. He pulled her tighter to him and kissed her. Adam took her by the waist and lifted her up, placing her on the sink counter and between his legs. Tears were wetting her beautiful face, and that pleased him. He began to kiss her neck and caress her slowly, wanting to feel that wonderful body and prolong the sensation. But Anna d