Read The Life of Anna, Part 4: Ensnared for Free Online Page B

new pink silk dress Kurt had
bought her for her birthday and looked at herself in the mirror.
Yes, she was definitely older now. Today was her twenty-third
birthday.
    Twenty-three would be a good year. She would
marry Kurt and stay in Germany for a while. Or forever, maybe. Yes,
she would miss dancing, but if giving it up meant being away from
Devin, then she would do so happily. Besides, there were dance
companies in Germany...just not in Frankfurt.
    Kurt walked into the bathroom, looking very
handsome in his dark suit, and wrapped his arms around her waist.
He kissed her cheek. “Are you about ready to go?”
    Anna nodded. They would go to the dinner as
planned, but instead of coming back to the hotel, they would go
straight to the airport. Wilhelm wouldn’t even check out of the
hotel first. He would do it once they were back in Germany and have
their things shipped home. He was doing everything possible to keep
Devin from finding out they were leaving. He wouldn’t even allow
them to talk about it when they were outside the hotel room.
    They arrived at the restaurant and Anna was
immediately grabbed and hugged by Jenna. And then Aaron. And then
Travis. And a whole host of other dancers whom she’d become friends
with before Alex had died.
    Anna saw something on Jenna’s finger. “You
got married?” she asked incredulously.
    Jenna smiled apologetically. “I wish you
could have been there. But...you weren’t well. Dad said he tried to
talk to you, but....” She shrugged. “We can watch the video.”
    “When did it happen?”
    She glanced back at Matt. “Nine months ago?
September?” Matt nodded and grinned.
    Anna hugged her friend. “I’m so happy for
you, Jenna. I really am.”
    They were seated at a large round table. Kurt
sat on one side of her and Jenna the other. Jenna made a big deal
about it being Anna’s birthday. Anna blushed and buried her face in
Kurt’s shoulder.
    “What’s going on with you and Kurt?” Jenna
asked softly after the drinks had been delivered. She raised her
eyebrow at Kurt’s arm draped across Anna’s shoulder.
    Anna shrugged, then blushed. “We just...I
don’t know. I saw him on Friday and...it just clicked.”
    “Isn’t he still married?”
    “No. His divorce was finalized several months
ago.” She smiled. “He’s...different now. Settled. And he’s so
attentive.”
    Jenna giggled. “Yeah, that’s obvious. But if
he hurts you....” She narrowed her eyes.
    “He won't. If you spend time with him, you’ll
see.”
    Jenna leaned forward and studied him for a
moment. “Well, he’s definitely not flirting like he used to.”
    “I told you.”
    Anna had a wonderful time with her friends.
Aaron told her to hurry up and get back dancing so they could dance
together.
    It really felt like a celebration. Her first
birthday celebration in many, many years. Since Jack started
training her. She couldn’t imagine a more wonderful day.
    Jenna took her phone number and promised to
call in the next few days so they could catch up. Anna agreed, even
though she knew that she would be gone. But she had to play along.
No one could know they were leaving.
*****
    After dinner was done, she was thoroughly
embarrassed by the servers at the restaurant singing happy birthday
to her. A little while later, she said goodbye to her friends and
Wilhelm, Kurt and Anna got into the limo to head to the
airport.
    Anna leaned against Kurt and watched the
lights of the city fly past the windows. Wilhelm seemed tense.
    “What is wrong, Vati?” Kurt asked.
    “Just...concerned. Devin’s contacts are wide
and varied. He knows everything that goes on in the city. I will be
much more at ease once we are in the air.”
    It was late and Anna was drifting to sleep
when she heard Wilhelm curse and Kurt sat up straight.
    “What’s wrong?” Anna asked.
    Wilhelm didn’t get agitated easily. She
looked out the window and saw a black car parked by the Kunze
family’s huge jet. Leaning against the back