Adam wasn't there yet, but she knew he would be soon. Sure enough, he saw her leave Ian's room. She grabbed a beer and sat down. She closed her eyes, not wanting to think about anything else. All she needed at that moment was to shower and go to sleep. She smelled his perfume before she felt his presence. Was he in the shower again, or did he just smell that way naturally? She opened her eyes and he was looking at her seriously, sitting in the armchair opposite her.
"I didn't think he'd think I'd kill anyone, for anything. That's not what I wanted to teach him."
"And what did you want to teach him?"
"That every act, no matter how small, had consequences. I wanted him to know that in this world, you can't let an act of rebellion go to waste. I know that one day he will become the leader of my entire empire, and his father's too. He can't be spared some things, which aren't for children."
"After dinner you talk to him and explain your way of seeing things."
"Why don't I do that now?"
"Because there are things you can't take away from him. He was sleepy when he went to the bathroom, and I know he'll sleep until dinner time."
Adam nodded.
"And how was your first day there, in captivity, with Sarah?"
Anna looked at him sarcastically.
"It's not like you were spying."
Adam's eyes became amused.
"Touche!" He said and then spoke, becoming more attentive to Anna's reaction. "Your father called me."
Anna wasn't surprised and this didn't go unnoticed by Adam.
"What did he say? Why didn't he come today?"
"He said he missed you, but he was making some arrangements... Probably his family's move."
Anna stared at him without surprise in her eyes, but she was afraid, knowing that Adam was aware of his family's move and was probably watching their every move. She also hadn't imagined that they would come so quickly. Anna thought that they should still pretend to be Adam's hostages.
"Did you free my family?" she finally asked, realizing that without that question, Adam would know he had been tricked.
"No." He just answered and looked at the beer in her hand. "Have you ever offered this to Ian?"
Anna was livid. And Adam was reassured. It was that reaction he wanted to see, to know if he was still differentiating Anna's tumultuous emotions.
"Have you gone mad?"
"He's a werewolf. Beer is like water to him."
"You're a monster, Adam. Don't you dare offer my son alcohol!"
"Our son." Adam corrected her again. "His father will come tomorrow, and I'll let him tell you the details. The important thing is that you know that your father expects a video call tomorrow, together with your family. More importantly, you should know that this doesn't change anything. In fact, now it's easier to do something against them. They're on my turf. So don't get your hopes up that you'll be able to escape and leave with Max, because you won't. I've already stepped up my surveillance. You won't get the chance."
Anna smiled, amused and defiant. She had no intention of escaping to be with Max. She would stay with him there. Under that roof.
"Adam, thank you for allowing me to talk, and to see my children. I hope I can have some privacy at least for now." Anna said and stood up. I'm going to take a shower."
"Your farewell earlier today was warmer." Adam said with a wry look. Anna thought she could fool him. She was in for a surprise.
Anna turned to him, with the same wry look, and said before leaving;
"Earlier today, I was very excited, because you gave me my mother's murderer in my hands and took care of everything..."
"And you're not excited to see your children again?"
Anna walked over to him, bent down to his face, kissed him softly on the lips, and then almost skipped out of the office.
Adam smiled to himself and closed his eyes, remembering the night before, when their bodies had met, longing for the touch of their hands. Like lovers reunited after a long time apart. Could it be that Anna didn't feel that way? Was it really something casual for her, like a need? She couldn't have changed that much. Although she was more mature, and certainly more experienced, she still had that innocent little girl in her who had poisoned him so that she wouldn't be possessed, as if she could free herself. She still had that girlish way that always charmed him. Perhaps it was his own fault for not giving her the value she deserved and putting a decent ring on her finger. But no matter what, he wouldn't lose her to his brother. He had already enjoyed her more than he should have. Now, she was his alone, and Adam wouldn't allow anyone to take her away, not even her father. Not even Ian. He'd made her swear a perpetual oath, but he knew that as soon as she awakened the Bruma inside her, she'd know how to undo those words, so he needed to come up with a meticulous plan if he wanted to keep her with him.
During dinner, everyone was very quiet, although the atmosphere was one of amusement at the joke they were playing on Alexander. He would soon learn that it was all a joke, so that he could learn who he owed his allegiance to.
Ian's countenance was lively, and Anna noticed that he was eating better with American cuisine. Soon, he would start to put on weight.
Kate didn't say anything, and didn't even seem to be aware that there were people around her. Her eyes were vacant, and she wasn't even looking at Caricature.
When everyone started to leave the table, only Adam, Kate, Ian and Anna remained. The men would wait outside, on Adam's orders, who wanted to be present at Alexander's fake execution.