DANGEROUS DEVOTION
1455 Words
CHAPTER 08
Anna stood outside the house, her hand trembling slightly as it rested on the doorknob. The night’s chill seeped into her skin, but her mind was sharper than ever. The cold air bit at her exposed skin, making her shiver beneath the thin sweater she had thrown on before walking out. Her breath fogged the air in front of her, but the icy sensation spreading through her chest had nothing to do with the weather.
She had left the house hours ago, slamming the door behind her, knowing Jessica would think she had walked away for good. Jessica wanted her out of the picture—wanted her to break so she could swoop in and pick up the pieces of whatever was left of Michael. But Anna wasn’t done playing the game.
Jessica had made her mistake.
Anna brushed her hand against the burner phone in her pocket. It vibrated suddenly, the buzzing pressing through the thin material of her jacket. She slipped the phone out, her thumb hovering over the screen for half a second before she swiped it open.
Michael.
She answered immediately, her voice low. “Michael.”
“Anna.” Michael’s voice was sharp with tension. “What happened?”
Anna took a steady breath. “Jessica knows. It was a test—a setup.”
“What kind of setup?”
“She made me choose between killing a man or saving him.” Anna’s jaw tightened. “I chose to save him… and it was a trap. He attacked me.”
Michael’s curse was low and dark. “Did they hurt you?”
“I’m fine,” Anna said quickly. “But listen, Michael—Jessica’s weakness is you. She’s in love with you.”
A pause.
“I know,” Michael said quietly.
Anna’s hand tightened on the phone. “I never believed that,” she pressed. “But it’s true. She’s not thinking rationally anymore. She’s emotionally compromised.”
Michael’s voice sharpened. “And?”
“We can use it,” Anna said coldly. “Jessica’s control over the organization comes from her ability to keep emotions out of it. If we make her believe she has a chance with you, she’ll slip up.”
Michael’s hesitation stretched over the line. “Anna… you know what you’re asking me to do.”
“Yes.” Anna’s voice darkened. “Play into it. Make her think you regret everything with me and that you want to go back to her.”
Michael’s breath tightened. “This is dangerous.”
“I know,” Anna said. “But it’s the only way.”
Michael sighed. “I’ll call her.”
“Good,” Anna whispered. “Call me back when it’s done.”
She ended the call and slid the burner phone back into her pocket. Her pulse steadied as her mind sharpened. Jessica was powerful—but power meant nothing when your heart was compromised.
Anna turned and walked back into the house.
The grand hallway was dimly lit by the soft glow of overhead chandeliers. Anna’s heels clicked softly against the marble floor as she crossed the space, her face wiped clean of emotion.
Jessica was sitting on the couch in the center of the room, one leg crossed over the other, a glass of red wine balanced elegantly in her hand. Her eyes narrowed as Anna approached.
“Well,” Jessica said, swirling the wine lazily. “Did you forget something?”
Anna’s lips curved into a small, bitter smile. “Actually, I came back because I realized something.”
Jessica’s gaze sharpened. “And what’s that?”
Anna’s eyes darkened. “Michael never loved me.”
Jessica’s smile widened faintly. “Took you long enough.”
Anna stepped closer, her tone bitter. “The last person Michael contacted on that burner phone was you. The signs were always there—you knew too much, you were too comfortable talking about him.” Her voice dropped. “He was confiding in you the whole time, wasn’t he?”
Jessica’s eyes glittered with amusement. “He always had a soft spot for me.”
Anna’s expression hardened. “And I was the fool who believed I was the one he loved.” Her breath hitched. “You win. If Michael wants you… he can have you.”
Jessica’s smile sharpened as Anna pulled the burner phone from her pocket. It vibrated in her hand. Michael’s name flashed on the screen.
Anna answered with shaking hands. “Michael,” she said, her voice cracking.
“Anna?” Michael’s voice was tense. “Where are you?”
Anna swallowed hard. “Don’t pretend you care,” she hissed. “I gave you everything—my trust, my love—and the whole time, you were in love with her.”
“Anna, listen—”
“I’m done!” Anna’s voice broke. “You promised me a better life when you found me working that miserable job at the bakery. I trusted you! And now I find out you’ve been with her this whole time?”
Jessica’s smile widened as Anna’s anger boiled over.
“You can have her,” Anna spat. “You two deserve each other.”
Jessica reached out and took the phone from Anna’s hand. “Michael,” Jessica purred. “It’s me.”
Michael’s silence on the other end stretched painfully long.
Jessica’s smile softened. “I understand why this is hard for you. Anna is angry, but you and I… we’ve always understood each other.”
Michael’s breath was audible.
Jessica leaned forward. “You remember that night?” Her voice lowered. “The night you were drunk… you didn’t stop me.”
Anna’s chest tightened. Jessica’s voice was pure venom, laced with seduction.
“You wanted me then,” Jessica whispered. “And I know you still want me now.”
Michael’s breath hitched.
Jessica’s hand tightened on the phone. “Let me help you,” she said. “Anna’s leaving you. But I’m still here. I’ve always been here.”
Finally, Michael spoke. His voice was quiet. Calculated.
“Where are you?”
Jessica’s smile widened. “What?”
“If you’re serious about this,” Michael said, his voice low and sharp, “meet me. Just you and me.”
Jessica’s chest tightened with excitement. “You… you mean that?”
Michael’s voice darkened. “Anna’s gone. Maybe it’s time I stop fighting what’s always been there.”
Jessica’s eyes gleamed. “I’ll be there.”
Michael’s tone sharpened. “But if you really love me… you’ll help me take the organization down.”
Jessica’s eyes flickered with hesitation. “You want me to betray them?”
“I’m asking you to stand with me.”
Jessica’s lips parted. Slowly, a smile curled across her face. “I won’t let you down.”
“I know,” Michael said. “I’m counting on you.”
The line went dead. Jessica stared at the phone, her hand shaking.
Anna stood nearby, her expression cold and sharp.
Jessica’s smile widened. “Well. Looks like I finally got him.”
Anna’s gaze hardened. “Congratulations.”
Jessica’s smile turned predatory. “Must sting, doesn’t it?”
Anna stepped closer. “Just remember one thing, Jessica.”
Jessica’s brow arched.
Anna’s smile darkened. “Michael’s playing a game. And now… you’re part of it.”
Jessica’s smile froze.
“You think he loves you?” Anna’s voice was a dangerous whisper. “You’ve walked right into the trap you set for me.”
Jessica’s smile faded.
Anna’s eyes gleamed with quiet triumph. “And now… we’ll see who survives.”
Jessica’s expression darkened as a storm of conflict swirled beneath her gaze.
Anna turned toward the door, her pulse steady despite the chill in her chest. Jessica thought she had won.
But Jessica’s heart was compromised—and Michael knew exactly how to use that against her.
Jessica stood there, her hand tightening around the phone. For a moment, her gaze darkened as memories surfaced—the way Michael had moved through the organization, the quiet precision of his mind. He had built the security network they relied on. He knew how to handle the most dangerous buyers and how to close the biggest deals. That kind of control—that kind of brilliance—had always drawn her in.
Jessica’s fingers tightened on the glass of wine as a cold smile curved her lips.
Anna smiled to herself as she stepped into the night. The game was shifting—and Jessica was about to find out what it felt like to lose.
And this time, Anna wouldn’t hesitate to finish it.
- Writer
