Maxwell solved that problem on the eighth day. When Anna took his hand and pulled him to the bedroom, he went, but refused to touch her.
"What's happening to you, Maxwell? What happened to the much-acclaimed virility of the men in the Lens family? You're a disappointment!" She said haughtily.
"Anna, you have three boys who need you."
"They have nannies, grandmothers, grandfather, you, Jenna... And I'm not in the mood to listen to children whispering."
"Ian wants to talk to you."
"You've already taught him that you can't have what you want. Let him understand that."
"You're neglecting your job as a mother."
Anna looked at him angrily.
"If you don't want to lie with me, that's fine, Maxwell. I understand that you're a slacker, but you're not going to tell me what to do, or judge me. We're in your courtroom, Maxwell. And you're not the judge here."
Maxwell looked at her thoughtfully.
"There's something missing, Anna. Tell me what it is, and we'll sort it out, so that you can go back to being my Anna."
Anna frowned.
"Don't be an idiot, Max! What could I possibly be missing? I'm going to see my children grow up, and probably die, am I going to be young forever? We haven't talked about it, but I imagine so, since every time I remove an earring, my ear immediately closes and rejuvenates. And it hurts to get your ear pierced every day, but... What was I saying? Oh yes! What am I missing? I need a man who can satisfy me in bed." She said with contempt.
"Aren't you satisfied with me, Anna? What do you really want? Do you want to go back to Adam?"
Anna stared at him, wanting to say yes, not knowing that he could read her mind, but she stopped herself and didn't answer.
"Ah, Anna! What a sad life you've had! What a shame! You're free to look for a man to satisfy you. Go after Adam or... You have many options, but only come back to me when you're you again. Until then..." He said and pointed to the closet. "Gather your clothes and get out of my house." He said and walked away.
Anna was furious. Was he blackmailing her? How dare he? She grabbed a suitcase from the closet and threw some clothes into it. Then she went into the kitchen and ordered the cook to get into the car with her, and drove off to a hotel.
Maxwell watched Anna's car leave the garage from the dark bedroom window. He had his hands in his trouser pockets when two pairs of red eyes appeared glowing in the darkness, approaching him and standing a pair either side.
"I thought Adam was the cruelest of brothers. What a magnificent mistake." Genevieve's sensual voice sounded behind him.
"How long do you think it will take her to realize that it was you who planted the thought that she loves only her brother?" Jasmine said in an amused voice.
Maxwell kept his eyes on the window, even though the car had already left the property.
"She's adapting fast, the transformation. I've never seen a vampire resist impulses with such persistence."
"What if she accepts the suggestion you put into her mind, to look for Adam, and really be better with him? I confess he's very good at sex." Genevieve said, looking at her nails.
Maxwell smiled.
"Better than me, Genevieve?"
She thought for a few seconds before answering.
"Better, no. Different. A very good different, master. Don't kid yourself. Being the master of vampires hasn't made you better than Adam in bed. It's only equalized the ability of the two of you." Genevieve said and left.
Jasmine leaned on Maxwell's arm.
"You want me to keep an eye on Anna?"
"Yes. Kill anyone who comes near. Human, werewolf, or vampire."
Jasmine smiled and closed her eyes with a dreamy expression.
"Let it be the werewolves. They have the tastiest blood I've ever tasted in my life."
Maxwell looked sideways at his mother.
"Don't waste any more time, Jasmine. Anna can't be left alone."
Jasmine smiled and walked away quickly.
Maxwell took a deep breath. Genevieve might have been right. He was torturing Anna. But it was the only way to get her back to him and his children. By making her lose all of them.
His cell phone vibrated inside his pants and when he recognized the number, he rolled his eyes and answered.
"Adam! Don't you sleep, brother? It's vampires who have a reputation for not sleeping through the night..."
"I'm in town." The voice on the other end sounded impatient.
"You can't interfere in my life now."
"Max... What matters least to me right now is what you do with your life. I want to talk to my son!" The voice was now threatening, but Maxwell remained calm.
"Give me another week. Go back to your country. It's not a good time to have a werewolf prowling Ireland."
"I'm not afraid of your bloodsuckers, Max. And I'm not alone."
"I don't control them all the time, Adam. It doesn't work in the same way that you totally dominate werewolves. I can't guarantee your safety and that of your werewolves. Go back to your country now, and wait a week."
A long pause on the other end was enough for Maxwell to worry. Adam was working out some idea, and he probably wouldn't like it. He needed to interrupt his brother's thoughts.
"Anna left the house and..."
"I don't even want to hear that woman's name, Max. I don't care about your problems. I'll take your advice. She's leaving Ireland right now."
Maxwell felt frustrated. Adam was quick and in a few seconds had come up with some meticulous plan.
"Maybe... I'll take Ian to the movies tomorrow afternoon..." He proposed, afraid now of Adam's ideas.
"No. You have seven days." Adam said and hung up.
Maxwell put the phone back in his pocket and sighed. What was Adam planning?
"That's not good, master." Genevieve's voice sounded behind him.