War Girls Complete Collection Chapter 79

Chapter 24

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fter an exhausting day at work, Anna returned home, her entire being aching with guilt and shame. It was so wrong, and yet, Professor Scherer had once again convinced her to walk down that slippery path.

Emotionally drained and exhausted, all she wanted to do was sleep. And forget. But when she approached the apartment building, a huge man sat on the steps, jumping up when he saw her approach.

“Anna…please. Can we talk?” Peter begged her. “Please?”

She squinted her eyes at him, nodding. She was too tired to fight another battle today. Then she walked around him, needing her space, because she knew the moment he touched her she would sink bawling into his arms.

“Come in,” she said as she unlocked the door and set down her purse on the side table. Biting her lower lip, she turned to look at him. “What did you want to talk about?”

“Anna, can we sit down, please?” Peter held out his hand and waited until she joined him on the couch. “I’m so sorry you had to find out like this. Will you let me explain?”

She nodded but didn’t look at him. Peter sighed as if he expected as much and then began to talk.

“I was born in Poland.”

“You already said that,” she commented quietly.

“Both of my parents were healers, much to the dismay of my grandparents who had hoped my father would one day run their farm on the outskirts of the town. My siblings and I grew up speaking both Polish and German. At that time, it was normal for children of Polish intellectuals to learn several languages. I also speak decent English and Russian. But I digress. When Hitler invaded, I was an officer in the Polish army. After the devastating defeat, my unit fled via Romania and Iran to Britain.”

“You did?” Anna couldn’t help but look at him. Fleeing thousands of miles across Europe seemed an impossible undertaking.

“It’s not something I’m especially proud of,” he said, nervously twisting hands. “But at that time it was the best thing to do. We wouldn’t be of much use for Poland in a prisoner-of-war camp…or as forced laborers in the Reich.” He gave a bitter laugh. “Many of my men died, but a majority reached Britain. Some joined the British Army, others decided to be repatriated and joined the Polish resistance, the Armia Krajowa or Home Army as you would call it.”

“And you? How did you end up here?” Anna asked despite her intention to remain silent.

“Me?” A soft smile quirked his lips and he took her hand. “At first I joined the British Army and asked to be put to service. I was part of the British Expeditionary Force in France – you know how well that worked out.” He rubbed his hand across his beard before he continued, “My men and I got evacuated from Dunkirk.”

“Oh,” was all Anna could say. She’d never understood why Hitler had allowed the English to evacuate their soldiers. Rumors had it that he’d wanted to show his goodwill and convince them to join forces with him. But those times had long passed…

“It was godawful. When I returned to England, the SOE recruited me to work for them and arranged for me to come into Germany.”

Without noticing it, Anna had inched closer to Peter, staring at his lips, soaking up every word he spoke. “That’s how you came to work for Professor Scherer?”

He reached out an arm and tucked her in by his side. “Someone on the inside made a suggestion, and since they had gained the trust of those in power, their suggestion was taken without question. It was the perfect position to have. The professor is socially active and as you’ve seen, the men pulling the strings of the war value his opinions so much, they openly discuss matters in his presence. As his security guard and driver, I attract no suspicion and can overhear these conversations.”

“Does the professor know?” Anna asked.

“No. He may not be a Nazi by conviction, but he would never go against them. He knows that would be the end of his career, and he values his status too much.”

A pang of guilt hit Anna’s stomach.

Same here

.

Peter took her face into his hands and pressed a sweet kiss on her lips. “Can you forgive me for pulling the wool over your eyes?”

“Perhaps,” she said. He didn’t have to know that she’d already forgiven him. Trust was a tricky issue, and she would have done the same thing in his shoes.

“Sweetest Anna, believe me, I wanted to tell you so many times, but…you seemed so enthralled with the glamor and adulation of the Nazis, I wasn’t sure where your loyalties actually lay.”

Anna laughed sharply saying, “That’s because we don’t know much about each other.”

“I would like to change that. Can you forgive me and give me a second chance?” Peter pressed another kiss on her cheek, and Anna’s mind went blissfully blank. She grabbed his shoulders like a drowning woman, and soaked up his calming presence.

“If you promise to keep no more secrets,” she answered.

“Promise.” He grinned and took her mouth in a passionate kiss. Anna felt as if she were floating on cloud nine, and soon enough he scooped her up into his arms and carried her over to the bedroom. She leaned her head against his broad chest, and giggled as he settled her carefully on the bed.

“Wait!” She shot up and searched his face as if seeing him for the first time.

“What is it, sweetheart?”

“I don’t even know your real name! How can I do this if I don’t even know who you are?” Anna whispered.

“I’m the man who loves you. That’s who I am.” Peter chuckled. “My real name is Piotr Zdanek. I am a member of the Polish Army, a member of the British Army, and currently acting as a spy for both.”

Anna slung her arms around his neck and pushed back so hard he lost his balance and toppled on top of her. When he placed little kisses down her neck and her collarbone, she moaned with delight. But the moment he pushed his hands beneath her blouse, she sucked in a breath and clenched her hands by her sides as the old fears tried to surface.

“Are you afraid of me?” Peter, sensing her sudden tension, stopped kissing his way across her jawline and looked deep into her eyes.

“Not of you, but I am afraid,” Anna whispered. She knew she should tell him the secret she’d been hiding, but she wasn’t that brave.

“Do you want me to stop? We can wait,” Peter said.

“No. I have waited so long. I want to stop being afraid. Please help me.”

Peter kissed her again and then unbuttoned her blouse. “Are you sure about this?”

Anna nodded, seeking the love in his eyes. “I’m positive. Show me that being with you is as wonderful as I’ve imagined.”