Chapter Forty Four

ANNA 

I run into the packhouse.  Shaken, breathless

"River!"  I yell as I run up the stairs.  

"River!!"  I yell again.  He pops out of the bedroom door.  I skid to a stop.  My eyes are full of fear.  My breathing is fast.  

His face is full of confusion and concern.  "Anna, what's wrong?"

"It's Michael.  He's in trouble."  I grab his arm.

River ran his fingers through his hair.  "Damn it, Anna.  Did you go see him after I explicitly told you not to?"

I shook my head.  Swallowing trying to calm my breathing.  "No.  He came to me."

"What?!"  River's eyes changed to rage.  "Did he hurt you? What did he do, Anna?!"  He grabbed my arms, looking me over.

"No!  River, he didn't touch me.  Will you just listen?!"  I shrugged his arms off.

I told him everything Michael told me.

"He was t