The Bound Between Us

Anastasia got home, still a bit rattled.

First thing she did was grab her phone and call building security, letting them know about the guy who tried to kidnap her. The place she lived in had pretty tight security-once she described what the guy looked like, every exit in the complex was locked down.

Twenty minutes later, her phone rang. It was security from the property management office.

"Mrs. Salstrom, we've caught the suspicious man. Should we send him to the police, or do you want to come see for yourself?"

"Just take him straight to the police," Anastasia said after thinking for a second. "Send him to the Chaoyang police station."

Jason worked that area, and she wanted him to handle this mess.

Anastasia didn't bother going out herself. After giving her instructions, she went to the kitchen to start dinner. The twins, Emmie and Nancy, were toddling around with their nanny, happy as could be practicing their wobbly steps.

Salma and Tavon weren't home, but Anastasia didn't ask where they'd gone.

About an hour passed and dusk settled in. Flynn dropped by and was in the living room playing with the kids. Pattie had finished her homework and was helping take care of her little brother and sisters.

That's when Jason called her back—he'd already gotten the story out of the suspects.

The kidnapper's name was Ben. A total newbie-this was his first time trying anything like this. And the guy who called Ben? Nolan. The police had tracked him down too.

Anastasia. Nolan, too nervous to do it

and muttered, "Some middleman-he pocketed

end. "We found out who was behind Nolan,

"Asher?" Anastasia blurted out.

"That's right. Asher."

even more confused. Rowan had given her the chip, but

paying people to steal it back-without

on? And where had Rowan

about Nolan's deal with Ben, and he'd never told anyone to hurt Anastasia— he just

hired a lawyer and was pinning everything on Ben. Without hard evidence, the police couldn't touch Asher. Just like last time, when he'd helped Julie-no proof, no

deal with this chip? Do you really

"Rowan gave me a chip a while ago. I have no idea what's on it. I can't

"You need to be careful. It'd probably be smart to figure out

said. “Thanks for your

"Just doing my job."

room. Flynn was down on all fours, letting Emmie and Nancy ride on

her into his lap. "Anastasia, how do I teach. Nancy to say 'Uncle Flynn'? She just doesn't get it. My

already calls out 'Grandma