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.

microchip from Anastasia. Nolan, too nervous to do it

Anastasia shook her head and muttered, "Some middleman-he pocketed ten

found out who was behind Nolan, too.

"Asher?" Anastasia blurted out.

"That's right. Asher."

Rowan had given her the chip,

paying people to steal it back-without getting involved

And

paid Nolan to get the chip back. He didn't know about Nolan's deal with Ben, and he'd never told

Asher hadn't broken any laws. He'd already 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

hesitated. "Anastasia, what's the deal with this chip? Do you

a while ago. I have no idea what's on it. I

to be careful. It'd probably be smart to figure out what that chip actually

said. “Thanks

"Just doing my job."

all fours, letting Emmie and Nancy ride on his back like he was a pony The girls were laughing like crazy Pattie was holding onto her little brother and sister, everyone in

set Nancy down, sat cross-legged on the carpet, and scooped her into his lap. "Anastasia, how do I

already calls out 'Grandma