The Bound Between Us

Chapter 883

Herman had no idea someone had been following Anastasia. She hadn't

mentioned it-figured, why worry him if nothing happened? But now it had slipped

out, and there was no point hiding it.

She came clean. "On my way home from work this afternoon, someone was

following me..."

She gave him the short version, then quickly added, "I'm fine. The guy's name

was Ben, I think-he was pretty clueless. Total rookie move. He's at the police

station now."

Anastasia knew Herman would worry, so she made sure he understood she

hadn't been hurt.

When Herman heard about the close call, his stomach twisted. "If people are

going that far, whatever's on that chip must be important."

He didn't dare shrug it off. He grabbed his laptop and tried to crack the chip, but

after two tries, no luck.

It was seriously encrypted.

If even Herman couldn't break in, that was saying something. Nelson had always

called him a computer genius. If this stumped him, they were in trouble.

"This thing's a hot potato," Anastasia said, her tone all business. "No idea where

rid of it fast. Can

haven't heard from Rowan

Either?" Anastasia zeroed in,

coughed awkwardly into his fist. "Um, I've run into

He's... he's been following you, too.

bad intentions, but he'd come to

Anastasia. Still, every

orbit, a pang of jealousy flared

he following me for?" Anastasia wondered aloud. Even as

Melody had told

trapped, it was

hospital. She owed him for that. That's why she'd agreed to hold

in

After a moment, Herman broke the quiet. "Go get

keep working

and let the

headed downstairs to fix Herman a cup

Salma, her mother-in-law, just coming in

"You're by yourself? Where's

face was stormy. "Don't even mention

kept her head down and started

after her, "Ana,

back to my

Anastasia stopped short, stunned.

you can't. Your

and you're

Why go back to that

something's bothering you,

about the

miss them!"

Salma

weren't

after everything with