The Bound Between Us

Herman had once suspected Sandy-and even Asher.

But it turned out neither of them was to blame.

Whoever did this, it wasn't them.

The scene had been brutal. The four kidnappers were found dead, their faces

unrecognizable from the violence. At the cave, police discovered blood from a fifth

person-someone who wasn't among the dead or Anastasia. But the DNA didn't

match anyone in the system.

So who was the fifth person? No one knew yet.

Until that person was found, what really happened in that cave would stay a

mystery.

The house was steeped in shadows. Herman reached for the light switch, but

Anastasia stopped him, panic flickering in her eyes. She couldn't stand the light.

She seemed made for the dark now-like a wounded creature, hiding away, afraid

to be seen, afraid to be touched.

She wouldn't let Herman near. Wild-eyed, she pushed him away, her voice

breaking: "Go! Just go, please!"

The heavy door slammed between them, sealing her in.

Herman stood there, fists clenched, his breath ragged with helplessness. He

pressed his forehead against the wall before slamming his fist into it, desperate to

let out his pain.

Salma, Anastasia's mother, had barely left Southridge Estates since the incident.

Hearing the commotion, she hurried upstairs.

"Son, how is Ana?" she asked, her voice trembling with worry.

his head, lost

knocked softly, her voice small

the door for

Anastasia was curled up beneath her blanket, hands clamped over

Every time she closed her eyes, the

her mind, swallowing the last bits of

door. Instead, her voice

don't want to see anyone! Go

with tears. She'd cried so much these

were nearly swollen shut.

for James and his quick

have suffered permanent damage from the

even

kidnappers were dead, taking

had uncovered what little they could:

no money, no messages-nothing.

could figure out how these

done time for different crimes, never met before, no

who brought

Detective Lucas is here," the butler

Lucas was leading the

trust anyone else with this case-there were too

hit too close to

to Salma. "Mom, please keep an eye

anything happens, call me right

Anastasia

her eyes and nodded. "Don't worry. I'll be

sent the kids to Salstrom Manor

out of harm's way.

the

written all

"How's Anastasia doing?"

just woke

Herman sat down, lighting

shaking

smoking too much lately.

that fifth

shook his

Herman, this

reeks of

remember-have you or Ana