The Bound Between Us

Jason wanted nothing more than to work Anastasia's case, but now, his hands

were tied-orders were orders.

He'd been on the verge of quitting, yet this case made him change his mind.

After grabbing some late-night takeout with Mr. Taylor, they said their goodbyes

outside the neon-lit diner. Mr. Taylor slid into a black SUV, pulled out his phone as

soon as the door shut, and spoke in a low voice, "It's handled-Jason will report

to Einsberg tomorrow morning..."

Jason lingered at the curb, finishing off his cigarette before flicking it aside. By the

time he got home, it was already the middle of the night.

He unlocked the door quietly and found Monica asleep on the couch-again. She

always tried to wait up for him, but most nights, sleep won out.

He tiptoed over, intending to scoop her up and take her to bed, but as soon as he

bent down, Monica stirred.

The first thing she asked was, "Did you catch the bastard who set up Anastasia?"

What happened to Anastasia had Monica furious-if she could, she'd hunt down

the culprit herself.

Jason sat next to her. "No. And starting tomorrow, I'm off the case. Herman pulled

it."

"He can't just do that! Ana's the victim-how can he just walk away?" Monica's

voice trembled with anger. "He said he'd protect her. Look at her now. If he'd done

his job, she wouldn't have stormed out of that dinner, she wouldn't have been

none of this would've

her down. "No one wanted this.

but she's

anyone."

brimmed with tears. Thinking

was almost too much.

online... Do you think Ana..."

couldn't bring herself to finish the

those awful pictures-told a grim story. Four men.

and broken. Those images

from the

social media.

"Wait-the timing on those photos.

and by then, those

uploaded them?"

confused. "Didn't you say

but why bother scheduling? Why not just

was racing. "Maybe they were holding onto

they never

the shots-Jason was sure

photos had been

an hour after

enough

real mastermind to finish

business-and silence any loose

ends.

four never saw it

but Jason felt it

obsessive when he was piecing

it by now.

the damage

whispered. "Those photos... Ana's

going to be the

she'll

from this."

hard, only you can pull yourself

to get some rest," Jason