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

Jason tried to calm her down. "No one wanted this.

Estates earlier-Ana's awake, but she's not herself. She isn't

anyone."

brimmed with tears. Thinking about

was almost too much.

photos online... Do you think Ana..." Monica's voice

couldn't bring herself to

pictures-God, those awful pictures-told a grim

and broken. Those images were

from the kidnappers' phones and splashed

social media.

changed. "Wait-the timing

and by then, those guys were

uploaded them?"

blinked, confused. "Didn't you say they scheduled the

but why bother scheduling? Why not just post them right away?"

were holding onto them for leverage, waiting on

payment. Only, they never got

was calling the shots-Jason was sure

had been set

hour after Ana

enough time

real mastermind to finish

business-and silence any loose

ends.

four never

was just a theory, but Jason felt it in

obsessive when he was piecing things

it by now.

damage is done,"

whispered. "Those photos... Ana's

to be the

how she'll ever come

from this."

down so hard, only you can pull yourself

to get some rest,"