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

of

Jason tried to calm her down. "No one wanted

but she's

anyone."

eyes brimmed with tears. Thinking about what Ana

was almost too much.

you

couldn't bring herself to finish

pictures-told a grim story. Four men.

and broken. Those

straight from the kidnappers' phones

social media.

face changed. "Wait-the timing on those photos.

after Ana was found, and by then, those guys were already

uploaded them?"

confused. "Didn't you say they scheduled

but why bother scheduling? Why not just post them right

holding onto them for leverage,

they never

was calling the shots-Jason

had been set

an hour after Ana

That left enough time

real mastermind to finish

business-and silence any loose

ends.

four never

theory, but

when he was piecing things

it by now.

the damage is done,"

whispered. "Those photos... Ana's

be the

she'll ever come

from this."

you down so hard, only

some rest,"