The Bound Between Us

Herman told Dailey to keep following Ben's trail.

But Ben had never crossed paths with the Salstrom family, or Anastasia. No grudges, no history-it didn't make sense for Ben to round up four ex-cons just to kidnap Anastasia for no reason. Someone else had to be behind it.

By the time Herman got home, it was well past midnight. He paused at the foot of the stairs, glancing up at the darkened bedroom window. No lights, just a thick silence. But he knew-Anastasia was sitting in the bay window, staring out into the darkness.

He headed upstairs, quietly opened the bedroom door. Anastasia flinched at the sound, gave him a quick look, then turned her gaze back outside.

Herman, respecting her space, sat down on the sofa a good ten feet away. He kept his voice gentle. "Why aren't you sleeping?"

"Can't," Anastasia replied, her voice so calm it was almost unsettling.

She was afraid to sleep. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw flashes of that awful night.

Herman watched her, struggling with what to say. Finally, he spoke. “That night... in the cave. Rowan was there. I went looking for him afterward."

Anastasia's brow furrowed at Rowan's name. She stared at Herman.

it-Rowan really had been

he couldn't keep it from her. Rowan had risked everything to save Anastasia. She

He got badly

was stunned. Rowan had

before. Why would he go so

to show up when

wife-done what he hadn't. Seeing Rowan lying

still in shock when she saw Rowan herself, wrapped in bandages, pale and

a split second, then turned his face away, not

here, Herman must have told her. He didn't get why Herman would do that. Was 't he

"Your wounds... they must

his face. He

he said, stubborn as ever, not wanting her to

years, survived worse.

had done all this for her. If she pretended she