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

to bring it up, but he couldn't keep it from her. Rowan had risked everything

them. He got badly hurt. He's at a clinic on the

Rowan had

before. Why would he

to show up when she was in

hadn't. Seeing Rowan

herself, wrapped in bandages, pale

startled for a split second, then turned his face away, not wanting her to see him like

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

finally managed, "Your wounds... they

He hadn't slept through the

said, stubborn as ever, not

for years, survived worse.

her. If