The Bound Between Us

Chapter 929

Mr. Walker had been married to Autumn for more than twenty years, but tonight was the first time he'd ever seen his wife dig her heels in like this.

Earlier, he'd dropped Daria off at her place. When she hopped out of the car, she waved and called, "Bye, Grandpa!" The word made his heart feel unexpectedly light. If only he really had a granddaughter like her-how wonderful would that be?

He lit up a cigar and sat quietly for a while, lost in thought. Finally, he said, "I'll find time to meet with Joseph and talk things through.”

When Mr. Walker finally agreed, Autumn's whole face lit up. "Honey, I'll leave this to you."

In over two decades together, Mr. Walker could count on one hand the times he'd seen Autumn act this sweet. In his mind, she was gentle and kind, but always a little stiff—unfailingly strong. They'd never even had a real fight. They were the couple everyone else pointed to as the gold standard.

But tonight, she kept calling him "honey," and he couldn't help but be charmed. Even though her story had gaps big enough to drive a truck through, he let it go. He didn't ask what kind of classmate Devin had really been, or what exactly went on between her and Ben, or why she'd been so secretive about collecting Julie's body.

Some things, he figured, were best left alone.

Up on the hillside, in one of those big, gleaming houses where all the lights seemed to burn late into the night, Rowan hung upside down from a heavy beam. His wounds had split open again, fresh blood soaking through and dripping onto the polished floor. With all the blood rushing to his head, his face was beet red, veins standing out at his temples and neck.

whips in hand, waiting for Asher's word. Asher took a

him, silent and stubborn as

tea in Rowan's face. The hot liquid made Rowan wince, stinging his wounds and making him gasp. Still, he didn't say a

you are," Asher snapped, stalking over. "We're supposed

a bitter laugh. "Are we really brothers?" Or

stood over him, his face twisted with something between disgust and a hint of regret. He'd

er

but still

only

family Asher had left.

the chip, and we'll call it even." Rowan's jaw was set. "I

to count. Rowan wasn't just being stubborn; he was trying to save Asher from himself. But

Yel

"Is this about that woman?" He grabbed Rowan by the chin. "I told you to keep an eye on her, and you catch feelings? For Herman's girl,

"It's not like that." The last thing he wanted was for Asher to go after Anastasia. Asher