The Bound Between Us

Chapter 930

Herman showing up was the last thing Asher expected.

He dropped Rowan and turned to his guy. "How many people with him?"

"T-t-t..." The poor kid had a stutter that could tie knots in your patience.

Asher's eyebrows jumped. "Twenty?!"

"N-n-no, it's t-t-t..." The guy's face was red as a tomato, struggling just to get the words out.

Asher was about to lose it. He stared at the kid, waiting for something more than another round of "t-t-t..." but that's all he got.

Finally, Asher lost his patience and sent a quick kick his way. The kid hit the floor, and the shock must've helped, because at last he managed to spit it out: "Two. Two people."

Asher just stared at him. "...Really?"

"If it's just two, just say two! What's with all the t-t-t? Didn't your English teacher teach you anything?" Asher gave him a light slap on the back of the head. "You're such a blockhead."

The kid, gathering his courage, corrected him, "Asher, it's 'dumbass'."

"Oh, dumbass, huh? I'll give you dumbass!" Asher gave him another slap. "If I say blockhead, it's blockhead. Got it?"

The kid rubbed his head, looking totally put out. "G-g-got it."

at Rowan, and now his own crew was driving him nuts. He stood there, hands on his hips, so mad he forgot what he was even supposed

piped up, "Uh, Asher, Herman's

I never go looking for him, and now he's

Asher asked. "Who's the other one?

"Asher, you've always been scared of Herman, aren't you?

looking for Herman-he can barely hide fast enough. He must've

Asher just glared.

not to laugh. At the same time, a wave of envy

Riley-everyone called him Junior. Twenty-one; sharp-featured, and had been tagging along behind Asher since he was sixteen. He never did anything big, just errands and odd jobs. Out of all Asher's guys, only Riley

wasn't that Riley was brave. He was just a little dense,

rushing around, saying whatever

into his head,

answer with

wide-eyed, innocent stupidity that

was almost sweet.

been anyone else annoying Asher like this-or even Rowan-someone would be bleeding. No one else ever got to stick around after

were the worst of it. It all looked rough, but Asher never really hurt him. Even Rowan,

of jealousy. Deep down, he wanted that kind of brotherhood with

steel. "If you can't talk right, just shut up. Let Rowan down-I'll deal with

Riley gulped. "Y-yes, Asher."