The Bound Between Us

Anastasia caught on fast.

Rowan was risking his own neck just to drag Autumn down with him.

His words were all the proof anyone needed. Whatever he said, that became the story. If he pointed the finger at Autumn as the one pulling strings, the police would have to dig deeper-and once they did, Autumn would never get clear of it.

Because, honestly, Autumn really was the one behind it all.

Anastasia poked at her food, appetite gone. "Herman, can I see Rowan now?"

"Better not," Herman said. "I checked with Jason too-no visitors right now. Just go about your day as usual. Let me handle the rest."

Anastasia hesitated. She almost said something, but swallowed the words. At this point, nothing she could say would change a thing.

That idiot Rowan. She'd told him before-she didn't need him to stick his neck out for her, and she could never repay him anyway. But he still did it, just the same.

Herman could tell what she was thinking. He gently ruffled her hair. "Babe, could you take Pattie to school today? I've got to head to the west gate and I'm running late."

No matter how crazy things got, Herman was always gentle with her, even to the point of spoiling her. People on the outside were always shocked, wondering what magic Anastasia had worked on the CEO of Elysian Technologies to make him so devoted.

Anastasia nodded. "Sure, go ahead. I'll take care of Pattie."

Herman left first, with Nelson and the driver already waiting in the driveway.

After he was gone, Pattie finished breakfast. Anastasia called, "Grab your backpack, time for school."

"Okay!" Pattie grabbed her bag and climbed into the car. "Mom, is something wrong at home? You and Dad seem weird today."

honey. We'll handle it. Your job is just to have a good day at school." Anastasia tried not to

her disappear inside. Then

before Pattie even made it to her classroom,

short for his age-barely as tall as Pattie, even though he was in fifth grade. Boys always seemed

"Paradise!" he called out.

cool as ever.

hand. "This is a

it. He says to meet him after school, 5:30, in

handed it right

read it! My boss spent all night writing that letter. If he hadn't broken his leg climbing the fence, he'd have given it to

climbing the fence?

mean Andrew in

Andrew had tried to sneak out by climbing the school fence, got caught, panicked, fell, and broke his

Andrew's name posted on the school notice board all the time-bad grades, top of the charts for fights, sneaking out

week before, Andrew had

to drink a little blood. One kid fainted d'at the sight and dropped right on the playground, scaring the teachers half

grinned. "Paradise, you know my boss? Of course

him. Now that you're in the

TV dramas, Pattie thought. Every kid was talking about

didn't know

liked to play together one

minute youtre so

youre fighting over a pencil case.

off. "I'm going to