The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Herman had once suspected Sandy-and even Asher.

But it turned out neither of them was to blame.

Whoever did this, it wasn't them.

The scene had been brutal. The four kidnappers were found dead, their faces

unrecognizable from the violence. At the cave, police discovered blood from a fifth

person-someone who wasn't among the dead or Anastasia. But the DNA didn't

match anyone in the system.

So who was the fifth person? No one knew yet.

Until that person was found, what really happened in that cave would stay a

mystery.

The house was steeped in shadows. Herman reached for the light switch, but

Anastasia stopped him, panic flickering in her eyes. She couldn't stand the light.

She seemed made for the dark now-like a wounded creature, hiding away, afraid

to be seen, afraid to be touched.

She wouldn't let Herman near. Wild-eyed, she pushed him away, her voice

breaking: "Go! Just go, please!"

The heavy door slammed between them, sealing her in.

Herman stood there, fists clenched, his breath ragged with helplessness. He

pressed his forehead against the wall before slamming his fist into it, desperate to

let out his pain.

Salma, Anastasia's mother, had barely left Southridge Estates since the incident.

Hearing the commotion, she hurried upstairs.

"Son, how is Ana?" she asked, her voice trembling with worry.

Herman just shook his head, lost for words.

Salma knocked softly, her voice small and pleading. "Ana, honey, it's Mom.

Please, open the door for me, will you?"

Inside, Anastasia was curled up beneath her blanket, hands clamped over her

ears, shutting out the world. Every time she closed her eyes, the horror replayed

in her mind, swallowing the last bits of light inside her.

She didn't answer the door. Instead, her voice rang out, raw and desperate: "Just

leave! I don't want to see anyone! Go away!"

Salma's eyes filled with tears. She'd cried so much these past few days, her eyes

were nearly swollen shut.

If it hadn't been for James and his quick thinking-thank God for that-Anastasia

might have suffered permanent damage from the overdose. She could have lostnoveldrama

her memory, her mind, even the use of her limbs.

The four kidnappers were dead, taking their secrets with them.

Police had uncovered what little they could: the four were all recently released

convicts, no family, no connections, no money, no messages-nothing. Too clean,

almost suspiciously so. No one could figure out how these four came together.

They'd done time for different crimes, never met before, no overlap at all.

So who brought them together?

"Mr. Salstrom, Detective Lucas is here," the butler announced.

Jason Lucas was leading the investigation.

Herman didn't trust anyone else with this case-there were too many loose

threads, and it hit too close to home.

He took a steadying breath and turned to Salma. "Mom, please keep an eye on

her. If anything happens, call me right away."

He was scared Anastasia might hurt herself.

Salma wiped her eyes and nodded. "Don't worry. I'll be here."

After the kidnapping, Herman had sent the kids to Salstrom Manor to keep them

out of harm's way.

Downstairs, Jason was waiting alone in the living room. He stood up as Herman

walked in, concern written all over his face.

"How's Anastasia doing?"

"She just woke up. She's... not

herself." Herman sat down, lighting a

cigarette with shaking hands. He'd

been smoking too much lately. "Any

leads on that fifth person?

Jason shook his head, looking grim.

"Nothing yet. Herman, this whole

thing reeks of planning. Try to

remember-have you or Ana

crossed anyone? Who could pull

something like this together? Did

Ana say anything that might help?

Maybe I could talk to her?"

Jason kept something to himself-he'd felt pressure on this case, like someone

wanted it buried.

"She's in no state to talk," Herman said, his voice rough. Just thinking about her

breakdown upstairs made his chest ache.

His own memories were clearer

now. Two days ago, he'd found

Anastasia by the roadside, battered

and barely conscious. He

remembered every promise he'd

made to protect her-and every time

he'd failed.

If this case hadn't blown up and brought in the cops, Herman wouldn't have called

them at all.

Whoever hurt Anastasia-he wanted to make them pay himself.

Jason sensed Herman's resistance and tried to warn him. "Herman, this is for the

police. Let us handle it. Don't do anything rash."

The room seemed to chill. Herman's anger filled the space, heavy and

suffocating.

He fixed Jason with an icy stare. "It's late. You should go."

Jason hesitated, but there was nothing else to say. He grabbed his coat and left,

tension still thick in the air.