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 lost 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?

el.net

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 hool. no

made to protect her-and every time he'd failed. Content belongs to

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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.

Reading History

The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Chapter 888

BOND

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