The Bond Between Us ( Anastasia and Herman) novel Chapter 1009

Anastasia’s heart skipped a beat when she heard the word “jailbreak.”

She dashed inside, nearly colliding with Rowan as he was heading out the door. He froze for a moment when he saw her, caught off guard.

“Rowan, where are you going?” Anastasia’s tone was all business.

Hot on his heels, Hanna burst in, frustration written all over her face. “Anastasia, please! Knock some sense into him—he’s lost it. He wants to break Asher out of prison!”

Hanna was beside herself. She’d poured her heart into getting Rowan back on his feet, taking care of him day and night, and now he wanted to throw it all away.

Who in their right mind would even consider busting someone out of prison?

Anastasia squared up to Rowan, her eyes sharp. Rowan just muttered, “He’s my brother.”

“He’s a criminal,” Anastasia shot back, her voice steely. “You want to join him in jail? The police still haven’t closed the case on those four men from the cave. If you go now, you’re basically signing your own death warrant.”

Rowan’s face was blank. “I killed someone. If you know that and don’t report it, you’re breaking the law too. You should turn me in.”

“That’s not the same,” Anastasia insisted. “Those four got what they deserved.”

If anyone else was involved, Anastasia wouldn’t have hesitated to call the cops. But this was Rowan—she just couldn’t do it.

Even if it meant breaking the law, even if she got charged as an accomplice, she’d take it.

Rowan had saved her life. Without him, she might not still be here.

Things aren’t always black and white, right or wrong.

Hanna, still fuming, raised her voice. “Rowan, I saved your life, remember? That means you owe it to me not to waste it. You think going solo to bust someone out is heroic? It’s stupid! Asher treated you like dirt—he doesn’t deserve this!”

Rowan just stood there, stone-faced, which only made Hanna angrier.

Anastasia couldn’t make sense of him, either. He was practically begging for trouble, and for what? Asher had never done a thing for him.

Hanna grabbed Rowan’s wrist. “Come inside. Now.”

Rowan shook her off. “My life. My choice. Stay out of it.”

He’d recovered now. Busting Asher out was just a way to get himself caught. If he could save Asher, great. If not, at least the mess would end.

“Anastasia,” Rowan said suddenly.

“Yeah?” Anastasia’s voice softened, waiting for him to go on.

But Rowan fell silent again.

Anastasia, never one for patience, was about to lose it. “What’s going on in that head of yours?” she blurted. If she could crack his skull open and peek inside, she would.

Rowan finally spoke. “Autumn is Julie’s real mother. Be careful around her.”

“I know,” Anastasia replied. “She was behind my kidnapping last time, too. She’s out for revenge for Julie. I get it. But… what’s your point?”

Rowan frowned. “You already knew?”

“Yeah…” Anastasia nodded, then suddenly put the pieces together. “Wait—is that why you want to break Asher out? Because you’re worried I’ll get dragged down with you?”