The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Northside Clinic

Tucked away on the edge of town, the street outside was nothing but shadows

and silence. It was well past midnight, and not even the hum of a car disturbed

the darkness.

Inside, the clinic's lights cast a soft glow, catching on bottles and clean sheets.

Rowan lay on a narrow bed, battered and bleeding. Hanna, the on-call doctor,

worked quietly beside him, her hands steady, but her eyes sharp with worry.

Rowan's injuries were no joke-five deep cuts traced across his face, hands, and

back, not to mention a dozen smaller wounds. Hanna dabbed ointment on each

one, her touch careful. Rowan gritted his teeth, jaw clenched so tight the muscles

in his neck jumped. He never made a sound, not even when his body shuddered

with the pain.

He'd dragged himself in after a fight that should have killed him, Hanna knew.

Four men against one-he'd survived, but just barely.

A sheen of sweat clung to Rowan's brow, his whole body tense. Hanna couldn't

keep it in anymore. "Was it worth it?" she pressed, voice low but fierce. "You

almost died for her. Does she even know? Does she understand what you've

gone through? Every scar on your face, your chest, your arms-she's the reason

you're lying here!"

Frustration and jealousy tangled inside her. She'd known Rowan for years, never

seen him care about anyone-until Anastasia showed up.

A nasty gash ran across his cheek, deep enough to scar. All this damage, all

because of Anastasia.

Rowan's reply was barely more than a whisper. "It's not her fault."

That only made Hanna angrier-and left her aching, too. If Anastasia understood

what Rowan had done, maybe Hanna wouldn't feel so bitter. But Anastasia didn't

know. Rowan was just a fool, throwing himself into the fire for someone who had

no idea.

And yet, the thought of Anastasia ever finding out made Hanna's stomach twist.

What if she did? What if she cared for Rowan too, and Hanna lost her chance with

him?

Women, Hanna thought, always letting their hearts get the best of them.

She finished bandaging him up andnoveldrama

tried to sound casual. "You snuck

back here behind your brother's

back. If he finds out, you're dead

meat. Just stay here and heal,

alright?"

Rowan nodded, eyes squeezed shut.

He looked like he was down to his

last bit of strength, Hanna hesitated

then asked quietly, why her,

Rowan? She's married. You know

this can't end well."

Why? Rowan's mind flashed back to

the elevator at the Crescent Bay

Hotel, to the first time Anastasia

spoke to him. That was the first time

anyone had ever shown him

warmth, ever really cared how he

was. She was a crack of light in his

pitch-black life. He didn't need a

reason. He just wanted her safe,

even if she never knew why.

He said nothing, lips pressed tight.

If he'd never seen the light, maybe he could've kept walking in the dark. But once

he had, he'd never let anyone snuff it out-no matter what.

Hanna could see she wouldn't get more out of him. She squeezed his shoulder

and stepped out, leaving him to rest.

She was restocking the medicine cabinet when sharp, urgent knocks rattled the

clinic's front door. This late? Her pulse jumped. Maybe someone hurt, maybe

something worse.

She hurried over, cracked the door, and froze. Herman-she knew his face from

the news, knew his ties to Anastasia and Asher. Panic shot through her and she

tried to shut the door.

Too slow. Dailey, Herman's muscle, shoved past her, sending Hanna stumbling.

"We're closed!" she snapped. "No emergencies tonight, go home!"

Herman barely glanced at her, his expression cold as he swept into the clinic.

Hanna darted after him, blocking his path. "Back off, or I'm calling the police. What

are you-"

Herman pushed open the door to the back room and spotted Rowan on the bed.

At the sound, Rowan's eyes flew open. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself

upright, ready to face whatever was coming next.