The Bond Between Us ( Anastasia and Herman) novel Chapter 820

Alisa was just the kind of challenge he liked—so much more interesting than the others.

He got her number, slipped it into his phone, and headed out, catching a cab. The ride was quiet, city lights streaking by until he hopped out at a nearly empty park. The benches were old, lamplight barely reaching the ground.

It was late—almost midnight. The only person around sat on a bench beneath a flickering streetlamp, a beat-up duffel bag at his feet.

That was Ryder—the same guy Monica had spotted by the river earlier. He’d just left the police station after giving a statement, looking exhausted, jaw clenched tight.

When the man from the cab walked up, the two of them stared at each other. They could have been twins—identical, except for a small mole at the end of one man’s left eyebrow.

Ryder kicked the duffel bag toward him. “Take the cash and lay low for a while. The cops are on your tail. If I hadn’t covered for you tonight, you’d be in a cell already. Detective Jason’s on the serial killer case. He doesn’t let anything slide. It’s only a matter of time before he finds you.”

The other man grinned, eyes wild. “Come on, bro. The game’s just getting started.”

His name was Harry—Ryder’s twin.

Ryder had put it all together the second the police grabbed him.

“What more do you want, Harry?” Ryder snapped. “You’ve killed three people already. When’s it going to be enough?”

Harry’s expression twisted, his voice cold. “Those women had it coming. If they hadn’t been so greedy, chasing men for money, they wouldn’t have ended up dead.” He snatched up the duffel, flashing Ryder a crooked smile. “Appreciate it.”

With that, Harry disappeared into the night.

Meanwhile, Monica—completely unaware she’d been trailed all evening by a killer—finally got home and hung up with her best friend, Anastasia.

Back at Anastasia’s place, she heard footsteps outside her door. She knew it was Herman, and her stomach did a nervous flip.

She jumped up as Herman walked in. “Let me run you a bath,” she blurted, eager to please, worried about making him unhappy.

“Anastasia, you don’t have to do that,” Herman said gently. “Sit down. Let’s talk for a bit.”