The Bond Between Us ( Anastasia and Herman) novel Chapter 827

If a man steps in front of a knife for a woman—puts his own body between her and danger—there’s really only one reason. That woman is worth more to him than his own life.

That’s how Rowan sees Anastasia. She matters more to him than anything, even if he never says it out loud.

Love like that doesn’t just appear out of thin air.

Herman could feel jealousy burning in his chest, so he knocked back another long drink, trying to wash it away.

“So, what else is going on between them?” he asked, voice gruff.

Dailey thought for a second, turning it over. “Boss, honestly? Ana and Rowan barely even know each other. You don’t have to worry. Ana would never betray you.”

But the truth was, the few times Anastasia and Rowan had crossed paths, nobody else had been around. Dailey and the rest didn’t really know the whole story.

Herman stopped asking questions. He just raised his glass. “Let’s drink.”

Dailey drank with him. They kept going until the city streets grew quiet, empty except for the neon glow, and both of them were well past tipsy. Dailey could usually hold his liquor, but tonight, Herman was already out of it—not because of the alcohol, but because his mind was somewhere else entirely.

Honestly, if it were just a drinking contest, Dailey would never beat him.

Dailey was about to call a cab to take Herman to a hotel when a car he knew well rolled up and parked right in front of them. Anastasia stepped out, her face unreadable in the soft streetlight.

Propping up the nearly unconscious Herman, Dailey tried to explain. “Ana—hey, this wasn’t his idea. He wanted to go home, but I dragged him out for a drink. He’s been back a while, and I just got excited. I made him stay. We both overdid it.”

Dailey was handling his liquor fine—Herman, not so much. But it wasn’t really the booze knocking him flat; it was everything else.

Anastasia didn’t argue, just nodded calmly. “Help him into the car.”

She knew what was happening. He was avoiding her, maybe even scared to face her. He’d come back from Willowbrook and hadn’t bothered to come home. She wouldn’t have even known he was back if Nelson hadn’t slipped up and mentioned Dailey had taken his call.