The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Herman's words were blunt, laced with a hint of contempt.

Rowan didn't bother to deny it or argue. He just lunged in again.

No wasted movements-each blow was sharp, meant to do real damage. There was no showboating here, just two men testing each other's limits.

Herman hadn't fought in ages. He couldn't even tell if he still had the old instincts. All he could do was trust his body to remember.

His strikes were crisp and efficient. Rowan didn't let his guard down either-he was here to see what Herman was made of.

Punches landed, feet flew, and pretty soon, both of them were nursing fresh bruises. They stepped back, blood and sweat mixing, just watching each other.

Rowan dabbed at the blood on his lip, his eyes dark and fierce. That's when his phone rang. He didn't even glance at the screen-he already knew it was Asher.

He shot Herman a hard look and muttered, "If you ever hurt her, I won't forgive you." Then he turned and walked away.

Once Rowan was gone, Herman's face went cold. He pulled out his phone and called Dailey, describing Rowan's build and face.

Dailey nearly dropped the phone. "Boss, Rowan found you? Where are you right now?"

"Harmony Meadows."

"You're back in town?"

Half an hour later.

Herman and Dailey sat on the curb by a taco truck, sharing a few paper baskets of fries and some cheap whiskey straight from the bottle. Herman handed Dailey a drink. "Sit. Drink with me."

"Boss, you're back in town. Why didn't you go home to the Salstroms?" Dailey asked, looking genuinely puzzled.

Herman hesitated, bottle in hand. He saw Anastasia's hopeful, careful eyes in his mind. It ached, sharp and sudden.

He wasn't the old Herman anymore. He couldn't meet Anastasia's expectations. When she stood in front of him, all he saw was the mother of his child-nothing more.

There was a flicker of familiarity there, sure, but nowhere near what she needed from him.

Katelyn kept telling him how hard Anastasia had worked, and Salma always hinted at everything she'd given up for him and the company. It was like a mountain on his chest.

Herman took a long drink, eyes clouded. "As long as I don't remember my past, I can't give Anastasia what she wants. Every day, I'm scared of what I'll see in her eyes."

Dailey looked at him, puzzled. "Boss, you used to love Ana so much..."

"That's the problem," Herman said with a bitter laugh. "I can't give it back now. She talks about memories-I can't recall a thing. My head just hurts when I try. It's like

we're both tiptoeing on thin ice, afraid to fall through."

It felt like they were wedged into a crack, both of them uncomfortable and worn out.

Dailey was floored. This was Herman-the guy who'd used to risk everything for Anastasia.noveldrama

He tried to joke. "Boss, does love just disappear? If you can't feel it, fake it. If you act like you love her, maybe she'll be happy."

Herman paused, then managed a faint, crooked smile. "You can't fake something like that. Enough of this—just have another drink with me."

Dailey let it slide. If everyone started blaming Herman, it would just make things

worse.

Sometimes life just liked to mess with you.

After they'd finished half the bottle, Dailey said, "Boss, if Rowan found you, Asher must be back too."

"What's the history with those guys? And what's Rowan's deal with Anastasia?"

Herman couldn't help but care he was her husband, after all.

Dailey explained, "Asher's a snake. He never lets go of a grudge. Years ago, you beat him out of a big property deal. He's hated you since. Then there was that factory fire in Chicago, and he used Julie to stir up trouble..."

Herman listened closely, realizing just how tangled things were between him and Asher.

"Oh, and Julie—she died last week. Cancer. Didn't last long in prison, but longer than anyone expected."

Julie's name meant nothing to Herman. He didn't even care.

"What about Anastasia and Rowan?" Herman pressed.

Dailey shrugged, thinking. "Far as I know, nothing happened. But I do remember one thing-when Julie tried to hurt Ana, Rowan jumped in and took a knife for her. Guess he's always had a thing for her