Asher was pissed. He was supposed to be the boss, but his guys acted like he was invisible.
First, Herman decked him. Then Rowan didn’t even bother to pretend he cared about Asher’s authority.
Seriously, what a joke.
He wanted to be angry, but with Herman standing right there in the yard, Asher couldn’t help but feel a little nervous.
Truth was, Asher only mouthed off when Herman was out of sight. Face-to-face? He just didn’t have the guts.
Herman stood in the middle of the driveway, arms folded, making it crystal clear: if Rowan wasn’t leaving, neither was he.
Rowan, cradling his chest, limped down the porch steps. When he hit the last one, his wounds flared and he nearly collapsed.
Herman was there in a flash, steadying him before he fell.
Rowan looked up, followed Herman’s hand to his face, and their eyes met.
Herman’s expression was stone cold, his tone sharp. “Get in the car.”
Off to the side, Riley was propping up Asher. He caught sight of Herman holding Rowan and leaned in to whisper, “Asher, am I crazy, or is there something going on between those two? Maybe we got Rowan all wrong. Maybe he’s not into Herman’s wife—maybe he’s into Herman. Look at how they’re staring at each other. That’s some real sparks, man.”
Riley looked absolutely starstruck, a total fanboy.
Everyone else just stared in stunned silence.
Asher’s face went through a whole slideshow of emotions. He glanced at Riley, then back at Herman and Rowan.
And honestly? Now that Riley had pointed it out, it didn’t seem so far-fetched.
Herman heard Riley’s comment and immediately let go of Rowan’s arm, shooting Riley a look that could freeze lava. “You got a death wish or something?”
The threat was clear as day.
“Asher, save me!” Riley yelped, ducking behind Asher as fast as he could.
Asher shot him a look, annoyed. “What are you so scared of? I’m here, aren’t I? Even a wild dog knows who the boss is.”
But Hanna didn’t get it. She huffed, “Fine? You’re still recovering from your last injuries, and now you’ve got new ones. Is Asher trying to kill you?”
Rowan hurt everywhere. As soon as he sat down, pain shot through his whole body, and he had to sit carefully so his back wouldn’t touch the seat.
Hanna’s lashes shimmered with tears, like she could feel every bit of his pain.
She closed the door and turned to Anastasia. “I’ll get him home. Thank you.”
Anastasia just nodded, silent the whole time. She waited until they’d driven off, then finally stepped out, glancing at Herman who was still standing guard. “Ready to go?”
Herman had been blocking the door, his presence the only reason Asher didn’t kick up a scene and drag Rowan back.
Now that Rowan was gone, Herman didn’t need to stick around.
“Yeah,” Herman replied, his voice softening.
But Asher wasn’t letting things go. His face darkened, and his voice was rough as gravel. “You really think you can come and go from my place whenever you want, Herman? Maybe it’s time you and I finally settle this.”

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)
Author pls Pls don't separate Ana and Herman once again because of Sandy. There must be an ending to Ana's sufferings!...
Yes yes yes!!! Thank you!!!...
How comes the twists are becoming uninteresting and unrealistic? Readers will prefer cleaner straight happy endings. Please don't go far beyond otherwise readers will lose interest. Time to end the story like we want it to be....
Please give us a happy ending for Anastasia and Herman with Pattie recognized as Herman's daughter, thank you!!!...
Pls update. This novel is really good....