"Alright, it won''t happen again." Anastasia kept her eyes on Herman''s hand, worry flickering beneath her calm. "If Rowan finds out this was all Autumn''s doing, you know how he is-he''ll lose it. Something bad could happen."

"There''s definitely a chance." Herman got her, as always. "Let''s head over to the clinic now."

A wave of warmth washed over Anastasia. No matter what, Herman always had her back. He understood her better than anyone.

She grinned, giving him a yful nudge. "Babe, seriously, you were never worried someone else might steal me away?"

"Not even a little." Herman was nothing if not confident. "Guys like me? One in a million. No runner-up."

Anastasia burst outughing. "Listen to you! My taste wasn''t always this sharp, you know. I used to pick all the wrong ones. What if I''d missed out on you? What if I just couldn''t see how great you were?"

"Then it''d be my fault, 100%." Herman replied without missing a beat, full of that charming survival instinct. "I clearly wasn''t doing enough."

She blinked, then smiled, voice softer. "Honestly, Herman, there was a time I wasn''t so sure about us either. I kept wondering about you and Sandy Morton- those months you two spent in Willowbrook, I couldn''t even bring myself to think about it."

They shared a quiet understanding. Still, Anastasia needed to get it out; once a thought''s there, it needs saying.

"I get it." Herman said, steering with one hand, his voice warm and low. "Back when I lost my memory, I wasn''t so sure of myself either."

It was the first time she''d heard him admit that. She reached over, ruffling his hair with augh. "Well, you''re stuck with me now-forever."

They talked it through, clearing out all the old shadows, until only warmth was left.

He squeezed her hand just a little tighter. "Next life, and the one after that, my shoulder''s still yours."

Anastasia teased, "And the life after that after that? nning to swap me out?" Herman grinned. "That time, you''ll be the man and I''ll be your girl.”

Anastasia''s eyes went wide. "Herman! Didn''t know you had dreams of being a woman."

He just shrugged, perfectly cool. "Why not? Then I could be the one to have our kids."

Anastasia cracked up, her heart light and full. She smiled so much her eyes disappeared. She was honestly touched.

People acted like having kids was just what women did, nothing special about it. But men would never get it—having a baby was a brush with death anding back.

While they talked, they pulled up outside the clinic.

Herman parked and killed the engine, and they climbed out.

It waste. The clinic was closed up tight, lights off, but Rowan''s car was right at

the door, headlights still burning. He must''ve been in such a rush he forgot to turn them off.

But why was the door locked?

Anastasia and Herman exchanged a look. Herman stepped up and knocked.

They waited. Nothing.

"Maybe nobody''s here? But that can''t be-Rowan''s car is right here. Let me try," Anastasia said.

She knocked and called, “Hanna? Rowan? Are you in there?"

After a few tries, she finally heard footsteps from inside.

Herman, pretending to sulk, muttered, "I knock, nothing. You knock, instant response."

Anastasiaughed. "Aw, is someone jealous?"

The door creaked open.

Rowan stood there, but only opened it halfway, blocking their view of the inside.

"Is Hanna alright?" Anastasia asked.

"She''s fine." Rowan''s face was stone. "It''ste. She''s already asleep. You two should head home."

Asleep? Anastasia didn''t buy it for a second Rowan had barely arrived himself how could Hagna already be sleeping?  s

He was obviously keeping them out.

Herman caught a whiff of blood in the air. He squeezed Anastasia''s hand, and before she could as anything else, said to Rowan, "Alright, we''ll get going. Oh, by the way Asher''s in trouble. Tried to break out, didn''t make it."  sfn735d Content originallyes from find?novel/fn735d

Since they were here, he figured Rowan should know.

Rowan didn''t even flinch, like he''d expected it.

His fists clenched, his jaw tight, holding something back. "Thanks for letting me know."

"Yeah." Herman tugged Anastasia away.

Anastasia''s mind spun with questions. Rowan''s reaction felt all wrong.

She shot Herman a look, but he shook his head slightly-leave it for now.

After they left, Rowan closed the door behind them and walked back to Hanna''s room.

was a

The ce was a wreck. Hanna sat at the edge of the bed, face drained of color, long pale legs exposed. Blood smeared her lips, her clothes were torn, the sheets a mess clothes scattered on the floor a scene that said it all.  s