The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

It was a knife.

Pressed hard against Alisa's waist-a knife, cold and sharp.

The man who'd been shadowing Monica was the same one now threatening Alisa. If Alisa hadn't walked in at the wrong time, Monica would've been the one cornered.

Alisa caught a heavy whiff of fish, raw and pungent. Her stomach twisted in fear, but she kept her voice low, pleading, "Don't kill me, please. I don't have any money. If it's cash you want, that woman from earlier-she's rich. She's got plenty."

People always think robbers want money or worse. You watch enough true crime, you know how these stories usually end.

The guy wasn't tall-maybe five foot tall, about Alisa's height. Unremarkable, really. He looked like the man Monica had seen by the river, except for a tiny mole at the edge of his brow-easy to miss if you weren't looking.

He leaned in, his voice like gravel. "You know what I hate most? Women who live off men. I heard everything you two said. Lazy, spoiled-women like you deserve what's coming."

"Herman, please let me go. I'll do anything. I have a daughter, she's just a kid. I can't die, not now. I didn't have a choice. Jason did this to me-he ruined my life, killed my husband," Alisa lied quickly, desperate to shift the blame. "And that woman from before? She's the real problem. She's got money, looks, and she scams men-she's the one you want."

She was smart. She'd picked up on what set him off-women who take advantage of men. Maybe he'd been burned before.

He sneered, "If it weren't for you, I'd already have taken care of her."

Hearing that, Alisa felt a surge of hatred and something darker. She squared her shoulders and faced him, voice trembling but determined. "If you want her gone, I'll help you. I won't say a word. Let's do it together-get rid of her."noveldrama

The man's eyes narrowed behind his mask.

He paused, then let out a twisted little laugh. "So you're Alisa? What's your connection to Detective Lucas over at the station?"

He must have overheard her earlier.

She nodded quickly, "Yeah, I'm Alisa. Jason ruined me. I hate him. I hate that woman too. If it weren't for them, none of this would've happened."

She had no idea what this guy's relationship to Jason was, but she had to make it clear-she was no friend of Jason's.

He smirked. "Clever. Well then, here's to our partnership."

“.....Yeah. Partners," Alisa echoed, her voice shaking. She was terrified, but her hatred for Monica and Jason kept her standing.

He straightened, cocky and unbothered. "We'll see each other again."

He didn't care if she called the cops. He just tucked the knife away and strolled off, as if nothing happened.

Alisa stood frozen, heart pounding, until her fear finally ebbed. Then she took off after him, chasing him out past the front gates.

"Wait!"

He stopped, surprised. He'd let her go-why was she following?

She kept her distance, but called out, "Loan me fifty thousand. The debt collectors are eating me alive. You give me fifty grand, and I'll do whatever you want."

He stared at her for a second, then raising an eyebrow. "You're

only

dared

e second person who's ever to ask me for mone

He yanked off his mask, revealing the same face Monica had seen by the river.

Alisa swallowed, forcing herself to sound braver than she felt. "If you give me the money, I'll do anything. I'm not scared."

Taking off his mask meant he wasn't hiding from her anymore.

"This is turning into a fun little game," he said, sounding almost entertained. "You're making things interesting."

He was the serial killer behind the news headlines, but Alisa didn't know that. All

she cared about was the possibility of money.

His smile was icy, unsettling. He stepped up, patted her cheek. "Fifty grand. Tonight. Welcome aboard."

Alisa didn't really understand what that meant. She just cared about the money enough to pay down her debts. She didn't realize she'd just thrown herself into a deep, dark hole,

all for a taste of pride and survival.

She even found herself wishing she'd asked for more. With a guy this generous,

maybe she could've pushed her luck.