Rowan wasn''t about to admit anything.


    This time, he didn''t just m up-he shot back, "No." The words came a little too fast, a little too sharp, like he was trying to cover something up but only made it more obvious.


    Anastasia wanted nothing more than to crack open Rowan''s head and see what on earth was spinning around in there.


    "Rowan, I really don''t need you to do anything for me. If the police actually show up, I''ll own up to it," she said, her tone serious. "Honestly, I''d love to see how far they can actually go. If they manage to drag Autumn out, that would be a win in my book."


    Her kidnapping case had made a lot of noise, but nothing ever came of it. After Jason got transferred to Einsberg, the case just sat there, collecting dust.


    Anastasia and Herman both knew exactly why. If anyone looked too closely, Autumn would be dragged down with the mess.


    Jason had mentioned once that his transfer was probably tied to Anastasia''s case.


    The cops weren''t going to dig any deeper. It''d just be another cold case- meaning Rowan would be in the clear.<fn31cf> Content originallyes from find?novel</fn31cf>


    Because Rowan had gone out on a limb for them, Anastasia and Herman weren''t going to push the case either.


    So, all that was left was to find their own way to make Autumn pay.


    "You''ll be fine," Rowan said, confident as ever.


    Anastasia understood. It was always the same: every time she was in danger, Rowan would show up right on time.


    That alone made Herman pretty jealous, even if he had to be grateful, too. The look on his face was a mess of awkward feelings.


    Anastasia nced in the direction Hanna had left, then turned to Rowan. "You should be nicer to Ms. Hanna. Try being gentle for once. You can''t just go around snapping at girls."


    "I''m used to it. She doesn''t care," Rowan replied, unfazed. He''d always been like this. Back in the day, even Julie couldn''t stand his cold attitude.


    Meanwhile, Hanna was eavesdropping behind the door. She knew Rowan too well-no matter what he did, she''d always act mad, but her heart was soft as tofu. She''d get angry, sure, but it neversted.


    Still, Rowan''s earlierment had stung. No matter how much she acted out, he just assumed she''d brush it off.


    Annoyed, Hanna closed the door firmly and stopped listening.


    She wasn''t sure how much time passed before she heard a knock.


    She wiped her eyes, took a deep breath, and opened the door.


    Rowan was standing there, holding a te of loquats. "You like these. They''re really sweet. Have some."


    After being scolded by Anastasia, Rowan hade to apologize.


    He knew Hanna liked loquats, so he brought them to cheer her up.


    Problem was, he had no clue how to express it even when he tried to be nice, he sounded stiff as a board.


    And for once, Hanna, who usually loved loquats, just felt a lump in her throat when she saw them.


    She remembered thest time Anastasia ate loquats-Rowan, who never used to touch them, had eaten them too.


    Loquats were Anastasia''s favorite, so Rowan started liking them, too.


    If it weren''t for Anastasia, would Rowan have washed and brought loquats for her?


    That''s just how guys think: Hanna likes loquats, so he brings them to make her happy.


    He had no idea Hanna''s mind was spinning in circles.


    "I don''t like loquats," Hanna snapped. "Who told you I liked them? I hate loquats the most."


    She mmed the door in his face.


    Rowan stood there, blinking in confusion.


    The door sent a cold draft right at him.


    He frowned,pletely lost. He still didn''t get why Hanna was so upset. Through


    the door, he asked, "Then what do you like?"


    Three seconds of silence.


    Then Hanna yanked the door open. "If Anastasia hadn''t told you toe here would you have? Do you just do whatever she says?"


    belongs to s>


    Rowan picked up on her anger. "Don''t take it out on her. This isn''t about her."


    "Oh, there you go, defending her again. Everything she says is the word of God, right? For her, you''d risk your life run off to die and what am I supposed to say to that? What cant say?" Hanna shoved Rowan aside, stormed out into the yard, and started hanging up herbs, her face like a block of ice.  s


    If Anastasia were here, she''d probably have to bow down to Rowan''spleteck of emotional intelligence. Somehow, she''d


    be the ssic "white lotil n


    of a


    romance novel, and Rowan the here, blindly standing up for her and


    fighting with the actual heroine.


    s


    Anastasia could only sigh-honestly, she didn''t know whether tough or cry.