Page 163 of Master of My Heart

“I can sense your unease.”

“You can read me that easily?” he asked with a smile.

“Sometimes. Your emotions just, kinda, seep out.”

Chase laughed.

“I don’t try and read people very often.” She looked down at her hands. “It’s kinda tiring.” She looked back up. “It uses a lot of energy. Mental energy, I guess.”

“Immortal energy?”

Sabrina nodded. “I guess. But sometimes I can just tell what people are feeling.”

“Can you read minds, like Theo?”

She shook her head. “No. Just emotions.” She frowned. “And I can tell you’re uneasy. I don’t have to expend any energy to see that.”

Chase sighed. He didn’t want to lie to her. “Brandon, the LA Elder, doesn’t think it was an accident.”

Sabrina’s eyes widened. “Why?”

“Because he wasn’t supposed to be on that road. He was supposed to be in LA, meeting with Brandon.”

“Oh.” Sabrina chewed her lip. “Why would someone want to kill Aiden?”

Chase hesitated, and Sabrina looked worried. He could imagine all sorts of questions in her head. Would the truth ease her guilt or amplify it? In his experience, the truth was always the best choice.

He told her about confronting Aiden and his confusion. Her face turned pale, but otherwise, she maintained her composure.

“Why would someone do that to him?” she asked after a few minutes of silence.

“I don’t know.”

“What does Richard think?”

“He suspects it might have something to do with your Master, but he’s not certain.”

Sabrina nodded and swallowed hard. “Someone was using Aiden to get to me?” she asked, looking up. Her eyes filled with tears. When Chase nodded, she closed her eyes. “Poor Aiden.” Just another in a long chain of abuse victims. Just like Damien.

Chase pulled her back into his arms. She curled up against him and rested her head on his chest.

Chapter Fifty-Three

Monday afternoon, Sabrina walked into rehearsal, as usual, but her heart tightened. She was instantly reminded Aiden was dead when she saw a stranger standing in the corner talking to Martin. He was short, maybe a few inches taller than Sabrina, with mostly gray hair and a slim body. His back was to her, so she couldn’t see his face, but his movements were energetic, like Martin’s.

She glanced up at Ethan, who gave her an encouraging smile, before she stepped farther into the room. No matter what this man was like, nothing would happen to her because Ethan was here. She was safe.

Martin saw her and smiled. He said something to the other man, who turned to look at her, and the two walked toward Sabrina. She saw the other man’s face now. It was round and youthful looking, though lined, as if he were around fifty. His dark eyes brightened with friendliness when Martin introduced him.

“Sabrina, I’d like to introduce Matthew Broadbent. Matt, this is Sabrina Mansfield.”

Matt extended his hand and smiled brightly. “Pleasure to meet you, Sabrina.” His voice had a slightly nasal pitch to it.

Sabrina shook his hand. “Nice to meet you, too, Mr. Broadbent.”

“Please, call me Matt.” Matt glanced at Ethan behind her. “And you are?” he asked, curiosity apparent in his face.

“Her bodyguard,” Ethan said, a warning in his voice. “Ethan Marlow.”

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