Page 95 of Master of My Heart

“Sabrina?” a soft voice called from the direction of her doorway.

It sounded like Chase, but why would he be here? She had to be dreaming. The thought was too good to possibly be true.

She wished it were true, though. If anyone could help her, it would be Chase. Even Martin and Jayson had told her that. Why would he help her, though? She was a whore. A slut. A murderer.

Right now, more than anything, she wanted to believe everything Jayson and Liz had told her about Chase Ralston. She desperately wanted to believe that he could forgive her past and still be in love with her.

You’re a fool, Sabrina Mansfield. No man is that good.

Someone stepped between her and the window, blocking the sunlight. She opened her eyes and saw an enormous shadow above her. She jumped and leaned away, hissing in pain.

The shadow knelt and the face came into focus.

Chase.

Her heart leapt and her breath caught in her throat as she looked into his soft gray eyes. “What are you doing here?” Sabrina asked, her voices sounding as broken as her spirit felt.

“Jayson called me. Said you had a rough afternoon.”

She laughed sadly. “Martin kicked me out.” She looked away. “I deserved it, though. I don’t think I’m cut out for professional dancing.”

“I don’t believe that.”

“Why not?”

“Because Jayson believes in you. And Martin wouldn’t have brought you in if he didn’t think you could cut it.”

“Martin saw me dance years ago.”

“And now, too. Jayson said you were doing really good up until this week. Did something happen?”

“No,” she answered quickly. Chase frowned, obviously not believing her. “I can’t talk about it.” Even though she desperately wanted to. How could she tell Chase what she’d been doing? Sleeping with a man—two last night—and being his slave? How could he possibly understand that?

“If you tell me, maybe I can help.”

She snorted. “No one can help me.”

“Why not?”

“You can’t change who and what I am,” she answered in a low voice.

“What are you, Sabrina?”

She looked at him sharply. Something about his question struck her heart. Maybe I should just tell him everything. Then he’ll know and we can finally move on with our separate lives. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.

Chase reached out and pushed a lock of hair out of her face. Sabrina closed her eyes as his fingers brushed against her cheek. It was so gentle, barely a touch, but it made her sigh. It wasn’t sexual. It wasn’t her body responding to it, but her heart.

“I can’t,” she whispered, tears filling her eyes.

“Why not?”

“Because I promised I wouldn’t.”

Chase let out a deep breath. “Sometimes promises shouldn’t be kept, especially if they hurt somebody.”

Sabrina frowned, confused.

“Let me give you an example. If Jon were beating up Liz, then made her promise not to tell anyone, do you think she should keep that promise?”

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