Page 101 of Master of My Heart

He glanced at the closed door to Sabrina’s room. “She still asleep?”

“Yeah. I checked in on her a few minutes ago and she’s out cold.”

“Good.” Chase would have loved to talk to her again, but he knew she needed rest.

“What’s up with Aiden?” Jayson asked as Chase settled down on the couch in the living room.

“I told him to leave Boston tonight and never return.”

“Was Martin okay with that?”

Chase nodded. “He’s got a couple calls out for a replacement. I know he doesn’t want Sabrina, or anyone else, getting hurt.”

A few minutes later, Liz left to go to Jon’s. After the door closed, Chase told Jayson about what Aiden said at the end.

“He claimed he had to do it?” Jayson asked, doubt apparent in his expression. “Was someone holding a gun to his head to make him?”

“It looked like he didn’t even realize what he was saying. Like it just slipped out.”

“Do you think he was sincere?”

“I think he was sincerely confused,” Chase said, shaking his head. “I have no idea what’s going on, but I will do everything in my power to figure it out.”

Jayson nodded. “I believe you.”

Both men were quiet for a while. Chase was exhausted, so he lay his head back on the couch and closed his eyes. It had been a long day, and he honestly just wanted to go home and crawl into bed. But he had more work to do before he could do that.

“You wanna hang tonight?” Jayson asked, making him jump slightly.

“I’d love to, but it’s Friday,” he said in a flat voice, not moving.

“You’ve been gone for over a month doing shit for them, yet you still have to go tonight?”

Chase nodded without lifting his head. “Never-ending duties.” He sighed. “I’m hoping Richard will understand if I don’t stay late, though. But I need to talk to him and he’ll be more receptive if I come.”

“I guess.”

Chase could tell, even without looking, that Jayson was rolling his eyes.

Friday nights were when the Brotherhood had their Gatherings. More often than not, they were informal occasions where business was done while enjoying the company of beautiful women. Occasionally, they were formal, filled with rituals and expectations. Sex was always present, whether in ritual form or hedonistic indulgence. Sex slaves were kept by all Elders, the leaders of the Brotherhood, but it wasn’t what most people thought of as sexual slavery. The girls were well-cared-for, generations of them having been brought up and trained in the Manors of the worldwide Elders. These girls were unknown to the rest of the world, going back to the beginning of the Brotherhood. Chase knew the girls in Richard’s Manor were healthy and happy, and he had no qualms about using them when he needed to. Richard didn’t allow them to be hurt, unless they liked it.

He let out a deep breath before rolling forward and standing. “Do you want to come tonight?” Chase asked.

Jayson shook his head. “I think I should stay here in case Sabrina wakes up. I know Liz planned on going out with the others tonight.”

Chase nodded, though his heart twinged in his chest. He should be the one there for Sabrina when she woke, not Jayson, but he had duties. “When she wakes, text me,” he said, his voice slightly gravelly as he walked toward the door.

“Chase, I know how you feel about her,” Jayson said, standing and following him. “I wouldn’t try and get in the way of you trying to date her.”

Chase paused and looked at his friend. “You like her, too.”

Jayson shrugged. “How can I not? She’s great. But you met her first, and I won’t break the ‘bro code,’ even for her. Besides...” He shrugged. “I think she needs someone strong to protect her. I can only do so much.” He paused, looking thoughtful. “Is she, you know, who you guys thought she was?”

A while ago, Chase had told Jayson he and Richard had suspected she wasn’t human. “Yeah, she is.”

Jayson nodded. “Well, maybe that’s why I’m crazy about her.”

Chase gave Jayson a tight smile. “Or maybe she really is just a great girl.” He didn’t know, but Jayson did. A little jealousy pulsed through his body, knowing that his friend had a month to get to know Sabrina while he was away. He paused at the door, hand on the knob. “Text me when she wakes up?”

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