Page 102 of Master of My Heart

“Of course.”

Chapter Thirty-Four

Chase hurried down the marble stairs to the lower level of the Manor where the enormous Gathering room was. He was late. He’d intended to be there on time, but after he got home, he lay down on his bed to rest for a few minutes and woke up several hours later.

Richard frowned at him from the dais on the far side of the room as Chase approached with long strides. He sat on a large, carved wooden chair, a blonde between his legs, his hand resting on the top of her head. Chase knew it wasn’t his wife because Kathy’s hair was very short and this girl’s hair flowed down her back all the way to her waist. Looking around, he spotted Kathy lying on a couch, legs spread and eyes closed as a man enthusiastically devoured her.

His steps faltered as he wondered what Sabrina would think of such a situation. Would she be willing to have such an open relationship required of his position in the Brotherhood? It wasn’t required that his wife attend the Gatherings, as Kathy so eagerly did, but whomever he married had to be prepared for him to be gone one night a week to participate in such revelry.

The effects of the organization on a marriage hadn’t occurred to him when Richard had brought him into the Brotherhood at the age of twenty. Why would they? He was young and had yet to meet a woman he wanted to pursue a relationship with.

Maybe he should encourage Jayson to go out with Sabrina. She didn’t deserve to be in this kind of situation. Not after everything she’d gone through.

Thoughtfully, Chase walked to the dais and took his seat in a smaller, similarly carved chair as Richard’s.

“You’re late,” Richard said, then closed his eyes as his body shuddered in orgasm. The blonde girl’s mouth worked faster as he came, clutching her hair in his fists. When she was finished, she looked up adoringly at Richard, who smiled warmly at her. “Thank you, Amanda,” he said in a soft voice. She stood, kissed him briefly on the mouth, then hurried away. Richard frowned again as he turned his attention to Chase, an expectant look on his face.

“I’m sorry, Richard. I meant to be here on time, but I wanted to rest for a few minutes and fell asleep.”

Richard studied his face, then nodded. “Long day?”

Chase nodded and launched into his story about what Jayson had told him about Sabrina, then what had happened between her and Aiden. After he explained what had happened when he confronted Aiden, he sat quietly as the older man looked thoughtful.

“You believe his confusion was sincere?” Richard asked after a few minutes of contemplation.

“I do,” Chase replied earnestly. “But I don’t understand how he could do something and not know why.”

Richard tented his fingers and stared out across the room. Chase found himself studying the room, once again wondering what Sabrina would think of it. She’d been so innocent the night they’d met, but she was clearly not that person anymore. He’d seen it in her before he’d even learned about what had happened between her and Aiden. Chase knew she’d offered herself to Aiden, but he believed her when she said it was to protect the other girls. He remembered the desperation in her eyes when she told him and begged him to protect them since she couldn’t.

Anger bubbled up in him at the thought of her feeling that she had to give herself to such an asshole. He could understand why she did it, and it was hard evidence of how she’d been treated the last few years. It broke his heart.

Why hadn’t he been able to find her and rescue her? How was it possible that no one had been able to find her? Richard and the other Elders could find anyone, yet they couldn’t find Sabrina. That knowledge did little to assuage him of the guilt in his heart at not being able to get her out of such a horrendous situation. And he only knew a little bit of it. What other horrors had she been through while held captive?

“It seems as if someone was using Aiden as a pawn. I’m afraid this may speak of some deeper magic. Demi-Immortals such as Sabrina are very valuable, but why would someone use Aiden when she would likely do it for anyone who asked?” Richard sighed. “I’ll have to think about it some more and discuss it with Tom. She’s safe now, yes?”

Chase nodded. “Aiden’s gone. Ethan kept an eye on him and saw him get into a taxi with several suitcases.”

Ricard nodded approvingly. “Good. We’ll need to keep an eye on Sabrina to see if the other person shows up. Playing puppeteer would indicate he doesn’t want to be discovered, but with Aiden now gone, he may have to try something else.” His face brightened. “I’m glad you were able to get her to open up to you. That shows promise. Did you ask her out yet?”

Chase shook his head. “No. I didn’t want to press her after such an emotional conversation. I told her to take a shower and get some sleep. She looked exhausted.”

Richard tilted his head and raised his eyebrows. “She listened?”

“Yeah. I mean, I saw her go into the bathroom, and when I got back to Jayson’s, she was sound asleep.”

Richard smiled. “Interesting.”

“What?”

The older man shook his head and raised his eyebrows. “Nothing.”

Chase frowned, but before he could argue, Kathy appeared and sat on his lap, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. “Hello, Chase darling. I’m so glad you’re home.” She kissed his cheek and beamed at him.

“Hi, Kathy. I am, too.”

“Did Russell treat you well?” Richard asked, reaching for her hand and kissing the back of it.

Kathy beamed. “Always.” She squirmed a little in Chase’s lap. “His tongue is divine.”

---