Page 107 of Master of My Heart

“I gave it to you. And until we talk about everything, it stays with you.”

She glanced down at the gold on her hand. If she were being honest, she didn’t mind keeping it. It still comforted her. “Okay,” she whispered, running her fingers over it.

“Do you want me to go?” Jayson asked.

Sabrina shook her head as Chase said, “No.”

Jayson laughed. “I’m glad I’m so wanted.”

Chase rolled his eyes, then turned to Sabrina. “I went to talk to Martin yesterday afternoon while you were sleeping,” he began, then proceeded to tell her what had happened.

*****

Chase told Sabrina what had happened at Martin’s office, but didn’t tell her about Aiden’s confusion or Richard’s thoughts. He didn’t want to scare her with the thought that someone might be trying to find her after he’d just rid her life of one asshole. He’d tell her once he had more information, but she was scared enough as it was. He didn’t want to add confusion on top of that.

“You threatened him?” Sabrina asked, her beautiful green eyes wide with surprise.

Chase nodded. “He won’t ever hurt you or any of the other girls.” He hesitated. “Martin is working on finding a replacement.”

She looked down at her lap and pressed her lips together.

“What’s wrong?” He thought she’d be thrilled that Aiden was gone.

After a long moment, she spoke. “I feel bad that Martin has to find someone else to play Drosselmeyer. It’s my fault.”

Chase grabbed her hand and squeezed gently. “Sabrina, Martin doesn’t want someone like that womanizing asshole in his company. He deserved to be fired. Martin was glad I told him. He felt terrible that this happened.”

“Why? It’s not his fault.”

“He cares a lot about you,” Jayson said. “He cares about all his dancers and the thought of one of them being hurt by someone he’d brought in...” He shook his head. “He’s really upset it happened.”

Sabrina looked up at Jayson’s words. “Really?”

He nodded. “Really.”

“But he thought I wasn’t cut out to be a professional dancer,” she whispered.

Jayson moved to sit on the table across from her. “You had a tough week, and now we know why. We were all worried about you. You weren’t doing well, but considering all that happened...” He glanced at Chase. “You were handling it really well.”

“It was like being back home,” Sabrina whispered, blinking rapidly. “He was right. I couldn’t handle it.”

“Sabrina, Aiden is gone,” Chase said. “You’ll be able to get all the rest you need.”

“It’s Aiden’s fault you were struggling,” Jayson growled. “I’m glad he’s gone; otherwise, I’d give him a piece of my mind.”

Sabrina froze, and Chase felt his heart stop. When she pressed her lips together, he and Jayson looked worriedly at one another. Her shoulders shook slightly. And then a sound escaped her mouth.

Is that a laugh?

Jayson bent down and tried to see Sabrina’s face, but she turned away. “Sabrina!” he exclaimed. “Are you laughing?”

She shook her head, but she was turned toward Chase and he saw her trying desperately not to laugh. Chase grinned when he understood what she found so humorous. At the idea of Jayson getting in Aiden’s face, he found himself leaning back and laughing uncontrollably.

“Hey!” Jayson said, almost pouting. He punched Chase in the arm. “Thanks a lot.”

Sabrina covered her mouth, but Chase could see her eyes dancing with amusement. “I’m sorry, Jay,” Chase said as he gasped for breath. “But the image of you confronting Aiden is rather amusing.”

Jayson huffed and crossed his arms. Sabrina stopped laughing instantly and looked at him. “I’m sorry, Jayson,” she said, eyes filling with tears again.

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