Page 127 of Master of My Heart

Her lungs opened up and she sucked in a deep breath. The vision faded and all she could feel was Chase. Keeping her safe. Taking away the darkness.

She swallowed, not understanding how or why, but so grateful for someone beside her.

He stroked her hair and held her tightly. Not tight enough to hurt, but tight enough to assure her of his hold on her.

She listened to his heartbeat and let it hypnotize her back to sleep.

*****

Light trickled in through the window and danced across Sabrina’s face. Peace surrounded her, which felt strange. She searched her mind, trying to figure out why she felt peaceful when her mind told her she shouldn’t.

Then she remembered.

Memories of hell broke down the walls of her mind and she screamed and struggled, trying to break loose. Someone held her, not allowing her to move.

“Nooooo!” she wailed.

“Sabrina! Sabrina, wake up. You’re safe. I promise, you’re safe!” A gentle hand pressed against the side of her face. “Open your eyes, Sabrina.”

She forced her eyes open and saw a blue t-shirt over a broad chest. She blinked several times and slowly looked up into a concerned face. She exhaled slowly. “Chase,” she squeaked.

He nodded and stroked her cheek with his thumb. “Yes, Sabrina. You’re with me. You’re safe.” His voice was low, soothing, and warmed her from the inside out. He wrapped his arms around her again and pulled her close to his chest.

Her breathing slowed as she relaxed into his embrace. Safe. The feeling was so foreign, yet so welcome. She was wrapped in a cocoon of protection. Nothing could hurt or even touch her. Chase ran his hands up and down her back, soothing her, just as her dad did when she had nightmares as a child.

When she felt calm, she looked up at him. “I fell back to sleep?”

He nodded.

“How did you find me? Where was I?”

“I have a lot of resources at my disposal,” Chase answered, searching her eyes. “You were a few miles outside the city. Are you feeling better?”

“I think so.” She shuddered, remembering the pain. “How long have I been asleep?”

“Almost twenty-four hours. You were in really bad shape when we found you.”

“Have you been here the whole time?”

Chase shook his head. “But you were never alone. Richard and my friend, Ethan, watched over you, too.”

“Richard?”

“You’ve met him, right?”

Sabrina nodded. “At the donor party.” She winced, remembering what happened when she met him. “Who is he? To you, I mean.”

“He’s a long-time family friend,” Chase said. “He’d like to talk to you when you’re ready.”

“What about?”

“What happened to you.”

“Why? Why does he care?” Why would someone like Richard care what happened to her? She’d only met the man once and he scared her.

“Do you trust me?” Chase asked, deflecting her question.

“What?”

---