Page 130 of Master of My Heart

Theo disappeared in a flash of light. Chase sighed. Theo was sometimes so damn puzzling, it drove him crazy. He wondered if the Immortals spoke in riddles on purpose, just to drive the humans insane.

Chapter Forty-Three

Chase walked into the living room and sighed at the expression on Richard’s face. He was concerned about something, which usually meant a lecture was forthcoming. He nodded to Richard and Tom, then walked over to the younger man sitting next to Tom. “Tommy, I didn’t realize you’d come up.”

Tommy, who was thirty-five or so, was a younger version of his father, with ash-blond hair and friendly blue eyes. He smiled easily and was very kind, always willing to help Chase with Elder-Son things when asked. “Well, I’d heard so much about Sabrina, I couldn’t resist the chance to meet her. Plus, you know, Elder stuff.” He glanced at his dad. “A chance to learn something new.” Chase chuckled as they shook hands before sitting down in the middle of the couch.

“She okay?” Ethan asked quietly.

Chase nodded. “Yeah. She’s okay.”

Ethan nodded, looking pleased. “Good.”

Chase wondered at the concern in his friend’s eyes. Ethan was a level-headed guy who didn’t fall for women easily. Chase couldn’t help but see something in his expression that, if he were honest with himself, might make him jealous. It would be easy to chalk it up to Sabrina’s Immortal abilities to seduce men, even without meaning to, but Chase knew it wasn’t possible. Several years ago, after a half-Immortal had been used to seduce and manipulate an Elder’s way into power, the Elders decided they needed to be protected from the powers of women like that. The Immortals agreed and gave them a sort of “immunization” against them. Chase, when he started doing work for the Brotherhood, had asked for his men to have the same immunity.

“Is she awake?” Richard asked as Chase settled into his favorite spot on his couch.

He nodded and reached for a slice of apple from the tray on the coffee table. “Theo finished healing her and she’s taking a shower before coming out.”

“Good.” Richard nodded. “Have you figured out how you’re going to win her over after all this?”

“Theo said she was well on her way to opening up to me,” Chase replied slowly. “Why?”

“You heard what he said about making good and bad choices. I’m concerned she won’t be able to be in a relationship with someone because of her abuse.”

“Why would you say that?” Chase frowned.

“Victims of abuse often have trust issues. I don’t want you to get hurt trying to win her over if it’s not possible. You only have a few more months.”

“I know, Richard,” Chase growled. “I’m very aware of my time limitations. You remind me constantly.”

“And I want you to know that if things don’t work out between you two, I will gladly step in and take care of her.”

Chase glared at Richard.

“Chase, we’re just trying to be practical,” Tom said quickly. “We all hope you’re able to win Sabrina over, but if you can’t... She needs to be protected, from herself and whomever is after her.”

“I would take good care of her,” Richard said gently. “You know that.”

“You just want her for yourself.”

“I can’t deny that she could be very helpful to me. To all of us.” Richard motioned toward Tom, who nodded.

Anger bubbled up inside Chase. “I won’t let you do that to her. We don’t even know if she knows who and what she is. Who knows how she’ll react?” Chase sighed. “You know how I feel, yet you want to steal her away before we even have a chance to get to know each other.” He stood and paced the room.

Richard stood. “Chase, be reasonable. I’m trying to make sure good choices are made all around. She may not be interested in marrying anyone. They rarely are. Then what will happen to her? To you?

“You’d rather me marry one of the women you’ve thrown my way the last few years so you can keep Sabrina for yourself, wouldn’t you?” Chase snapped. “Your daughter maybe?”

Richard sighed. “You know that’s not true, Chase. I love you. You’re the son I never had. I want you to be happy.”

“You think I could be happy marrying someone I’m not in love with?”

“Feelings come and go. Marriage is a commitment, not an emotion.”

Chase walked to the far end of the room and stared out over the city. Why was he so angry? Theo had told him that he was on the right track to winning over Sabrina. He knew Richard and knew he wouldn’t steal her from him. Richard was just being pragmatic, a trait he usually appreciated in his father-figure. Maybe he was just tired. It had been a stressful few days.

He let out a deep breath and spoke softly. “Please support me while I try and get to know her, Richard,” Chase said, turning and giving Richard a pleading look. “Theo says I’m on the right track. It’s the middle of October. Give me a few weeks to see if I can get through to her. If not, I’ll encourage her to go under your protection.”

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