Page 147 of Master of My Heart

“Keep watch over Sabrina and be vigilant. Theo’s reaction was a bit unnerving, to say the least, but he hasn’t returned, so we’re on our own at the moment.” It wasn’t unusual for Immortals to keep their distance from human troubles. They weren’t there to change events, but to guide the Elders in making good decisions when events happened. “He’s given us our directives for now. All we can do is follow them and hope he has news for us when he returns.”

*****

Chase started heading out of Richard’s house when a thought occurred to him. He walked back in and found Kathy.

“Chase,” she said with a broad smile, putting down her tablet. “Come to start your day with a smile?”

Chase laughed. “Not this morning.” He was flattered that she was always happy to see him. What guy wouldn’t be? But she was never crass or overt. They understood each other. If either said no, they were fine with it. “I actually was wondering if I could talk to you about Sabrina.”

“Oh, of course, hon.” She motioned to the couch across from where she sat. “What can I help you with?”

Chase sat down and thought about the best way to phrase his questions. “When Richard became Elder, how did you deal with his new duties?”

Kathy smiled. “You mean his responsibilities, or the hundred or so sex slaves he was now caring for, or the things that happen at the Gatherings?”

He chuckled. “All of them?”

“Well...” She leaned back on the couch. “He’d been involved with the Brotherhood our whole marriage, so that wasn’t too much of a change.”

“I guess that makes sense. What about when you guys got married? Did he tell you about it before?”

“No. When we got married, he told me he belonged to a men’s club and their meetings were on Friday nights.” She laughed softly. “I suppose it wasn’t an outright lie. It is a men’s club.”

“Is it that much different now than before?”

Kathy nodded. “Oh yes. Once he opened up to me and told me what it was...” She shook her head. “He wasn’t keen on some of the stuff that happened there. But once you’re in, you’re in. There’s no easy way to leave. Once Oscar was gone and Richard was inducted as Elder, things changed. It was a kinder place to be.”

He knew Oscar was one of the Elders who had been assassinated when Tom’s friend tried to take over. Oscar’s eldest son, too. A few months after things calmed down, the Elders decided to start with new families in their leadership, to show that things really were changing.

“How did he tell you about it?”

“Which part?”

“I guess start with that he belonged and go from there.”

“Oh, well, he did a good job of keeping things hidden from me for about a year, but then I started talking with your mom and some of the other wives whose husbands were part of this ‘men’s club.’ Combined, the stories were suspicious. Some knew more than others, and they didn’t share a lot, but reading between the lines, I started to understand that, well, that he basically went to orgies every week.” She laughed. “You know, the biggest thing I was upset about was that I wasn’t invited.” She gave Chase a knowing smile. “You know how I am. I enjoy... variety. And he wasn’t sharing. Oh.” She shook her head. “We had such a big fight the night I confronted him. And when I told him that...” She laughed again. “His eyes got as big as I’ve ever seen them.”

Chase laughed. “Really?” Richard was always so calm and dignified, it was hard to imagine him being so shocked.

“Oh yes.” She tilted her head. “So we started talking and... exploring. We had other couples from the Brotherhood over and had our own ‘gatherings’ here.”

Chase chuckled, imagining how those went.

“Then, when he was asked to become an Elder, he broached the subject with the others about opening up the informal Gatherings to their wives. It was discussed and eventually agreed to. I’m not sure how many wives are active in the other cities, but Richard has said he has the most wives in attendance most weeks.”

“It probably helps that you’re involved.”

Kathy nodded. “That, and I don’t have a son there. There’s no weirdness for me. I can’t imagine your mom going if you were there.”

Chase scrunched up his face. “Yeah. That would definitely be weird.”

They were quiet for a few minutes. “Chase, are you trying to figure out how to tell Sabrina?” she asked.

He sighed. “Well, she already knows about the organization. At least a little bit. Richard has suggested she come to a Gathering to see what it’s like. It’s different because she’s meant to be there. She’s Immortal. How could she not be drawn to it?” He blew out a breath. “But how do I tell her about the stuff I do there? How do I tell her about what I do with you guys? About my... About the things I like to do?”

“Are you worried about telling her about you, or are you worried that she’ll choose it over you?”

“Good question,” Chase admitted with a wry smile. “Both, I suppose.”

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