Page 62 of Master of My Heart

Sabrina’s heart jumped in her chest and she whimpered before hitting the floor, balling up and wrapping her arms around her head to protect it from angry blows that never fell. Tears dropped to the floor as she felt him staring down at her.

Jayson was silent for a long moment, then dropped to his knees next to her and gathered her in his arms. “I was so worried about you,” he whispered, his voice cracking. “I didn’t mean to scare you.” He rocked her as she sobbed into his chest.

“She’s back?”

Sabrina heard Liz, then felt another pair of arms around her.

Sabrina didn’t understand why they were hugging her. “I’m sorry,” she croaked. She hadn’t even thought about what Jayson and Liz would think when she didn’t come home the previous night. Knowing they’d been worried made her feel even worse than she had before she walked inside.

“Where were you?” Liz asked, her voice pleading. “We thought you’d been found by those people you ran away from.”

Sabrina looked up, her heart twisting with grief for causing her two dear friends such misery. But how could she explain? What she’d done had to remain a secret.

“Why didn’t you call?” Jayson asked.

That was easier to answer. “I don’t have a phone.”

Jayson and Liz looked at each other. “Then we’re going to get you one at lunch,” Jayson said firmly. He cupped her cheek, eyes full of emotion. “I thought something terrible had happened to you,” he whispered, eyes filling with tears. “Please. Never do that again. I honestly don’t care where you go, as long as you’re safe. We just need to know you’re okay.”

Sabrina nodded. “I’m so sorry.”

“Are you okay?” Liz asked. “Were you safe?”

“Yeah. I’m okay.” Please, don’t ask me where I was.

Jayson opened his mouth, but Liz slapped him on the arm and shook her head. He closed his mouth and frowned at her.

“I’m so sorry,” Sabrina repeated, looking between the two of them, wanting to explain... something. “Really. I am. I-I lost track of time and... forgot to tell anyone where I was,” she finished lamely. “I’m not used to people caring about me. I was never allowed to go anywhere alone after... stuff changed and...” She sighed. “I won’t do it again. I promise.”

Liz hugged her. “I understand. It’s okay. We forgive you.” She kissed Sabrina’s wet cheek, her own damp with tears. “We care a lot about you.”

“I care a lot about you, too,” Sabrina said sincerely. “Both of you.”

They hugged her again, then helped her to her feet. She tried not to wince, but Jayson saw it. “Are you okay?” he asked.

“Just really tired.”

“Do you want to stay home this morning? Martin’s okay with that, as long as it doesn’t happen often.”

Sabrina shook her head. She’d been through worse nights and still danced the next day. “No. I’m okay. I’m gonna go shower and have some breakfast.”

She hurried to her bedroom, her heart aching with guilt. She was the worst person in the world for what she put Liz and Jayson through.

But at least the girls in the company would be safe from Aiden.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Friday evening, Liz helped her get ready for the donor cocktail party. Before the stuff happened with Aiden, she’d been looking forward to going. Not because of the donors, but because it was her first grown-up party. Now, she knew Aiden would be there and would want something from her. He’d hinted about as much on Thursday morning before she’d left his apartment.

Liz zipped up the black beaded sheath dress and Sabrina turned around in front of the mirror. She looked good. Part of her wished she didn’t. But the other girls are safe, she reminded herself.

Liz, Jon, Jayson, and Sabrina took a taxi across town to the Boston Public Gardens, then walked up the tree-lined road to a four-story limestone townhouse. The cold wind whipped down the street and she pulled her coat tighter around her.

And it’s not even October yet. I’m going to die this winter!

A long line of expensive cars and limousines ended at the house. Men and women dressed in elegant clothing stepped out and made their way up the steps to the protected entryway where a tall, broad-shouldered man in a dark suit stood and checked people’s names against a list in a leather-bound book he held in his hand.

“Hey, Casey,” Jayson said to him.

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