Page 63 of Master of My Heart

The man grinned and shook Jayson’s hand. “Hey, Jayson. How ya doing?”

“Good. Things good out in the world?”

“Yup. Should be hearing news any day now.”

Jayson looked pleased, but Sabrina was completely confused by their conversation. The man noticed her standing there and arched a brow. “Who’s this?”

Jayson beamed. “This is Sabrina.”

Casey’s eyes widened as he looked back and forth between them, then looked confused. “Really? You’re Sabrina?” he asked, staring at her as if he’d seen a ghost. She nodded. He looked back at Jayson. “Have you called Chase?”

“Yup,” Jayson answered.

Casey stared at Sabrina and gave her a warm smile. “Wow.”

Sabrina frowned in confusion and looked at Jayson. He shrugged and put his hand on her back, urging her up the stairs. “See ya,” Jayson said as he gently pushed her forward.

Sabrina looked back at Casey, who still watched her. “Who is that? He knows Chase?”

Jayson nodded. “Yeah. They’re army buddies.”

Sabrina felt very uncomfortable as she walked through the large wooden front door that stood open, welcoming them with warmth and light. Would she see anyone else who knew Chase? Anyone else who would seem to know who she was? She looked back at the door, wishing she could escape. This was not the way she expected the evening to go. The last thing she wanted tonight was to be reminded of Chase. Especially now that she was involved with another man, however much she wished she weren’t

Once inside, they made their way across the marble entryway, through a wooden doorway, and into a huge room filled with people. She saw a few dancers she knew scattered around the room, but most were strangers.

Something, a feeling, made her freeze just inside the room. A very uncomfortable sensation that made her think of Khyan. She quickly scanned the room. Seeing no sign of the giant anywhere, she relaxed... a little. However, the feeling still nagged at her. She didn’t like it. It unnerved her.

“Are you okay?” Jayson asked. “You look a little pale.”

“I don’t know,” she confessed softly.

“You want something to drink?” Jayson asked, leading her over to a bar in the corner of the large room.

Sabrina looked at the bar and hesitated, remembering what happened the last time—the only time—she drank. She bit her lip and looked at Jayson. He gave her a warm smile. “I promise. No one will drug your drink here.”

“What if I wasn’t drugged on the train? What if I’m just stupid when I drink?”

“I’ll be here the whole time and so will the other dancers. We’ll watch out for you. I can see you’re nervous. It might help you relax.”

“Okay,” she finally agreed, figuring it might help when Aiden showed up.

Jayson smiled and ordered something from the bartender. A few minutes later, he handed her what looked like a glass of orange juice.

“Orange juice?” she asked.

“It’s called a screwdriver. Has vodka in it.”

Sabrina took a sip and wrinkled her nose at the burning sensation in her throat. It changed to a soothing warmth almost immediately and she smiled. “I hope it helps.”

Jayson placed his arm around her shoulders and hugged her to him. “Don’t drink too much and you’ll be fine.”

She stayed close to him as they wandered around, looking for people they knew. It amazed her how at ease he was around people. She felt awkward and was glad he was with her.

The feeling she’d felt when she first walked into the room intensified. She felt someone watching her. Khyan. Sabrina was certain it was him. She searched the room desperately, not seeing him. She knew he was here, but not being able to see him made her sick

She should leave. It wasn’t a good idea to be here. Khyan wouldn’t hesitate to hurt anyone near her.

She closed her eyes and relaxed, trying to pinpoint the location of the sensation. When she opened her eyes, though, it wasn’t Khyan. She stared at a tall, handsome, older man across the room who watched her with intense brown eyes. His sharp jawline was clean-shaven and his dark hair, which was trimmed into a conservative style, had glints of silver around the temples. His black pinstripe suit was impeccably tailored, but his blue-plaid silk tie hinted at a whimsical side. When their eyes met, he smiled. A friendly, warm smile. Even though Sabrina didn’t understand why he felt like Khyan, she relaxed a little bit knowing it wasn’t the Immortal. Until the man started walking toward her.

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