Page 71 of Master of My Heart

Damian gave her a kind smile. “I think he’ll be fine with it. I’ll ask, if you’d like.”

Sabrina nodded. “I’ll wait outside.”

She got her coat from the attendant by the front door and went out into the cold, quiet night. She sighed as she pulled out her phone. She needed to text Jayson and let him know she was leaving so he didn’t worry. After pressing a few buttons on the complicated device, she finally found the “app” to text him and shot off a quick message that she wasn’t feeling well and going home.

Her phone beeped a few moments later. Sabrina pulled it back out of her pocket, thinking Jayson had replied, but it was Aiden.

Treat him like you’d treat me.

Sabrina closed her eyes and sighed.

People still trickled into the party, stopping at Casey first so he could check off names. He saw her standing by the door and gave her a friendly smile. “You okay?” he asked.

Sabrina nodded. “Not feeling very well.”

“Do you need me to call you a taxi?”

“No, I—” Casey knew Chase. He’d tell Chase that she’d left the party with another man. But she’d made her choice and it couldn’t be undone now. “Someone’s giving me a ride home,” she said in a flat voice, staring at the ground and wishing she were anywhere but here. She’d already fucked one man tonight. Probably would fuck another before she could sleep.

I’m such a whore.

“You sure you don’t need your own ride home?” he asked, walking toward her, a concerned look on his face. “If someone’s bothering you...”

She forced a smile. “I’m fine. Really.”

He studied her face. “I’m glad you’re here. In Boston, I mean.”

Sabrina frowned. “You know who I am?”

Casey shrugged. “Well, I know of you. Never met you, of course, but Chase talked about you enough.”

“He did?” Hope and despair fought against each other in her heart. If only things were different...

“Yeah.” He grinned. “I can see why. He’s gonna be thrilled to see you again.” His smile reached his eyes.

“Jayson said you were in the army together?”

“Yup. I served under him in Syria.”

Sabrina glanced back at the house. “Why are you here?”

“I’m his mom’s... assistant.”

Sabrina knew he wasn’t exactly telling the truth, but also knew there was nothing untoward in what Casey did for Grace. There was no hint of anything sexual in his manner or emotions. He was very protective of Grace and thought of her like a second mother. He would die for her.

“You’re her bodyguard?” she asked.

Casey’s eyebrows raised. “Kinda.”

“Why?”

He looked hesitant to answer. “Chase wanted someone here for her since he travels so much. He’s really protective of those he cares about. I can’t do what I used to do, so he asked me to watch over her.”

“Why can’t you do what you used to?”

Casey lifted his pant leg to reveal a steel post where his leg should be. “Got blown off in Syria.” He shrugged when she gasped. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to offend.”

Sabrina shook her head. “No, it’s... I’m so sorry, Casey.” She gazed up into his proud face and wondered if it had happened the same time Chase got hurt.

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