Page 82 of Master of My Heart

“Something you’re very good at.”

Chase stared at the flashing shapes on his phone, trying to be patient until he could check his messages. “What do you think Sabrina will say when she finds out what I do?” It had been something he’d thought a lot about over the last week. What would Sabrina think when she found out he was a paid killer? He did many things in the course of his work with his security firm, some of them close to the moral line, but he only killed for the Brotherhood. He wasn’t a mercenary, but he still did things that most women probably wouldn’t understand. Sabrina had been so innocent when he’d met her. Would she reject him when she found out what he did?

“She knew you were in the army. You told her you were going to be a Green Beret. I’m sure she doesn’t expect you to have a desk job.”

Chase made a face at the idea. “I think I’d shoot myself if I had to do that.”

His mom laughed. “I can’t imagine that, either. I’m sure she’ll be fine. You’re a good man, Chase. She’ll know that once you get to know each other again.”

“Get to know each other period,” Chase corrected. “What if she doesn’t feel the same way she did then? It was so long ago.”

“I don’t know everything that has happened to her, Chase. Jayson has indicated it was really bad, though he doesn’t know a lot.” She sighed. “Let’s go sit down for a few minutes.”

Chase followed his mom into the living room and sat down on the couch where she always counseled him.

“As I’ve come to understand it,” she began, “she was taken shortly after she got home, as you suspected...” She hesitated. “She was abused, Chase. Sexually and otherwise.”

He swallowed hard. Richard had told him as much, but the way his mom said it... She had always been pretty intuitive and empathetic. She also knew Sabrina before all this happened. She’d interacted with her on the yacht a little. She would be able to see the difference in Sabrina. Anger bubbled up inside him at the images flashing through his head of poor Sabrina being beaten and raped. His hands clenched into fists.

“Richard says that because of who she is, she’s unharmed physically. That she’d have healed every time...” His mom swallowed. “That poor girl.”

“Who was it?” Chase growled.

“Jayson doesn’t know, aside from the fact that she escaped because they were killed.” She tilted her head. “I don’t think he was comfortable telling me everything he knew. You might want to talk to him before you see her.”

Chase’s phone beeped. He looked down to see several text messages from Jayson. “He wants to have lunch if I’m home in time.” Chase looked at the time at the top of the phone screen, then at his mom. “But I don’t want to leave you so soon.”

She waved her hand. “Go see him so you can see Sabrina. I’m fine just knowing you’re home safe.”

“Are you sure?”

His mom nodded. “I’m sure. I know how important this is to you.”

Chase quickly shot off a text to Jayson, arranging to meet him for lunch at a deli near the ballet studio. “I’ll call you later,” he said, leaning over to kiss her on the cheek before standing.

“Chase, you might want to get a haircut before you see her. It’s a bit unkempt.”

Chase reached up to run his fingers through his hair. He’d planned on doing so when he got home, but had gotten distracted. He laughed. “I suppose that would be a good idea. Thanks.”

*****

An hour later, Chase and Jayson sat down at a table near the window. Chase shook his head as Jayson sprinkled hot sauce and mustard all over his chicken salad. Tabasco and mustard as salad dressing had started as a dare in high school, but Jayson had found out that he really liked it.

“I never know what you’ll look like when you get back from one of these things,” Jayson remarked as he stared at Chase. “Last time, you looked like a bushman.”

Chase laughed. “I shaved as soon as I got back to the hotel. It was itching like crazy. I’ll get a haircut this afternoon.”

“I’m just glad you’re back. For multiple reasons.”

“I am, too. How’ve you been?”

Jayson’s expression turned conflicted. “She’s a great girl, Chase.”

Chase studied his face, then his stomach clenched. Has Jayson fallen for Sabrina? Does she feel the same way about him? “Are you two seeing each other?”

His friend’s eyes widened. “What? No!” he exclaimed quickly. Too quickly.

“What happened?”

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