Page 157 of Master of My Life

He heard the door open and close again a few moments later.

Assuming he was alone, he bent his head to the floor and sucked in long breaths until the pain

subsided. No wonder Richard hadn’t told him everything about tonight. Who would willingly put

himself through such torture?

A cold chill ran through his body. What was he talking about? How could he call what he went

through torture when he saw the real thing rescuing Sabrina from that animal, Neil? Her body had

been a bloody mess, tied to that bed. He remembered what she’d told him of those few days and

shame flooded his body.

What kind of man was he to think tonight was a big deal? It was nothing compared to what she’d

gone through.

He didn’t deserve her.

Tears streamed down his face and dripped onto the floor. How did she live through all that? How

did she survive the years of hell before she came to Boston?

He grasped the back of his head, pushing his face into the rug, trying to regain control of his

emotions. How did she do it? How did she recover from it? How could she possibly want to marry

him tomorrow after all that?

“Chase?”

He jumped and straightened. Richard sat in the chair near the window, a concerned look on his

face. “You okay?”

“I thought I was alone.” He wiped his face and rubbed his hands on his thighs.

“I wanted to make sure you were okay before I left.” He tilted his head. “What’s wrong?”

“I was thinking about what Sabrina went through.” He stared at the rug. “How could she have

survived all that?” His voice broke and his eyes watered again.

“She’s a special girl,” Richard said in a soft voice. He sighed. “I don’t know how anyone

survives situations like that.”

“I want to make whoever did that to her pay.”

Richard kneeled down and put his hand on Chase’s shoulder. “We will protect her, Chase. We

will do whatever is necessary to keep her safe and free her. Tomorrow is the first step.”

Chase nodded.

Richard stood and held out his hand. Chase stood with the older man’s help. He clapped his hand

---