Page 275 of Master of My Life

“True.”

“Where was that?” Tommy asked.

“Syria. Just before I was injured.”

Nigel sobered. “I heard about that, Chase. I’m so sorry to hear you were discharged.”

Chase shrugged. “It worked out okay. I have my own business now.”

“That’s fantastic!”

Chase grinned. He’d forgotten how effusive the man was. Not something you usually got from the

Brits. It was endearing. It was also what made Chase suspect he might be gay. Though he wore a

wedding ring . . . “You married?”

Tommy patted Chase on the shoulder. “I’ll leave you two to it. Catch ya later.”

Nigel shrugged. “Yeah, been married since I was twenty-one.” He rolled his eyes. “As per our

duties. Her name is Clarissa. Nice girl.”

“Kids?”

“Three. Spencer, Victoria, and Forrest. You?”

Chase nodded. “Got married at the beginning of December. No kids yet.”

Nigel arched a brow. “How did you avoid the big to-do Elder-Sons usually have to survive?”

Chase shrugged. “Special circumstances, I suppose.”

Nigel tilted his head and studied his face for a long moment, then smiled. “Lucky bastard.”

The side doors opened, and many women entered wearing short blue dresses. The slaves. Chase

inhaled. Richard had mentioned that they would be here, but he’d forgotten. Sabrina knew what

happened at Gatherings, but he hadn’t thought to talk to her before he left about it. Did it matter at this

point? They’d been to Gatherings both together and separate. He wasn’t interested in anyone else

anymore. Besides, he was worn out from traveling.

“You look as enthusiastic as I feel about them,” Nigel commented from behind his wine glass. “I

wish they offered male slaves as much as they offered women.”

So he’d been right. Chase wondered how his marriage worked. “Do you have male slaves at your

Gatherings?”

“A few. Most men prefer a pretty girl, but occasionally, it is nice to have a man available.”

“The Japanese tend to be more traditional, though.”

“True. I suppose there’s always tomorrow night to look forward to.” Nigel’s brow twitched ever

---