Page 184 of Master of My Life

Chase stood as Sydney appeared in the doorway. She looked much as she had when they’d known

other at West Point, though her dark hair was longer and pulled back away from her face. Her dark

pantsuit was tailored to her lithe figure, and she held her chin high with a pride she’d had as long as

Chase had known her.

Chase stood and walked around the desk. “Sydney, how are you doing?”

Her face broke out into a bright smile, but there was a shadow in her eyes. “Chase. I’m so glad

you agreed to see me.”

They hugged briefly. “Have a seat,” he said, motioning to the small leather armchair across from

his desk before settling into his own executive chair. “What have you been up to?”

“This and that.” She gave a small shrug. “Business is never dull.”

Chase nodded, not entirely sure what business she was talking about. He’d asked Corey to look

into her, but he hadn’t found much. She’d left the army honorably and had started her own company,

but the details were vague. “I can imagine.”

“I was thrilled to run into you on Saturday night.”

“What brought you to a Boston New Year’s Eve ball? I thought you lived in DC.”

“Business.”

Chase studied her face for a long moment but recognized the expression. She wasn’t saying any

more. “You doing okay?” There was something different about her. Nothing that he could exactly

pinpoint. A shadow over her he’d not seen before.

Sydney nodded and then smiled. “I started dating someone. Actually, he’s the one who suggested

that I contact you.”

Chase tilted his head. “Oh?” It didn’t surprise him people knew of him in DC, but no one that he’d

been in contact with.

“Yeah. Damian Sinclair. You know him?”

“I do,” Chase said slowly, keeping his face impassive as his stomach clenched. He looked at

Sydney. How had she gotten mixed up with Damian? He was quite a bit older than her, and Chase still

didn’t trust the guy. “Where did you two meet?”

Sydney smiled. “Oh, I was supposed to meet a friend for lunch, and she didn’t show. Damian had

been stood up, too, and we ended up eating together.” She shrugged and her cheeks turned pink. “He’s

charming.”

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