Page 340 of Master of My Life

“I’ll be there soon.”

“Okay.”

As he pulled up to the Manor, Ethan’s black SUV pulled in behind him. Chase dragged Lia out of

the backseat, and he looked around. “Where’s Sydney?”

Lance shook his head. “The hotel room . . .” He swallowed. “That bastard must have tortured her

for hours. It was a mess.”

Chase froze. “What?”

“She’s dead,” Ethan said, his face pale. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Lia whimpered beside him and sagged to the ground. He hauled her to her feet. “What do you

know?”

Her eyes grew wild and she shook her head. “P-p-please . . . don’t make me t-tell you . . .”

Chase pressed his lips together, not sure what to do.

The door to the Manor opened and yellow light spilled over the stone steps. Richard slowly came

down the steps, a grim expression on his face. He looked around. “Where’s Sydney?”

“Dead,” Lance said.

Lia trembled.

Richard studied her for a long moment and then let out a long sigh. “I’ll talk to her. You go home.”

He looked at Lance. “Make sure they rest.”

Lance nodded and Richard reached for Lia’s arm. Chase shoved her forward and Richard

frowned at him.

Chase huffed, feeling for a moment like a kid caught bullying the school nerd.

“Kindness will go further than anger,” Richard said in a gentle voice. He put his hand on Chase’s

shoulder. “Go home. Rest. I will call you when I know something.”

Chase glared at Lia, who shriveled beneath his angry gaze.

Lance grabbed his arm. “C’mon, let’s go home.”

59

CHASE’ S PHONE BUZZING MADE HIM JUMP . HE’ D BEEN DOZING ON THE COUCH, WAITING FOR RICHARD

to call. The sky outside was still dark.

“Richard?”

“She won’t talk.”

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