Page 393 of Master of My Life

“No. I came because I wanted to. Because I needed to know.”

“Why does it matter?”

Jayson kneeled down. “Did I mean nothing to you, aside from a means of spying?”

She didn’t respond right away, but Chase heard a sniff. “You did,” she said softly after several

minutes of silence. “I really liked you, Jayson.”

Jayson chewed his lip.

“I mean it. I mean, yes, Damian wanted me to . . . get to know you and tell him what I heard,

but . . . after a while, I really started to like you.” She paused. “You’re nice.”

Chase closed his eyes at the tone of her voice. It was clear she hadn’t known many nice men in

her life.

Jayson took her hand. “I liked you, too.” He grimaced. “I loved you.”

“You shouldn’t.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m no good for you.”

Chase had to disagree. He’d never seen Jayson so happy. But if it were all a lie . . . “Your brother

wasn’t nice, was he?” Chase asked softly.

Lia twisted to look at him, pressing her lips together. He could see in her eyes she wanted to

answer, but the shadow of fear kept her from speaking.

“Lia, we can protect you. We can keep him from you.”

She laughed bitterly and shook her head. “No, you can’t.” She sat up and pressed her hand to her

forehead. “He’s inside my head. He visits me in my dreams.”

Chase frowned. “He’s done that here?”

She opened her mouth but snapped it closed and an expression of wonder filled her face.

“Actually, no. I haven’t dreamed of him since you brought me here.”

Chase walked across the room and sat on the edge of the bed. “Do you know where you are?”

“You said a Manor. I think that has something to do with the Elders.”

Chase nodded. “This is a protected place. A safe place. He can’t hurt you here.”

“Until he achieves his plans. Then nowhere will be safe from him.”

Chase’s heart leaped in his chest. Would she finally talk? “What do you mean?”

She glanced at Jayson, who gave her an encouraging smile. She swallowed. “I don’t know

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