Page 11 of CHASE: Captive to the Dark

“Twenty-two.”

His green eyes widened. “Shit. A lot younger than I thought. I was guessing mid to upper twenties.”

“I’m not some kid, okay? I’ve taken care of myself a lot longer than before Rory stepped in. I’ve been on my own and out of my parents’ home since I was sixteen.”

Chase got quiet while he stared. “I’ll see what I can do tomorrow. Maybe I’ll be able to find this elusive brother of yours. Is there a reason you fear for his safety, or is his disappearances common? I didn’t forget what you said about him and the cops.”

Anger started to push through with both of us and I moved my foot out from under the agonizing cold. Numbness was mixing with an unbearable ache and I was too defensive to argue with him. “We’ve never not communicated for this length of time. If there’s a reason to fear, he’s neglected to say, but I can fear for his safety without there being an underling reason. He’s my brother.”

Chase frowned, turning his attention back to my foot. His large hand encased just above my ankle while his other rose. He placed the length of his thumb along the arch of my foot, moving in circles as he stared down, massaging it.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be attacking you like this. I don’t know what’s come over me. I’m not going to lie to you. Something about your brother’s name sets me off. I think I might know him, and if I do, it’s not a good relationship the two of us have.”

Those beautiful eyes rose to mine and I couldn’t stop my stomach from turning. It wouldn’t surprise me if Rory had somehow gotten on Chase’s bad side. Rory was cocky. Arrogant. He didn’t care who he offended if he wanted something. Chase didn’t remind me of someone who took to getting pushed around. He’d stand up to Rory. I knew he would.

“I’m sorry.”

“You’re sorry that I might not get along with your brother? Why would you be sorry?”

“Because I know Rory. He’s…” My head shook as I tried to ignore his touch. It was making it hard to think. My body was positively humming. “Let’s just forget it. I don’t want to talk about him right now.”

“Alright.” Chase eased up, walking over and grabbing a pillow to place under my foot. “Let’s talk about something different then. Unless, of course, you’re too tired to talk.”

I could see how antsy he was. He didn’t want to leave yet. I felt bad for him. He’d been hurt badly as a priest, which baffled me. Who would dare be evil enough to harm a man of God? It made no sense. And with his loss of memory, surely he was scared? It would explain the mood swings.

“I can stay awake a little longer.”

A smile came to his face and he pointed to the other side of the bed. “May I? Just while we talk.”

Fuck. Despite my better judgment, I couldn’t stop myself from being charmed by his smile. He was gorgeous with his square jaw and full lips. The slight scruff on his cheeks was making me melt. And the tease of those tattoos…I had always been a sucker for ink. What I was feeling wasn’t right…or good. I was crushing on a priest—a bad, naughty priest who possibly liked BDSM, and there was nothing I could do about. Dammit, I couldn’t get that basement out of my head.

The bed shifted as he lowered. I tried not to show how affected I was. My hands shot to my lap as I moved against the pillows between me and the massive antique headboard. Chase propped his head to his fist and stared up at me. Although there was slight amusement, there was something simmering in those depths. I could see it. Feel the power as he studied me.

“So, what did you want to talk about?” His tone deepened and I tried to ignore it as I glanced around the room.

“You have no pictures in your house,” I said, suddenly realizing it. “No pictures of you or anyone. Just sceneries.”

Confusion swept over his features and he rolled to his back, glancing over the walls.

“You’re right. Odd. I wonder why.”

“I don’t know. You’re very…”

“Very what?”

He came back to face me and I froze under the slight narrowing of his stare.

“Intriguing.”

He laughed, scooting closer. “Perhaps. What else?”

I contemplated inching further away, but decided against it. “Intimidating.”

“I can see that, too. One more…what else?”

Chase began to rise, moving closer toward me. At the nearness, I leaned further into the pillows. He was but inches from my body. And he wanted some sort of description to come from my lips. There was only one word that surfaced and it left me before I could stop it.

“Dominant.”

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