Brie Discerns Master's Heart (After Graduation, #6) (9 page)

“Sir, what are we going to do?” Brie asked, suddenly afraid for him.

“What am I going to do? I’ll wait until I hear from the Center. It’s possible she’s bluffing and I refuse to react to idle threats.”

No sooner had he spoken than his cell phone rang. Sir looked at the caller ID and frowned. “What is it?” he demanded when he answered the call. “Good God, Rachael. Call the police. I’ll be there as soon as possible. Hopefully, she’ll leave of her own accord.”

Sir snapped the phone closed and asked his uncle, “Will you come with me?”

“Of course. No need to ask.”

Sir turned to Brie. “You’ll stay here. I do not want you getting involved with her again.”

She insisted, “But Sir, my place is by your side.”

“No, Brie. Work on your documentary while I am gone.” Before she could protest, he added, “Obey me.”

Brie held in her objection and watched both men leave the apartment in a rush. What could his mother have done to cause Sir to go against his better judgment?

She sat down with her computer and tried to edit her work, but she couldn’t concentrate. She kept contemplating what was happening at the Center. What kind of mother would threaten her son? What was the woman capable of?

Although Brie appreciated Sir’s protective nature, she wanted to be with him—
needed
to be with him.

She began pacing the apartment, contemplating driving down to the Center without his permission, until she heard a polite knock on the door.

Brie walked up to it hesitantly. She took a look through the peephole and saw a courier holding a manila envelope.

Brie asked him through the door, “Could you just leave it on the doorstep?”

“No, ma’am—I need a signature from the person it’s addressed to. A Brianna Bennett.”

She immediately thought of Mr. Holloway. “Could you slide it under the door?”

“That’s highly unusual, ma’am.”

“But could you do it anyway?”

The man grumbled as he bent down and forced the envelope under the gap at the bottom of the door. “The pen won’t fit,” he complained.

“Not a problem; I have a pen. Just a sec.”

Brie picked up the manila envelope and looked it over. It was big enough for legal documents and was addressed to her, although she noticed it did not have a return address on it. She went to the desk, signed her name on the slip for the courier and stuffed it back under the door.

He huffed as he bent down to pick it up. Brie peeked through the hole to watch him leave. Despite the man’s obvious irritation, he tipped his hat before he left. “Thank you, ma’am.”

Brie was pleased with the cautious way she had handled the exchange and eagerly tore open the manila envelope. Inside was another envelope, but it was addressed to Thane Davis. His name looked as if it had been written by a woman.

A feeling of nausea came over Brie and she had to sit down. The letter must have come from his mother…

Whatever was written in that letter might reveal the reason she was back. Brie was desperate to find out what it said, wanting to understand what kind of threat this woman posed to Sir.

Brie stared at the envelope for a long time, part of her wanting to destroy it and part of her wanting to secretly read it. There was no part of her that wanted to present the note unopened to Sir, but that is exactly what she did.

When Sir returned home an hour later, he came alone. Although he looked cross, he was no longer irate.

Sir seemed relieved when he saw her sitting on the couch. “Whatever game she was playing, she ran off before I got there. Guess the threat of involving the police was enough.”

Brie looked up at him, unable to hide her guilt.

“What is it, Brie?”

“A letter came while you were gone.”

He looked at her apprehensively. “A letter?”

“I knew better than to open the door, Sir, but I let the courier slip it under. It was addressed to me. I thought it was from Mr. Holloway.”

“But…”

“But when I opened it, there was a letter inside addressed to you.” She glanced at the envelope on the table.

Sir looked at it in disgust and went to the kitchen. He came back and said, striking a match, “Whatever this is, it’s gone now.”

Just before the flame touched the paper, Brie blurted, “But Sir, maybe this will tell you her motive. You said yourself that you can’t prepare to fight her until you know what it is.”

Sir stopped and stared at the envelope, letting the match burn until it singed his fingers. He blew the match out and then set the letter back on the table.

He sat down next to Brie. “The fact it’s here tells me two things. One, she knows where I live and two, she knows that you live here with me.”

“I shouldn’t have signed for the letter, Sir. I’m sorry.” Brie bowed her head, feeling as if she had betrayed his trust.

“It doesn’t matter. The only thing she learned from this little stunt is that you are an extremely trusting individual.” Sir sighed, glancing at the letter again. “Either this will tell me the real reason she wants contact and it will infuriate me, or this is a clever lie she’s concocted, which will infuriate me even more.” Sir rubbed his chin, trying to decide if he wanted to open Pandora’s box.

Finally, he picked it up and ripped the envelope open. He unfolded the letter and glanced at it before throwing it down. “Bullshit!”

Sir stormed out of the room. Brie hesitantly picked up the note to read it, and was shocked to see there were only five words.

I am dying of cancer.

Brie couldn’t believe it. She ran to the bedroom to comfort Sir, but he was still in an uncontrollable rage. When she entered the room, he shouted at her, “That bitch does not have cancer any more than I do!” His laughter was low and angry. “Oh, but isn’t she clever?”

“But what if it is true, Sir?”

He replied coldly, “I wouldn’t care. She should know that. This is her clever way of garnering other people’s sympathies. Look at the poor beast, dying of cancer while her son stands back and does nothing to help. Well, that’s exactly what I plan to do. She can rot in hell. In fact, I would prefer it.”

Brie was taken aback by his wrath.

Sir looked at her and snarled. “This is how she does it. She pits us against each other. She expects me to begin resenting you for giving me the letter, and for you to be horrified that I would react to such news with indifference.”

Brie crossed the room and stood beside him, stating her support in words as well as with her proximity. “There is nothing she can do to tear me away from you, Sir. I understand your righteous anger towards her and I believe you when you say that she’s lying. I stand behind you and support you, Sir.”

“No, Brie.” He pulled her into his embrace. “You stand
beside
me.”

She wrapped her arms around him. “Nothing can separate a condor from its mate, Sir.”

He lifted her chin and smiled for the first time that night. “Brie, that is the only truth I need. You are a wise little sub.”

She cocked her head. “
Wise
, Sir? Aren’t I far too young to be described as wise?”

His spontaneous laughter was music to her ears. It delighted her heart to hear it.

Believe

B
rie couldn’t stop the buzzing in her ears. After weeks of shooting and retooling her documentary, her time had finally come. She bit her lip and closed her eyes, trying to rein her nerves in.

“Brie, what’s wrong?” Sir asked.

He’d insisted on being with her as she waited to be called in, although he would not be present during the meeting itself. Sir felt it was important this was her success, and hers alone.

“Sir, I’ve never felt like this before. I think I’m going to faint, I’m so nervous.”

He put his hand on her knee and gazed into her eyes, imparting his confidence. “You will not let your fears get the best of you.”

She nodded, needing to hear his reassuring words.

“You have reworked the film to his specifications while remaining true to your vision. The work is better for it. However, if Mr. Holloway chooses to turn it down it will be his loss, for you
will
find someone to produce it.”

Brie took a deep breath and smiled. “Yes, you’re right, Sir. Someone will pick up my film if Mr. Holloway does not. This film is a winner—I can feel it in my bones.”

“Hold onto that truth and do not let your nerves control you. Be self-assured without being arrogant and you will do well.”

That extra shot of confidence was all she needed. “Thank you, S—”

The receptionist interrupted their conversation. “Mr. Holloway will see you now.”

Sir stood up with Brie and gave her a quick kiss before letting her go. “Knock him dead, Brie.”

She let out a nervous sigh and then shook her head.
No! My nerves are not going to control the moment.
Brie consciously released the tension and stood up straight, her chest out, her head at a respectful angle.

“That’s my girl,” Sir commented as she walked away.

Everything was perfect until she greeted Mr. Holloway and he barked an order to sit down. The inflection in his voice let her know the man was on edge and irritable. Not at all what she needed for her big moment.

Brie held out her hand and shook his. “Thank you for seeing me again, Mr. Holloway.” To ease the tension in the room, she started off the conversation with a compliment. “As you know, sir, I admire your expertise and took your suggestions to heart as I reworked this film. I trust you will be as impressed with the changes as I am.”

“I’ll be the judge of that,” the producer grumbled, grabbing the disk from her hand. He slid it into the player, then sat back in his chair, closing his eyes as if he couldn’t be bothered to watch it.

Brie swallowed hard. It was one thing to be turned down because her work legitimately sucked, but it was quite another to lose out on her chance because the producer was upset about something she had no control over.

The lively music of the introduction started up. Brie had chosen something that would instantly grab the viewer’s attention. She smiled, knowing the hard bass and driving beat were impossible to ignore.

Mr. Holloway opened his eyes a crack and watched as the opening credits showcased the three girls and the two trainers she’d interviewed. He sat up and took notice when a short teaser clip of the flogging scene flashed onto the screen.

Brie silently cheered, even though it still remained to be seen if she could keep his attention throughout the entire film, especially since it was twenty minutes longer with the additional scenes.

Believe…

Images of Sir, Tono and Marquis Gray came to mind. Brie turned her attention back to the screen and smiled as she watched her beloved film unfold.

Sure, Mr. Holloway might have a few questions or suggestions, but damn, the film was not only hot, but informative and riveting. Mary’s part especially had taken on a life of its own. It was easy to see the vulnerability in her mannerisms and hear it in her voice as she talked about the effects of her abuse. However, Brie had assured Mary that she would not come off as a victim in the film. It had been Brie’s mission to show how strong and courageous she was, despite her abusive past. Mary was not a person to be pitied. No, she was an inspiration.

Although Mr. Holloway watched the film with no emotion evident on his face, Brie did notice his keen interest when Marquis’ scene with Lea came up. Even now, having seen it at least fifty times while editing, Brie felt the sexual stirrings that watching Marquis’ masterful skill evoked.

When the scene was over, Mr. Holloway glanced over at her and stated, “That was powerful.”

Brie hid her pride with a humble nod.

He did not speak for the rest of the film, but he did watch it in its entirety, then shut off the machine as soon as the ending credits began.

Mr. Holloway folded his arms and settled back in his chair. “What do you think of the film, Miss Bennett?”

Brie decided to be completely honest. “It is my masterpiece. The film explores the forbidden world of BDSM, but in a way that is not intimidating to the average viewer or irreverent to the lifestyle. I was pleased with the additions you requested because it gives the film a more emotional hook, without being simpering or demeaning.”