Brie Faces her Master's Fears (After Graduation, #4) (20 page)

His soothing gaze washed over her like a wave in the ocean.

“Toriko…”

The Solution

S
ir insisted that Brie meet with Mary and Lea again, but this time in the safe confines of the Training Center. “I will spend time with Master Coen while you three speak. There are several issues he and I need to go over, now that he has taken over as headmaster.”

Brie was curious, knowing that Sir had recommended Master Anderson take over the position when he’d resigned, so she asked, “Sir, how do you feel about the panel’s choice?”

“I made my recommendation. However, I am confident Coen will make a fine headmaster.”

“What will Master Anderson do now?” Brie hated the thought of future subs missing out on the experienced Dom’s unique skills.

“He is taking over Coen’s training position, but has not committed to staying longer until he sees how this new session plays out.”

“I hope he stays, Sir.”

He looked down at her with a smirk. “Want to feel the bite of his bullwhip again, téa?”

Brie shook her head. “Not for that reason, Master. I want him to stay because he’s your friend.”

Sir surprised her by giving her a peck on the cheek. “You are a sweet little thing.”

Sir treated Brie to a spirited drive to the Training Center in his Lotus. The sports car was an extension of his body and he knew precisely how to use and abuse it for his enjoyment. He kept Brie’s heart pounding the entire way, helping to temporarily relieve her of the anxiety she felt about meeting Mary again.

She walked into the college laughing as she hung onto Sir’s arm. Business students standing at the entrance turned to see what the commotion was about. Brie buried her face in Sir’s arm. “Sorry, Sir.” She knew as a submissive she was not supposed to bring attention to herself.

He chuckled, patting her hand. “It’s all right, Brie. The students here are far too serious. They could do with a little laughter.”

Sir took her to the lower level and walked her to the meeting room where Lea and Mary were waiting. He handed Brie her briefcase and nodded to the two women. “Good afternoon, Ms. Taylor, Miss Wilson.”

They both greeted Sir, but Brie was surprised to hear a hint of repentance in Mary’s voice.

Sir nodded to them both and turned back to Brie. “I will be meeting with Headmaster Coen in his office. Go there when you are finished.”

“Yes, Sir,” Brie said, bowing gratefully. Whatever happened today, Sir would be there to support and encourage her. She watched him walk down the hall before she entered the room.

Lea ran to her, then hugged her tightly. “Oh, Brie, I’m so sorry about what happened. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Baron stopped the creep before anything happened.”

“But it must have been frightening, knowing what almost… And we were right there,” Lea said with tears in her eyes.

Mary snarled, “As soon as he brought you into the Play Arena, I would have been all over his ass. No way would I have let him touch you! What, did he think we wouldn’t notice or wouldn’t care?” Brie could tell Mary was boiling with pent-up rage.

Brie walked over to her and put her arm around Mary’s shoulders. “I know you would have protected me.”

Mary’s voice was rough with emotion. “I never meant for that to happen, Brie. I know you blame me—everyone does.”

Brie squeezed her shoulder in reassurance. “No. I don’t, and I know Sir doesn’t. I should have trusted my gut when I saw how rundown it was, but like you, I was curious.”

Mary pulled away, but slowly, as if she wanted the contact but felt uncomfortable with it. Brie turned to Lea. “So let’s sit down and talk about the documentary. It’s the whole reason we got into that mess in the first place.”

“I’m in—whatever you want, however you want it,” Lea said, sitting down beside her.

“No,” Brie said. “Hear me out before you agree to anything.”

Lea propped her chin up with both hands. “Okay, shoot!”

“Mr. Holloway wants your honest stories. He won’t settle for superficial crap. But if you do this, you will become an easy target for the haters out there. It could get really ugly.” She looked sympathetically at Lea. “And you’d have to tell your mom. Is that something you’re willing to face?”

“Obviously you are,” Lea stated. “If you’re willing to jump into the lions’ den, I’ll jump with you.”

Both Brie and Lea stared at Mary.

“What the hell? I don’t even know why you’re asking. I told you from the beginning I wasn’t going to get all personal. Did you really think I would change my mind?”

Brie suddenly had an idea, realizing exactly how to sway her. “I remember a story you once told me. One about a little girl who watched
It’s a Wonderful Life
and decided to become a pharmacist so she could save lives. Well, I think you could save lives with this film. From the abuse you suffered and
survived
, to learning the importance of full disclosure in a scene, the mistakes you and I made could prevent others from suffering the same consequences—or worse. I plan to include what happened to me at The Kinky Goat,” she added with seething rage, “because I don’t want any girl to fall victim to a creep like that.” She wiped away the angry tears that fell from her eyes. “Mary, everything we’ve learned—all of it—will be lost if you don’t agree to do this.”

Mary just glared at her, saying nothing.

Brie leaned forward and said with confidence, “I know you aren’t a coward.”

Mary responded by growling and pushing away from the table. Brie simply sat there and stared at her, letting it sink in.

“No means no!” Mary hollered, getting up from the table. She paced around the room furiously, muttering to herself.

Lea gave Brie a cautious thumbs-up.

Finally, Mary sat back down. “I know I will regret this and hate you for the rest of my life.”

Brie opened her briefcase and pulled out the consent forms. “Now, there’s no need to sign this today. Read it over; make sure you understand everything before you sign, anyway.”

Mary grabbed it from her and signed it immediately.

“What are you doing?” Brie cried.

“I know myself. If I take this home I’ll tear it into a million pieces.” She glared at the form and then shoved it in Brie’s face. “Better take it from me now.”

Brie quickly placed it back in the briefcase and shut the lid. “I don’t think you’re going to regr—”

“Shut up, Brie. Just shut up,” Mary snarled.

Brie knew better than to push her any further. A nervous happiness started to build inside. It was really happening… Mary, her Nemesis, her frienemy, had agreed.

“So do you guys want to see what I already have?”

Mary shrugged, but Lea clapped her hands. “Damn tootin’, I wanna see how I look in this film.” She asked with a grin, “Does it make my boobs look bigger?” Lea adjusted her breasts with her hands for dramatic emphasis.

“Naturally,” Brie answered, pulling out her laptop as the other two gathered around. “Now, feel free to tell me what doesn’t work for you. I’ll be filming a lot of new shots, so I have plenty of room to play.”

They spent the next hour and a half laughing their way through six weeks of training. Brie kept sneaking glances at the other two, overflowing with happiness. This journey they were on had not ended at the Center like she’d thought—it was truly just beginning.

Brie walked to Sir’s old office, listening to the sexy echo of her heels in the hallway. Surprisingly, one of the most useful things she’d learned was how to walk in six-inch heels. It had given her a seductive power she’d never had before, and she basked in the glory of it as she swayed her hips.

She knocked on the office door. Even though she knew Master Coen was headmaster now, it surprised her to hear his voice order from within, “Enter.”

Brie opened the door and had to catch her breath. Sir was holding a thin iron rod in his hands. She took a step back and then dropped her gaze to the floor.
The brand!

“Well, it appears it’s time for you to go,” Headmaster Coen told Sir. “Thank you for your time.”

She sneaked a peek and saw Sir put the brand in a thin wooden box, before shaking Coen’s hand. “My pleasure, and thank you for this,” he added, holding up the box.

Brie shuddered.

Sir winked at Brie as he walked her out. “How did it go, Brie?”

She immediately forgot about the brand and grabbed onto his arm. “Sir, Mary said yes!”

“Excellent.”

“You were right. My assumptions about Mary were way off.”

He looked at her compassionately. “I have found that is normally the case, Brie. What we think to be true has nothing to do with reality.”

She pressed closer to him. “You’re so wise, Master.”

“You have called me ‘wise’ once before. Did I not tell you that I prefer intelligent, quick-witted or experienced?”

She giggled, remembering their conversation at the club after Master Anderson’s bullwhip session. “Yes, Sir. I do recall you saying that a
long
time ago. Can you forgive your wayward sub for forgetting?”

He slapped her on the ass. “I should take you home for a thorough spanking, so that it will remain fresh in your mind.”

She wiggled her butt suggestively. “If it pleases you, Sir.”