Brie Masters Love in Submission: Submissive in Love (88 page)

“Sure, Brie. Ask away.”

“I have to leave for China as soon as possible, but Tono still has weeks of recovery ahead. He’ll be staying at Master Anderson’s once he’s released from the hospital, but he still needs someone to take him to doctor appointments and look after him. I’d ask Lea, but she’s in the middle of training, with no one to take her place. I know it’s a lot to ask, Autumn, but is there any way you could help out?”

Without hesitation, she answered, “I’d be happy to. In fact, if Tono wants to, he can stay at my place. I have a guest room that’s just gathering dust, and I’m sure my boss would have no problem with me working from home for the next few weeks.”

Brie let out an inner sigh of relief. “I can’t tell you how happy you just made me!”

“Actually, it’s you who’s doing me a favor,” Autumn asserted. “I don’t know if I would have gotten up the nerve to talk to him, and now I have the perfect excuse to talk to him twenty-four seven.”

“That’s music to my ears.”

“So I’ll talk to my boss in the morning and stop by the hospital tomorrow to see how Ren Nosaka wants to handle it.”

“Awesome. You’ve just taken a huge weight off my shoulders.”

“No problem, Brie. Hey, if you need anything else, give me a call. I mean it.”

“I could just hug you right now!”

“And I could just hug you back, little missy.”

After Brie hung up with Autumn, she was haunted by Sir’s desperate plea. It spurred her to start packing even though she could barely keep her eyes open.

I’m coming, Sir…

Captain called Brie at the break of dawn to let her know that Mary had agreed to come. “I not only believe that Miss Wilson is ready, but I suspect she will also benefit from the task. I wasn’t sure after speaking with you, but she and I had a long conversation. I’m releasing her from her collar with full confidence.”

“That’s wonderful, Captain! Of all the people Mr. Wallace could have as support, Mary is the only one he truly needs. I’ve been a pale replacement.”

“You were what was needed at the time, Miss Bennett.”

“You are very kind to say that.” Her debt to him was so great, she felt the need to add, “I promise to thank you and Candy properly for everything the next time I see you.”

“No need,” he assured her. “Watching Miss Wilson grow into a more fully actualized person has been a rare gift for us both.”

Brie was touched by the respect and admiration he held for Mary. She couldn’t wait to see for herself just how much Mary had changed.

Brie was on pins and needles while she stood waiting at the airport. She literally squealed when she saw Mary emerge from the crowd. Brie scooted around the barrier to meet her, squeezing the breath out of Mary in her enthusiasm.

“You’re here!”

“Yes, Stinky Cheese, I’m here,” she said with an amused look on her face, as they started walking towards baggage claim.

“Who would have guessed the Three Musketeers would all end up in Denver?”

“Can’t say it was ever a dream of mine.”

Brie giggled, nudging Mary while they waited for the luggage. “Bet you can’t wait to see Todd again, huh?”

Mary frowned. “Let’s get one thing straight, here. I’m really pissed at you.”

“Why?”

“You never said a damn word about what was going on with Faelan—not one fucking word.”

“I was told not to,” Brie answered defensively.

“So? I’m your friend, bitch. You should have told me.”

“I wanted to tell you, but Sir said it was Todd’s right to keep it from you. And after how you treated him at the commune…”

“It didn’t give you the right to play God, damn it.”

“I didn’t play God, Mary. I only did what Todd asked.”

Mary pulled her luggage off the carousel in a huff. “You’re damn lucky he didn’t die. I would never have forgiven you. Ever.”

“And I never would have forgiven you for treating him like crap, so we’re equal on that point.”

Tears pooled in Mary’s eyes and she swiped them away angrily.

“Look, I’m sorry it hurt you, Mary. However, I still stand by my decision.”

Mary pursed her lips. “Fuck you, Brie.”

Brie snickered. “Funny, that’s just what Todd said when he saw me.”

Mary’s demeanor changed once they were in the car. “Shit… I wasn’t sure I’d ever see him again. I’m nervous about it.” She rolled her eyes. “I feel so stupid right now.”

“I’ll share something that should ease your mind. His mother told me that Todd calls out your name in his sleep.”

“He does? Hell…the poor boy is worse off than I thought.”

“He’s really struggling to recover from the surgery, but now that you’re here I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts to walk.”

Mary’s smile suddenly disappeared. “You’re telling me Faelan can’t walk?”

“Yeah, the surgery really took a toll on him. But now that you’re here—” Brie could tell that Mary was thrown off by the unexpected news, and patted her on the arm, confident everything would work out once Mary and Faelan were together again.

Her confidence slipped when Mary stopped at the entrance of the hospital, looking ready to bolt. Brie remembered feeling the same way, and grabbed her hand, pulling her inside. “The look on Todd’s face is going to be priceless.”

When they reached the room, she swung the door wide open and shouted, “Ta-da!”

Faelan rolled his eyes as he turned to face Brie, then froze as if he’d seen a ghost when he spied Mary.

They seemed both seemed frozen in time as they stared at each other, neither speaking.

Brie giggled, surprised by the odd reaction. “It’s true, Todd. Your eyes are
not
deceiving you. It’s Mary, here in the flesh.”

The two continued to stare, ignoring Brie.

“It’s good to see you again, Mary,” Faelan said, finally breaking the ice.

Mary only nodded, looking more than ever like she was ready to bolt.

Brie shut the door to block Mary’s escape and pushed her towards the bed. “I have to leave for China, so Mary has graciously agreed to take over for me.”

Faelan tilted his head, gazing intently at Mary. “How are you?”

Mary snorted sarcastically. “Better than you.”

He answered with a charming smirk. “Well, that wouldn’t be hard, now, would it?”

Mary’s smile seemed forced, and she took a step back from him. Brie saw the look of pain flash in Faelan’s eyes.

“Where have you been? Brie told me you left the commune.”

“I’ve been staying with Captain. He took me in.”

Faelan stared at Mary in disbelief. “Were you wearing Captain’s collar?”

She shrugged. “Temporarily.”

“But you told me you would never wear a collar.”

Mary raised her eyebrow, saying in a defiant tone, “Truth is, I would only wear a collar for one man.”

“Who? Captain?” he spat.

She snarled angrily. “You’re a fucking idiot, Faelan.”

“And you’re a cruel, heartless bitch.”

Mary turned to Brie and shouted, “I shouldn’t be here. This is your fault!” She ran out of the room, a flurry of curses flying from her lips.

Brie reluctantly faced Faelan and his accusatory glare. She explained, “The answer to your question was simple. Mary would only wear a collar for one man—you.”

He shook his head, not believing her.

“Captain agreed to take Mary on to help her work through her past. She did it so she could have a real chance with you.”

Faelan stared at the open door, a look of sympathy on his face.

“But I have no idea why she acted so strangely when she saw you…” Brie admitted.

“I know why.”

She looked at him sadly. “I’m sorry. I’ve made a mistake bringing her here.”

“No reason to be sorry,” he answered, letting out a heavy sigh. “Bring Mary back this afternoon. I have something I need to say to her.”

Brie was desperate for them to meet up again, hoping the two could resolve their differences when it was obvious they loved each other. “I’ll make sure she comes.”

She left to find Mary, but didn’t come across her until she went outside and spied her sitting next to a water fountain. “What’s going on, woman? What happened in there?”

“This was a mistake, Brie. A
colossal
mistake.”

“But I don’t get it. You love Todd and he loves you. How can this be a mistake?”

“You’re as big an idiot as Faelan. I hope to hell that ticket you got me is exchangeable, because I’m flying back to LA this afternoon.”

“Oh no, you’re not! You’re not pushing him away again. I don’t know what your problem is, but you’d better get your act together real quick or you’re going to lose the only man who’s ever loved you.”

“Don’t tell me what to do, bitch!”

A group of orderlies walking into the building stopped due to the loud commotion. Brie waved them on. “Just a friendly spat. We’re fine here.”

She tuned back to Mary once the orderlies had entered the building. “I’m going to fucking kill you if you break his heart again. But…if that’s really what you intend to do, then you’ll do it face to face. You don’t get to play the coward this time.”

Mary’s glare could have melted steel. “God, I hate you!”

“Believe me, right now, I hate you too,” Brie snarled.

“Just go! Leave me the fuck alone.”

“Fine,” she spat, “because some of us actually care about people, and I need to see Tono right now.”

Brie marched into the hospital, so livid she couldn’t see straight. Mary hadn’t changed at all! How disappointed would Captain be when he found out all his sacrifice and hard work had been for nothing?

Brie escaped into Tono’s room and shared with him everything that had transpired—from Sir’s disturbing phone message down to Mary’s rejection of Faelan.

Naturally, Tono struck at the heart of the issue. “Sir Davis comes first. You’ve done all you can here.” Brie smiled weakly, grateful for his wisdom and encouragement. She noted the glint in his eye when he added, “Asking Miss Autumn to look after me was a stroke of genius.”

She chuckled. “I’ll admit I thought so too.”

“Be confident in the fact that we all will be fine, including Mr. Wallace.”

Brie’s smile crumbled. “Tono, I can’t stand it if Todd gets hurt again. It’s the last thing he needs right now. I’ll never forgive myself if it ends badly for him.”

“I suspect there’s more going on than we know, but whatever happens is fated. The fact that Captain agreed to release her should ease any concerns you have on that matter.”

Brie looked at him tenderly. “You’ve always known how to speak to my heart.”

He placed his hand on her chest, above the heart. “We speak the same language, you and I.”

Brie took hold of his hand and lifted it to her cheek, gazing into his chocolate-brown eyes. “Tono, I—”

Mary burst into the room and stopped short. “Whoa, I didn’t realize what I was walking into. Don’t mind me, Rope Freak, I didn’t see a thing…” She made an about-face and exited the room.

Brie let out an exasperated sigh.

“Go talk to her.”

“Yes, I’d better. Knowing how Mary’s mind works, I can only imagine what she’s thinking right now.”

“Safe travels, Brie. Know that my thoughts will be with you and Sir Davis.”

“I appreciate that more than you know, Tono.” Before she left, she bowed low to him, holding back tears as she walked out of the room.

With help from the nursing staff, Brie found Mary in the waiting room, banging on the candy dispenser and screeching, “The hell you’re going to steal my money!”

“Stop, already,” Brie said, grabbing her hands. “I’ll buy whatever you want downstairs. Come on, before they throw us both out.”

Mary gave the machine a resounding kick before consenting to leave. “Fucking deny
me
chocolate!”

Brie noticed the nervous glances of several older visitors there waiting, and quickly ushered Mary out.

“I need to head out to get something for Master Anderson before I leave for China tomorrow,” she explained. “So I’ll just leave you here in the cafeteria, where you can eat as much chocolate cake as you want.”

“Can’t I join you?”

Brie was surprised by Mary’s request, “Do I have a choice?”

“Not really.”

Brie took it as a good sign, until they got into the car and Mary asked, “So tell me, what was going on back there with Nosaka?”