Brie Masters Love in Submission: Submissive in Love (83 page)

She lifted her head and smiled at him. “It’s strong.”

“Remember that when you sit in the waiting room.” Her fears suddenly seemed foolish as she stared into his warm gaze. He reminded her, “I will be okay.”

Brie nodded.

She gave him one last kiss on the cheek for luck when Flora, one of his attending nurses, came in and announced that he was being taken to the operating room. Brie headed to the waiting room still riding high on Tono’s confidence, and burst out in giggles when she saw Master Anderson, Lea and Autumn waiting for her.

“I didn’t expect you guys to be here!”

“Before he left, Thane insisted I stand in his place today,” Master Anderson explained.

She ran to hug him, thankful for his added strength while she waited through the dual surgeries.

Brie looked upwards and silently said,
Thank you, Sir!
before giving Lea and Autumn both hugs. “You guys are the best.”

Autumn held up two ‘Get Well’ signs she was holding. “I thought we could hang these up in their rooms.”

Lea looked at them and grinned. “Hey, we could have a little fun decorating their hospital rooms. What do you think?”

“Sounds a lot more fun than sitting around here worrying,” Brie replied.

“We should go to a party store if we want to do this properly,” Lea insisted.

Master Anderson sat down. “I’ll stay here and hold the fort.”

Brie’s eyes lit up. “Fort? Oh, that gives me a great idea for Tono.”

The girls giggled and chatted as they made their way to the elevator. Two hours later, Brie was placing the final touch, a little flag on the top turret of the fortress she’d created out of Tono’s jars of preserves. “He’s going to love this!” she stated proudly, stepping away from the windowsill to admire her creation.

“Brie,” Master Anderson said, walking into the room, his voice tense with worry. “You need to come. Something’s happening. I’m noticing a lot of activity.”

Brie’s stomach sank, her whole body becoming numb as she rushed out of the room. She ignored the shouts of the nurses as she scooted through the closing doors of the restricted area and ran down the hallway until she found the operating room with all the commotion.

She stared through the glass window to see Tono surrounded by a crowd of nurses and doctors. Alarms were blaring as they rushed about, but her eyes were glued to the heart monitor—her worst fears realized as she watched the straight line move across the screen.

“Tono…”

Time stopped. She felt the numbness consume her body while she watched helplessly as the paddles were brought out. His chest lifted from the table as the electricity was applied, but he lay back down limp and unmoving, the line continuing with cruel conviction.

Brie turned away and slowly slid down the wall, hugging her knees to her chest as she struggled to breathe. All thought faded into darkness as fear took hold of her. She heard faint voices insisting she leave the area, but she did not respond until she felt the strong arms of Master Anderson lifting her.

“He’s gone,” she whimpered.

Master Anderson said nothing as he carried her to the waiting room and cradled her in his protective arms. Lea and Autumn sat on either side of her, crying silently, but she was in too much shock to shed a tear.

Tono.

Master Anderson understood his role well and held her even tighter, sharing his strength while reminding her that she was not alone.

A short time later, Flora came into the room and walked straight over to Brie. She stood up to face the nurse, even though she was afraid of what Flora had to say.

“The surgeon wants you to know that Mr. Nosaka has been revived and his vitals are reading normal. Dr. Shepherd will speak to you later, once the surgery is complete. He expects Mr. Nosaka should be moving to the recovery room in the next hour or so.”

“Can I see him then?” Brie managed to choke out.

“No, I’m afraid not—he’ll need to be closely monitored—but once the doctor gives his consent, you will be sent for.”

Brie touched her arm, needing her reassurance. “He’s okay, Flora?”

“Everything appears normal, Miss Bennett. Mr. Nosaka is a healthy man, and Dr. Shepherd remains optimistic he’ll make a full recovery.”

Once the nurse had left the room, Brie finally broke down, letting out all the pent-up fear and pain that had been building inside her. It was a cathartic release in the arms of her friends.

Both surgeries were successful, but it was hours later before Brie was allowed to see Tono. He was still being closely monitored, but the surgeon surprised her by agreeing to let her visit him briefly.

She moved the curtain aside and was stunned to see Tono gracing her with a faint smile, tubes running everywhere from him. The nurse monitoring his vitals pointed to where Brie could stand.

She moved to his side, her heart in her throat as she stared down at him.

He gazed up at her—the two speaking volumes without words. When he lifted his hand weakly, she grabbed it, holding on to it with both hands.

Brie swallowed hard to get rid of the lump in her throat so she could speak. “You left me, Tono.”

“But I came back,” he whispered hoarsely.

Brie kissed his hand, covering it with fresh tears. “I was so scared.”

“It’s okay.”

Her lip trembled as she nodded.

“The Boy?”

“He’s in recovery too.”

“Good.”

“It’s best that you keep this short,” the nurse said curtly. “The doctor only agreed because Mr. Nosaka insisted on it.”

Brie leaned over and gently kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you.”

“I could feel your fear.”

“Now you will only feel my healing thoughts.”

After she left him, a second nurse directed her to another bed in the recovery area. “Mr. and Mrs. Wallace have asked that you speak to their son.”

When Brie pulled back the curtain, she was shocked by the contrast between Tono and Faelan. His skin was ashen in color, and he looked despondent.

“The surgery was a success,” she reminded him.

Faelan looked at her with such agony that she hurried to his side. “What’s wrong?”

“Nosaka almost died.”

“I was just with him. He’s fine. You don’t have to worry.”

“He should never have taken the risk.”

“But he did, and now your body has a healthy kidney. This is a good day,” she insisted.

“How can you say that when his heart stopped on the operating table?” Faelan closed his eyes, the devastating pain easy to read on his face. “I almost killed another man today.”

The overwhelming guilt he carried hit Brie. “Todd, don’t.”

He opened his eyes. “I’m not worth another man’s life.”

“Tono believes you were worth the risk.”

“And he almost died because of it. I’m nowhere near as good a man as he is. Not even close.”

For the first time since knowing Faelan, Brie heard humbleness—not arrogance—coming from his lips. “You most definitely were worth the risk he took, based solely on what you just said.”

“What?” he growled. “You enjoy seeing me grovel?”

“No, I like seeing you humble. It’s a positive step.”

He gave her an icy stare. “Get out.”

“Normally I’d be offended, but I kind of like it when you’re feisty.”

“Out. Now.”

“Fine, but heavy bass and chocolates are waiting in your room. Not that you deserve it.”

He snarled as she left, but it was music to Brie’s ears. She was convinced that Faelan would be okay.

Brie dug her phone out of her purse, needing to hear Sir’s voice, and was disappointed not to have any messages or texts from him. She tried to call, but it immediately clicked over to voicemail, so she was forced to leave a message.

“Please call, Sir. I
need
you.”

After spending time with Lea, Autumn and Master Anderson at an old-fashioned diner across from the hospital, Brie excused herself. Food held no interest for her—all she could think of was Tono.

“I hate to cut this short, you guys, but I’m heading back to the hospital.”

“Wait, Brie,” Lea said. “Before you go I have a little funny you can share with Tono.”

Brie knew it would be bad, but suspected Tono might appreciate it. “Hit me.”

“I love
everything
about pain play except for one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“The pain part.”

Brie snorted as she shook her head. “Is that even a joke?”

“It made you laugh.” Lea grinned.

Autumn giggled. “Hey, I liked it.”

Brie looked at her incredulously. “But Autumn, you like all of her jokes.”

“Because they’re funny!”

“Girl, I need to take you to see a real comedy act. You have no idea what funny is.”

Autumn looked shyly at Brie. “I have one I think he might like.”

Brie assumed it would be terrible, but urged her to share anyway. “I’m sure Tono will enjoy it. Give it to me.”

“What’s round and tastes like an orange?”

“Hmm…” Brie thought for a moment, but nothing came to mind. “You’ve got me stumped.”

“An orange.”

Master Anderson burst out laughing. “I like that, Miss Autumn. Simple but effective. You have my seal of approval.”

Brie shook her head in disbelief. The fact that Lea and Autumn were equally unfunny was astonishing to her.

After promising Master Anderson she would return to his house soon to get some rest, Brie made her way back over to the hospital. She was happy to find that Tono had been taken to his room by then—a positive sign.

When she walked in, she noticed that most of the tubes and monitors had been removed. “You look more like yourself, Tono.”

He nodded, managing a pained smile. “Don’t feel like it yet.”

“It really hurts, huh?”

“The drugs help, but it only takes the edge off.”

“I wish I could do something to help you.”

“I know what would help.”

“Anything, Tono.”

“Come lie with me.”

She looked back at the door, worried. “Do you think it’s allowed?”

“I don’t care.”

Tono grunted as he scooted over to make room for her. His heart monitor shot up, but quickly calmed down as he worked through the pain.

“Oh, Tono,” Brie whimpered. “I can’t stand seeing you in agony.”

“Come, then,” he insisted.

Brie lowered the railing and carefully lay down, covering them both with the extra blanket before settling down beside him.

“I feel better already, toriko.”

She noticed he’d used her sub name, but at that moment it was exactly what she needed to hear. She’d almost lost him…

As she lay there with Tono, listening to the reassuring rhythm of his heartbeat, she was haunted by the image of his lifeless body lying on the operating table and the tears started to flow.

“There’s no reason to cry,” he gently chided.

“Today I came face to face with how fragile life is.”

“It
is
fragile, which is why every moment must be savored.”

Brie looked up at him. “This experience highlighted just how much you mean to me.” She settled back, laying her head lightly on his chest.

He kissed the top of her head. Again the heart monitor jumped as he worked through the pain caused by the effort, but it quickly returned to its slow, steady beat.

“Have you decided where you’ll be headed after you recover?” Brie ventured.

“I’m beginning to think Denver might be a good place to settle.”

Brie snuck a peek at him. “Is that because a certain ice skater lives here?”

He chuckled, then groaned loudly. “Laughing hurts.”

“Then I’d better save Lea and Autumn’s jokes for another time.”

“Feel free to share them.”

“No, although they aren’t funny, I would never risk hurting you.” Brie grinned knowingly at him. “So you
like
Autumn, don’t you?”

He smiled. “I would like to know her better.”

“I bet you’re unaware that she helped decorate the room. She made that for you.”

He glanced at the sign that read,
Get Well Soon, Master Ren Nosaka!

“Did she now? That was thoughtful of her.” He looked over at the fruit fortress Brie had built on the windowsill. “I appreciated my fortress of protection as well.”