Brie Surrenders her Heart (After Graduation, #8) (14 page)

“After tying him up and gagging him so he couldn’t resist, she woke him. According to her, Durov had remained unyielding the entire time, unwilling to give in to her dominance. In her drunken state, she’d become fixated on breaking his resolve. They’d fought a battle of wills where neither had come out the victor. She had left, furious she hadn’t been able to break his ironclad will. What she’d failed to realize was that she had broken him in the worst way possible.”

Brie stopped her work in the kitchen and sat down, horrified, imagining a myriad of reprehensible scenarios.

“Although he had every reason to press charges, he refused. He fell into a deep depression and almost quit college. Thankfully, that fierce Russian spirit kicked in and he eventually crawled out of his darkness and continued on with his schooling.”

“What happened to Ms. Clark?” Brie asked, hoping for some kind of retribution.

“Samantha begged Durov to forgive her. She spent time in extensive counseling, gave up drinking and, per my suggestion, submitted to a well-known Domme for several months to experience submission for herself. She wanted to prove that she was repentant. Although it came as no consolation to my friend, it molded Samantha into an exceptional Domme.”

“I take it he never did forgive her.”

“None of her actions fazed Durov. As far as he was concerned, she was dead to him. He continued on as if it had never happened. When the two met in public settings, he simply ignored her. We all assumed he had moved on, but one night he flipped out for no apparent reason and pushed Samantha to the ground. He wrapped his hands around her neck and tried to squeeze the life out of her. I was barely able to break the stranglehold he had.” Sir closed his eyes. “I came close to losing them both that night.”

The pain Sir still carried was apparent to Brie, but she couldn’t understand why he felt responsible.

Sir finished his account by stating, “Durov went back to Russia the next day. He claimed that time and distance were the only things that would prevent him from killing her.”

Brie looked at Sir and dared to ask, “I don’t understand, Sir. Why did you remain friends with Ms. Clark after she hurt Rytsar so seriously?”

He gave a long sigh of deep regret. “I was her mentor, Brie. I introduced Samantha to BDSM.”

It would be difficult to keep such a shocking revelation to herself when she met with Lea and Mary the next day, but Brie refused to betray Sir’s or Rytsar’s trust. Instead, she planned to concentrate on discovering what was going on between Lea and Tono. She also wanted to find out what had happened to the note Sir’s mother had tried to deliver through Faelan during Brie’s birthday party. Mary should be able to satisfy her curiosity on that count.

Brie decided to meet the girls at the bar they had frequented when they had been training. It brought back a flood of enjoyable memories.

John, the head bartender, sidled up to them, looking Mary over with a flirtatious grin. “Long time no see, gorgeous.” He turned to Brie and asked, “What happened to the long trenchcoats, Brie? I kind of miss the Goth look on you fine ladies.”

Mary, who loved to torment members of the opposite sex, out-and-out lied. “I insisted we come here today. I missed…” she gave him a breathtaking come-hither look, “…the place.”

“Well, I’m honored. Just for that, your drink’s on the house.”

Brie rolled her eyes. Mary was a ruthless user and abuser of her looks, but for some reason men just ate it up.

Once the drinks had been delivered, Brie asked, “So Lea, out with it. What the heck is going on with Tono?”

“Before I spill the beans, I have a joke for you.”

Mary groaned. “No, not another one of your lame-ass jokes.”

Lea smiled eagerly at Brie. “You know you’re kinky when you keep Christmas lights up in your house to hide the real reason you have all those hooks in your home.”

“That wasn’t bad,” Brie said, giggling as she noticed the small white lights over the bar. She poked Lea in the ribs as she asked, “Hey, John, why do you still have Christmas lights up?”

He gave her a goofy grin. “Eh, too lazy to take them down.”

“I bet,” Lea replied with an exaggerated wink.

“I don’t know these two,” Mary exclaimed as she moved to a seat farther away.

Lea turned her back on Mary in silent protest and smiled mischievously at Brie as she took a sip of her drink. “So Brie, you’re the one who set Tono and me up. Why are you surprised we’re together now?”

Mary scooted back over, shaking her head. “Something’s not right here. You can’t go from lusting over Ms. Clark to cozying up with Jute Freak.”

Lea gave her a superior look. “I’ll have you know we’re living together, Miss Smarty Bitch.”

Brie choked on her merlot and started coughing. “Wait. What?”

Lea just grinned and took another drink. It was obvious she was enjoying herself and had no plans to hurry her explanation.

Mary set her rum and Coke down. “Let me get this straight. Not only are you working with Tono, doing Kinbaku demonstrations, but you have partnered up and are living with him?”

“Why is that so shocking?” Lea asked, sounding offended.

Brie’s coughing had ceased and she was finally able to speak. “This is the same girl who wants to explore everything while she’s young and unattached? Seriously, Lea, how can you go from
that
to settling down with one Dom?”

Mary laughed unkindly. “I think I hear a little jealousy. You know you can’t keep them all, Brie.”

“It’s not jealousy you hear, Mary. It’s utter disbelief.” Brie turned back to Lea. “What’s the real story, girlfriend?”

Lea pouted. “You guys are no fun. I should have been able to run with this for weeks.” When neither girl responded, she sighed. “Fine. Tono thought our sessions would go smoother and be more indicative of a genuine Kinbaku partnering if we got to know each other. He insists that Kinbaku is best showcased when the couple is in sync.”

Brie lifted her glass. “I’d drink to that.”

“So…kind of going along the lines of what you did with Tono, I suggested a temporary contract. I’ve been kind of curious what full-time subbing is like.” She shrugged and smiled. “Besides, who wouldn’t want to be trained by the sexy jute Master?”

“Me!” Mary stated emphatically. “I hate that weird rope crap.”

“I take it Tono was agreeable?” Brie asked, still adjusting to the fact Lea and Tono were living together.

“He was hesitant at first. But after a couple of days he came up with a contract for me to sign.”

“How long is it for?” Brie pressed, wondering if Lea was pulling her leg.

“Until the end of our classes together.”

Mary snickered. “Just look at Brie trying to act all calm, but inside she’s boiling over with jealousy. Admit it!”

Brie said coolly, “I’ll admit no such thing. I’m surprised, yes, but jealous? No. I want Tono to be happy.” She slid her hand over and squeezed her best friend’s. “And, of course, I want Lea happy as well. It’s just that I don’t see you two as a match. I would hate either of you to get hurt by this temporary partnering.”

Lea giggled. “Not everyone falls in love with the Doms they work with, Brie. You’re just a hopeless romantic. I see it more as a business transaction. He gets a devoted sub— who can cook, by the way— and I get to be trained by a true master of the art. It’s quite exciting, actually. This twenty-four seven stuff is really demanding, though. It’s like you said, Brie—I’m learning new things about myself on a daily basis.”

Brie nodded. “Isn’t that the truth…”

Lea clicked her tongue at Mary. “You should give it a try. Might mellow you out some.”

Blonde Nemesis snarled. “Me, tied down? Not going to happen even for a month. This is the time to fly free, girls. To experience the world while you can. No one controls me unless I want them to. I wouldn’t have it any other way. You are both idiots, but Brie’s the worst.”

Brie huffed. “Just because you can’t commit doesn’t make commitment wrong. Stop belittling my choice.”

Mary’s nostrils flared as she built up to an ugly outburst. John stopped by to check on them and noticed. “Looks like you could use another drink there, gorgeous.”

Mary flashed him a fiery glare.

“Yep,” he said nonchalantly, unfazed by her venomous stare. He hit the counter twice with his fist. “Looks like you could use a double.”

As he walked away, Brie called, “You’re the best, John.”

Mary’s ugly stare landed on her. It seemed like the perfect time to ask, “So Mary Quite Contrary, whatever happened to that note?”

Surprisingly, Mary’s countenance completely changed and she smiled. “Faelan and I decided to have a little fun and froze it in a block of ice. We sent it back to that Elizabeth woman with a message. ‘Will deliver when hell freezes over.’”

Lea laughed. “Funny, but harmless. Good one, Mary.”

“Know what the cow did?”

Brie suddenly got a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. “What?”

“She sent it back nestled in an ice chest, still encased in the cube of ice.”

Brie frowned, sensing there was more. “Was that all?”

“No. She included her own little note. ‘Hell may come sooner than you think.’”

“Whoa…” Lea exclaimed. “That’s an ominous threat if I ever heard one.”

Brie’s heart started racing as the hairs rose on the back of her neck. She imagined Ruth’s cruel but beautiful face, and felt a protective surge shoot through her veins. She would do
anything
to protect her friends.

“Mary, I’m sorry she involved you and Faelan in her scheming. It’s not right, but nothing about that woman is right.” Despite her anger, Brie also felt a pang of sympathy for Sir’s mother. What if the crazy woman was truly dying and felt she had to resort to threats out of sheer desperation?

“I would like the letter. If it is in my hands, she won’t have any reason to threaten you again.”

“I’m big enough to care for myself, Brie,” Mary answered irritably.

“I won’t be able to rest until I’ve destroyed the damn thing myself. Please, Mary. Do this for me.”

Mary shrugged. “You’re a fool, Brie, but I’ll let you nail your own coffin shut if you insist.”

Lea growled, “Why are you always so negative, Mary?”

“Why are you such a ditz, Lea?”

Brie could sense that they were all on edge. There was no point in prolonging their suffering. Besides, the sooner she got rid of the offending note, the better.

“Do you mind if we go now?”

“And end this lovely girl-chat?” Mary snarked.

Lea stood up. “A minute less of you would be a gift.” She gave Brie a big hug. “If you need me for any reason, call. You hear me?”

Brie laid her head against Lea’s large bosom for a moment, liking the feeling of being nurtured that flooded over her. “I will, girlfriend.”

“Come on, Brie-a-licious. Let’s get this over with.”

The two drove to Mary’s apartment, where Mary retrieved the icebox. She opened it and whistled. “Must be a high quality cooler—the ice has hardly melted.”

Brie took it and set it on the passenger seat of her car, slamming the door shut. “The sooner it’s gone, the better for everyone.”

Just before Brie drove off, Mary stopped her. She looked uncharacteristically worried. “I think you’re making a mistake getting involved in this.”

Brie shook her head. “You don’t understand. I would do anything for Sir.
Anything
.”

“I know bouncy boobs already said this, but I’ll say it anyway. If you need me, call.”

Brie waved as she drove away. “Thanks, Mary.”

While on the road, Brie kept glancing at the cooler. It reminded her a little of Pandora’s box. Inside were words Sir’s mother wanted him to see. Were they words full of hate or healing?

She knew Sir was off meeting with clients for the day, which was part of the reason she’d asked to see her friends. Thankfully, that left her plenty of time to get rid of the note. She hurried up the stairs and turned on the faucet full blast as soon as she entered the kitchen. Brie slid the heavy block of ice under the heated water and waited, pacing around the kitchen. She became nervous when it seemed to be taking too long. Even though Sir wasn’t due back for hours she wanted the note, and any evidence of it, long gone by the time he came home.

Brie, why did you bring it here?
she chided herself as she watched the ice block slowly melt. But she knew why…

She needed to know if the note held hope. Was it possible for Sir to make some semblance of peace with his mother before she died? It was Brie’s greatest wish to help make that happen if she could.
No one is completely evil,
she thought.
Every person has goodness in them.
She was convinced that the threat of death could bring clarity to the darkest of hearts.

After what felt like forever, Brie got out a kitchen towel and laid what remained of the cube on the table. She searched through the pantry until she found the toolbox Sir kept there. She grabbed the hammer and started hacking at the ice.

At first it seemed unbreakable, but once the cracks started the ice fell away in shards. As Brie got closer to the center, she noticed that Mary hadn’t covered the letter in any protective material. More likely than not, the letter inside would be unreadable.