Brie Surrenders her Heart (After Graduation, #8) (22 page)

Brie held up her glass to Faelan. “I’m glad to hear it, Mr. Wallace.”

He glanced in the direction Mary had gone and stated, “People don’t give that woman the respect she deserves, but that’s about to change.”

Is Faelan actually being protective of Mary?
Brie couldn’t believe it. “I agree; she deserves to be treated better.”

He corrected, “What she deserves is for people to recognize the extraordinary woman she is and treat her accordingly.”

Lea smiled into her glass as she sipped her drink. “Okay…”

Faelan took a long draught of beer and slammed the mug on the counter. “Do you realize that she’s the only person since that car crash, all those fucking years ago, who actually cares about me as a man?”

Lea slammed her drink down, imitating him, and stated, “You have
tons
of girls at your beck and call, Faelan.”

“I’m not talking about simple fucking, Lea,” he growled.

He turned to Brie and stared at her with those intense blue eyes. “After the accident, the boy’s family condemned me, and my family and friends have treated me with kid gloves ever since. I don’t need sympathy, damn it! What I needed was a taste of reality. Well, Mary is all about shooting you between the eyes with reality.”

Brie had to force herself not to smile. “That’s one way to put it.”

For some odd reason, Faelan seemed to be feeling unusually talkative. Brie gave Lea a little wink when he continued of his own accord, “She and I have struggled with demons from our pasts, believing if we could defeat them we would be free. But that isn’t how it works.”

Faelan suddenly had Brie’s attention. He wasn’t spewing some frivolous bullshit just to be heard—he was speaking from the heart. She met his gaze, transfixed. “How does it work?”

“You have to accept it and then let it go. You can’t keep going back to revisit the pain.” He took a long drink to let that simple truth sink in.

Brie was moved by his words. “Yes, you’re right…”

Faelan put his beer down and looked at them both. “I killed a boy. It was my fault. I can’t change it. Mary helped me see that I had imprisoned myself in that guilt and grown used to the pain.” He closed his eyes and groaned. “That was where my true weakness was, in allowing myself to accept the pain to the point where I refused to let go.”

He opened those hypnotic blue eyes and stared into Brie’s with a soulful gaze that took her breath away. “I will never be that weak again.”

She ran a finger along the rim of her glass, at a loss for words. “That is profound, Mr. Wallace.”

Faelan addressed Lea. “Who could have guessed that seeing Brie tied up while jogging on the beach would mark the beginning of my re-entry into humanity?”

Lea shrugged. “It’s crazy, the turns life takes…”

“Now I am determined to help Mary face that same truth. She has to let go of the pain she clings to. She thinks of it as her shield against the world, but in reality it’s killing her.”

Brie suddenly understood how perfect Faelan was for Mary. Only someone who had suffered deeply would have the authority to bring her through it. “I’m grateful she found you, Mr. Wallace.”

He ignored her compliment. “I need you to support Mary. Do not let her down.”

“Of course,” Brie answered easily.

But Faelan was quick to add, “Even when she bites back…and she will.”

Both girls had suffered Mary’s backlashes in the past, but Brie appreciated the reminder. She assured him, “Through thick and thin, Mr. Wallace.”

He lifted his glass and clinked it against both of theirs. “Do not fail her.”

Tono came to collect Lea for the scene they would be performing together. He glanced at Faelan and asked Brie, “Is everything fine here?”

Brie smiled to reassure him. “Couldn’t be better.”

Faelan stood up and handed Mary’s purse to Brie. “No problems here, old man.” He left them and moved over to a group of fawning submissives.

Lea grabbed Tono’s arm and squeezed it. “Can’t wait for tonight’s scene!”

Tono put his hand lightly on Brie’s shoulder. “You know where to find me, should you need anything.”

“Yes, Tono. Thank you. I think I’ll hang with Mary for a bit longer.”

Lea turned to Brie as they were leaving and whispered, “He promised to spank me this scene!”

Brie had to admit she was jealous, especially when all she could do was observe other people all night. Several subs descended on Lea’s seat and fought over it, filling the space instantly. Brie guarded Mary’s stool fiercely until she finally showed up.

“What took so long, Blondie?”

“Hey, I can’t help it if Doms keep stopping to talk to me. I’m not allowed to be rude to them, now, am I?” she said with a self-satisfied smirk.

“Whatever…”

“I’m telling you, Brie. You’re missing out.”

Brie didn’t want another lecture about being collared, so she changed the subject. “So what are your plans tonight?”

Blonde Nemesis answered with a cocky tilt of her chin, “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

“Why do you have to be such a pain?”

“Haven’t you always touted that we should be true to our hearts? Well, I
truly
don’t want to tell you, so suck on that.”

Brie groaned.
Why do I even try?
She suddenly heard frantic whispering all around her.

Mary stood up and announced, “He’s here.” She moved forward, trying to get a better look at the man. Brie got up to follow her, but couldn’t stay close because of the crush of females. She satisfied her curiosity by watching the tall, midnight-skinned African from afar.

He studied each sub as he made his way through the crowd, stopping at every alcove to take in the scene but moving on abruptly, obviously on the prowl.

Even Brie felt a sexual attraction as he approached. He caught her eye, glanced briefly at the collar around her neck and moved on without pausing.

She let her breath out once he’d passed by. To scene with a man as imposing as Master O would challenge any sub, but the fact his expertise involved blood took it to an entirely different level.

The Haven did not allow blood play on its premises. Whichever sub was chosen tonight would be required to leave with Master O. Although that was normally frowned upon by the club, the Dom’s experience and reputation allowed him to circumvent standard protocol as long as he procured a willing sub—and there were
plenty
who were willing.

It did not come as a surprise to Brie when Master O eventually approached Mary. Brie could feel the collective tension of the subs around her. They deeply resented his choice.

“Your name?” he asked in a dark, velvety voice.

Mary looked up and smiled, obviously pleased she had been the one chosen. She answered demurely, “It’s Mary, Master O.”

“I would like to scene privately with you…Mary.” His voice dropped to a low growl when he spoke her name. The timbre of his voice had even Brie quivering.

Mary batted her eyelashes at the Dom, before bowing low in respect. Brie knew what a cherished dream this was—to experience blood play performed by a famed Master of the sport. That was why it came as a complete shock when Mary answered, “I am honored, Master O, but I fear I must decline tonight.” She gave him a coy smile, one that invited the chase.

Brie heard a gasp from one of the other subs.

The Dom appeared equally stunned. He looked Mary up and down reproachfully. “Ah, my mistake. You are unworthy of such an invitation.” He turned his back on her, and began studying a group of girls nearby. Eventually, he picked a curvaceous sub with platinum hair to accompany him out of the club.

After Master O had left, a band of spiteful subs encircled Mary.

Brie heard one hiss, “You don’t belong here. You pretend to be a submissive, reeling them in with your looks, but you’re really just a fucked-up piece of white trash. He figured it out quickly enough though, didn’t he? They all do…”

Another echoed the sentiment, “Worthless piece of trash.”

Mary held her head up higher, but said nothing. It distressed Brie that Blonde Nemesis wasn’t lashing out.

The girl’s lack of response sent a chill down Brie’s spine because she knew what it meant. Their words were hitting close to home—tapping into Mary’s greatest fear. Brie tried to push through the circle, desperate to grab onto Mary before she bolted from the club, but there was no need.

Faelan appeared beside Mary and barked, “Enough!” He placed his hand on the back of her neck and squeezed hard. Brie could see her visibly relax under his vise-like grip.

The Wolf’s icy stare bored into the two girls who had dared to insult Mary. “This submissive is worth ten of you.”

The wayward subs’ haughty gazes instantly fell to the floor.

Faelan spoke loudly enough for everyone within earshot to hear his command. “From now on, you are not allowed to speak to Miss Wilson. You are unworthy of such an honor.” He glanced at the other girls and added, “That will be true for the rest of you if you dare to speak disrespectfully to her. Do you understand?”

Brie knew that each girl in the group longed to partner with him. His displeasure was a true hardship for them. “Yes, Faelan,” they answered.

He nodded curtly.

“It’s time to serve,” Faelan ordered, guiding Mary out of the circle of women and leading her to the empty alcove he had reserved. It was then that Brie understood why Mary had declined Master O. She was to be Falean’s sub for the evening and had sacrificed her desires in order to honor her commitment.

Like a moth to a flame, Brie drifted to the scene, curious what Mary had requested. Tonight, as per his protocol, Faelan addressed the gathering crowd, informing them of his choice. “Miss Wilson has asked to play the reluctant spy.” He smiled ominously. “Enjoy.”

Brie struggled to breathe. This would be the same scene Mary had flipped out on during her first Auction Day with Tono. Brie understood that it was the embodiment of her father’s abuse, which Mary was still fighting to overcome. After what had just happened with Master O, it seemed like such a scene was a train wreck waiting to happen—with an audience who might enjoy the carnage.

Mary’s eyes watered as Faelan covered her head in a black hood and secured it. He guided her to a wooden chair and began to bind her to it.

Tears fell down Brie’s cheeks as she imagined Mary as a child, being bound by her father, apprehensive of the beating that was about to begin. Why did Blonde Nemesis insist on reliving her childhood over again?

Mary’s words echoed in Brie’s mind. “
I don’t like pain, but I endure it. It’s like I have a driving need to defeat it. Like…if I was able to bear it without fear, I would finally be the victor over him.
”

There Mary was, once again, attempting to defeat her father even if it cost her sanity.

Please, Faelan, save Mary…
Brie begged silently.

The Wolf became rough as he finished the last of the ties. Brie heard Mary whimper underneath the hood.

“Are you afraid?” he asked lustfully.

“No.”

His chuckle was low and menacing. “Oh, but you will be…” Faelan circled around her slowly. He knew how to play the crowd as he simultaneously played with his subs. Everyone in attendance was in tune with the scene he was orchestrating.

Unexpectedly, he grabbed her blouse with both hands and ripped it open. Buttons flew haphazardly onto the floor. He left her chest exposed as he turned and rifled through his duffle bag.

Faelan approached Mary, carrying a large knife and wearing a dangerous grin. “I will tell you a little secret, spy. Even if you do everything I ask, I am still going to hurt you.”

One of the subs near Brie sucked in her breath.

Even Brie felt the aggressive eroticism flowing from Faelan and her body responded, remembering her time alone with him—the chocolate, the dancing, the bruises…

He slid the edge of the blade under her bra and cut it with a quick motion, releasing her breasts from their restraint. “How does it feel knowing you are powerless to stop me?”

Mary growled with real anger, “You will not break me.”

“I
will
break you.” He pinched her nipple and rolled his fingers against it, causing her to cry out in pleasurable pain. “I guarantee it.”

Faelan knelt beside her, grabbing her breast roughly, taking a nipple into his mouth, biting down, then pulling back cruelly with her nipple clamped between his teeth. Brie gasped when he did it again with the other. It looked incredibly painful, but Mary didn’t make a sound.

He grazed the edge of the knife against her skin, starting at her stomach and dragging it slowly between her breasts and up to the hollow of her throat. Faelan pressed it against her pulsing skin, leaving an indentation without drawing blood.

“I know this is what you seek.” He tossed the knife, and its clatter as it hit the floor filled the air. “Which is why I will not give it to you.”

Mary growled in frustration and turned her head away from him. “Coward.”

Faelan grasped her chin violently, pulling the hood off and hissing, “Worthless trash.”

Brie whimpered.
No…
Mary could not handle Faelan turning on her too. It would be the end of her.

Mary’s stubborn spirit could not be silenced. She glared at the young Dom and challenged him, “Go on… Give me your worst.”

He slapped her face, leaving a pink handprint on her cheek. “You will get exactly what you deserve.”

Faelan put his hand under her skirt and forced his fingers between her closed legs. Mary gasped and then clamped her mouth shut, refusing to give him the satisfaction of her surrender.

“Are you ready to be broken?”

“Never.”

“You
will
break,” he taunted.

Mary stared him down, but flinched involuntarily when he raised his arm to backhand her. It was easy to tell that reality was blurring into her past. Brie could sense it, could feel the dangerous precipice Mary was teetering on.

Faelan swung, stopping an inch from her face. “No.”

Mary’s eyes popped open in surprise.

“Never again,” he decreed. “You are not allowed to play out this scene. The past no longer has power over you.” He bent down to whisper something into Mary’s ear.