Brie Surrenders her Heart (After Graduation, #8) (33 page)

“Did you really think your stunt at Brie’s party would have no consequences? All of the trainers were there, including the headmaster. With that one action, you demonstrated your utter lack of control. We’d seen it before with Brie, but unfortunately you never recovered, even after she’d left. The trainers must have decided it was time to give you the freedom you need to overcome that weakness.”

“But you
know
I am a damn good trainer. How could you let them do this to me?!”

“I was not involved. But truthfully, I am in agreement with their decision. You need to move forward. It is time you break from the past that has held you down.”

“What are you saying?” she said, her voice trembling as if she was about to cry.

“You have stuck by my side all these years with the mistaken hope that one day Durov would change his mind. I am telling you now—that will never happen.”

“But… I don’t believe it. Rytsar didn’t press charges that night. I know he did that for me. He cared enough to protect me, despite everything. It was a horrible mistake and I’ve done my penance with unfailing determination. I’ve been waiting patiently all these years for his forgiveness. I’ve learned my lesson and am ready for it to be granted.”

Sir shook his head. “Samantha, you are gravely mistaken. The reason he didn’t press charges had nothing to do with protecting you. What you did to him was so degrading he could not stomach bringing it before a judge. To this day, you’ve never owned up to the damage you caused him.”

“That’s not true! I went to counseling; I quit drinking. Hell, I even became a submissive to another woman for him. Everything I did,
everything
, has been for him.”

Sir’s voice was harsh when he replied. “Everything you did has been for you, and you alone. You wanted him back, so you did those things in the hope that he would return to you. It’s never been about him.”

Ms. Clark glared at him, as if she hated Sir’s version of the truth.

He continued, indifferent to her wrath, “Samantha, it’s possible to make a mistake so great you can never know closure with the person you have wronged. You can’t undo the damage and you can’t change the past. It’s time to move on.”

“But…” Her voice dropped down to a whisper. “Oh, God… “A tear fell down her cheek when she confessed, “I still love him.”

Sir’s response was stern but clear. “If you love him, you will move on.”

Ms. Clark slumped on the couch, suddenly sounding hollow and weak when she asked, “How can I face a future without him?”

“Durov was never a part of your future.”

It seemed surreal to Brie when Ms. Clark moved over and laid her head on Sir’s shoulder. It was weird to see the woman underneath that hard exterior—like seeing a turtle without its shell.

Sir was gentle with her. He put his arm around Ms. Clark, saying, “You are an exceptional trainer and a skilled Mistress. There is no reason not to move forward with confidence. Claim the life you have put on hold.”

She mumbled into his shoulder, “But the Center
was
my life.”

“I understand, but trust me when I say you’ll get used to it. It’s a hard adjustment in the beginning. However, other things will take its place. My advice? If it gets to be too much, you can always visit. I know it’s helped me.”

Ms. Clark sat still in his arms for a few moments longer before sitting up and moving away from him, her hard persona back in place. “So that’s it then. My time at the Training Center is officially over.” She stood up and walked over to the window. “I have never felt so out of control of my own life before,” she said as she gazed at the city below.

“That is only an illusion, Samantha. You were never in control, not until this very moment.”

The Domme took a sharp intake of breath. She closed her eyes and let it sink in. When she finally turned to face Sir, she stated, “I will miss your wisdom, Sir Davis.” She glanced at Brie and her eyes narrowed briefly.

She focused her attention back on Sir. “Master Anderson is planning to move back to Colorado to start up a Training Center there. He’s invited me to join him, along with Baron.”

Sir put his hands behind his head and sat back on the couch, looking a bit stunned. “I’d forgotten that was Brad’s original plan.”

Brie wondered what Sir was thinking. Was he sad to lose his friend?

The stunned look was replaced with cool assurance. He stood up, telling her, “This will be a good opportunity for the three of you. I’m confident you will work well as a team.”

Ms. Clark shook Sir’s hand, stating in a business-like manner, “It’s been a good run, Sir Davis.” She paused. Her voice was thick with emotion when she spoke again. “I will never forget your support these many years.” She bowed her head. “Thank you.”

He placed his hand on the top of her head in a silent exchange. When he removed it, the Domme looked up and smiled sadly. Then she turned and stared hard at Brie.

“I have always found you irritating and disrespectful. Why do you think that is, Miss Bennett? I have yet to put my finger on it.”

Brie blanched at her blunt words and sputtered, “Maybe… maybe I’m too much like you?”

The Domme scoffed, “No. You couldn’t be more my opposite.” Ms. Clark walked up to her, invading her personal space to stare at Brie’s mouth. The trainer’s proximity was unsettling, and Brie licked her lips nervously as she stepped back.

Ms. Clark leaned in even closer. “Maybe it has something to do with the fact such talented lips are wasted on you.”

Brie had no quick comeback and had to watch silently as Sir gave his final good-byes while escorting Ms. Clark to the door.

The moment it closed, Sir turned around and said with a devilish smirk, “On your knees, now.”

Brie sank down to the floor, automatically putting her hands behind her back.

Sir began unbuckling his belt as he approached. “Those talented lips are definitely
not
wasted on you.”

The next goodbye was much more expected and enjoyable. Sir and Brie met with his mother in his lawyer’s downtown office. Ruth had complained that it was far too stuffy and impersonal, which was exactly the reason Sir had chosen it.

When they entered the room, Sir asked Mr. Thompson straight away, “Are the papers ready?”

“Of course,” he said, handing Sir the stack of documents.

“Excellent. Let’s get started.”

Ruth did not seem to care for his abruptness. “Wait one second, son. I think we need to have a little discussion first.”

“This is the discussion. The terms are simple. I will provide you with transportation and supplies if you agree to go to China for three years as a medical volunteer.”

“That is not having a discussion; that is telling me what to do. I’m your mother, damn it. I don’t deserve to be treated like a common business transaction.”

“I see no mother before me. What I see is a manipulative, self-centered beast with a total lack of a conscience. I hope the work you do over the next three years opens your eyes to the truth.”

“Fuck you, Thane. And I’m not going to some third world country!”

Sir shrugged his shoulders, pushing the papers towards her. “You don’t have to. However, people are out for blood, Ruth. I’m giving you a fresh start because I need to believe there is a human heart beating somewhere in that chest.” He pushed a pen towards her. “You can worry where your next meal and lawsuit is coming from, or you can sign this and be gone within the hour. Your choice.”

“I won’t do it. At least not until we speak. Alone.”

He lifted his sleeve to glance at his watch. “You have two minutes to make a decision. After that, the offer is rescinded.”

“You are a hateful bastard.” She glared at Brie. “This will be you one day, girl. One day you’ll be sitting in a lawyer’s office, being told that you are no longer loved.”

Sir cleared his throat. “That’s now a minute and thirty seconds.”

Ruth looked startled and grabbed the papers, looking them over. “Will I get an allowance afterwards?”

“No, you are only being supported for the three years you volunteer. After that, you are on your own. No contact with either of us will be tolerated on your return,” he said, glancing in Brie’s direction.

“Why would I ever sign this?”

“Because you have burned all your bridges. Show the public you’re genuinely sorry for manipulating their good hearts by taking this time to give to others. Possibly in three years they will have forgiven you, or forgotten that you exist. It’s a win-win, either way.”

She looked at the document again and whined like a spoiled child, “But I don’t want to.”

“Thirty seconds,” Sir answered.

Ruth quickly scribbled her name on every page, then threw them at Sir. “Bastard!”

Sir gathered the papers and handed them to Mr. Thompson. Then he stood up and walked Brie to the door.

Ruth came unglued. “Don’t walk away from me, Thane. Don’t you dare walk away from me, you fucking coward. You’re a failure as a man. Everyone knows it. Beating up little girls and abandoning your mother like this. It’s disgusting!” When she got no response, Ruth screamed, “You should have died with your father! You hear me?”

Sir opened the door without pausing, putting his hand on the small of Brie’s back.

Ruth redirected her wrath. “That money’s mine, bitch. Don’t you think for one second you’re getting any of my son’s money. I’m his mother; it’s
mine
!”

Sir guided Brie out of the door and turned to face the beast. “But I have no mother.”

He shut the door on a torrent of profanities.

Sir winked at Brie. “Satisfying on so many levels.”

Brie tightened her grip on him, extremely proud of how he had handled the wretched woman. Sir had been compassionate without giving an inch of his soul.

He let out a long, ragged sigh as they waited for the elevator. “The beast is no longer my problem.” Sir looked at Brie and gave her a cheerless smile. “From now when I remember Ruth Davis, I will think of the woman my father once loved. The reality is that I lost both my parents when I was a boy.”

When they returned home, Sir quietly put the framed picture of his father in the living room. It marked his emancipation.

Pearls

S
ir’s involvement with the documentary caused his business to take a severe financial hit—a hit that would take years to recover from. Brie was shocked when he listed the number of clients he’d lost during a discussion with Master Anderson.

“Impressive,” Master Anderson commented, showing only amusement at the amount.

But Brie was devastated. “I feel horrible, Sir. I never thought my film would impact your business so negatively.”

He looked at her with compassion. “I always knew there’d be a significant cost, Brie. It’s an investment I was prepared to make. I realized it would obligate me to pursue clients outside the States to offset the losses.” When he saw her continued distress, he gestured for her to kneel beside him. “Unlike you—a girl who tends to make impulsive decisions based on her heart—I weigh the risks and act accordingly.”

She rested her head on his thigh. “I do admire how you calculate the costs, Sir. It’s as if you play a game of chess with life.”