Watching Tono sip from her cup created an intimate and private connection between them.
His mother gave Brie one more disparaging look before accepting the tea Tono offered. Mother and son sat across from each other, sipping in silence.
They looked like two warring parties, not close family members.
Brie was relieved to hear a knock on the front door. When Tono’s mother started to get up, Brie bowed and announced she was going to answer it. She could barely suppress her joy when she saw Sir standing on the doorstep.
“I’m so glad you’re back, Sir,” she whispered, as she escorted him down the hallway.
“You’ll have to fill me in later,” he stated before entering the room and bowing to both mother and son. “Ren, you’ll be happy to know that your father is ready to be transported as soon as you give the hospital admin your approval. If you don’t mind leaving through the back, I have a car waiting so you can join him at the more secure facility.”
Tono nodded. “My deepest gratitude, Sir Davis.” He then turned to his mother and explained the new arrangement. The woman became livid and started berating Tono. Although Brie could not understand her words, the venom behind them was clear.
It was not the reaction Brie had expected at all.
Sir seemed unfazed, and gave Tono a subtle nod before leaving the room with Brie. “I think I understand now what you meant about Ren’s mother. He has his hands full with that one.”
“I’m shocked. I thought she would be happy about the new arrangements you made, Sir.”
“The fact is I chose not to discuss it with her. I must take partial responsibility for her negative response.”
“Poor Tono…our being here has only increased his burden, not lessened it.”
“I beg to differ, Brie. His mother will eventually see the benefit of the move and I noticed a marked difference in Tono’s demeanor after the short time you two were together. Your instincts about him were spot on.”
Sir smiled sadly. “No one should have to face such difficult circumstances alone, but it is hard to ask for assistance—especially for a Dominant. Our mission is to help Tono to temporarily escape this hell, even if it’s just for a few days.”
With Tono’s god-like patience, he was eventually able to convince his mother to join them in the car waiting in a nearby alley behind the house. Mrs. Nosaka refused to acknowledge Brie and Sir, sitting in the front with the driver to avoid all contact with them.
It gave Sir the chance to discuss the details of the transfer with Tono. “If you agree, call this number and they will transfer him to the new facility under the name Haru Satou. As far as the press is concerned, your father remains at the current hospital in intensive care.”
“Thank you again, Sir Davis. Both my mother and I are grateful, even if it does not appear that way at the moment. Neither of us do well with the media.”
“Think nothing of it, Ren. I owed you one.”
After a long drive through the streets of Tokyo, they arrived at a small hospital surrounded by a forest of bamboo. It had a secluded, serene look to it, despite it being surrounded by the bustling city.
“This is perfect,” Tono stated as he got out and helped his mother from the car. As soon as they entered the building, Mrs. Nosaka began to interrogate the staff.
Brie thought her heart was in the right place—it was natural for a wife to want to make everything suitable for her husband—but Mrs. Nosaka’s methods only alienated the staff who would be caring for him. Tono was already putting out fires, and they hadn’t been there five minutes.
Sir made a quick phone call and told him, “Your father is ten minutes out. Why don’t you wait outside for him and I’ll attempt to manage the tidal wave of resentment your mother just created.”
“It is not your battle to fight,” Tono objected.
Sir put his hand on the Asian Dom’s shoulder. “We are only here for a short while, so take us up on our offers to assist you.” When Tono did not appear convinced, Sir added, “Do not dishonor me by refusing my request to help.”
Tono cracked a rare smile. “Very well.”
He escorted his mother out, to her vehement protests. Sir instructed Brie to follow, telling her, “Tono needs your calming presence. He’s been stretched too far for too long. That serene look on his face hides a tempest ready to be released.”
Brie had sensed Tono’s tension as well, and hurried outside to join him. As soon as she exited the building, Tono’s mother stopped her vocal tirade on her son. The woman glared bitterly at Brie, but she just shrugged and smiled, choosing to stand on the other side of Tono.
The three stood in awkward silence, while birds chirped and crickets sweetly serenaded them. Brie matched her breath with Tono’s and noticed the tension of his jaw muscle slowly relax.
He winked when he caught her staring. There was nothing about Tono that Brie didn’t love. He was loyal to his family and he honored his responsibilities with complete integrity, even when it was at great cost to himself. Truly, the man deserved an exceptional woman by his side—one who would support and love him completely.
She looked up at the clouds drifting by. To the powers that be, could you bring Tono his soulmate? I can think of no one else who deserves your intervention more.
Mrs. Nosaka snapped something at Brie, then turned to Tono, expecting him to translate for her. He cleared his throat, prefacing her statement with, “Take this with a grain of salt, Brie. My mother would like you to wipe that foolish look off your face.”
Brie grinned, wondering what her expression had been when she’d said her little prayer for Tono. She turned to his mother and looked her directly in the eye, saying with a pleasant smile, “Tell her I will cease, and I’m sorry to have upset her.”
Tono seemed relieved by her response and repeated Brie’s words in Japanese. Mrs. Nosaka glared at her. She spat something to Tono, raising her eyebrow while looking down her nose at Brie.
“My mother also wishes that you would refrain from looking her in the eye.”
Brie pursed her lips. So…she had another Ms. Clark on her hands.
I’ve been trained well for this.
Brie lowered her eyes and bowed before Mrs. Nosaka. Although she heard an angry huff, the woman said no more.
Tono lightly brushed against Brie’s arm and she smiled to herself. She knew it was his way of thanking her for submitting to his mother. The simple fact was, Brie would do anything to help him.
A short time later, the ambulance pulled up. Brie stayed where she was as Tono and Mrs. Nosaka approached it. As soon as the driver opened the back of the ambulance, Mrs. Nosaka began her instructions and complaints. Brie tried not to laugh as she watched the ambulance workers maneuver around her as they tried to get Tono’s father out.
It was shocking to see Master Nosaka. He looked so frail now, a ghost of the imposing man he used to be. Brie had to hold back the tears as they rolled him by her. She followed, and returned to Sir as they wheeled Tono’s father to a private room.
Brie took Sir’s hand and whispered, “I feel so bad for him.”
“I feel sympathy for all three.”
“Yes…”
Sir directed her to the waiting room while he made her a cup of tea. The warmth of the liquid was appreciated, but what Brie really craved was caffeine. She stifled a yawn as she took another sip, finding herself struggling to adjust to the jetlag. Yet Sir looked refreshed and alert. It seemed almost inhuman.
“Do you ever get tired?”
He gave her a little smirk. “I’m used to international travel. It doesn’t affect me like it did when I was a boy.”
She looked up at him and grinned. “I bet you were the cutest little boy, Sir.”
He rolled his eyes, chuckling as he patted her knee.
“I really wish I could have known you in your gawky teen years.” She stared at her Master more critically. “You probably didn’t even have them, did you?”
He shook his h
ead knowingly. “Something tells me your tiredness is playing into this conversation.”
“But did you, Sir?”
“Did I what?”
“Did you have awkward teenage years?”
“If I answer, will you stop asking questions?”
She nodded, purring with inner satisfaction.
“When I was fourteen, I experienced a growth spurt that left me overly tall for my skinny frame. I was referred to as the Rod for years…and it wasn’t meant as a compliment.”
Brie batted her eyelids, saying teasingly, “If the girls gave you the nickname, I’m positive they meant it as a compliment, Sir.”
He shook his head, but couldn’t hide his smile.
Tono’s mother exited Master Nosaka’s room and went directly to the staff desk, making a new list of demands. Brie was surprised by how well the staff handled it.
“What did you say to them?” she asked Sir as she watched the encounter.
He leaned close and whispered, “I explained Mrs. Nosaka’s unique requirements and how best to handle them.”
“Well, whatever you said, it seems you’ve worked a miracle, Sir.”
“Let’s hope—”
Sir was interrupted when Tono came out and surprised them both by telling Brie, “My father would like to speak with you.” The last time the two had met, Tono’s father had called her ‘dame’, claiming she was not good for Tono.
When she hesitated to respond, Tono assured her, “He asked specifically for you.”
Brie wasn’t prepared to be rejected again and glanced at Sir. “Can you come with me?”
Tono explained with regret, “Visitors are strictly limited. Otosama’s condition is extremely compromised.”
“Of course…” Brie looked back at Sir with trepidation before entering the room. He nodded confidently, giving her the extra shot of courage she needed, but she fully expected Tono’s father would ask her to leave Japan.
Tono quietly shut the door and led Brie to the dying man, who was covered in tubes, wires and plastic hoses.
“Otosama,” Tono said softly.
The old man’s eyes fluttered open. He glanced in Brie’s direction, although it did not seem as if he could actually see her, then he mumbled something she couldn’t understand.
Tono told her, “He would like you to come closer, Brie.”
She bent down and smiled at him.
“Sumimasen” he whispered, before he began coughing violently.
Brie was absolutely stunned that his father had just apologized to her.
She stood back and watched as Tono comforted him through the coughing episode, her heart racing as she realized how very close Master Nosaka was to death. Brie had never been around someone dying before and it frightened her, especially knowing what a strong person he’d been only a few weeks ago.
Tono seemed uneasy when he explained, “My father wanted to apologize for upsetting you the night of graduation.”
Brie smiled at the old man again and respectfully said thank you, grateful for her exposure to Japanese anime when she was younger. “Domo arigatou gozaimasu, Nosaka-sama.”
For the first time, she saw the old man’s eyes soften. It was very slight, but brought her great joy.
Although Tono was smiling as well, his eyes did not reflect it. Brie assumed he was too consumed with grief and instinctively gave him a hug. Tono stiffened in her embrace, shaking his head.
Brie realized she must have broken some unspoken social protocol and quickly broke away, apologizing to Tono under her breath.
Master Nosaka called out his son’s name and Tono quickly returned to his father’s side. The old man whispered something that caused Tono’s eyes to water. It broke Brie’s heart to see him in pain and she glanced away, but when she heard his chuckle, she braved a peek.
“Hai,” Tono answered his father with a definite blush on his cheeks.
What had the old man asked him?
Master Nosaka lifted his hand slightly and Tono grasped it, bowing until his forehead touched his father’s hand. Brie admired the respect Tono had for him; it was deeply moving to witness firsthand.
Tono bowed formally one more time before escorting Brie out of the room. She bowed as well, then waved goodbye as she walked out the door—a chill running through her as she realized this might be the last time she’d ever see his father alive.
Tono led her to Sir and announced, “My father would like me to show you a favorite pastime of ours.”
“Besides Kinbaku?” Brie asked, surprised.
That mysterious blush showed up again, coloring Tono’s cheeks when he answered. “Yes.”
“Well, now you have me intrigued, Nosaka,” Sir replied. “When and where?”
Tono looked towards his father’s room. “It would be best if we did it as soon as possible. I hate to leave my father in this condition, but he insists. Are you free tonight? I can pick you up at the hotel around eight.”
Brie was equally curious, and hoped her question would shed some light on the night’s festivities. “Formal or causal dress?”
Tono smiled when he answered her. “Casual.” Then he turned to Sir, adding, “A few favorite toys would be advisable as well.”
What the heck does Tono have planned tonight? she wondered with delight.
Whatever it was had the experienced Dom’s cheeks turning a light shade of pink, so Brie knew it had to be something exceedingly wicked.
They left the hospital soon after to give Tono time with his father. In the car, Brie began to cry.
“Did Mr. Nosaka say something unkind, Brie?” Sir asked gently.
“No, Sir. He apologized to me.”
Sir raised his eyebrow. “Now that is unexpected. He’s not a man to take back an opinion once it’s voiced.”
“I’m in shock as well, Sir.”
“So why are you crying, babygirl?”
“Being in that room, seeing Tono with his father… It was both touching and heartbreaking. I wish I could do something to change what’s about to happen.”
“Death is a struggle, but it’s a journey all of us must travel, Brie. As much as you may wish to carry his burden, grief is a solitary endeavor. The most we can hope to do is act as a distraction from the pain and be there for Ren later, when everyone else has moved on.”
Brie thought of Sir as a young man, having suffered the traumatic death of his father with no one supporting him other than his uncle, Mr. Reynolds. The ruthless curiosity of the press must have been excruciating to bear at such a young age.
She suspected that as hard as it was for her to see Tono’s father dying, it must be churning up painful memories for Sir as well. However, when she tried to broach the subject, he immediately cut her off with a stern lecture.
“This is not about me, this is about Nosaka!”
She knew better than to press him, but now there was no doubt in her mind that Sir was struggling emotionally. When they arrived at the hotel, she squeezed his hand as he helped her out of the car. Brie needed him to know that she was there for him—in whatever capacity he wanted—and went on tiptoe to whisper, “I’m here, Sir, however you need me.”
His eyes stared past her, as if he were being tormented by some agonizing memory he couldn’t get past. It continued to eat at him, his face becoming stern and unyielding as they entered the hotel room.
In a distant voice he informed her, “I need to prepare for my meeting tomorrow and will most likely be on the phone for the next few hours. It would be better if you stayed out here and worked on your documentary while I retire to the bedroom.”
Brie nodded, although the last thing she wanted to do was work on the film. She needed to be with Sir, to understand what was troubling him. She called out as she watched him walk away from her. “Please, Sir…”
He turned back, his voice almost cruel in its fierceness. “What is it, Brie?”
She lost her nerve and replied timidly, “I hope your meeting goes well tomorrow.”
br /> He narrowed his eyes, knowing that was not what she had wanted to say, but he did not question her on it. Instead, he entered the room and closed the door behind him, effectively shutting her out.
Brie swallowed back the tears. Even after all this time together, there were still moments when he cut himself off from her. It hurt deeply, more than she wanted to admit. He’d insisted that grieving was a solitary journey, and it appeared he still believed that to be true—but she didn’t—so Brie gathered her courage and knocked on the door.
“What is it?” he asked in a harsh tone.
“May I come in?”
“No. I thought I’d made myself clear.”
She was shocked by his denial of entrance, but would not be deterred by it. She laid her head against the door and pleaded, “Please tell me what’s wrong, Sir.” When he didn’t answer, she reminded him, “We’re condors.”
The door was yanked open, leaving Brie teetering as she tried to keep from falling. His eyes shone with unveiled resentment. “As my sub, you are expected to follow my orders, téa. Do you need a lesson in obedience?”
She looked at the floor and answered meekly, “No, Master.”
“Good. We both have jobs to do. I suggest you get to work.”
She dutifully returned to the other room after he closed the door with unnecessary force. Brie got out her computer and stared at the screen, unable to think about the film.
Something had changed; she’d felt it in the car. Her frustration only grew knowing she had done nothing wrong, but she reminded herself that she was a condor. It was her honor and duty to see her Master through whatever was tearing at his soul, even when she was required to take the brunt of his misdirected anger.
Brie was certain Sir would cancel their outing with Tono, and was surprised when he emerged from the room thirty minutes before eight dressed in a dark shirt and jeans.
“Get dressed and meet me in the lobby.”
Although his voice sounded warm, his expression was still distant and haunted. As she walked past him, however, Sir put his hand on her shoulder.
She stopped, her head bowed but her heart gladdened by the simple contact.