Brie's Submission (10-12) (Brie's Submission Boxed Set Book 4)

  Tono nodded, understanding what that really meant. Master Anderson must have struggled greatly to keep himself in check, but he’d done a fine job. Brie looked healthy and her soul was intact.

  “Brie, why didn’t you ask me for help?”

  She frowned and looked down at the floor. “I didn’t think I needed it. I was so sure Sir would wake up. It wasn’t until Master Anderson called me out that I even realized I wasn’t okay.”

  “I would have been here sooner if you had asked.”

  She put her hand in his. “I didn’t want you to come. I wanted you to make your life in Denver. You’d already given up so much for your mother and Faelan. I wanted you to finally have a chance to live.”

  “We are connected, Brie. Your sorrow is my sorrow.”

  She looked at him strangely. In a tentative voice she asked, “I remember when you called the day before the crash. You mentioned a dream.”

  He only nodded in answer.

  “Tono, you didn’t have a premonition about it…did you?”

  He shook his head. “I would have said something if I had. I only had a vision of you crying tears I could not stop.”

  She laid her head on his shoulder. “I had no idea the night we talked that my world would fall apart the very next day.”

  “At least Sir Davis is showing improvement. In time you will have your life back and be stronger for the journey.”

  She sighed, pressing her cheek against him.

  “Have you been working on your second film to help you through this period?”

  “Master Anderson had me film a scene for him, but the truth is, I haven’t had the heart to do anything with my documentary.”

  Tono tilted her head up to look her in the eye. “You have been through a period of shock. Now you will move on to a season of living.”

  She smiled hesitantly.

  He wrapped his arms around her again. “What else can you do to occupy your time at the hospital?”

  Brie thought before answering, her voice colored with emotion. “In Italy I promised myself I would learn Italian to surprise Sir.”

  “That sounds like an excellent idea.”

  “But if he can hear me, it won’t be a surprise, will it? It may even be torture for him.”

  He chuckled. “While it may be humorous for Sir Davis to hear you practice, I am sure it will also remind him of his family, and show him how much you love him.”

  Brie hugged him tighter. “How is it that you can bring light into my life so easily?”

  Tono kissed the top of her head.

  Brie paused for a moment before asking, “Did Master Anderson tell you about Lilly, Sir’s sister?”

  “Only that Sir Davis felt the need to put a restraining order on her after China, and yet she is breaking that order now. Master Anderson warned me that she is unstable, and that is the reason I will remain by your side until she is apprehended by the police.”

  Brie shivered, confessing, “I’m scared of her, Tono. Really scared…”

  He squeezed her tighter and felt Brie begin to relax in his embrace. “I don’t know what’s happened, but I promise I will not let that woman hurt you.”

  “Lilly is just like her mother was—maybe worse.”

  “A lethal person for the soul.”

  “Yes, that’s the perfect way to put it.”

  He nodded. “I believe some people allow in a darkness so black that they become rabid inside, destroying others in their desperation to escape what they’ve created. I do not know her personally, but I feel she is one of those. You can’t penetrate that kind of darkness, Brie. You can only run from it.”

  “It’s so strange that Sir is related to Ruth and Lilly. How is it he is normal and they are not?”

  “He controlled what he let into his life. It was a conscious choice he made.”

  “So you don’t think there’s hope for Lilly?”

  “Where you are concerned? No. Based on her actions after the crash, she’s on a mission to destroy you. Nothing you do will cause her to deviate from that task.”

  Brie shivered again, asking, “Even if I give her what she wants?”

  “What would stop her from coming back later and demanding more?”

  He noticed Brie was careful in how she answered him. “Lilly promised she wouldn’t for someone else’s sake.”

  “Do you trust her as a person?”

  “No!”

  “Then why would trust any promise she makes?”

  “But you have no idea what she has threatened to do.”

  “Brie, a predator goes for the jugular once its prey shows signs of weakness. She will not stop.”

  “Tono, she can ruin us.”

  “But you will survive the storm she creates.”

  Brie seemed frustrated by his answer.

  “You will survive this,” he insisted.

  She shook her head. “What she holds over us will not only hurt me, but it will permanently ruin Sir’s reputation. There will be no coming back from it.”

  “I can’t imagine how this woman could have that kind of power over you both.”

  Brie’s bottom lip trembled. “If she’s lying, it is a plot so evil I can’t fathom it, and if it is true…I don’t know what I’ll do.”

  He felt her panic start to rise. Holding her closer, he whispered soothingly, “Hush those thoughts, toriko.”

  Tono had come thinking he was prepared for anything. It had only taken a few short minutes to be humbled by the situation Brie was facing. She was legitimately frightened, and it seemed she had good reason to be.

  Lilly meant harm and was already creating rifts of fear and doubt inside Brie.

  “We will weather what comes. You are not alone.”

  When Brie gazed up with those big, trusting, doe-like eyes, his breath caught for a moment.

  New Season

  The next morning, when Brie led Tono through the doors of the hospital, he felt a moment of unease.

  She picked up on it and asked him, “Is it hard visiting a hospital when you were so recently a patient in one?”

  He smiled slightly. “Although the staff was exceptional, I don’t care for the sterile environment.”

  Brie nodded. “I’ve done everything I can to enhance Sir’s environment because I feel exactly the same way.”

  Tono was welcomed by one of the nurses as they approached the ICU. “Feel free to join Mrs. Davis, Mr. Nosaka. Brad Anderson already informed us that Mr. Davis’s other adopted brother was arriving today.”

  Tono looked at her questioningly.

  Brie took Tono’s hand and squeezed it. “It’s true that Sir has a large family. Thank you for adding him to the list.”

  He nodded to the nurse. “Thank you, Ms…?”

  “Abby,” the nurse said with a grin.

  “A pleasure,” he stated, giving her a slight bow.

  Brie led him directly to Sir Davis’s hospital room, bursting with excitement. “Every day is a chance that Sir will awake. I feel that even more now that you’re here.”

  Tono walked into the room and saw Sir Davis lying there, and for a moment he had a vision of his father in the same condition, struggling for his last breath.

  Brie hugged him. “I know, Tono. I was reminded of your father too when I first saw him.”

  Tono looked down at her, tears welling in his eyes. “I don’t think I will ever reconcile Otosama’s death. Time does not ease the pain.”

  Her bottom lip trembled. “I understand.” She looked at Sir. “If I lose him, I’d be lost.”

  Tono put an arm around her. “Unlike my father, Sir Davis will recover.”

  He then walked over to the bed and spoke to Sir, believing the man could hear everything being said. “Sir Davis, it’s Ren Nosaka. I’ve come to watch over Brie while you recover.” Tono reached out and took his hand, holding it firmly. “You are my family.”

  Brie smiled at him, her eyes sparkling. “Thank you, Tono.”

  “I will l
et you have some time alone with Sir Davis while I speak to the nursing staff. They are a wealth of knowledge that rarely gets tapped.”

  Brie nodded, pulling up a chair next to the bed.

  “I also have an errand, Brie. Will you feel safe if I leave you here for a few hours?”

  “Of course. I won’t budge from this spot until you return.”

  After speaking with the staff, Tono felt assured Brie was safe and left on his errand. His mission was to find a laptop for Brie. She needed something with the same power and capabilities as her computer at home to aid her in completing the documentary.

  His father had left him a small portion of money after his death, and Tono had been uncertain how to spend it up to this point.

  It only made sense to spend it on Brie’s documentary—her dream. In a sense, his father’s gift would counter the disservice he’d shown Brie at the Collaring Ceremony when Otosama had dismissed her as unworthy.

  Tono found joy and satisfaction in supporting Brie with her career. This was the perfect opportunity to not only help her move forward during this difficult time, but to support her professional endeavors. He was certain his father would approve.

  He could tell that sitting in that hospital room day after day was slowly killing Brie inside, even though she could not see it. To reconnect with her dreams and ambition would reignite the fire in her soul.

  Brie was a talented filmmaker, but she had let that fall away in the chaos.

  Tono thought back on his own experience, when Sir Davis had insisted he find a way to continue his Kinbaku. The man had been right, and that sage advice had saved Tono’s sanity when things had gone south with his mother.

  It was fitting that he would play the same role for Brie now.

  After spending an hour talking with a salesman about the capabilities of the various laptops, he finally settled on one he felt could do the job now and would grow with her in the future.

  Tono took the time to go to another store to have it gift wrapped. To his way of thinking, the presentation was as important as the gift itself.

  Before heading back to the hospital, he stopped at a local park lined with palm trees and called Autumn.

  “Hello.”

  “It’s good to hear your voice, Autumn.”

  She paused for a second, giving him momentary reason to worry before she said, “I feel the same, Ren. How is Brie doing?”

  “In worse shape than I thought. However, I’m setting things in place so that she can concentrate on her work while watching over Sir Davis. She’s become like a prisoner at the hospital, but I’m attempting to change that.”

  “I’m glad to hear it. Truly.”

  “How are you doing?”

  He heard her voice catch when she said, “I’m…struggling. I wish I could tell you everything’s fine, but I miss you and I’m unsure how I’m going to handle your long absence.”

  “One day at a time, Autumn. You and I will get through this one day at a time.”

  “It really does help to hear your voice,” she confessed.

  Tono smiled to himself. “This call was selfish on my part. I just needed to hear your voice.”

  “I’m glad you called. I want you to take good care of yourself—and Brie.”

  “I will. You do the same with you and Lea.”

  She laughed. “We’re a mess, us two. But we keep each other laughing.”

  “Good.”

  The first hurdle of their separation had been cleared, and it gave Tono reason to hope.

  He returned to the hospital holding the wrapped box and a second package in his hands. Nurse Abby smiled at him as he entered the ICU. He nodded to her, understanding her important role in Sir Davis’s recovery, as well as Brie’s well-being.

  When he entered the room, he announced to Brie, “I have a gift for you.”

  She looked up and then put her hands to her mouth in surprise. “What’s this? It’s so beautiful, Tono.”

  Tono handed over the box covered in cherry blossoms and pink ribbon.

  “Why would you do this?” she asked, staring at the package, a stunned smile on her lips.

  “You’ll understand when you open it. It’s actually a practical item.”

  Brie placed it on the arms of the chair beside Sir Davis’s bed and spoke to him as she stared down at it. “Oh Sir, isn’t the wrapping paper so pretty? I almost hate to tear it.”

  Tono thought back on his dream. Rather than considering the cherry blossoms a warning, he’d chosen to think of them as a symbol of hope. The vision had prompted him to make the trip, and he was deeply grateful for it.

  When he noticed she still hadn’t opened the gift, he told her, “Please rip into it. You can’t enjoy the gift until you do.”

  Brie nodded and started carefully pulling at the tape to preserve the paper.

  “No, Brie. Rip into it,” he insisted.

  She smiled at Tono with a twinkle in her eye as she tore the paper apart. She stared at the printed box in disbelief. “You didn’t…” Brie looked up at him, shaking her head. “You shouldn’t have, Tono.” She turned to Sir Davis and explained, “Tono has gifted me a top-of-the-line laptop, Sir, so I will be able to upload all my programs and work on the documentary here—with you.”

  Brie looked back at Tono, still shaking her head.

  “You both know how much I respect your talent. It pleases me to be a part of the process in whatever way I can.”

  She held up the box. “But this? It’s way too much. It must have cost you a fortune, Tono.”

  “It was part of my father’s inheritance. I’m positive he would approve.”

  He saw the understanding in her eyes. She looked down at it, lightly caressing the box with reverence.

  “I want you to finish that second documentary so the world can breathe in its positive message.”

  “I will, Tono,” she declared, her gaze focused on the box. “I will honor you and your father with my efforts.”

  “Excellent,” he answered. “I bought something else to go with it. It’s out by the nurses’ station.”

  Her head perked up. “More?”

  He glanced toward Sir Davis with a mysterious grin. “It’s a surprise.”

  Brie looked past him to see Abby holding up another package.

  “I’ll be right back, Sir,” she said, rushing out of the room.

  Tono took the opportunity to speak to Sir Davis privately. “I will do everything in my power to protect her from Lilly.” Tono put his hand on Sir Davis’s shoulder. “You can trust that I will not fail you or Brie, I give you my solemn promise.”

  The monitor showed a momentary spike before settling back down to a steady beat. Tono felt a very real connection with Sir Davis. He was certain the man was cognizant of his presence.

  Brie burst back into the room grinning as she held up DVDs for learning Italian and a set of headphones to go with them. It thrilled him—her joy was his joy.

  Tono told Brie, “You have every reason to believe Sir Davis will make a full recovery. I can feel his spirit fighting to return.”

  She threw her arms around him, still holding the gifts. “It means so much to hear you say that. Everyone tries to be careful not to get my hopes up.” She smiled down at her husband. “But I know he hears everything I say. I’ve been careful not to dishonor him in my words or my thoughts.”

  “As a good submissive should.”

  Brie smiled and gave him a reverent bow. “You’ve changed my life by coming here. Thank you.”

  “No thanks are necessary. Seeing you smile is enough.”

  She would never know that images of her lifeless face still haunted him. Seeing her alive and well truly was a priceless gift to Tono.

  Brie looked at her laptop and asked, “What are you planning to do while I’m working on my documentary?”

  “I plan to set up photo shoots with some of my top models over the years. Master Anderson’s home will be the perfect backdrop as I ease back into Kinbaku
.”

  “Do you have plans to travel again?”

  “Eventually, yes. However, I have to give my body time to heal before I can take on the rigors of a tour. I also want to give Autumn and I more time to get to know each other.”

  “So it is going well between you two?” she asked with an impish smile.

  “We have strong feelings for each other.”

  “I knew she was something special when I met her. Then when you pulled that veil from her face the first time you met? Well, that was shocking and powerful, Tono.”

  “It was a shock for us both. I was completely drawn in by the strong connection I felt for her. Autumn is truly unique.”

  “I could tell there was an instant connection that first day.” Brie laughed. “I’ve been waiting not so patiently ever since for you two to announce you’re formally dating. I have to assume Italy lived up to your expectations?”

  He smirked, amused by her interest, but answered cryptically, “It was promising.”

  “And when you returned home?”

  “More promising.”

  “I’m so glad. It helps me immensely knowing you two are happy.” Brie put her hands to her heart, her eyes sparkling with joy. “You mentioned your health. Have you been healing well, Tono?”

  “I have to respect my limitations, but they lessen each month.”

  “Good.” She abruptly changed the subject, asking him, “Have you had a chance to speak to Mr. Wallace lately?”

  Tono kept his expression pleasant for Brie’s sake. He knew things were not going well for the Wolf Pup personally, but saw no reason to share that with her now. He chose instead to concentrate on the positive by telling her, “We meet up weekly these days, and every time I’ve seen continued improvement in his health. I’m impressed how far he’s come from that husk of a man we encountered in the hospital.”

  “I’m glad to hear that. I’ve been worried about him…” Brie seemed to be holding something back. It was quite possible she already knew some of what was going on, but Tono just smiled in response.

  “Have you seen Lea?”

  “I have. In fact, she is watching my home and wanted me to do this.” Tono gave Brie a hug, imagining he was passing on Lea’s friendship and good thoughts to Brie.