Page 39 of Whispered Promises
“I wish Mary could accept this kind of love,” she murmured. “It’s heartbreaking to think she chose that monster over Faelan…”
“I understand you are worried about Miss Wilson and want to assure you that Captain and Candy are devoted to her well-being. I have every confidence she will eventually recover from the trauma she’s suffered.”
Brie looked at him sadly, her voice trembling when she said, “The violent punishment she endured on my behalf will forever haunt me, Sir.”
“Brie,” he stated firmly, “Miss Wilson did not suffer because of anything you did or didn’t do. That responsibility lies squarely on Holloway’s shoulders. It had nothing to do with you.”
He cupped her chin and gazed into her eyes. “Surely you understand that.”
Swimming in guilt, Brie confessed, “If Mary hadn’t helped me with the documentary, none of this would have happened.” She lowered her eyes. “And if I had truly listened to her when she warned me how ruthless Holloway was, maybe…I would have been more cautious after I humiliated him in front of his peers.”
Tears fell down her cheeks when she told him, “Maybe I could have prevented Mary from becoming the primary focus in his revenge against me.”
Sir put his arms around her. “Miss Wilson chose to help you. You never asked her to get involved. That was a choice she’d made for her own reasons.”
“Mary can’t even look at me now, Sir. And I can’t blame her. Everything she suffered was because of Holloway’s hatred for me.”
“You know that’s not true. Holloway groomed her since she was a child. Whether or not you were in the picture, Holloway already had his claws in her. Based on what we witnessed at the compound, his perversity went far beyond you—or his need for revenge.”
She growled fiercely. “If I could, I would take it all back! I would never have filmed the original documentary and gotten involved with him.”
“Babygirl,” Sir stated calmly, “you are not listening to me. Whether you had filmed it or not, Mary’s future would have still been tied to Holloway. The outcome may have played out differently, but Holloway’s intentions toward her were never honorable.” His voice became dark when he added, “The man has no soul.”
Brie shuddered. “Mary and I experienced that firsthand…”
Sir enfolded her in his embrace and vowed, “If I ever come face to face with that man, regardless of where we meet, I will kill him with my bare hands.”
Brie was unprepared when the doorbell rang later that afternoon. She peeked outside to find Marquis Gray standing on the porch.
The man was intimidating because of his uncanny ability to see straight into her soul. So, it was with some trepidation that she opened the door to welcome him in.
Feeling uncomfortably vulnerable in his presence, she immediately lowered her eyes to avoid his gaze and stammered, “I didn’t realize you were coming to visit.”
“I was actually headed to a meeting but felt a calling to come here instead.” When she failed to reply, Marquis Gray stated warmly, “There is no reason to fear me, pearl.”
Brie glanced up, surprised he had called her by the pet name he’d used when she was training at the Center. It instantly brought back memories of her first session with him and his flogger.
She had never forgotten that the talented Dom had been able to open her eyes to the depth of her inner power during that scene.
“May I come in?”
“Of course,” she replied, embarrassed by her lack of decorum. Opening the door wider, she gestured for him to enter.
“I am surprised to see you here, Gray,” Sir stated, walking out of his office.
The ghostly pale Dom nodded. “I felt a sudden urge to stop by.”
Glancing at Brie, Sir asked her, “Are you comfortable having visitors, babygirl?”
Although it was unsettling to be near Marquis Gray, she deeply respected the man. He had always been kind and encouraging to her.
“Honestly, no,” she answered. Raising her gaze, she looked directly into the trainer’s eyes. “However, I will make an exception for Marquis Gray.”
He surprised her by flashing a rare smile. “I am glad to hear it.”
“Would you two like some privacy?” Sir asked them.
Marquis turned to Brie. “Actually, I was wondering if Mrs. Davis would like to take a walk on the beach.”
