Page 96 of Bound by Love
“No one, thankfully.”
“But it helped get your mind off the takeoff, did it not?”
“Barely. Like an irritating gnat.”
“Then it was worth your ire toward me,” Rytsar stated with satisfaction. Looking at Hope, he said, “Your papa doesn’t want to admit it, but he is extremely lucky to have me as his brother.”
Sir slapped him on the shoulder. “Actually, I’m well aware of that fact.” He placed his finger next to Hope’s hand and she squeezed it, wiggling happily in Rytsar’s arms while making cooing noises at her father. Sir then glanced over at Brie. “I wouldn’t be here today if you hadn’t come to the Collaring Ceremony, old friend.”
Brie’s interest was piqued as she looked at both men. “Tell me, please. I want to hear what happened that night.”
Sir gazed at Rytsar thoughtfully. “You know, looking back on it, I realize you specialize in provoking people to get what you want.”
“It is the duty of a sadist.”
“Well, you were in rare form at the Collaring Ceremony,” Sir said, chuckling lightly.
“I’ve always wondered what you talked about that night,” Brie confessed.
Rytsar snorted. “Your Master is a very stubborn man.”
Brie glanced at Sir and blushed. It was true, and she could not dispute that, so she said nothing.
Rytsar smiled at Brie. “When I walked up to you that night, you were absolutely radiant,radost moya. The picture of perfection. And what was my comrade doing? Hiding in the corner, ignoring you.”
“That’s not exactly how it went,” Sir replied.
“But itwas,” Rytsar insisted.
“It was my duty as Headmaster to remain impartial so my student could make her choice without any outside influence.”
“Well, I certainly saw the Wolf Pupinfluencingher, so where were you?”
Sir answered through gritted teeth. “I was letting her decide for herself.”
“Right…but the entire time, her choice was you, and you chose not to accept it.”
“You knew the circumstances, old friend.”
“I did. It was clear as day. She wanted you to fuck her, and you were hungry to fuck her but, instead, you hid in the corner like a man-baby until I came to save the day.”
Sir muttered, “I’m sorry I even brought this up…”
But Brie was loving it—this rare peek into the past. “I remember every detail of that evening,” Brie informed them. “I was a mess after Tono’s dad rejected me and Mary stole Faelan for her interview. I could hardly think straight, much less make a decision.” She grinned at Rytsar. “And then you showed up.”
He gave her a slight nod. “I do whatever it takes for my friends.”
“Your intentions were questionable,brother,” Sir snorted.
Rytsar winked at Brie. “Did I not tell you to choose wisely,radost moya? I only had my comrade’s best interests at heart.”
“I definitely remember you saying that,” she agreed.
“What he is failing to mention is that he threatened to claim you himself if I didn’t that night.”
Brie’s eyes grew wide as she looked at Rytsar. “Really?” She could just imagine the shock if that had happened and then she discovered she’d been collared by a sadist.
“You should have seen your man when I said that. Talk about the green-eyed beast rearing its ugly head.” Rytsar’s robust laughter filled the plane.
