Page 98 of Tied to Hope
His expression became more thoughtful when he shared, “It all comes down to a matter of trust. Here at the Sanctuary, I insist that the people eat dinner together. It’s during mealtimes that connections are made and cemented. We are not just a bunch of kinksters, but a true community in every sense of the word.”
Hearing his voice, Shadow suddenly appeared and ran up to the screen. He sat, watching his late Master, slowly wagging his tail back and forth. Brie had to hold back the tears. She knew how much Shadow must still miss him.
The film ended with Gannon’s wish for the future. “I hope my vision will inspire other communes like it. America has been bound by laws created by prudish misfits. It is time to open our minds and bodies to something greater.”
The credits ended with an “in memoriam” for Gannon and the lights came up.
The room was silent. Brie felt a moment of panic as the seconds ticked by, then watched in surprise as everyone stood up and began to clap.
“You have wowed us all, babygirl,” Sir said with pride, kissing her on the lips.
Rytsar picked her up, laughing. “A masterpiece,radost moya!”
Brie was overwhelmed by her friends’ many accolades but waited with bated breath to hear what Marquis Gray thought.
He did not approach her until the others had spoken with her, and then asked if he could speak to her in private. Brie felt her stomach twist into a knot but immediately agreed, escorting him to Sir’s office.
After she shut the door, Brie turned to face him and asked, “What is your honest opinion about the film, Marquis?”
“My honest opinion? I do not think you should work with Holloway.”
Brie was taken aback. She wondered how much Marquis knew of Holloway and Mary’s history.
Marquis’ gaze was intense when he added, “But if you must, do not give an inch. Not. One. Inch.”
Brie couldn’t believe it. “Thank you, Marquis. That means so much to me!”
“You have a true vision, Mrs. Davis. Do not compromise it.”
Brie nodded, too stunned to speak.
Marquis reached for the door. “Before Boa’s hard work goes to waste, let’s sample the bounty he has created in honor of your work.”
Brie walked out of the office feeling as if she were floating on air. Lea and Mary came running up to find out what he’d said.
“He liked it,” Brie said in disbelief. “He told me not to change a thing.”
Mary slugged her arm. “I told you. We got this in the bag, Stinks.”
“But he did warn menotto work with Holloway.”
“Oh, yeah, I’m not surprised. Those two had a huge falling out recently, but we can’t let that stop us. This is bigger than them. It’s bigger than all of us,” Mary told her.
Brie hugged her, deeply touched that Mary felt that way.
“As soon as this one is released, you can get started on our motion picture,” Lea said with a giggle.
“What motion picture?” Mary asked, frowning.
Brie laughed. “Oh, Lea was thinking I should do a movie about the three of us and all the crazy shit that’s happened in our lives.”
“You know what they say, truth is stranger than fiction,” Lea piped up.
Mary snorted. “Fuck, ain’t that the truth.”
“I was telling Brie that we should call itThree Musketeers of Submission– The Ongoing Story of Lea the Lovely, Brie the Bodacious, and Mary the Magnificent.”
Mary huffed. “That would never fly. Way too long, but I’ve got a title for ya.”
