Page 29 of Her Sweet Surrender
As the yelling continued, the two women glanced at each other, smiling nervously. Both went for the plate of chocolate at the same time.
Suddenly, Sir burst out of the office with Marquis Gray following close behind him. Sir turned to face him and shouted, “You are infuriating!”
Marquis Gray narrowed his eyes. “Well, I’ve certainly been called worse.”
“Good God, man!” Sir snarled. “I came here tonight looking for help, and you refuse to give it.”
“What you came for was someone to agree with you,” Marquis stated calmly, his eyes boring into Sir. “I am not that man and you know it. Therefore, you must ask yourself why you came to me when youknewmy stance on the matter.”
Sir glared at him. “I thought you were a friend.”
Meeting his hostile gaze, Marquis Gray answered, “I am.”
“Well, it fucking doesn’t feel like it!”
Turning to Brie, Sir barked, “Get your things. We’re leaving.”
He swept Hope into his arms and waited impatiently for Brie.
Giving Celestia a worried glance, Brie quickly grabbed her purse and the diaper bag.
Sir took a moment to collect himself and then nodded to Celestia. “Thank you for your hospitality.”
He placed his hand against Brie’s back and briskly walked her toward the door.
“I will be here if you need me,” Marquis Gray called out.
“Fuck you, Gray!” Sir yelled, slamming the door behind them.
Brie got into the car without saying a word. Sir shut the passenger door with considerable force once she was in, before strapping Hope into her car seat.
She had no idea why things had gone so badly between the two men and sat in silence, feeling numb.
Sir got into the car without saying a word and revved the engine before taking off.
Tears pricked Brie’s eyes. She could sense the immense pain Sir was suffering after the unexpected confrontation.
Instead of gaining a sense of peace and a new perspective on Lilly, it appeared Sir’s meeting with Marquis had only made things considerably worse. That was evident by the tightness of his clenched jaw and the death grip he had on the steering wheel on the entire drive home.
Brie was reminded of another car ride after Sir left Marquis Gray’s place in a similar state. Marquis had confronted him about his care of Brie after learning Sir had been cold and distant with her. At the time, Sir had retreated into a dark place mentally and it almost destroyed him.
The heated words exchanged between the two men that night had left Sir furious and defensive afterward. Brie shuddered, remembering that awful car ride home and how worried she’d been about Sir—and the stability of their relationship.
But, the difference between then and now was like night and day.
Over time, Brie had come to understand that if she was patient and gave Sir space, he would calm down enough to tell her what had happened. She knew the only thing he needed from her at this moment was to quietly support him while he processed through it. There was no reason for her to fear.
That was the power of experience.
Understanding Sir on a much deeper level now, the insecurities she once harbored had no place in their relationship. As for Sir, he’d also wrestled through his fears of not being a suitable partner because of his inner demons. He’d eventually come to understand her need for him to be open with her and vowed to always honor it.
Brie glanced back at Hope with a sense of confidence, giving their daughter a reassuring smile.
They were condors.
There was nothing that could shake their foundation—no matter how great the force might be against them.
Toying with Her
