Page 32 of Her Sweet Surrender
“The event isn’t for another month. Make sure your calendar is free. This move won’t have near the same impact if you aren’t there to receive the award in front of all those fuckers sucking up to Greg.”
“I’m sure whoever is championing my film will be there, don’t you think?”
Mary huffed. “I’d be surprised if they were. Although this event is too pedestrian for Greg, he’ll have his minions on the hunt. He’s determined to annihilate the enemy by any means necessary.” She paused, adding, “I guess I can’t blame him…”
Brie frowned. “Why would you say that?”
“If your secret admirer succeeds, Greg will be done in this town. He’s put his entire reputation on the line and there will be no coming back from this.” Mary’s eyes flashed with the need for revenge. “I’m praying for that day.”
“I can’t wait! No one should hold that kind of power over people.”
Mary let out a worried sigh. “That’s something that’s got me a little concerned.”
“Why?”
“Whoever this secret admirer is, he or she has that kind of power, Stinks. I wouldn’t trust whoever it is if I were you.”
Brie chuckled lightly as she thought of Finn. “I think you’re just being paranoid.”
Mary looked her straight in the eye. “No, I’m not. Don’t forget, I speak from personal experience. Secret admirers are the Devil’s spawn.”
Brie looked at her with sympathy.
“You know one of the things I hate the most?” Mary shook her head vehemently. “I know I said I didn’t want to talk about Greg, but that fucker stole the magic of Disney from me. It’s the only thing that kept me sane all of these years, and now…” She slipped her sunglasses back on and picked up her cup of coffee, sipping it silently.
She remembered how shocked she’d been when she learned Holloway was the one who left the movies on Mary’s doorstep as a child.
Brie could only imagine the loss Mary felt having that cherished part of her childhood ripped away, remembering the multitude of Disney figurines that used to line Mary’s apartment.
“Greg not only took away my future,” she said with a catch in her voice, “but the only thing I loved about my past.”
It angered Brie. “No! Holloway does not get to have that kind of power over you. Your love of Disney helped shape you into the person you are today. It’s one of the quirky things I like about you. The only thing that monster did was introduce you to the films. You are the one who internalized the positive messages you found in them and used them to survive.Youdid that. Fuck that asshole. He doesn’t get to claim any part of it from you.”
Mary sat back in her chair. “Wow, Stinks. I think someone here may have had one too many shots of espresso.”
Brie took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. “I just don’t want you to lose that part of yourself, damn it!”
Mary took another sip of her coffee. With her shades on, her expression was unreadable. “I’ll take that under advisement.”
Brie looked at her friend with compassion. “I love you, Mary.”
Mary smirked. “Good God, Brie. Don’t go declaring your love for me after your little outburst.” She looked around the room in pretend shame.
Brie rolled her eyes, spotting traces of Blonde Nemesis peeking through. Mary always backed away whenever she felt people were getting too real. Still, Brie was grateful she’d come.
Sir had been right, Mary needed her.
But, the truth was, Brie needed her just as much.
Brie was relieved to hear Rytsar was returning to the States. Sir made a special request that he join them on the night of his return.
The Russian was unusually late that evening despite having flown in early in the afternoon.
“Do you think something is wrong, Sir?” she asked worriedly, looking at the clock.
Sir raised an eyebrow. “He may be dealing with an issue a certain duo left for him.”
Brie blushed, having forgotten about the humorous prank. “I sure hope he can forgive me.”
