Page 34 of Her Sweet Surrender
Brie smiled, hearing his confession. “So, youhavebeen trying.”
Rytsar snorted. “Of course! I am invested in this film on several fronts. Not only do I believe in the message of the film, but I have an important role in it. Besides, I happen to love the director.”
She blushed, touched by his declaration.
“Well, if it’s not you, then who?” Sir pressed.
Brie decided to reveal her benefactor. “I believe it’s Finn. Although I don’t have any solid evidence, he respects my work and has a reputation for being a rebel in Hollywood.”
“Didn’t he refuse to meet with you even after you sat in his office for over a week?” Sir reminded her.
“He did, Sir. However, I understand why now. Finnmustshow a pretense of solidarity with Holloway or he risks being blacklisted in Hollywood.”
“I would like to speak to this Finn person,” Rytsar stated.
“Please don’t!” she begged. “Not yet. I could never forgive myself if we inadvertently brought attention to him and destroyed his career.”
Rytsar tilted his head, frowning slightly, but said, “As you wish,radost moya.”
He turned his attention on Sir. “Shall we discuss what is distressing you, comrade?”
Sir let out an exasperated sigh. “Am I that obvious?”
Rytsar laughed in answer. “Come, sit.”
Sir gestured for Brie to join him on the couch and explained what happened during his recent confrontation with Marquis Gray.
Rytsar interrupted. “Why did you go to that man?”
“Ironically, he asked me the same question.” Sir chuckled with irritation.
“Moy droog, Gray does not understand the seriousness of the situation. All his moral ideals have no place here.”
Letting out a long sigh, Sir admitted, “It was the point of contention between us.”
“Do not be troubled,” he assured Sir. “We both know the woman is dangerously unstable. Dr. Volkov confirmed it with extensive testing.”
“True. I was not surprised by the doctor’s findings,” Sir conceded.
“You know what must be done, and I am the man to do it.”
Dread washed over Brie. The moment she had agonized over was playing out before her very eyes. “We can’t.”
Rytsar looked Brie dead in the eye. “I will not lose you or the babe to such evil.”
“Brother,” Sir said gruffly, pain lacing his voice. “I want Lilly dead as well because I’m not willing to risk the life of my wife or children, but…”
“But what?” Rytsar demanded.
“Marquis said something that still resonates with me. If I make this one moral concession—no matter how justified—I will eventually become like my mother and Lilly.”
Sir turned to Brie. “Gray said he saw it clear as day.”
Chills ran down Brie’s spine.
“When Gray did not give me the answer I wanted, I asked him for a session with the flogger. I needed the pain to disappear, if only for a moment.”
Brie nodded, understanding completely.
