Page 40 of Her Sweet Surrender
Leaning toward the cake, Brie and Sir blew out the candle together.
Rytsar walked up and threw his arm around Sir while Brie was cutting the cake. He smiled down at their little girl. “Moye solntsewill have the childhood you and I never had, brother. She will know the love of both parents and will meet the world with joy.”
Sir stared at Brie tenderly. “That she will, old friend.”
Slaying Them
Brie had started taking long walks in the early morning. Walking beside the ocean as the sun slowly dawned had become a cherished part of her day.
During those daily walks, she crossed paths with an older homeless woman at the same garbage can each morning. The woman had an adorable furry mutt with matted hair. It wagged its tail eagerly and sniffed the can while she collected the plastic bottles from it.
Brie always greeted the woman with a cheerful smile and a wave as she passed, although the woman never returned the smile.
Seeing them at the same time each day became part of her morning routine. Brie was moved to help her and had offered the woman money on two separate occasions, but she was vehemently turned down both times.
While Brie admired her strong work ethic and didn’t want to insult the woman, she became concerned when she noticed the dog was losing patches of hair.
The woman’s distress over her ailing companion was easy to see by the way she kept constantly glancing at her little dog as she retrieved the plastic bottles from the trash can. It troubled Brie enough to speak to Sir about it when she returned home.
“I really want to help her, Sir, but I’ve tried in the past with no success.”
He closed his laptop and looked up at her. “I can understand her position. I felt that way once. When you’ve been forced to be independent for so long, accepting help feels like you’ve failed somehow.”
“But she needs help. I can’t just keep walking by every morning and watch her little dog slowly die, Sir.”
He glanced briefly at Shadow before meeting her gaze. “Find a way to give it to her anonymously and she may be more receptive to it.”
Brie nodded, grateful for his insight. “I’ll do that, Sir. I don’t know how, but I’ll find a way.”
He took her hand and squeezed it. “I am certain you will.”
Sir insisted on taking Brie shopping for the award ceremony coming up. “This is an important moment in your career. I suspect you will be met with fear and resentment from your peers. However, you will stand before them in confidence. I want you to slay them, babygirl.”
His confidence in her reinforced her determination to act as the victor and not one of Holloway’s victims when she took the stage to receive her award. With that in mind, she entered the high-end shop determined to find the perfect dress.
Brie was treated like royalty. She sipped her mock champagne and chatted with Sir while they sat in white leather chairs. Meanwhile, the wardrobe stylist walked through the shop, singling out designer dresses for her to try on.
“I think this one will be stunning on you,” he told her, showing Brie a purple sequined gown.
Brie left Sir’s side and smiled while two women followed her into the luxurious changing room to help her into the dress. She gazed at the three-paneled mirror and turned slowly. The gown clung to her curves, and the low cut of the bodice showed off her cleavage nicely. She was grateful the event was fast approaching because she wouldn’t be showing yet, so there would be no need to have the dress altered.
She walked out to show Sir, who smiled as soon as laid his eyes on her. “Turn for me.”
Brie turned slowly, enjoying his critical gaze as he assessed the dress. She was not surprised when he shook his head no.
“I agree, Sir.” She looked at her reflection. “It would be perfect for a party, but not as a statement.”
“Exactly,” he agreed.
Listening to their comments, the stylist picked out a new dress that was bright red and angular in its cut. Brie walked out and slowly spun for Sir, basking in his attention as he studied every curve of the dress.
“Your thoughts?” he asked her.
Brie smiled as she looked at the mirror. “I actually think it is too much of a statement. I feel like a stern businesswoman in this dress.”
“Agreed,” he replied, “although it is a flattering look on you.”
She blushed. “Thank you, Sir.”
