Page 19 of The Ties That Bind
“I hope you know I would have throat punched you had you agreed to that deal.”
Brie burst out laughing. “Now, that’s the Mary I know and love.”
“So, what’s the plan now, Stinks?”
“I’m going to continue making my next documentary. Holloway has no power over my future. Tono said so himself.”
“Oh, so you’ve been talking to the rope Master, have you?”
Knowing Mary was currently living with Lea to avoid Holloway’s wrath, Brie immediately changed the subject to avoid exposing the secret of Tono’s health. Lowering her voice, she asked, “I need to know something.”
Mary immediately replied in a snarky tone, “You can ask, bitch. But that doesn’t mean I’ll answer you.”
Brie frowned, worried about her. “Now that we know there is no other offer coming, what are your plans?”
Mary’s voice suddenly became cold and defensive. “What do you mean?”
Brie was afraid this was the reaction she would get, but forged ahead anyway, “With Greg Holloway.”
Brie could feel the tension building when Mary snarled, “What about him?”
“Are you going to finally dump the creep?”
She burst out laughing as if the question were absurd. “Once Greg hears the offer fell through, he’ll want me by his side so he can gloat every chance he gets. There’s no getting out of this.”
“Mary, just say the word,” Brie begged. “You have a team of people that can help you get away from the bastard.”
Her voice gave Brie chills. “I don’t think you understand, Brie. Now that the threat of the offer no longer exists, Holloway will be even more powerful than he was before. Things are about to get real ugly.”
“Then you have to get away now!”
“You have it all wrong. Without me there, you will pay in ways you could never imagine. You think Greg will stand by and let you go on your merry way as if nothing happened?”
“Mary, I—”
“I knew this was a possibility, Brie. My eyes were wide open when I made the decision to help you. I don’t regret it—not for a second.”
A lump formed in Brie’s throat. “You don’t have to accept this as your fate.”
Mary let out an exasperated sigh. “Don’t you get it? Without me on the front lines, your future is forfeit. You have no idea the lengths Greg will go to make you and your family pay for this failed coup. Oh, wait…” She laughed sarcastically. “Actually, you do. But I guarantee, what he did to me and my mother will pale in comparison to what he’ll do to you—unless I’m there to stop it.”
Ice ran through Brie’s veins when she heard Mary’s assertion. Remembering Tono’s words about Holloway’s effect on her future, she said confidently, “I refuse to believe that.”
“Fine. It’s better if you don’t. But I know the truth, Brie. So let me do what I have to do.”
“No, I can’t let you sacrifice yourself.”
Her laughter was harsh. “I’m the whole reason you’re entangled with the bastard, so I’m committed to doing whatever it takes to protect you from his wrath.”
“But, Mary—”
“Don’t worry about me. He’ll gloat for a couple of months, do his best to humiliate me in front of his friends. Hell…if I play him right, it won’t be long before he’ll get tired and move on to some new conquest of his. You were just a means to an end, Stinks. As long as I’m there to distract him, he won’t need to torment you.”
“I won’t let you do that!” Brie cried.
Mary’s voice became ice cold. “This is my life, bitch. Nobody gets to control what I do—not even you.”
“I’m not okay with this plan, Mary.”
