Page 72 of The Ties That Bind
“Thank you, Sir Davis.”
Sir nodded. “I’m glad you could make it.”
“How are you feeling?” Brie asked Tono quietly.
He leaned in and told her in a low voice, “I was given clearance to travel. There is no reason for you to worry.”
She looked him over with a critical eye. Tono had lost weight, as well as muscle tone, but other than that, he looked like himself even down to the gentle look in his chocolate brown eyes.
“I’m grateful you’re here,” she confessed, not realizing how much she’d needed to see him face to face.
Tono glanced at Sir. “Thank you again for making the arrangements.”
“Think nothing of it, Ren.”
Brie tilted her head. “You arranged this, Sir?”
“It was needed.”
She stared at him in surprise, completely speechless.
Sir winked at her. “You’d better start eating, my dear. Your father is eyeing your consumption closely.”
Brie obediently picked up one of the mini pizzas from her plate and held it up for her dad to see before shoving it into her mouth and giving him a thumbs up.
Tono watched her with amusement. “Your father seems very attentive toward you.”
“Yes,” she said after chewing and swallowing. “Things have changed between us lately.”
“My heart is glad to hear it.”
Even though she knew it was a difficult subject for Tono, she asked him, “How are things with your mother?”
“We continue to speak on a weekly basis.”
“But nothing has changed between you?”
“I give her whatever she requires. She wants nothing more from me.”
Brie frowned slightly.
“She has given me my freedom,” he reminded her gently. He glanced over at Autumn. “It is the greatest gift she is capable of giving, and I am profoundly appreciative of it.”
Brie understood that Autumn was in his life because of it. “I hear what you are saying, Tono, but is it wrong that I wish more from your mother?”
Rather than answering, he asked, “Have you heard anything more about the film?”
She shook her head but smiled. “I’m following your advice and have moved on. Actually, I’ve uncovered something interesting—”
The sound of Anthony’s tiny wail suddenly filled the air. Brie immediately excused herself, her breasts aching in response to his cries. Brie retreated to the private patio out back to feed him and was grateful when Mary came to join her.
“You doing okay, Stinks?”
“I should be asking you that,” she said, undoing the front of her bra. Anthony immediately latched on and began to suckle.
Mary waved off Brie’s concern. “I saw that exchange between you and Tono. What’s going on with the rope freak?”
Brie sighed, silently cursing Mary’s keen observation skills. “I am…not allowed to discuss it.”
