Page 33 of Beneath the Flames
Lea let out a happy squeak. “Why is pirating so addictive?”
“I have no clue.”
With twinkling eyes, she answered, “They say once you lose your first hand, you get hooked!”
Brie nodded in appreciation, giggling softly. “Okay, that is totally terrible, but it makes me laugh.”
“I knew you would like it!” Lea declared. “I’ll never let you down, Stinky Cheese.”
Brie gave her a hug, adoring Lea’s big heart and questionable humor. She looked over her friend’s shoulder and caught Sir secretly smiling.
Lea for the win!
Brie was hesitant to leave this carefree time on the sea. She knew once they touched down on land in LA, she would be forced to face reality again. However, shewas deeply grateful for this time away. It reminded her that beauty was abundant in the world even when there were times life became too stressful to see it.
As they were disembarking the ship the next day, Sir received a text. Brie knew something was up when he frowned while reading it.
“Is it from Marquis Gray?” she whispered.
He gave her a concerned glance, nodding as he slipped his phone back into his pocket.
Brie felt the anxiety kick back in again.
Rather than give in to the rising panic she felt, she whispered to herself, “Breathe…” Concentrating on slowing her breaths, Brie felt her crushing fear for Marquis slowly begin to lift.
Eventually, a smile spread across her face as she thought of Tono. She wondered if the Kinbaku Master knew how many times she’d depended on his powerful, yet simple, advice.
Noticing that Hope was struggling to keep up as they headed down the gangway, Brie picked her up and asked, “Did you have fun on the big boat, sweet pea?”
Hope nodded with a big smile.
“What was your favorite part?”
“Horseys!” she cried.
Brie laughed, kissing her on the cheek. “Yourdyadyawill be tickled to hear that.”
On their drive to the house, Brie let out a sigh ofrelief mixed with dread. Being back home felt familiar and safe, but with it came all the fears she’d left behind.
Sir wrapped his arm around her. “Do you need time before we address this text?”
She shook her head. “Better to get this over with, rather than me wasting time dreading it.”
“I agree, babygirl.”
While the kids played with Shadow on the floor, Sir sat down with Brie in his office, explaining, “Gray texted that he would like to talk with you.”
“Just me, Sir?” she asked in surprise.
He nodded, pulling out his phone so she could read his text.
Brie swallowed nervously as she stared at it.
“How do you feel about his request?” Sir asked.
She frowned. “I’m not sure.”
“I can tell him you are uncomfortable with that arrangement.”
