Page 38 of Beneath the Flames
Sir sucked in his breath, letting out a low growl of frustration. “While he is correct about not burdening you with it, he did reach out to me. But I’m left no closer to the truth than I was before. This is maddening!”
Brie’s heart raced as she thought back on their conversation. “I’m afraid whatever Marquis did has turned his entire world upside down…and I’m not sure he’ll ever recover.”
Sir pushed his door open and exited the vehicle, slamming the car door shut. He was obviously upset but, by the time he had walked around to open her door, Sir had regained his composure, explaining, “It serves no purpose for me to get upset. Until Gray is ready to talk, there is nothing any of us can do.”
Brie took his hand as he helped her out of the car. “What should I tell Mary, Sir?”
“Whatever you feel comfortable sharing, babygirl. The truth is, Marquis has given nothing away. It’s just as you said. He is determined to protect us—even if it kills him.”
Brie shivered, terrified at the thought.
“Forget I said that, babygirl. It was just a figure of speech,” Sir told her, wrapping his arm around her. “Marquis is far too intelligent to do something foolish.”
Mary was sitting on the sofa and looked up from the book she was reading, asking them in a casual voice, “So, how did it go?”
Although Brie was a jumble of nerves, she muttered, “Okay, I guess.”
Mary closed her book, setting it down on the coffee table. “That bad, huh?”
Sir glanced around for the children. “Did either of them wake up?”
“No, Sir Davis. Those two have been sleeping like logs. I even checked on them a couple of times to make sure.”
“Well, if that’s the case, I will leave the two of you to talk.” With a nod to Mary, Sir headed to his office and shut the door.
Mary frowned. “You’re not looking so good, Stinks.”
“I’m seriously worried about Marquis,” Brie cried in a soft, frightened voice.
“So, he admitted to doing the deed, then?”
Brie shook her head. “No. He refused to give me details about the meeting, but Mary…” She glanced down, her voice trembling.
Mary drew closer, putting an arm around Brie. “What’s going on?”
“Marquis is not well.”
“What do you mean? Did Holloway do something to him?”
“Marquis feels responsible—for you, me, and every person that monster tortured.”
Mary growled, “God, how I hate that Marquis got entangled in this by that fucking beast. Talk about polar opposites…”
“That’s the thing, Mary,” Brie whimpered. “He’s changed. I felt it when I walked in the room. That suffocating anger he feels toward Holloway hovers around him like a dark shroud.” Closing her eyes, she whimpered, “He can’t become another casualty.”
“He won’t be,” Mary insisted. “Our community willnever let that happen. He is too important to all of us.”
From upstairs, Brie heard Antony’s hungry cry and told her, “I’ll just be a second.”
“Nope. I’m going with you,” she replied, heading up the stairs behind Brie.
When Brie entered the nursery, Antony instantly quieted.
“He’s a real momma’s boy, huh?” Mary asked.
Brie chuckled as she picked him up. “Truth is, I can’t get enough of this little guy. He is perfect in every way.”
“Not every way…” Mary complained, backing away. “Never could stand poopy diapers.”
