The Ties That Bind (Brie's Submission Book 22) Read online

  Brie choked up, realizing the significance of the gift. This was not only a present to her newborn son—but a personal declaration.

  Mary was reclaiming the one thing she held most dear from her childhood.

  Beautiful

  Brie was sleeping peacefully, curled up against Sir.

  She’d been up several times during the night to feed Anthony while Sir took care of Hope, who’d been too excited to sleep because of the baby.

  When her phone started vibrating, Brie glanced at the name and almost ignored it. But, even in her half-awake state, the name jogged her memory and she suddenly sat straight up in the bed.

  “What is it?” Sir whispered, not wanting to risk waking the baby who was sleeping in his bassinet just a few feet away.

  “It’s Randall Cummings, Sir.”

  “The lawyer involved in the film offer?”

  Her heart started to race as she turned to him and nodded.

  “Are you going to answer it?”

  Brie stared at the phone with trepidation. “I don’t want to go through that humiliation again, Sir.”

  “You weren’t the one humiliated, my dear. The person who made the offer is the one who was turned down.”

  Of course, Sir was right. She held all the cards because she wasn’t desperate to make the deal.

  Tingles of providence suddenly coursed through Brie when she recalled a conversation she’d had with Sir during Kinky Eve, last year. At the time she had mentioned wanting to donate the money from her documentary to the Tatianna Legacy Center in Sir’s honor—a million dollars to be exact.

  A smile played on her lips, realizing she had the perfect opportunity to make that dream a reality.

  Not only could this documentary open the minds of people all over the world, but it could also make a significant difference in the lives of the young women at Rytsar’s Center.

  Getting out of bed, Brie quickly tiptoed out of the room before answering it. “Hello?”

  “Good morning, Mrs. Davis. I’m calling to inform you that we will be arriving at nine this morning to go over the conditions we discussed.”

  “So, you’ve agreed to let me have the final say over the film?”

  “You have been granted that privilege, yes.”

  Brie smiled, thankful her benefactor respected her enough to grant the stipulation. Knowing that gave her the courage to lay it all on the line.

  “Mr. Cummings, I have another condition.”

  “Mrs. Da—” he protested.

  “It isn’t open for negotiation. Rather than waste your time, it’s best that you know it now.”

  He said nothing in response.

  “Mr. Cummings?”

  “Go on,” he muttered irritably.

  “The first million from my percentage will be donated to the Tatianna Legacy Center.”

  “The first million?” he scoffed.

  “Yes.”

  “You realize you will never see a cent yourself if we agree to that.”

  “I don’t care as long as the girls benefit from the film.”

  He growled. “This unnecessarily complicates things.”

  “Is that a no, then?” Brie pressed.

  “I will postpone the meeting until I hear word back,” he stated tersely. “Good day, Mrs. Davis.”

  Brie walked back into the bedroom and set the phone on the nightstand. When she curled up against Sir, he wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer.

  “What did Mr. Cummings have to say?” he murmured in her ear.

  “I added a new stipulation.” She giggled softly. “He’s not happy…but is looking into it.”

  He nuzzled her neck before biting her lightly. “My goddess.”

  Brie smiled, drifting off into an easy sleep.

  Brie was unprepared when Mr. Cummings called her back promptly at nine. “You have been granted your second request. Understand that further negotiation is closed.”

  “I understand,” she replied, thrilled beyond words.

  “We will be arriving within the hour.”

  Brie appreciated that Mr. Cummings was not ambushing her this time, the way he had during their first meeting, but such short notice was still unacceptable. “I will call my team to confirm what time they can meet.”

  “Time is money, Mrs. Davis,” he stated irritably.

  “I agree, Mr. Cummings. Therefore, both parties must respect it.”

  She hung up before he could reply, feeling quite pleased with herself.

  After a quick call to Mr. Thompson, Brie set the meeting for eleven. Although Mr. Cummings was clearly not pleased, he agreed to the new time she set.

  Brie grinned at Sir afterward. “Who would guess the day after I give birth, I would be approached with the film offer of my dreams?”

  “Are you certain you are up for this, babygirl?”

  “Had this happened right after Hope, I would have said no. But, for some reason, I feel stronger after this delivery.” She smiled at Sir. “Of course, I’m sure that has to do with the fact that you are taking care of both children so I can rest between feedings.”

  He looked at her thoughtfully. “While I am incapable of sharing in the process of carrying a child, I am proficient at caring for them once they are outside the womb.”

  She stood on tiptoes to kiss him. “Not all fathers are as thoughtful as you.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “It’s not just for you, my dear. I want to be a part of their lives, and part of that involves nurturing them.” Sir surprised her when he started chuckling. “It seems your father has only just figured that out.”

  Brie smiled, remembering her plates overflowing with food. “I’m grateful old dogs can learn new tricks.” She wrapped her arm around him. “But how lucky am I that you already know what kind of father you want to be?”

  “Near-death experiences tend to have that effect on a person.”

  When Anthony began to cry, Sir started toward the bedroom to get him and asked, “Would you prefer to nurse him on the couch or the rocker?”

  “I’d like to sit out on the patio, Sir.”

  Brie grabbed a shawl and headed outside. Although the breeze was cooler than she expected, it felt invigorating. Her spirits were incredibly high as she sat down on the patio chair and breathed in the fresh air.

  She was excited that Tono was stopping by to visit. It would allow Autumn to spend extra time with Lea before they headed back across the ocean to finish their Kinbaku tour.

  Brie was desperate to talk openly to Tono about his health. As much as he was fighting it, it was obvious the disease had taken a heavy toll on his body.

  Sir came out carrying Anthony in one arm and Hope in the other. “She heard him wake up,” he explained.

  Brie took Anthony from him and smiled at her daughter. “You’re taking being a big sister very seriously, aren’t you, sweet pea?”

  Glancing at the back door, Brie noticed Shadow sitting on his haunches, staring at them intently. “I wonder what he makes of all this.”

  Sir walked over and opened the door for the cat. Shadow sauntered out and followed Sir. The big black cat settled at Sir’s feet because Hope was sitting on his lap, but his eyes were locked on the new baby.

  “Shadow may find it a difficult task keeping up with two little munchkins,” Brie laughed.

  Sir looked down at the cat. “Between the three of us, I’m certain we can keep track of these two.”

  Brie grinned at Shadow. “I’m definitely grateful for his devotion to Hope.” Sitting back in her chair, she shook her head. “It’s funny to think only two days ago, I was sitting here with a big round belly, enjoying Nonna’s hot chocolate—and look at me now.”

  “You’re even more beautiful,” he said, watching her as she nursed Anthony.

  She sighed with contentment. “I’m so happy right now, I wish I could stop time and live in this moment forever.”

  “While I appreciate the sentiment,” Sir stated, glancing at Hope, “I’m fa
r too invested in seeing what the future brings for our children.”

  “It is exciting, isn’t it? They have their whole lives ahead of them.”

  His eyes flashed with pride. “We don’t know what talents lay within them or what passions they will aspire to.”

  “And we get to be there through all of it, encouraging them every step of the way.” She looked down at Anthony tenderly. “I just love being a mom!”

  “It certainly suits you.” Sir’s tone suddenly became more serious when he said, “Whatever today brings, do not compromise what’s important to you, Brie.”

  “I won’t,” she promised. “I plan to do as you’ve always instructed me and trust my gut.”

  He took her hand and kissed it. “It has never led you astray, babygirl—which I am eternally grateful for.”

  Brie dressed up for the meeting, making sure her hair and makeup were on point. She placed Tono’s orchid in her hair, then applied bright red lipstick.

  She smiled at her reflection, thinking of Ms. Clark as she carefully blotted it. The Domme’s powerful demeanor was something she wanted to emulate during this meeting. Although she was a submissive by nature, when it came to her films, Brie was as fierce and protective as any Dominant.

  Mr. Thompson and Mr. Phillips arrived well before eleven, giving her time to explain the new stipulation she’d added to the contract in regards to the Tatianna Legacy Center.

  “That’s quite admirable of you,” Mr. Thompson stated.

  She shook her head. “I don’t see it that way. Although I have never walked in their shoes, as you know, I came close because of Lilly. If my documentary can ease these girls’ suffering in any way, it would mean the world to me.”

  “Do you actually expect to make over a million with this film?” Mr. Phillips asked her.

  Brie shrugged. “A girl can dream, can’t she? Especially when it’s for a good cause.”

  “There’s no reason not to aim high, Mrs. Davis,” Mr. Thompson agreed.

  “I’ll need you both to verify that the contract honors the new conditions.”

  “Certainly,” Mr. Phillips stated.

  The same flock of lawyers who had attended the first meeting returned. As they entered the house, Mr. Thompson directed them to the long dining room table where Brie was waiting for them.

  She made eye contact with each man as they entered. Once all of them were seated, she addressed them as a whole. “It is a pleasure to see you again.”

  Brie understood each person seated represented the top names in the industry, including Michael Schmidt, the greatest film editor in the business. This offer did not have only one film distributor but many, each company specializing in its own territory of the world. Mr. Cummings was quick to remind her that the documentary would not only be released in theaters, but also on DVD, cable, and digital platforms.

  Truly, the offer was everything Brie ever dreamed of.

  Taking the thick file from his briefcase, Mr. Cummings said, “As agreed, your percentage will go to the charity you requested up to the amount of…” He cleared his throat. “…one million dollars before the proceeds revert to you.”

  He slid the extensive contract over to Brie. “As we discussed, both changes have been added to the contract and are non-negotiable.”

  Brie looked Mr. Cummings in the eyes when she took the contract from him and then immediately placed it in Mr. Thompson’s capable hands.

  While she waited for her two lawyers to go through every line Brie smiled at the gathering, feeling a sense of freedom she’d never had before. If anything was amiss, she would simply refuse to sign the contract. Brie’s life would continue on the new path she’d created for herself, and she was completely at peace with that.

  It was incredibly empowering!

  When both lawyers finished reading through the contract, Mr. Thompson handed it back to Brie and read over the two additions with her, explaining the legalese in layman’s terms.

  “No other changes have been made to the original contract, Mrs. Davis. Everything is in order.”

  Brie felt a surge of excitement as she picked up the pen Mr. Cummings handed her. “It appears we have a deal.”

  She proceeded to sign her name with a dramatic flair.

  The moment she set the pen down, the room erupted in applause.

  “This has been a long time coming, Mrs. Davis,” Mr. Cummings stated curtly, but Brie could read the relief on his face. She suddenly wondered what would have happened if he had failed to get her to sign the contract this time around.

  Brie spent the next hour signing legal agreements with each company represented in the offer. Her head would have been spinning, but Mr. Phillips’ knowledge of the entertainment industry proved invaluable as he explained the details of and necessity for each agreement.

  By the time Brie was done signing everything, she was flying on an emotional high. “I look forward to what the future brings, gentlemen. I’m excited to see what we create together.”

  She stood up, and every man there immediately rose to his feet. She gave each lawyer a firm handshake as they filed out.

  The last order of business was to provide Mr. Cummings with a physical copy of the documentary. It felt like a rite of passage when Brie handed it to him. “Mr. Cummings, thank you for your part in making this work.”

  He shook her hand firmly. “You certainly have balls for a woman.”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment,” she replied as she closed the door behind him.

  When Brie turned, she saw Sir standing before her. The look of admiration on his face was something she would always remember. She ran into his arms squealing with excitement, “We did it!”

  “You did this,” he corrected as he held her tight.

  “I can’t believe it, Sir. It’s really happening!”

  “It is, babygirl. Your time has come.”

  Brie turned to Mr. Thompson. “Can I tell people I signed the contract if I don’t discuss the terms?”

  “I’m afraid not. The nondisclosure remains in effect.”

  She glanced at Sir. “But there’s someone I need to tell. It’s important.”

  “Your mother?”

  Brie shook her head. “Mary.”

  “I would advise against it,” Mr. Thompson cautioned her.

  “Mary Wilson would never break my trust,” Brie answered firmly.

  She looked to Sir. His opinion was the only one that mattered to her.

  She breathed a sigh of relief when he nodded his approval.

  “If it would be all right with you,” she asked Sir, “I’d like to do that right now.”

  Sir glanced at the two lawyers.

  Mr. Thompson pursed his lips, accepting the decision. “It’s best we leave. We’ll see ourselves out,” he stated amiably, holding out his hand to Brie. “It’s been a pleasure, Mrs. Davis.”

  Brie thanked both men profusely before grabbing her phone and heading up to her office to make the call.

  To her chagrin, Mary didn’t answer the first time, so she immediately called her again.

  “This better be important, woman,” Mary muttered, sounding distracted.

  “We did it, Mary!”

  “Did what?” she growled with impatience.

  “I signed the contract for the film offer.”

  Mary was silent for a moment. “Wait…are you serious?”

  “I just finished signing all the papers a few minutes ago.”

  “I thought the deal fell through.”

  “Well, the lawyer called today and agreed to everything I asked for. It’s a done deal!”

  “Oh, my God, Brie,” Mary said breathlessly.

  “I know!”

  “This is the best news I could imagine.”

  “Mary, I couldn’t have done this without you, so I wanted you to be the first to know but you can’t tell anyone.”

  “Oh, fuck, when word gets around…” Her voice trailed off.

  Brie suddenly felt the h
airs stand up on the back of her neck. “Should I send Sir to pick you up?”

  “No, you idiot!” she laughed. “I want to be here when Greg finds out.” She suddenly lowered her voice. “Oh, my God, Brie, his whole world is about to implode. It…it…”

  “What?”

  “It’s going to be fucking beautiful!”

  Secrets

  Brie couldn’t wait for Tono to arrive. Unfortunately, she was not allowed to tell him the incredible news about what happened a few hours before. As soon as he walked through the door, however, Tono gave her a suspicious look.

  “What’s up?”

  Brie blushed, then bit her lip to keep from blurting out the secret. “I’m just so thrilled to spend time with you.”

  Tono glanced at Sir questioningly.

  “She’s been rather excitable since the baby,” he replied, smiling at Brie.

  The Kinbaku Master looked far from convinced but accepted Brie’s hug without question. She hugged him for an extra long time, instantly connecting to his spirit as he drew her in with his calming power.

  When Brie broke from his embrace, she stared into his brown eyes.

  Deeply concerned about his health, she insisted, “Please sit down.”

  “You don’t have to treat me like an invalid.” Tono chuckled. “I am capable of standing.”

  “How are you recovering, Nosaka?” Sir asked.

  Tono looked at Sir thoughtfully for a moment before answering. “Healing from this is a slow process, not unlike what you experienced yourself.”

  Sir nodded. “Healing requires great patience.”

  Tono smiled in agreement. “Thankfully, I am a patient man.”

  Rather than sit on the couch with Brie and Sir, Tono joined Hope on the floor. Shadow instantly jumped into his lap and started purring.

  “He’s definitely missed you,” Brie grinned, delighted to see the two together.

  Hope scooted over to Tono. She was unusually quiet, looking up at him longingly.

  “Do you want to sit on my lap, too?”

  Tono gently moved the large black cat to make room for her. Hope immediately climbed into his lap and sat there smiling as she matched Tono’s movements as they petted Shadow together.