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

  Sir pulled her to him and kissed her. “You impress me with the steadfast vision you have for your work.”

  “I’m glad you understand, Sir.”

  “Of course, I do. Leaving the message of your documentary in the hands of an unknown entity carries considerable risk. As you know, babygirl, I’m all about control.”

  She smiled, letting out an excited sigh. “Wish me luck, Sir!”

  He winked. “Luck has nothing to do with this, babygirl.”

  Oozing with confidence, Brie headed back to the table with Mr. Thompson and Mr. Phillips. While both men sat down beside her, Brie chose to remain standing.

  Taking the time to look each man at the table in the eye, she told them, “I’m excited at the prospect of working with your clients on this project. However, I must retain the right of final say.”

  There was a collective gasp from the group.

  “I cannot grant you that,” Mr. Cummings stated. “I highly recommend you reconsider.”

  “If you can’t add that to the contract, Mr. Cummings, then I suggest you speak to the person who can. As much as I appreciate this offer, it’s nonnegotiable,” she replied firmly.

  Glancing at the other men, Mr. Cummings frowned and barked, “We are done here.”

  There was a flurry of activity as they picked up their contracts and thrusted them in their many briefcases while Brie watched in stunned silence.

  Mr. Cummings stood up, handing her a piece of paper. “Please sign this.”

  Brie looked at the paper in confusion.

  “It’s a simple non-disclosure agreement,” he stated.

  She handed it to Mr. Thompson to look it over before signing it. After reading it, he told her, “It states that the terms stated in the offer, as well as clients represented, are confidential and will not be shared with any third party.”

  Brie nodded to him. “Fair enough.”

  “Mr. Davis will need to sign one, as well,” Mr. Cummings informed her, handing her another.

  Mr. Thompson took the form. “I’ll give this to Mr. Davis while you finish up here.”

  Brie signed the agreement, a queasy feeling washing over her. Instead of signing an offer, it felt as if she was signing away her future in film.

  Although it was upsetting, Brie was grateful Mr. Holloway would never know the terms of the offer or the people in Hollywood who were brave enough to go against him.

  Once Mr. Thompson returned with Sir’s document, Mr. Cummings gave Brie a curt nod. “Good day, Mrs. Davis. I’m sorry for wasting your time.”

  The multitude of men filed out of the room with shocked expressions, clearly surprised she had turned down the unprecedented offer.

  Brie turned to Mr. Thompson after they left and chuckled sadly. “I thought they would at least give it some consideration before withdrawing the offer.”

  Mr. Phillips stated, “Don’t lose hope quite yet, Mrs. Davis. It’s clear no one in attendance had the authority to make such a change.”

  Sir walked out of his office. “I’m sorry to hear the negotiation did not go well.”

  Brie looked at him forlornly, but instantly smiled when she heard the doorbell ring. Hurrying to answer it, Brie hoped it was Mr. Cummings wanting to renegotiate. Instead, she found Rytsar standing in the doorway with Hope in his arms looking at her expectantly. “Well, radost moya?”

  She took Hope from him as she ushered Rytsar inside. Although she smiled, she was unable to hide her profound disappointment.

  “What happened?” he asked in concern.

  Trying to keep her answer light, she said in her best mobster voice, “Apparently, I made them an offer they could refuse.”

  Rytsar smirked. “Although I enjoy your sense of humor, radost moya, I don’t understand.”

  She asked Mr. Thompson, “Can I tell him what I requested since it wasn’t part of the original offer?”

  “Certainly, Mrs. Davis.”

  Turning to Rytsar, she explained, “When I asked for final say over the film, they withdrew the offer.”

  Rytsar narrowed his eyes, pounding his fist against his palm. “Tell me who this person is so I can speak to them posthaste.”

  She let out a sad chuckle. “I still don’t know. In fact, nobody who came to the meeting today claimed to know.”

  Brie held Hope up and twirled her around, saying with a tinge of regret, “It would have been amazing, sweet pea. The talent they amassed was beyond anything I could have dreamed of.” She touched noses with Hope and added in a sing-song voice, “But that’s the way the cookie crumbles.”

  The instant she set Hope down, Shadow appeared. Brie watched as her daughter toddled off to play with the big black cat, wonderfully unaware of the unfortunate turn of events that had just befallen her mother.

  Brie mused, Maybe it’s for the best, with another baby on the way…

  Mr. Thompson held out his hand to Brie. “If they do reach out to you again, please don’t hesitate to call.” Glancing at Phillips, he added, “We’re both at your disposal, if you should need us.”

  “Thank you. Although it is not the outcome I wanted, I appreciated your counsel and do not regret my decision.” She shook both their hands gratefully.

  However—the idea that Holloway had won felt like a stab to Brie’s heart.

  His Promise

  After the two men left, Brie found herself lightly fingering the white orchid in her hair.

  “Are you okay, Brie?” Sir asked gently.

  She turned to look at him and shook her head. “I feel the sudden need to speak to Tono, Sir. Do you mind if I call him?”

  His eyes softened. “Not at all, babygirl.”

  “Tell the bondage Master to return to the States so he can tie up the person responsible for this while I negotiate a new offer…” Rytsar suggested.

  Brie smiled. Having the sadistic Russian on her side made her disappointment easier to bear.

  She retired to the bedroom and stared at the intricately painted wax form of her pregnant belly framed on the wall. Tono had made it for her when she was pregnant with Hope. That wax play scene with Tono was a cherished memory of hers and was preserved forever by this exquisite piece of art.

  She dialed Tono’s phone number, feeling an urgent need to connect with him.

  As soon as he answered, she could tell something was wrong. “Is everything okay, Tono?”

  He chuckled lightly, but she could hear the strain in his voice when he diverted her question by asking, “Are you well, Brie?”

  “I…” She paused for a moment. Rather than answer him, she replied, “It’s good to hear your voice.”

  “Yours, as well.”

  Tears pricked her eyes, wondering what he wasn’t telling her. “I’m sorry I didn’t call sooner, Tono.”

  There was a long moment of silence on the other end. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there.”

  She felt her stomach twist. “You heard what happened to Kylie, then?”

  “Marquis reached out to me.”

  Brie felt a sense of dread wash over her. She knew with certainty Tono would have flown back if he could. “Please tell me what’s wrong.”

  Hearing his long sigh, she knew he was carefully picking his words. “I have had a…physical challenge to overcome.”

  Her bottom lip trembled. Her grief over Kylie had consumed her so completely that she’d never sensed his suffering. “I’m so sorry, Tono. Marquis never told—”

  “I asked him to keep the news to himself, but I will share it with you now.”

  Brie clutched her phone as she quietly sank down on the bed.

  “I’d been suffering from a debilitating headache for several weeks but I never had a fever, so I continued to work, not wanting to interrupt our international tour.”

  “What’s wrong?” Brie whimpered, holding her breath.

  “It turns out I had strep but I didn’t have any of the classic symptoms, so it went undiagnosed. It wasn’t until Autumn came down with it that my doc
tor insisted on testing me.”

  When she heard it was only strep, Brie wanted to rejoice, but the tone in his voice terrified her. “What aren’t you telling me?”

  “Because it was left untreated, I developed glomerulonephritis. It’s a disease that attacks the kidney.”

  Chills coursed through Brie knowing he had donated one kidney to Faelan. “Oh, Tono…”

  His voice was gentle but firm. “I am fortunate to have an excellent medical staff overseeing my recovery and I am undergoing treatment right now to prevent further damage. If things continue to progress as they have been, I can return to my daily routine with only a few minor adjustments.”

  “Tono, I’m so scared for you…”

  “Trust me. It’s harder for those around me than it is for myself.” He chuckled sadly. “Poor Autumn has suffered the most.”

  “I can only imagine,” she whimpered.

  “I’m in good hands, Brie,” he assured her again. “Do not concern yourself with my welfare.”

  She cried, “You are asking for the impossible.”

  “Worry has no benefit,” he chided her softly.

  “Oh, Tono…” Her voice trailed off, the growing lump in her throat making it difficult to talk.

  “Now you understand why I had Marquis Gray keep it from you—and Todd. The last thing Todd needs is to feel any guilt over this unfortunate situation.”

  Brie knew it would be devastating if Faelan learned that an undiagnosed condition had put Tono, the man who had donated a kidney to him, at risk.

  After losing Kylie, it might prove too much for him to bear.

  “I understand,” she conceded, “but I wish I could rush to your side to help you and Autumn.”

  “We will see each other soon enough,” he told her in his soothing voice. “Once I recover, and Autumn and I have finished out our tour, we will be free to return to the States.”

  “Do you think you’ll be able to continue performing?” she asked with concern.

  “It is my goal and my main focus.”

  Brie sighed, feeling unsettled. “I hate that we are so far away.”

  “Not in spirit,” Tono reminded her. “And I know I’m not the only one who has been suffering.”

  Her voice caught when she thought about Kylie. “Yes…” Suddenly, the pain of her death, coupled with the disappointment of the film and this frightening news about Tono, overwhelmed her and she fell mute.

  “Brie.”

  The lump in her throat became painful, making it impossible to answer him.

  “Toriko…”

  The warmth that flowed from his voice filled her with a sudden sense of calm and wellbeing.

  “Talk to me,” he insisted gently.

  Brie shook her head even though he couldn’t see it. “You’re sick, Tono.”

  “I told you my situation. Now, it is your turn to tell me.”

  She hesitated but gave in to his quiet command. “I’m still grieving Kylie’s death and watching Faelan’s soul waste away…it has eaten at my heart.”

  “I am deeply troubled that I cannot be there for either of you.” Tono’s voice was heavy with regret. “But something spurred you to call me today. I can feel it.”

  Brie groaned, knowing she could never hide anything from Tono. “It’s not a matter of life or death—”

  “Tell me.”

  She sighed softly. “I thought I had an offer for the second documentary. I even put your flower in my hair before the meeting started. What they offered was beyond my wildest dreams, Tono, and I had my heart set on it. But…” Her voice faltered. “I asked for final say over the project and they immediately turned me down.”

  “I can feel your disappointment from here. However, you know in your heart you were right.”

  “I do…” she agreed miserably. A sob escaped her lips when she confessed, “But Holloway won.”

  “No,” Tono stated firmly.

  Tears welled up in her eyes wanting desperately to believe him.

  “That malevolent husk of a being does not own your future.”

  Tono said it with such force, it felt as if she’d been hit in the chest. It took her a few moments to realize she’d been holding her breath.

  “Do you hear me?”

  “Yes, Tono.”

  “Continue on your path and do not waver from it. I vow to do the same.”

  His promise filled Brie with hope. It was as if their invisible bond had grown stronger and was powerful enough to propel them both forward.

  “You fill my heart with joy, Tono.”

  “Even in your suffering, you are a strength to me,” he replied.

  She laughed softly. “No. It’s the other way around.”

  Understanding the immense fear Autumn must be experiencing because of Tono’s health, Brie asked him, “Where are you now?”

  “A hospital in Seoul, Korea.”

  Brie’s stomach dropped. The seriousness of his condition hit her all over again. “Do you have an address where I can send something to Autumn?”

  “She would appreciate that. I’ll text it to you after our call. I asked Autumn to keep my condition from everyone for fear of the news finding its way to Todd. Unfortunately, in doing so, she has been deprived of the support she needs.”

  “Am I allowed to tell Sir about this?”

  “Of course.”

  Wanting to give Tono a ray of hope, she told him, “You should know Faelan is leaving with Rytsar for Russia.”

  “What about the child?”

  “Grace is going to remain under Marquis and Celestia’s care. Rytsar is convinced he can help Faelan through this, and I am trusting with all of my heart that he can.”

  “So, he named the baby Grace?”

  “Not exactly…” she answered. “Faelan never officially named his daughter, but Celestia pressed him for one before leaving. He told her to call the baby Grace for the time being, because they both need it.”

  Tono grunted in pain.

  “Are you okay?” Brie whimpered.

  “It hurts my soul, knowing the pain he and the child are suffering.”

  “Yes…”

  “Please keep me updated. If there is a need and I can travel, I will come.”

  “Right now, you must heal, Tono. It’s the only thing Faelan needs from you,” she said with conviction.

  Brie could hear the smile in his voice when he asked, “Are you giving me a command?”

  She grinned into the phone. “Only in the most respectful manner.”

  Waves of pure joy coursed through her spirit when she heard his laughter.

  “Take care of yourself. Before you know it, there will be a second member of the Davis household for you to look after.”

  “I have almost two months left, which I know doesn’t sound like a lot. But when you’re in the last trimester, it becomes the longest two months of your life.”

  He chuckled. “I will have to take your word for it.”

  “Tono…” Brie hated to let him go, but she didn’t want to overtax him. “I long for the day when I see you in person.” The lump in her throat returned.

  “I live for that day,” he assured her.

  Brie swallowed hard. “Please give Autumn my love. I’m not going to say goodbye—just see you soon.”

  “See you soon, Brie,” he replied warmly. “Give Sir Davis my best and tell him not to second guess himself.”

  Brie hung up, unsure what he meant by that last statement. She stared at the cell phone, her emotions all over the place. However, she clung to the feeling of calm talking to Tono always inspired.

  Getting up from the bed, she went to rejoin Sir and Rytsar.

  The instant Sir saw Brie, he asked, “Is Nosaka okay?”

  When she shook her head, he walked over and put his arms around her.

  Staring up into his troubled eyes, she quickly added, “But he will be.”

  Sir guided her to the couch as she explained what happened to Tono. “It’s terrifyi
ng to think we might have lost—” She couldn’t even bring herself to say it out loud.

  When Brie looked into Sir’s tormented eyes, she realized he was gripped by a sense of responsibility having helped to make the organ match between Tono and Faelan.

  Tono’s words suddenly replayed in her head, so she assured Sir, “Tono has no regrets. He specifically told me you shouldn’t second guess yourself.”

  Sir shook his head with a sad smile. “Nosaka knows me a little too well.”

  “Is there any way I can help, radost moya?” Rytsar asked.

  “You already are. Tono is deeply concerned about Faelan, but knowing you are handling the situation gives him peace he would not have had otherwise.”

  “I will do right by the boy,” Rytsar vowed.

  “I have every confidence you will.”

  “Did Nosaka say anything about your offer being turned down?” Sir asked, knowing how invested Tono was in her film career.

  “He insisted it doesn’t change anything.”

  Sir nodded his approval, then leaned down to kiss her on the lips. “I concur.”

  Brie smiled up at Sir, his strength and vitality a commanding force that comforted her.

  “You know…” Rytsar began with a wicked glint in his eyes, “I was supposed to be on a flight to Russia by now, but due to today’s unexpected events, I won’t be leaving until tomorrow.”

  He nodded to Sir. “Moy droog, why don’t you play hooky? We’ll tucker moye solntse out by splashing in the ocean and then turn our intentions on radost moya once the babe is down for her nap.”

  “I do think téa and I would benefit from a creative expenditure of energy after this unwarranted sneak attack.”

  Brie nodded thoughtfully. “Attack…that’s exactly how it felt when they arrived.”

  “I believe there was a purpose behind its execution,” Sir stated firmly. “Their intent was to shock and awe, so you wouldn’t question the offer.” He smiled at her with pride. “However, they failed to appreciate you are a businesswoman who will not be rattled by such underhanded tactics.”

  “The way it was handled was not only offensive but entirely unnecessary,” Rytsar growled.