by Phoenix, Red
“My father is dead and my mother left when I was fifteen. We have been estranged ever since.”
Brie’s mother’s expression instantly changed. “Oh…I am so terribly sorry.”
But leave it to her father to go right for the jugular. “How did he die, Mr. Davis?”
Sir did not hesitate. “Suicide.”
His answer had Brie’s mother wringing her hands and saying repeatedly, “I’m so, so sorry…”
However, Brie’s father had the opposite reaction. “That alone makes you unsuitable for our only child. Your father was unstable. I do not want an emotionally weak man to have anything to do with my daughter.”
Brie could not remain quiet any longer, horrified by her father’s callous response. “Dad! Thane’s father was a famous violinist who suffered a tragic death. What a terrible thing to say.”
Her mother gasped. “Not Alonzo Davis, the musician who killed himself after—?”
Sir interrupted, his voice devoid of emotion. “Yes, Alonzo was my father.”
For once, Brie’s dad remained silent. It seemed her mother couldn’t stand the suffocating hush, so she popped out of her seat. “Let me get us some tea. Everyone likes tea, right?” She disappeared into the kitchen before anyone could answer.
It broke Brie’s heart that Sir had wanted to meet her parents, but all they had done was put him down from the moment they’d opened the door. “Should we go, Thane?” she asked, feeling desperate to run.
“No,” he replied, squeezing her knee reassuringly.
The room stayed uncomfortably silent until her mother returned with the iced tea. She poured everyone a glass and sat down asking in an overly pleasant tone, “So, how did you two meet?”
Sir was kind enough to humor her. “I met Brie at the tobacco shop where she worked.”
Her father instantly picked up on that. “Worked?” He looked at Brie with concern. “Don’t you work there anymore?”
“No, Dad. Yesterday was my last day. Thane wants me working on the documentary I mentioned. The one the well-known producer has shown interest in.”
Her mom piped up, “Oh, you mean the documentary about your girlfriends learning the ropes in Hollywood?”
Brie struggled not to snicker. Learning the ropes…
Sir stated proudly, “Your daughter has real talent as a filmmaker. I asked her to quit so that she can devote her time solely to the project.”
Brie’s father’s eyes narrowed. “What? Are you supporting my daughter now? Paying her rent?”
“We’re living together,” Brie corrected.
“Are you, now?” her father said, looking straight at Sir.
“We are in a committed relationship,” Sir replied smoothly.
“What kind of child have I raised?” her mother lamented. “You barely know this man and you’re already living with him?”
Sir’s reply was quick and to the point. “What kind of daughter have you raised? You have raised an intelligent, talented woman, one who is respected and cherished by those who know her. Simply put, you have raised a beautiful person, both inside and out.”
Brie blushed under the unreserved praise of her Master.
Her parents were left speechless. Finally, her father cleared his throat. “Yes, we agree that Brie is an exceptional woman, but she is still young. I don’t like the idea of her being fettered in a relationship.”
Brie wanted to giggle. Fettered… Her father’s choice of words was perfect.
“I will say it again. I care deeply for your daughter.”
“I don’t trust you,” her father shot back. “After what happened between your parents, I don’t see how you could be anything but a philanderer or an utter control freak. Either way, neither is healthy for my daughter.”
Sir didn’t seem intimidated in the least. “Although I do admit to a need for a certain level of control, I too want what’s best for Brie. If it turns out I am not what she needs, I’ll willingly step aside.”
Brie’s father made a grunting sound as he sat back in his chair, digesting Sir’s words.
Her mother pleaded with her, “Brie, honey, why the rush? I don’t understand how you can go from just meeting each other to living together. Give it time; give yourself a little space before you commit yourself to something like that.”
Her dad looked at Sir suspiciously. “Why did you really come today, Mr. Davis?”
“I plan to take your daughter out of the country. We are headed to Russia and I felt it was important for all of us to meet.”
“What?!” Her dad turned to her mother, a look of sheer disgust on his face. He turned back to Sir. “Just because your father was rich and famous does not give you the right to do whatever you want or…” he looked directly at Brie, “take whatever you want.”
Brie couldn’t stay quiet any longer. “Dad, this isn’t a case of me asking your permission to go to Russia. We came today so you could meet the man I love. That’s it. I don’t need your permission for anything. I’m twenty-two, remember?”
He stood up, fuming. “Do you know how stupid that sounds? Twenty-two. You’re still just a kid!”
She closed her eyes, collecting herself before replying, “I’m an adult, whether you want to face that fact or not.”
“You’re not an adult!” her father answered emphatically.
Her mom moved over to her father, putting a hand on his shoulder. “Bill, we need to be reasonable here. Brie could have kept us in the dark and taken off to God knows where.” Her eyes started to tear up. “She’s all we have. I couldn’t bear not knowing where she is.”
“My point exactly,” Sir stated.
Brie’s father snarled at him, “You do not have permission to take her, Mr. Davis.”
Sir nodded his understanding but answered calmly, “Then I leave the decision to your daughter.”
It was time to change the traditional dynamics of child and parent. Her parents needed to see her as an adult, free to make her own decisions—and her own mistakes. “I respect you both, but I am choosing to go with Thane to Russia. Either you can accept my decision…or not.”
Her father wouldn’t even look Sir in the eye when he spoke. “I do not approve of you, Mr. Davis. However, it is obvious I have no influence over my daughter so I will do as she says and accept it, but do not think for one second I am happy about this.”
“I will take good care of her.”
Her father snorted in disgust.
“Don’t you dare let anything happen to our Brie, Mr. Davis,” her mother added. Her mother grabbed her daughter in a death grip. “I’ve missed you so much, Brie darling! We never talk anymore… and now this.”
Her father said gruffly, “If anything should happen—anything at all—little girl, you call me and I will be on the next flight out to get you.”
“You don’t have to worry, Dad,” she said, reaching out to give her father a hug. He moved out of her reach, making his feelings painfully clear.
“It will be unnecessary to come for her, Mr. Bennett.” Sir said, getting up and pulling a card from his breast pocket. He held it out to the man. “But if you wish to speak to her this is the number to reach both of us. Keep in mind the time difference and the fact we will be out sightseeing much of the day and into the night.”
Her father refused to take the card.
Her mom let go of Brie to take it from Sir. “Thank you.” She added apologetically, “I am truly sorry about what happened to your family.”
Brie saw it even if her mother did not, that brief flicker of pain before Sir replied. “It was an unfortunate situation but life moves on, as it should.”
“Yes,” her mom agreed, patting him hesitantly on the shoulder.
Sir smiled kindly. “It was nice to meet you, Mrs. Bennett.” He looked over to her father. “To meet you both.” Then he glanced at Brie. “Shall we?”
Her mother waved as they walked out to the car, but her father just stared at Brie with an expressionless face. It wa
s terrible to feel this new and unwelcome barrier between them, but she knew Sir had been right to insist on meeting her parents. It was better to be upfront than to hide like a child.
When they were back in the car, Brie looked at Sir sadly. “My parents were awful to you.”
“If they had reacted any different, I would have been concerned. They love you and want to protect you. That is a healthy response in my estimation.”
Brie leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “You’re a good man, Sir.”
He chuckled lightly. “And now that we have that over, our trip can begin. I hope you’re ready, little sub.” His smirk made the butterflies start again.
Oh, Master…
Sir’s Past
When they boarded the overseas jet, Brie’s mouth fell open. She had never been on a plane so humongous before. Sir escorted her to a first class seat. She giggled as she went to sit down. She had never thought she’d fly first class—ever.
On the seat she found a blanket, an eye mask, slippers and even premium bottled water. She gathered all of them in her arms and smiled at Sir. “I feel so special.”
He chuckled. “You’re easily satisfied.”
Sir stuffed his items in the seat pocket in front of him. Brie followed suit. Then she started playing with the button on her chair. Instead of the seat only going back a fraction of an inch, this one kept going and going until she was practically lying down. She giggled at Sir. “It’s like a bed!”
He had an amused look on his face. “You might want to put that up, Brie. People are still boarding the plane.”
She immediately adjusted the seat back and looked out of the window at the workers below. They were busy loading the last of the luggage. “I can’t believe I’m going to another country, Sir.”
“I am sure this will be the first of many trips. I suspect you’ll be traveling often when you’re filming.”
She turned to him, filled with gratitude. “You think I’ll succeed, don’t you?”
“I never had a doubt after watching your entrance video.”
She blushed. “Well…that one doesn’t really count. It was a stationary camera shot. Not my best work.”
“I disagree. It was an award-worthy short.”
She giggled again, burying her head in his shoulder. Brie lay against him until the plane was ready to take off. She looked out of the window when the engines started. “I love this part. The roar of the engine, the shaking of the plane, and then that sick little feeling you get when you first lose contact with the ground.” Brie sighed happily. “I love flying!”
“We’ll see how much you love it ten hours from now.”
She looked at him and smiled. “Sir, anywhere with you is lovely.”
He shook his head, but she saw the slight upturn to his lips.
Once the plane was in the air, Sir put his seat all the way back. She followed his lead, turning towards him so she could stare at his handsome face.
“Don’t just stare at me, Brie.”
She looked away, embarrassed. “I can’t help it, Sir.”
He chuckled softly. “Make conversation then.”
With permission given, Brie gazed at him again but was silent for a moment. Her heart thumped in her chest as she built up courage to say the one thing that had been bothering her since their visit with her family.
“Sir, my parents seem to know more about your past than I do.”
He looked at her with a somber expression. “Yes, it is unfair to you.”
She didn’t press further, but she waited expectantly.
He took a deep breath but then said nothing. Minutes passed in strained silence. Brie consoled herself that he still wasn’t ready to talk about it. She was surprised when he finally spoke.
“You should know that my parents were envied when they were young. The two complemented each other like the sun complements the moon. He shone with brilliance; she equaled him in her loving reflection.” He smiled, as if he was remembering something treasured.
But his smile faltered as he continued, “Unfortunately, my mother grew jealous of his fame, no longer content to act as his reflection. She found power in cheating on him behind his back. I became aware of her infidelity when I was thirteen, but I kept it hidden, thinking I was protecting him…” Sir paused. When he continued, his jaw was clenched as if it physically hurt him to speak the words.
“I remember the day as if it were yesterday. I can still smell the exhaust fumes from the school bus as it pulled up to my stop. I saw her car and his, and then my dad drove up in his Ferrari. He wasn’t scheduled to arrive for another two days. I pushed my way through the line, trying to get off the bus, hoping I could prevent what was about to play out.”
Sir closed his eyes, obviously reliving it in his mind. “I ran, but he had already disappeared into the house. I headed directly for the bedroom even though I knew it was too late. I entered the room to see my father pointing a gun at my mother. He vacillated between aiming it at her and the naked boy toy. For a second, I thought he would shoot her dead, but then he lowered it. The only thing he asked her was, ‘Why?’ My mother said nothing.”
He opened his eyes and stared blankly ahead. “He turned to me and said, ‘I’m sorry, son’, put the gun to his head and pulled the trigger before I could move to stop him.” Sir’s voice caught, but he cleared his throat and continued. “I ran to him, begging him to hold on even though I knew…”
Sir turned to Brie, the rawness of his pain written clearly in his face. “I watch the life ebb from his eyes…heard his death rattle. It is a terrible thing to witness—the death of a loved one.” Sir looked away. In the barest whisper he added, “It haunts me to this day.”
Silent tears rolled down Brie’s cheeks as she put her hand on Sir’s and squeezed tightly, wanting to impart her strength.
His voice was devoid of emotion when he spoke again. “My mother was a convincing liar. She kept my father’s estate and all his assets while she trashed his reputation to protect hers. She stripped everything from him… So I disowned her, legally distancing myself from the whore.”
Brie braved a question. “How did you move on from it, Sir?”
“I am my father’s son. I must strive for excellence in everything I do. I went to college, graduated with honors. Even though I had sworn myself away from women, my Italian blood would not be satisfied. I was wired to explore the female body. Thankfully, Rytsar introduced me to the BDSM lifestyle in college. Although he has preferences that I do not share, I found the lifestyle itself fascinating. Yet, it was the level of trust required in the D/s relationship that was the most appealing. It was the only sane choice for me.”
“I’m glad you found a way to move past it, Sir.”
“On the outside it may appear that way, but for most of my adult life I have been emotionally dead. My satisfaction has been in helping others explore their limits, because I have been unwilling to explore mine.”
“And now, Sir?”
In answer, he covered her in a blanket and put the mask over her eyes. “Try to sleep, Brie. I have a feeling Donkova is going to keep us entertained from the moment we land.”
Brie woke to Sir’s light touch. “We’re here.”
She popped up in her seat and pulled off the mask, then quickly gathered her things. “I can’t believe it!” she whispered, conscious of the other travelers still snoozing. She was thrilled to be one of the first ones off the plane. Sir led her to the immigration area, where she was confronted with the long lines.
“And this is where we wait,” Sir said with resignation.
Brie pulled out her passport in anticipation, but the lines weren’t moving. She craned her neck to see what the holdup was when a severe-looking security guard with mirrored sunglasses grabbed the passport from her hand.
“Hey!”
Sir tried to take it back, but two similar men showed up. The one with her passport took Brie by the arm, dragging her away. Sir attempted to follow her, but th
e other two men held him back. He fought against them, but was unable to break free.
“Brie, I will come for you! Don’t do anything or say anything until I find you.”
“Sir!” she cried, reaching out for him.
She was led to a small room filled with black and white monitors. Once they were inside, the door was locked and she was directed to sit down by a daunting woman built like a bulldozer. Brie sat down reluctantly, noticing another male guard behind her. She had no idea what was happening and was tempted to make a break for the door.
The large woman snapped a command Brie did not understand. The woman said it again and tried to spread her legs apart.
Brie fought against her, slapping the woman’s hands away. Are they going to do a body cavity search? She began to panic.
“Nyet!” Brie cried, saying one of three words she knew in Russian.
The male guard behind her leaned in, inches from her face. All she could see was the reflection of her own terrified expression. He said in perfect English, “Open your legs.”
I know that voice!
Brie timidly removed the sunglasses and looked into his piercing blue eyes. “Rytsar.”
He stood up and rocked the room with his laughter. “Radost moya, you recognize your previous Master. I’m impressed.”
Brie glanced at the screens and saw a camera shot of Sir. He was still fighting against the two guards. Rytsar followed her gaze. “Ah, yes. My friend is not happy, is he?”
He nodded to the woman, who immediately left. “I wanted to spare you both the long lines, but… Well, I could not help amusing myself. What do you expect from a sadist?”
A sadist?
She looked at the friendly Russian Dom again, believing he was just making a joke. Brie turned her attention back to the screen and watched as Sir was taken out of the line.
Rytsar’s mirth greeted Sir as he entered the small room. “All is well, moy droog. Your sub has not been touched.”
Sir held out his arms and Brie raced to them, grateful to be in his protective embrace.
“She seems to be satisfied with you. Would not even open her legs for me,” Rytsar said, chuckling.