Taking in a deep breath, she walked out of the bedroom and nodded to Sir. “I’m ready.”
He looked at her with approval. “Yes, you certainly are.”
Sir glanced at his watch. “Thompson texted and should be here any minute. I’ve set up the dining room table to act as your meeting room for today. Go ahead and sit down so you can settle in while I let them in.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
“Brie, if you need to address me at any point during the meeting, call me by my given name in their presence. I don’t want them mistakenly thinking our unique dynamic influences what happens here today. This is your career, and I trust you to do what is best for your future.”
Brie was moved by his unfailing belief in her. “You have always been supportive of my career.”
He cupped her chin. “I am honored to be husband and Master of a gifted artist. I consider it a privilege.” Kissing her on the lips, he winked as he added, “Prepare thyself, woman.”
Brie grinned as she headed to the dining room. She sat down at the head of the table and placed her palms on the smooth surface, surveying the rows of empty chairs that were about to be filled.
The butterflies started when she heard Sir invite the men inside. After being blacklisted by Holloway and watching everyone in the film industry turn their backs on her, her moment had finally come.
Her future was about to change.
Brie was anxious to meet the mysterious benefactor who had orchestrated this entire deal so she could thank him in person.
She stood up as the men filed in. “Please take a seat, gentlemen.” She directed them, reserving the chair to her right for Mr. Thompson. The men each carried a briefcase and began rifling through them in silence while they waited.
Brie quietly observed them, scanning the room trying to determine which person was the mastermind behind all of this.
Mr. Thompson arrived a few minutes later, introducing her to another man he’d brought with him. “Mrs. Davis, I would like to introduce you to Henry Phillips. He is a highly regarded entertainment lawyer. I thought it best to have an expert in the field join us today.”
Mr. Phillips held out his hand to Brie. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Davis.”
Shaking his hand firmly, she told him, “I appreciate any legal advice you have to offer, Mr. Phillips.”
Brie addressed the man seated beside the empty chair reserved for Mr. Thompson. “I apologize for the inconvenience, but I will need you to make room for Mr. Phillips.”
The man frowned but stood up, gesturing for Mr. Phillips to take his seat. There was a quick shuffle as the other men rearranged themselves around the table by some unknown ranking Brie was not privy to.
Once they were settled, Brie sat down again. “Now that everyone is here, let’s begin.”
The man to the left of her spoke up, “Mrs. Davis, you are aware we’ve come today with an offer to produce and distribute your latest documentary.”
Brie smiled at him warmly. “And, your name is…”
“Randall Cummings, ma’am.”
“Are you the man responsible for this offer?”
He cleared his throat. “No, Mrs. Davis.”
She looked around the table. “Who is?”
Mr. Cummings explained, “We do not know the individual’s identity, Mrs. Davis. We’re simply here to make you the offer.”
Brie frowned, tilting her head. “Why so many of you?”
“Each lawyer represents a client who will be involved in the production or distribution of your film.”
Brie glanced around the table, humbled by the number of companies that would be involved.
“Let me begin by having the men introduce themselves and the clients they represent.”
Brie sat in awe as each representative listed the top name in the industry he spoke for, from the famous film composer, and the first-class sound production team to the legendary Michael Schmidt, who was the greatest film editor in the business.
But it didn’t end there…
A popular cinematographer had been hired for the documentary to work on the transitions between each scene by creating breathtaking cutaway shots. Brie loved the idea because it would add a whole new dimension to the film.
Her documentary was not going to have one film distributor but many—each company specializing in their territory of the world. Not only that, but Brie learned they were scheduling it to release in theaters, DVD, cable, and digital download platforms.
This was the entire package!
Mr. Thompson went over each contract with an eagle eye while Mr. Phillips gave Brie a rundown on the individual businesses represented and further details about what was being provided by each entity.
“Collectively, this is a dream team,” he whispered in her ear.
Brie nodded in agreement, thoroughly impressed. Looking at the army of men, she asked them, “So, let’s get down to business. What is the actual offer?”
Mr. Cummings smiled. “I’m glad you asked.”
He took a thick file from his briefcase and pushed it toward her. “Rather than a lump sum, the percentage reflects the funding required, as well as the considerable risk involved in assembling this unparalleled team.”
Brie opened the folder and glanced at the first page. “I would receive ten percent of the net profit?”
“Yes, Mrs. Davis,” Mr. Cummings replied without hesitation.
She nodded, then turned to her two lawyers. “I would like to discuss this privately with you.”
“Certainly,” Mr. Thompson answered.
“Gentlemen, if you’ll excuse us,” she stated, getting up from the table. With as much grace as she could manage in her third trimester, Brie left the room with Mr. Thompson and Mr. Phillips following behind her.
She led them outside to discuss it with them while she watched the ocean waves breaking over the shore. “Do you feel this is a fair deal?”
“I do,” Mr. Thompson replied.
“And you, Mr. Phillips?”
“It’s quite generous considering there is no financial risk to you.”
Brie nodded, her heart starting to race. This offer would allow countless people all over the world to see BDSM in a completely new light. That alone was worth it to her. But, having them offer her a dream team, along with considerable financial funding, made this deal suspect. It almost seemed too good to be true.
She asked Mr. Phillips, “Do you think it’s strange that no one in the room knows who is actually financing the film?”
He nodded. “It is highly unusual, but then, so is your current situation with Holloway.”
“Why would anyone agree to this, considering Holloway’s influence in Hollywood?” she pressed him.
“The compensation must be considerable,” Mr. Thompson stated frankly.
Mr. Phillips agreed. “Plus, there is power in numbers. The fact that the top echelon has agreed to work on this project protects them from being attacked individually by the man.”
“Something concerns me,” Brie confessed. “I have no idea who this person is or what vision they have for my film. While I appreciate having expert hands on my work, I don’t want the essence of the message to be lost with all the changes being proposed.”
“You should request the right for the final say,” Mr. Phillips replied.