Sir nodded thoughtfully. “Nosaka sensed your suffering. When I called and informed him you had been kidnapped by Holloway, he postponed everything so he could meditate twenty-four-seven until you were found.”
Brie looked at Sir in surprise, touched by Tono’s response.
“I trust Nosaka’s connection with you, and I counted on it while we searched,” he told her. “I remember asking if he had any impressions about your location the day you were taken, and he mentioned heavy humidity and the smell of an old forest. Later on, it matched Darius’s description, which proved vital when he wasn’t able to give us the exact location.”
“Why couldn’t he give you that?” Brie demanded, still distrustful of the man’s motives.
“Darius said that everyone invited to the party was taken on a private jet and blindfolded, which made the entire event feel more exclusive and secretive.
“We could find no records of that flight,” Sir continued. “However, Darius knew how long they were in the air and gave us descriptions of the interior of the compound. Between Nosaka’s impressions and the information Darius gave us, Captain was able to narrow down the location to the forests of northern California. Even though the compound is off the grid, using surveillance drones, he was able to finally pinpoint the location.”
Sir’s voice was hoarse with emotion, “I was going crazy every day that passed, afraid we’d be too late…” He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath to collect himself. “But, Nosaka assured me that you were still alive.”
Brie heard Sir’s sharp intake of breath when she told him, “I think I would be dead today if you hadn’t come.”
“What the hell did we walk into, Brie? What the fuck was Holloway planning to do to you? And why all the cameras?”
“I…” Brie struggled to speak, overcome by the acute terror she’d felt when it was happening to her. Swallowing hard, she could barely get her words out. “Those men were there to sexually torture us, and whoever…”
Brie’s throat closed up, making it impossible to speak.
Sir immediately embraced her. “You don’t have to continue.”
She soaked in the warmth of his embrace, drawing strength from it. She forced herself to talk, needing to say it—needing the release. “If either Mary or I refused, the other one would be murdered in front of us.”
Brie felt Sir’s whole body stiffen. “Oh, my God.” He shuddered in revulsion. “And Holloway was going to film it…”
His voice trailed off as he began to rock Brie in his arms, murmuring words of comfort. But as the reality of what happened began to sink in, Brie could feel his dark rage simmering under the surface.
Although it came from a place of love and a need to protect, Brie also knew it had the potential to destroy them.
Home
“Let me keep stroking your hair, babygirl,” Sir said in a comforting tone.
She laid her head back down in his lap and closed her eyes. His soothing touch was exactly what her heart needed after sharing the details of that terrifying moment. The feeling of unease hadn’t dissipated, but being with Sir was a balm for her tattered soul.
After so many days without sleep, his gentle touch lulled her into a deep slumber she didn’t wake from until Sir shook her lightly and said, “We’re almost home.”
Hearing the word “home” filled her heart with immense joy. Brie pulled herself up to a sitting position to gaze out the window as they drove down the familiar streets leading to the house.
Brie felt tingles start at the top of her head. Suddenly, she couldn’t breathe…
None of this feels real!
“What’s wrong, babygirl?”
Her bottom lip quivered when she confessed, “I’m afraid…” She lowered her head as tears fell to her lap. “I feel like I’m about to wake up and find myself locked in the darkness again.”
“No…” Sir assured her, pulling Brie into his embrace. “You saw the building burn to the ground. You don’t have to be afraid of ever going back to that place. None of you do.”
Brie nodded, grasping hard to the truth of his words.
“Look,” Sir said with enthusiasm as he pointed to the ocean. “We’re almost there.”
She felt a tangible quickening in her spirit at the thought of seeing her children again. She squeezed him tighter. “You brought me out of that hell and returned me safely to our home.”
“I would do anything for you, babygirl.” For the first time since her rescue, Sir leaned down to kiss her. It was a gentle, tentative kiss.
Brie closed her eyes, savoring the tenderness of his lips. “Thank you,” she whispered. “I’ve missed your lips.”
“I’ve missed every damn thing about you,” he stated fervently.
Brie suddenly felt anxious when the driver pulled into their driveway. It felt intensely surreal to be here after constantly dreaming about it, and fear gripped her heart again.
What if it was only a dream?
Rather than let her suffer in her state of shock and confusion, Sir took her hand firmly in his and help her out of the car. “You’re home,” he reassured her.
The moment Sir opened the door to the house, her mother ran to Brie, crying, “Oh, my God, you’re here! My sweet girl is really here!”
Brie suddenly felt skittish, not wanting to be touched, and she stiffened in her mother’s embrace. That feeling only worsened when her father walked up and tried to hug her.
He looked hurt when she backed away, muttering, “I’m sorry.”
Confused by her feelings, Brie looked at Sir and whimpered, “I don’t know what’s wrong with me…”
Sir gathered her into his arms, murmuring, “Nothing’s wrong, my dear. You just need time.”
Her mother looked at Brier strangely, clearly distraught by her reaction. Her father was shocked by it and growled, “What did that bastard do to you?”
Brie was unprepared to answer his question.
Sir attempted to defuse the situation by telling her parents, “Brianna hasn’t had a full night of sleep since the day she was kidnapped.”
Her mother held her hands up to her mouth, crying “My poor little girl… did the brute even feed you? Let me make you something to eat!” Her mother ran to the kitchen without waiting for her answer.
It was obvious her parents’ reaction they had no idea that she had been tortured and almost killed.
Her father stared hard at Brie. “What did Greg Holloway do to you that you would react this way to your own father?”
Brie wasn’t willing to tell him and looked desperately at Sir.
Sir immediately took charge of the situation. “Dad, Brie has been through more than any of us can imagine. She needs sleep and time to recover. Let’s save questions for later.”
Although unsatisfied by Sir’s suggestion, her father eventually nodded to him, then turned to Brie. “You know I love you, little girl.”
She muttered quietly, “I know, Daddy.”
“Mama!”
Brie’s face lit up when she saw Hope toddling toward her with Shadow following behind. Leaning down, Brie held out her arms to her daughter.