She realized he was talking about his mother and half-sister, and it gutted her. Sir deserved only the best from others. Unfortunately, he had experienced the worst—from members of his own family.
Brie looked at him with admiration. “If my father truly understood what an exceptional person you are, he would bow at your feet.”
Sir laughed uncomfortably and smirked. “That is something I hope I never see.”
Brie was excited when Lea called and invited her to hang out at her place. When she arrived, she was pleasantly surprised to learn that Mary would be joining them.
“How the heck did you convince her to come?”
Lea grinned. “I told you Mary can’t resist my jokes. Although she claims she never read a single one that I sent, I know her. Mary’s a closet Lea fan, no doubt about it.”
Brie laughed. “Whether she secretly loves your jokes or not, what you did made a real difference to her. Thanks for being you, girlfriend.”
Lea shrugged. “Mary and I may have a past that hasn’t always been pretty, but she’s the real deal, snarky attitude and all.”
Brie nodded in agreement.
When the doorbell rang, Lea insisted on answering the door herself. Brie’s jaw dropped the second Mary walked into the apartment. She had cut off her long blonde hair and now wore a short bob.
Mary narrowed her eyes. “What the hell are you two gawking at?”
Lea shrugged. “Just taking in the new you.”
Mary rolled her eyes. “I’m the same fucking bitch, so you two cunts can look the other way.”
Brie thought the hairstyle was flattering on Mary’s face and told her, “It complements you.”
“Like I give a damn,” Mary snorted in disgust. “I just needed a change.”
Lea’s eyes flashed with excitement, seeing an opportunity for a joke. “What did one curly hair say to the other curly hair when they asked for a dance?”
Mary shook her finger at Lea. “Don’t you even—”
When Lea opened her mouth, Mary immediately stopped her. “Zip it, big boobs. I’m warning you.”
“But—”
“I’m serious,” she snarled.
“You haven’t even heard the—”
Mary glanced at the door. “You want me to leave right now?”
Lea pouted her bottom lip and looked at Brie helplessly.
Brie gave Lea a sympathetic smile and shrugged, knowing Mary wouldn’t budge. “You heard the lady.”
Poor Lea looked like she was ready to burst from having to hold in the punchline. Somehow, though, she managed and squeaked, “Anyone want something to drink?”
“I’ll have the usual,” Mary replied, sitting down.
Lea turned to Brie and asked in the same high-pitched voice, “And you, Stinky Cheese?”
“I’ll have whatever you’re having.”
Lea closed her eyes in pain, muttering, “I have the perfect joke for that…”
“But you’re going to keep it to yourself so we can actually enjoy ourselves for a change,” Mary insisted.
Lea sighed and turned without further protest, heading to her kitchenette.
Brie glanced at Mary. “She just wants to make you laugh.”
Mary shook her head. “If I give Lea an inch, she’ll take a mile. She never stops yapping. She’s like a little Chihuahua.” Holding up her hand, she moved it like a hand puppet. “Yap, yap, yap…”
Lea walked back with their drinks, biting her lip to keep from talking.
Mary took the drink and held it up. “Thank God for Captain. He’s the only man I’ll let fuck me these days.”
Brie and Lea both looked at each other, taken aback.
Mary raised an eyebrow. “Get your minds out of the gutter, bitches. I’m talking about Captain Morgan.” With that, Mary downed the drink in no time flat. “Hit me with another.”
Lea crossed her arms. “Only if you let me finish my joke.”
Mary glanced at the empty glass and huffed. “I’ll pass.”
Thankfully, Mary’s quick consumption of the rum and Coke seemed to mellow her out. From the moment she’d stepped into the apartment, she’d seemed to be on edge. Although Brie couldn’t blame her after everything she’d suffered, she hoped Mary understood she was with friends, and that this was a safe place.
Lea remained silent, sipping at her fruity drink while Brie talked openly about some of the things she’d experienced at the compound. Eventually, she went on to detail the steps Sir was taking to help her work through her trauma.
Mary said nothing but continued to nod as Brie spoke. It seemed Mary was distracted, as if her thoughts were elsewhere.
“What’s on your mind, Mary?” Brie finally asked her.
“I can’t stop thinking about the baby…” Her voice caught when she added, “They found his mother’s remains buried in the woods not far from the compound.”
“I remember when they reported about that,” Lea whimpered. “It’s so awful.”
Brie hated that the young woman died just days before they were rescued. It was so unfair.
She asked Mary softly, “Did you know her?”
“None of us knew each other. That was part of Greg’s strategy. It ensured his slaves remained passive and weak. But, I did see her in passing many times while I was there, and I was worried about her.”
Brie stared at Mary in horror. “You’ve been to the compound before?”
Mary’s eyes darkened. “He took me there whenever he needed to ‘correct’ me.”
Hearing Mary’s dark secret, Brie felt suddenly sick. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Greg said he would kill them all if I ever breathed a word about it.” Mary frowned and then became silent, a haunted look darkening her eyes. “…I’ve been tormented with guilt ever since.”
Brie shuddered, knowing Holloway had used that same tactic on her. She looked at Mary with profound sorrow. “Oh, Mary…”
“Don’t!” she snapped. “The last thing I want is anyone’s sympathy—especially you.”
The three of them sat there in uncomfortable silence for several minutes.
“I can’t stop thinking about that kid,” Mary finally spoke up, glancing at the two of them. “No one’s stepped up to claim him.” Shaking her head, she growled. “It’s not right!”
Brie immediately thought of Antony, her mother’s heart imagining her son lost and alone in the world because no one wanted him. It crushed her.
“Hasn’t any family come forward?” Lea asked.
Mary’s frown deepened. “No, and it pisses me off! If he was a puppy, people would be clamoring to take him, but because he’s a child born into this perverse situation, people don’t want anything to do with the kid.”
Brie was moved when she saw tears in Mary’s eyes when she choked out, “It’s like the world blames this little kid for what Greg did when he’s just a baby for Christ’s sake!”
Mary lowered her head as the tears continued to fall. “He deserves to be loved.”
Brie wondered if Mary identified with the child and wanted him to have the future she never had.