Lea spoke up. “Have you looked into adopting him?”
Mary swiped away her tears, rolling her eyes at Lea. “No one is going to allow a single woman to adopt a baby.”
“You’d be surprised,” Lea informed her. “It happens more often than you think. You’d make a great parent, Mary. As long as you lose your snarky attitude, get some parental counseling, and laugh a heck of a lot more.”
Mary stuck her tongue out at Lea.
“You know what they say—it takes two to tangle.”
Looking at Lea as if she were an idiot, Mary demanded, “What the fuck are you talking about?”
“That’s the joke,” Lea answered gleefully. “Two curly hairs that want to dance…”
Mary threw up her arms in exasperation. “Get me another drink, you freak!”
Lea winked at Brie as she headed back to the kitchen to refresh everyone’s drink.
When she returned, Brie brought up something that had been eating at her. “I haven’t spoken to Darius yet.” Taking a sip of the fruity drink to calm her nerves, she added, “I haven’t been brave enough to.”
Lea looked at her with compassion. “It must be hard, considering your history with the guy.”
Brie nodded, the weight of it wearing on her soul. “I can’t forget how cruel Darius was to me growing up, and it’s hard for me to reconcile who he was with the man he is today.”
She looked at both of her friends in desperation. “I know if it weren’t for him, I would not be here right now. I owe him my life.”
Taking another sip of the drink, Brie swallowed down the memories of him assaulting her as a child, and stated matter-of-factly, “He risked everything by ratting out Holloway, but…I can’t forget the smug look on his face when he saw me at the compound.”
Mary spoke up. “Trust me. If he had acted any other way, Holloway would have noticed. I guarantee he did it out of self-preservation.”
Brie nodded, accepting the truth of Mary’s statement. “I need to thank Darius. I know that. He’s a hero. Not only did he save my life, but he saved everyone who was in the compound that night.”
“I wouldn’t say anything,” Mary said, surprising her. “If word gets out and Holloway discovers who the rat is, Darius may still pay.”
Brie froze, suddenly stricken.
Lea reached out and squeezed her hand. “Stop worrying about everyone else, Stinky Cheese. Right now, you need to concentrate on taking care of yourself.”
Giving Mary the side-eye, Lea added, “Do you know why the blonde with the bob stared at the orange juice bottle for two hours?” Before Mary could stop her, Lea blurted, “Because it said concentrate.”
Brie burst out laughing while Mary glared at Lea, speechless.
It was wonderful knowing that the three musketeers were still alive and well.
Kitten
Sir discussed the next session at length with Brie. “It may prove the most challenging yet.”
Brie couldn’t imagine anything more challenging than her scene with Tono. If it hadn’t been for his extraordinary patience, she never would have entered subspace bound in his jute.
“Why do you feel that way, Sir?” she asked in concern.
“Two reasons, really. It will take place in a different environment. Although I will be in a nearby room, the unfamiliar surroundings will still be an adjustment for you. Also, Baron will be asking you to give up a higher level of control.”
Brie smiled in relief when she heard who her Dom would be for the session. “I trust Baron completely, Sir.”
“As do I, which is why I wanted him to partner with you tonight. I can’t think of a person better qualified to work with you on this. Baron’s experience with subs who have suffered trauma, along with your history of training with him at the Center, makes him the perfect candidate.”
“I wholeheartedly agree.”
Sir gazed deep into her eyes. “It will be extremely important that you honor your safeword, babygirl.”
Brie chuckled lightly. “Trust me. Tono taught me that, repeatedly.”
Sir nodded. “Still, I cannot emphasize it enough.”
Brie put her arms around Sir. “I have to admit, I’m looking forward to this session. Scening in a different location makes me feel like I’m starting to piece my life back together. I’m determined not to let Holloway have any part of me.”
Sir took her hand and kissed it. “Téa, my invincible goddess.”
As Sir pulled up to Baron’s home, he explained, “I will remain upstairs with Captain and Candy. They are having their weekly discussion group with their current class of students, and they felt I might benefit from listening in. If you need me at any point, let Baron know. There is no reason for you to suffer, not even for a second.”
“I appreciate that, Sir.”
Walking up to the house, Brie found herself brimming with confidence. It wasn’t just that she’d scened with Baron before. She’d also taught a lesson here with Sir and had fond memories of this place.
With Baron as her Dom, she knew she was in safe hands. She was thrilled when he answered the door to greet them. “Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Davis, my honored guests.”
Baron moved to the side to let them in. He gestured for Sir to join the group in the main room and asked Brie, “Would you like anything to eat or drink before we begin our session?”
She shook her head, laughing. “Based on the length of my last session, I think I should wait before drinking anything.”
“Duly noted,” he said with a wink, leading her down the hallway. “How are you feeling about tonight’s scene?”
Brie stopped for a moment and faced him. “To be honest, I’m really excited, Baron. After my breakthrough with Tono, I feel optimistic about this challenge with you.”
“Good,” he replied with a relaxed smile as he pointed her toward the spiral staircase leading to the basement.
Brie headed down it, her heart light. She glanced at the inviting sign above the doorway that read “The Power Exchange.”
“Baron, more than ever, I appreciate this name.”
He glanced up at the sign and stated, “A submissive’s power is never stolen in my play space.”
When Brie walked into the large area, she was struck again by the elegance of the environment. She looked at the antique St. Andrew’s Cross, the sumptuously padded spanking benches, and the intricately carved wooden stockades. Every piece matched the beauty of the Roman-inspired mosaic on the wall.
But, when Brie noticed the golden chains on the whipping poles and the decorative cages at the far end of the expansive room, she felt the first telltale signs of discomfort.
Although they were beautiful, her mind snapped back to the horrors of the compound, and she shivered unconsciously.
Baron noticed her staring at them. “You are safe here, kitten. I will keep reminding you of that throughout our session together.”
Brie nodded, trying to quell the uneasiness she felt as she scanned the room again. It was shocking how different she felt standing here looking at all the items on display. When Baron had first shown her his secret play area, she had loved everything about it. Perspective changed everything.