Sir kissed her tenderly on the forehead. “I would have done anything to save you at that point, babygirl. Even if it meant walking into a trap that would have ended in my death.”
Brie placed her trembling hands on his beloved face. Her voice quavered when she choked out, “I’m eternally grateful it didn’t come to that.”
He stared into her eyes, before crushing her hard against his chest. “I never thought in a million years that Darius would be the one to help save you.”
Brie pulled away, shaking her head violently. “He was there, Sir! He took pleasure in what Holloway was doing. Darius is just as evil as he is!”
With a pained expression, Sir said, “He admitted that he had partnered with Holloway to further his career. But Darius claimed when he was invited to join Holloway at his exclusive BDSM party, he’d had no idea you would be there.”
Sir then let out a low, ominous growl. “When I demanded he tell me what happened at that party, Darius refused to say. However, he insisted you were not harmed.”
“I may not have been touched, but I was definitely harmed by what happened!” Brie cried.
Sir stiffened, his voice hoarse with regret when he told her, “I wish I had gotten there in time to prevent it.”
Knowing he was riddled with guilt, Brie looked deep into his eyes. “I knew you would rescue us. That’s what gave me the strength to keep fighting every day.”
“You should never have been forced to endure Holloway’s perversity!” he growled.
Brie felt the heaviness of his remorse and reminded him, “I’m here because of you.”
“Not just me, babygirl. Rytsar sent all the men he could spare. Anderson and Baron stepped up, and Captain volunteered to lead us all in the search.”
Sir took her hand in his and squeezed it. His voice was full of agony when he asked, “What did you endure, Brie? I need to know.”
She knew the time had come. As an act of love for him and a need for healing, Brie allowed the memories to flood back in as she detailed the torturous experiences she’d suffered at the hands of Holloway.
Sir kept silent, gritting his teeth while she shared the details of the horrific days leading up to the rescue.
Rage burned in Sir’s eyes when he told her, “Deprivation of sleep, water, food, and light, along with the loud music and being forced to watch Mary’s torture…all of those are the same techniques governments around the world use to psychologically break prisoners without leaving a mark.”
Shuddering, she asked, “How long has it been? I don’t even know…”
“Eight days,” he answered, adding in a strained voice, “Eight days too long.”
Brie looked at him in shock. “Eight days? It felt like weeks.” She shook her head. “I can’t believe it…eight days?”
“Babygirl, hardened criminals suffering such torture have broken under less.” Sir cupped her cheek. “How did you survive it?”
Tears rolled down her cheeks, when she answered, “I thought of you and our children. But, when even that wasn’t enough, I focused on my breathing.”
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?”