Whispered Promises

She fully expected him to apologize to Sir.

Glancing down at the floor, her father answered in a low and enraged voice, “I need that bastard to die!”

Brie was shocked. “No, Daddy! Holloway will be punished to the full extent of the law and will remain in prison until his last breath.”

Her father shook his head. “I don’t trust the law, little girl. Especially with the influence that man has. He is a rabid animal that needs to be put down. Prison is too good for that bastard!”

Sir stayed silent, although Brie knew he agreed with her father.

“Daddy,” Brie stated firmly, determined to change the subject. “Don’t you have something to say to my husband?”

Brie leaned her head against Sir’s shoulder for emphasis.

Her father glanced at Sir uncomfortably. Instead of apologizing, he just broke down.

“I love you, Brianna, and I hate what’s happened to you. Holloway needs to be put down now! I can’t think about anything else.”

Her mother stood beside him, looking helplessly at Brie with tears in her eyes. Brie remembered that same look from years past. It meant, You know how your father can get…

Taking a deep breath, Brie said more firmly, “The last time you were here, you said that you wished Thane had never come into my life. But you don’t understand, Daddy. He has been the rock I’ve depended on through all of this. You have no idea what a good man he is.” She shook her head in disbelief. “He even defends you when you’ve been nothing but disrespectful and rude to him.”

Sir touched Brie’s arm, stating quietly, “Everyone has been affected by what’s happened, babygirl.”

Brie’s father looked stricken but remained silent, refusing to apologize.

Sir turned to her parents, stating solemnly, “Right now, Brie needs to concentrate on healing from the psychological damage she’s experienced. It is imperative that we all support her in that.”

Her father huffed. “I have no problem supporting my daughter, Thane. But the man who kidnapped her has a team of lawyers and is hellbent on getting out of jail. If that happens, think of the message it will send to all of the other freaks like him. Have you considered that?”

Brie’s mother broke her silence. Leaving her husband’s side, she took Brie’s hands in hers, saying earnestly, “I’ll do anything to help you, sweetheart. Just name it.”

Brie’s eyes filled with unshed tears. “All I need is your continued support and unconditional love, Mama.” She then looked at her father. “Same goes for you, Daddy.”

He blinked slowly several times, clearly unaffected by her plea.

Brie’s mother gave her father a frightened look. “Bill, let’s not repeat the past.”

“Marcy, drop it!” he barked, his eyes suddenly trained on her. “You promised you wouldn’t say anything.”

Brie wondered what her father meant. What secret was he keeping from her?

“So…” her mother said in a soft but commanding voice, “…you and I agree we will concentrate only on our daughter?”

Her father slowly nodded his head.

Brie’s mother turned to Sir and smiled tenderly. “Thane, we are grateful for all the love and support you have shown our daughter. I know this has been hard on you as well.”

Sir nodded. “It has.”

Even though Brie knew the relationship between her father and husband remained strained, her father thrust out his hand to Sir. “I’m willing to take it one day at a time, son.”

It was not an apology, but Sir accepted the truce and shook her father’s hand firmly.

While her parents were leaving, however, Brie noticed her dad turned to Sir. She distinctly heard him say under his breath, “If you don’t take care of the problem, I will.”

Brie didn’t miss the grave look in Sir’s eyes as he shut the front door.