Brie’s Mile High Club (Submissive in Love, #7) (14 page)

It wasn’t until four hours later that Brie was finally allowed to see Tono. He was still being monitored, but the surgeon surprised her by agreeing to let her visit him briefly.

She moved the curtain aside and was stunned to see Tono gracing her with a faint smile, tubes running everywhere. The nurse monitoring his vitals pointed to where Brie could stand.

Brie moved to his side, her heart in her throat as she stared down at him. He gazed up at her—the two speaking volumes without words. When he lifted his hand weakly, she grabbed it, holding on to it with both hands.

Brie swallowed hard to get rid of the lump in her throat. “You left me.”

“But I came back,” he whispered hoarsely.

Brie kissed his hand, covering it with fresh tears. “I was so scared, Tono.”

“It’s okay.”

Her lip trembled as she nodded.

“The Boy?”

“He’s in recovery too.”

“Good.”

“It’s best that you keep this short,” the nurse informed her. “The doctor only agreed because Mr. Nosaka insisted on it.”

Brie leaned over and kissed Tono on the cheek. “Thank you.”

“I could feel your fear.”

“Now you will only feel my healing thoughts.”

After she left him, a second nurse directed her to another bed in the recovery area. “Mr. and Mrs. Wallace have asked that you speak to their son.”

When Brie pulled back the curtain, she was shocked by the contrast between Tono and Faelan. His skin was ashen in color, and he looked despondent.

“The surgery was a success,” she stated optimistically.

Faelan looked at her with such agony that she hurried to his side. “What’s wrong?”

“Nosaka almost died.”

“I was just with him. He’s fine. You don’t have to worry.”

“He should never have taken the risk.”

“But he did, and now your body has a healthy kidney. This is a happy day,” she insisted.

“How can you say that when his heart stopped on the operating table?” Faelan closed his eyes, the devastating pain easy to read on his face. “I almost killed another man today.”

The overwhelming guilt he carried hit Brie fully. “Faelan, don’t.”

He opened his eyes. “I’m not worth another man’s life.”

“Tono believes you were worth the risk.”

“And he almost died because of it. I’m nowhere near as good a man as he is. Not even close.”

For the first time since knowing Faelan, Brie heard humbleness—not arrogance—coming from his lips. “You most definitely were worth the risk he took, based solely on what you just said.”

“What?” he growled. “You enjoy seeing me grovel?”

“No, I like seeing you humble. It’s a positive step.”

He gave her an icy stare. “Get out of here.”

“Normally I’d be offended, but I kind of like it when you’re feisty.”

“Out. Now.”

“Fine, but deep bass and chocolates are waiting in your room. Not that you deserve it, Wolf Pup.”

He snarled as she left, but it was music to Brie’s ears. She was convinced that Faelan would be okay if he was already copping an attitude.

Brie dug her phone out of her purse, needing to hear Sir’s voice, and was disappointed not to have any messages or texts from him. She tried to call, but it immediately clicked over to voice mail, so she was forced to leave him a message.

“Please call. I need you, Sir.”

After spending dinner with Lea, Autumn and Master Anderson at an old-fashioned diner across from the hospital, Brie excused herself. Food held no interest for her—all she could think of was Tono.

“I hate to cut this short, you guys, but I’m heading back to the hospital.”

“Wait, Brie,” Lea said. “Before you go I have a little funny you can share with Tono.”

Brie knew it would be bad, but suspected Tono might appreciate it. “Hit me.”

“I love
everything
about pain play except for one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“The pain part.”

Brie shook her head, snorting. “Is that even a joke?”

“It made you laugh.” Lea grinned.

Autumn giggled, adding, “Hey, I liked it.”

Brie looked at her incredulously. “But Autumn, you like all of her jokes.”

“Because they’re funny!”

“Girl, I need to take you to see a real comedy act. You have no idea what funny is.”

Autumn looked shyly at Brie. “I have one I think he might like.”

Brie assumed it would be terrible, but urged her to share anyway. “I’m sure Tono will enjoy it. Give it to me.”

“What’s round and tastes like an orange?”

“Hmm…” Brie thought for a moment, but nothing came to mind. “You’ve got me stumped.”

“An orange.”

Master Anderson burst out laughing. “I like that, Miss Autumn. Simple but effective. You have my seal of approval.” Brie shook her head in disbelief. The fact that Lea and Autumn were equally unfunny was astonishing to her.

After promising Master Anderson she would return to his house soon to get some rest, Brie made her way back over to the hospital. She was happy to find that Tono had been taken to his room.

When she walked in, she noticed that most of the tubes and monitors had been removed. “You look more like yourself, Tono.”

He nodded, managing a smile. “Don’t feel like it yet.”

“It really hurts, huh?”

“The drugs help, but it only takes the edge off.”

“I wish I could do something to help.”

“I know what would help.”

“Anything, Tono.”

“Come lie with me.”

She looked back at the door. “Do you think it’s allowed?”

“I don’t care.”

Tono grunted as he scooted over to make room for her. His heart monitor shot up, but quickly calmed down as he worked through the pain.

“Oh, Tono,” Brie whimpered. “I can’t stand seeing you in so much pain.”

“Come, then,” he insisted.

Brie lowered the railing and carefully lay down, covering them both with the extra blanket before settling down beside him.

“I feel better already, toriko.”

She noticed he’d used her sub name, but at that moment it was exactly what she needed to hear. She’d almost lost him…

As she lay there with Tono, listening to the reassuring rhythm of his heartbeat, she was haunted by the image of his lifeless body lying on the operating table and the tears started to flow.

“There’s no reason to cry,” he gently chided.

“Today I came face to face with how fragile life is.”

“It
is
fragile, which is why every moment must be savored.”

Brie looked up at him. “This experience highlighted just how much you mean to me.” She settled back, laying her head lightly on his chest.

He kissed the top of her head. Again the heart monitor jumped as he worked through the pain caused by the effort, but it quickly returned to its slow, steady beat.

“Have you decided where you’ll be headed after you recover?” Brie ventured.

“I’m beginning to think Denver might be a good place to settle.”

Brie snuck a peek at him. “Is that because a certain ice skater lives here?”

He chuckled, then groaned loudly. “Laughing hurts.”

“Then I’d better save Lea and Autumn’s jokes for another time.”

“Feel free to share them.”

“No, although they aren’t funny, I would never risk hurting you.” Brie grinned knowingly at him. “So you
like
Autumn, don’t you?”

He smiled. “I would like to know her better.”

“I bet you’re unaware that she helped decorate the room. She made that sign for you.”

He glanced at the sign that read,
Get Well Soon, Master Ren Nosaka!

“Did she now? That was thoughtful of her.” He looked over at the fruit fortress Brie had built on the windowsill. “I appreciated my fortress of protection as well.”

“It seems you really needed it today.” Brie settled back down, smiling to herself. “Considering all that’s happened, this has ended up being a good day.”

“A very good day,” he said, holding her closer.

“Tono?”

“Yes, toriko?”

“The world is a much better place with you in it.”

When Brie returned to Master Anderson’s home, she found a big bowl of soup waiting for her. “I want to warm your belly before I put you to bed, young Brie. I noticed how little you ate at the diner.”

She smiled apologetically. “But I’m not hungry.”

Master Anderson pulled out a chair and directed her to sit. “Still, you will eat my soup even if I have to force feed you. I can’t shirk the duty Thane entrusted me with.”

Brie frowned as she took out her phone to check it again. “You know, I haven’t heard from him all day.”

He handed her the spoon. “Take a bite and I’ll tell you why.”

Brie brought a spoonful of the warm soup to her lips and slurped it, purring at the soothing meld of broth and herbs swirling on her tongue.

“One more,” he insisted.

She would have protested, but it tasted so good she obliged.

“I got a call from his sister this evening. Apparently Thane’s phone disappeared—most likely stolen—although the tracking on it shows that it’s still in the hotel. The theft wasn’t discovered until late in the afternoon after they returned from visiting his mother. He’s torn apart his room looking for it. From the little his sister shared, it sounds as if things are going badly over there.”

Brie’s heart dropped knowing Sir might have experienced a day as difficult as hers. She hadn’t considered it, and felt terrible now for being short-sighted. “How is Sir?”

“I don’t know. The connection kept cutting out, so we had to keep the phone call short. Thane has no idea what happened with Nosaka today, which may be for the best—considering.”

Brie’s concern showed on her face.

“Another bite,” he insisted.

She swallowed another spoonful, pondering what he’d said. “I wonder why Sir didn’t call me using her phone?”

“I was told he tried several times but the calls failed to go through.”

It relieved Brie to know that Sir had made an attempt. She looked down at her soup, the day’s events weighing heavily on her. “I don’t know how I would have survived today without your strength, Master Anderson.”

“I’m grateful to have been of service, but I also owed you one. It’s fortunate Tono Nosaka survived the operation. Not only because he is a good man, but because losing him would have devastated many people in my circle. Hell, I don’t know if the Wolf Pup could have survived the guilt.”

“You’re not kidding. Faelan’s taking it hard enough as it is.”

“I hope he doesn’t waste Nosaka’s sacrifice.”

“I’ll do everything in my power to make sure that doesn’t happen, Master Anderson.”

He took the utensil from her and fed her himself. “This must come from him. You are not responsible for what happens.”

She nodded, taking the next spoonful he offered her.

“After I finish with you here, I want you to take a warm shower and go straight to bed. That’s an order.”

She smiled. “Thank you, Master Anderson. For everything.”

“You have been strong, young Brie, but I have a feeling you will be tested even further by Thane’s situation. Don’t lose heart, and if all else fails, eat a good soup. It will see you through.”

He wiped her mouth with a napkin once the whole bowl was finished, then dismissed her. Brie did as he commanded, and was surprised when he came to tuck her in.

“Straight to sleep,” he ordered as he tucked the blankets around her.

Brie call out as he was leaving. “Sweet dreams, Master Anderson.”

“Same to you, young Brie.” He gave her a wink before turning off the light.

Once the door was shut, she turned on her phone for added light and pulled out her journal so she could write. She told Sir everything that had happened that day from the moment she woke up to now, sharing her hopes and fears to the smallest details like Lea and Autumn’s awful jokes. She wanted him to feel he had been there with her the entire day, and desperately hoped he would do the same for her.

Afterwards, she grabbed Sir’s shirt and pressed it against her cheek. Brie was fearful of what was coming, but she fell asleep determined to meet it with courage.