by Red Phoenix
“And you are?” Brie asked.
The young woman grinned. “Ms. Harper.”
Brie shook her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Harper.”
Taking a seat in the crowded reception area, Brie found it impossible not to smile to herself. Thinking back to that little tobacco shop where she had spent her days dreaming about making it big someday while filming little videos on the weekends…it was amazing to think how far she’d come.
Fifteen minutes after her appointment was supposed to start, Ms. Harper told her, “Mr. Holloway will see you now.”
Brie stood up and straightened her clothes before following the woman into his office.
Mr. Holloway called out from behind the desk, “So, Mrs. Davis, you finally have that film ready for me?”
Brie walked up to him with a copy in one hand while she held out her other to him. “It’s ready and awaiting your approval.”
She noticed that he didn’t stand. He leaned forward instead, to shake her hand over the desk.
It rubbed Brie the wrong way, but she shook it off, sitting down gracefully in the leather chair he’d indicated. “I think you’ll be impressed with the changes I’ve made since our last meeting, Mr. Holloway.”
“I’d better be,” he stated in a sarcastic manner, laughing as he took the disk. “Mary’s been going on and on about it. I finally had to shut her up the best way I know how. Let’s just say…her throat’s a little sore, if you know what I mean.”
Brie didn’t smile.
“Oh, come on,” he complained. “You’re both submissives. I know you talk about that shit all the time.”
“Not at a business meeting.”
Mr. Holloway rolled his eyes, waving the disk in front of her. “You do realize I have your future in my hands.”
Brie didn’t appreciate the veiled threat but followed Mary’s strict instructions to steer the conversation back to the subject at hand whenever he got off track. “Like I said, you’ll be impressed with how it turned out.”
Mr. Holloway grunted as he slipped it into the player and sat back to watch.
Peace flowed through Brie as the film began. She felt more in love with it now than she was the night she debuted it with her friends.
She glanced at Mr. Holloway from time to time to gauge his reaction.
Despite all the improvements she’d made to the documentary, Brie noticed him frowning several times, especially when Mary’s scene with Faelan came up. He almost turned it off at that point but then thought better of it. Settling back in his chair, she heard him growl under his breath.
Brie was actually surprised by it, because when he’d previewed it initially, it hadn’t been an issue. Watching the scene now, Brie felt a little teary knowing that Holloway was the cause of Mary’s breakup with Faelan.
When the “in memoriam” for Gannon appeared at the end, Holloway turned it off. Folding his arms, he sat back in his chair and stared at Brie.
After several moments, Brie asked. “Thoughts?”
When he frowned, Brie readied herself for the worst. “That scene with Mary has got to go. I will not have the world watching that sniveling coward enjoying my prize.”
Brie felt a pit in her stomach on hearing him refer to Mary as his “prize”. “But you were fine with the scene before.”
Mr. Holloway snarled. “This isn’t up for debate. The scene will be reshot with a Dominant of my choosing.”
Brie pursed her lips, saying nothing as she waited for him to continue.
“You already know that Gray has to go. I can’t believe he forced his way into this documentary. That man obviously has an ego that won’t quit. And, as for that scene with the bullwhip? I don’t know what you were thinking. The viewing audience would flay you alive if we left it in.”
He comments were like punches to her gut and she had to take several deep breaths to calm herself before she responded. “I respectfully disagree with you on all counts.”
Mr. Holloway stood up from his desk and leaned forward, his face growing redder with each passing second. “I told you. This isn’t up for debate, young lady.”
Brie stood up to face him. “My name is Brianna Davis and you will address me as such.”
His face crinkled into an ugly smile. “You come in here acting as if you have skin in the game.” Laughing he added in a condescending tone, “You are nothing. Not even a blip on the radar. So, you better learn damn quick to respect those in power and do what I say.”
“Give me good reasons to cut those scenes,” Brie countered, keeping her voice calm.
“This is not up for debate! How many times do I have to repeat myself?”
Brie turned to grab her purse, swallowing down her anger so she could maintain her dignity. “Mr. Holloway, I’m looking for a producer who believes in this film. If you’re going to rip it apart without giving me a good reason why then you’re not the man for the job. It’s better that we end this meeting now.”
She held out her hand for the disk.
Instead of handing it to her, he took it out of the player and held it up just out of her reach. “If I don’t produce this film, nobody will.”
His immaturity was comical, but this was her career on the line. “Give me the disk.”
His nostrils flared as he threw it across the room. The disk crashed against the wall, leaving a dent in it, before falling to the floor. “Make the changes or that will be the fate of your precious film.”
Incensed beyond words, Brie walked over and picked it up, her hands shaking as she slipped it into her purse. When she started to leave, he shouted at her, “If you walk out that door you will never work in this town again, Brianna Bennett.”
She hated that he was calling her by her maiden name. She knew it was a ploy to put her back in her role as a novice director.
Rather than accept it, she turned to face him. “My last name is Davis.” She wanted to follow it up with “you fucking asshole”, but she bit back the remark to maintain control over the conversation.
“Bennett…Davis…It doesn’t matter.” Spittle flew from his mouth when he shouted, “You don’t matter!”
Brie’s eyes narrowed. “You will remember my name, Mr. Holloway. One day you will see it in every theater in this nation—including here in Hollywood.”
“That’ll be the day,” he roared, laughing sarcastically.
She lifted her chin higher. “When that day comes, you’ll know the truth. You have no power.”
“You underestimate the influence I have in this town, little girl,” he sneered.
Turning away from him, she walked to the door and reached out for the handle.
His cruel laughter followed her as she opened the door and walked out. “You just ended your career. Better start popping out more kids. That’s all you’re good for now.”
Shutting the door behind her, Brie nodded to the receptionist whose jaw was hanging open. “Good day, Ms. Harper.”
Brie walked at an unhurried pace as if it didn’t bother her that everyone could hear Holloway calling her every name in the book. As she stepped into the elevator and the doors shut, Brie groaned, feeling the pit in her stomach grow.
She had no power in Hollywood…
Swallowing down the fear that she had just killed her documentary, Brie straightened her back and lifted her chin, walking out of the building as she repeated to herself, I decide my fate.
Mary ran up as soon as she saw her. “Way to go, woman! You look like you’re the cat who just ate the canary. Did he at least put up a good fight?”
Brie snorted. “Oh, he put up a fight all right.”
“But you stuck to your guns?”
“You knew I would.”
Mary slapped her on the butt. “That’s my girl!”
“There’s no reason to celebrate,” she stated, the reality of what had just happened creeping up on her.
Mary stared at Brie and frowned. “What did you agree to, damn it? Please don’t tell me y
ou let him cut out Marquis’ scene. You knew he was gunning for that.”
“I didn’t agree to anything. I walked out.”
Mary’s jaw dropped. “You just left him hanging there? Well, now we’re talking! I’ll mention you’re talking to Finn tonight and see if I can’t push Greg into keeping the scene.”
“I wouldn’t bother.”
Mary bumped her shoulder. “What’s gotten into you? We’re almost there, woman.”
Brie took a deep breath before sharing the awful truth. “Holloway tried to manhandle my film, just like he did with the first one. I just can’t handle that odious man ruining the film I’ve spent years to create. So, I told him I’d rather work with someone else.”
“How did he take it?” Mary asked, clearly concerned.
“He had the audacity to tell me that he was the only one who would produce it. When I scoffed at him, he threatened me.”
Mary’s expression turned deadly serious. “Greg isn’t a man to give idle threats, Brie.”
When she shrugged it off, Mary prodded, “What exactly did he say?”
“He said if I left the meeting, I would never work in this town again.”
The blood drained from Mary’s face. “Oh, God…”
Brie’s heart skipped a beat after seeing Mary’s reaction. She was not someone to overreact. Still, Brie was adamant. “He can threaten me all he wants, Mary. He’s never touching my film.”
“I told you Greg was a powerful man.” Mary closed her eyes, muttering, “I knew I should have been there…”
No way would Brie let a creep like Holloway determine her future or the future of her film. “I don’t care how powerful he thinks he is. I don’t regret my decision.”
“You will when every producer turns their back on you,” she answered with sympathy in her eyes. “I’ve seen it happen.”
“I’ll just go to Finn,” Brie declared. “We’ve developed some rapport and he seemed interested in the film.”
Mary stated ominously, “Nobody will touch you—not even Finn. He can’t afford to.”
Her statement infuriated Brie. “Surely, there’s somebody in this damn city who isn’t afraid to stand up to Holloway.”
“There is.”
Brie could see that the wheels in Mary’s head were turning as she contemplated her next step. “I’m your last hope…” Looking at Brie, she vowed, “I’ll do whatever it takes to change his mind.”
“Don’t bother!” Brie growled. “I don’t want that man anywhere near my film.”
Mary frowned. “You don’t understand how serious this is, Stinks.”
“Look, I get that Holloway wants to fuck me over, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to let his sorry ass determine my future.”
“I like your spitfire, Brie. Normally, I’d cheer you on, but…in this situation, it’s only going to hurt you.”
“Mary, I do not want you doing anything about it.” Brie could tell that Mary wasn’t listening to her, so she said firmly, “I’m serious. He’s not worth it.”
“But you are.”
Before Brie could protest, Mary ran across the street and jumped into the convertible, making the tires squeal as she sped off.
Brie felt sick at the thought of Mary sacrificing herself to that man. Not knowing what else to do, she whipped out her cell phone to call her. When Mary didn’t pick up, Brie left a message. “Whatever you’re planning…don’t do it!”
Calling her several more times without getting a response, Brie gave up and got into her car. Feeling defeated, she drove back to the beach house.
When she walked inside, she found Sir waiting for her with Hope, just as he had promised he would.
The moment Sir saw her face, he held out his arm to her. Brie pressed herself against his broad chest, letting out a strangled sob.
“Did it go that badly?”
“No, it was worse…” she whimpered.
Hope started fussing, responding to Brie’s distress.
“Let me put Hope down for a nap. You stay right here,” he commanded.
When Sir returned, he grabbed a box of tissues from the counter and led her to the couch.
Handing one to her, he said gently, “Tell me what happened.”
Brie took the tissue and dabbed at her eyes, trying desperately not to fall apart. After she explained what happened with Holloway, as well as Mary’s reaction to it, she added, “I’m more worried about Mary than I am about my film right now.”
“Mary is fiercely independent and I doubt anything you say could stop her. However, I’ll reach out to Captain and let him know what’s happened. He’ll have the best chance of reasoning with her.”
Brie nodded, feeling better already.
“As far as Holloway’s threat against your career, it makes no sense to me. But nothing about that man ever has. While it’s true he has power in the film industry, he hasn’t considered the consequences within the BDSM community. It’s not just you that he is attacking, but everyone involved in the film. And, for what?”
Thinking back on it, Brie felt the anger inside her rise like a ball of fury deep in her chest. “He was adamant that I reshoot Mary’s scene and replace Faelan with a Dom of his choice, and then demanded that I ax not only Marquis’ flogging scene but Master Anderson’s bullwhip scene, as well.”
“The man is treating your documentary like it’s his own pet project,” Sir snarled.
“Exactly! When I told him I was unwilling to compromise my film and would find someone else—that’s when he went ballistic.”
“You did the right thing by walking away.”
The heavy weight of Holloway’s threat was crushing her down. “I agree, Sir. But it feels as if I’ve just nailed my own coffin.”
Sir wrapped his arms around her, kissing her lightly on the lips. “I’m proud of you, Brie.”
Hearing him say that helped deaden the painful sting of the encounter with Holloway, prompting her to declare, “I will find another way, Sir.”
“Of that, I have no doubt.” Sir leaned in and gave her a longer, more passionate kiss.
She sighed, grateful for his unwavering support. “I love you.”
“Let me express my admiration more intimately.” He lifted her from the couch and carried her into the bedroom.
Sir set her down on the bed and began to undress her. His hands were gentle, his touch almost reverent as he freed her from her clothes and laid her down on the bed. “My goddess…”
Brie smiled as he lay beside her. Sir pressed his lips against hers before slowly trailing his kisses down her neck, between the valley of her breasts and down to her stomach.
“I’m going to make love to this body and show you how deep my admiration goes.”
Inciting tingles all over her body, Sir weaved his magic solely with his touch as he took hours to make sweet love to her.
Mary’s Truth
Brie was relieved when Mary texted her the next morning, insisting that they meet at a little café near the beach. She needed to know what had happened with Holloway, but she suspected the news must not be good since Mary insisted on seeing her in person.
Brie’s fears were confirmed when she opened the door to the coffee shop and saw the tense look on Mary’s face.
“Are you okay?” she asked, hurrying over to the table.
Mary shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. “Brie, he’s going to bury you.”
Brie felt the hairs rise on the back of her neck.
“What about you? He didn’t take this out on you last night, did he?”
Mary buried her face in her hands and groaned miserably.
Noticing that Mary was drawing the attention of the people around her, Brie asked, “Do you want to take a walk?”
Mary looked up, tears rolling down her face. “Oh, Brie…”
“Let’s get out of here.”
Brie stood up and took Mary’s hand, hurrying past the people holding up their phones hoping to record Mary’s sudden b
reakdown.
Leading her out of the café, Brie noticed a couple of the people following them. “Let’s take a drive instead,” she stated, taking Mary to her car.
Once they were on the road, she blurted, “What happened? Tell me everything.”
Mary stared straight ahead, muttering to herself, “This is all my fault…”
“No, it has nothing to do with you. I’m just sorry you got caught in the middle.”
She turned her head with a terrified look on her face. “You don’t understand anything and you’ll wish you never met me.”
“No!” Brie insisted. “Don’t even talk like that.”
Mary leaned her head against the window, looking completely crushed. Brie could feel the weight of her misery permeating the car.
Brie headed to a small park she knew about that overlooked the ocean. She felt certain that both of them would need the calming effect the waves would bring while they talked this out.
When Mary refused to leave the car, Brie opened the passenger door and pulled her out. “We’re talking this through.”
Sitting her down on one of the wooden benches, Brie looked out at the rolling waves, trying to calm her own nerves. What could Mary possibly have done to convince herself that Brie would abandon her now?
After several minutes, Brie told her firmly, “I would never wish that I hadn’t met you.”
Mary turned her head, big tears in her eyes. “I always knew I was cursed. I should have trusted my gut and stayed far away from you.”
“Don’t say that!”
Mary snarled to herself, “What the hell was I thinking?”
“What did Holloway say that has you talking this way?” Brie cried.
Mary’s expression changed to a look of dread. “Don’t hate me.”
“I won’t, Mary. Please tell me what happened.”
Just when it seemed as if Mary was about to speak, she chickened out. “I don’t want what comes after I tell you.”
“Nothing is going to happen, I promise. I just need to know what has you so scared.”
Her chin began trembling. “I can’t handle losing you as a friend.”
