Pins and Needles
I believe I may be responsible for Greg Holloway’s death…
Marquis Gray’s text played over and over in Brie’s mind, but she was unable to believe it. Of all the people she knew, Marquis was the last person she would have suspected of ending the life of another person.
Sir reached over and took his phone from her. “Do not concern yourself with Gray’s message.”
“But Sir…” she whimpered.
He stated firmly, “Gray’s words were not meant for you.”
Brie let out an anxious sigh.
“At this point, neither of us understands the context of this text. I will reach out to him once we get home.”
After the suffering she’d endured during her captivity, the incredible balloon ride above the Santa Ynez Mountains had given Brie a new perspective. She’d walked away from the experience ready to embrace her life without the fears of her past holding her back.
But after seeing Marquis’s confession, she’d been shaken to her core and felt the darkness starting to creep back into her soul…
Sensing a change in her, Sir pulled to the side of the road and shut off the car. Turning to face her, he commanded, “Look at me, babygirl.”
When she met Sir’s gaze, he cupped her cheek in his hand. “Do not dwell on his words.”
Brie frowned, tears pricking her eyes. “I’m worried about him, Sir…”
His eyes softened. “I understand. However, worrying is a waste of your energy.”
She nodded, but her bottom lip trembled as an errant tear rolled down her cheek. How could she not worry about Marquis Gray? A desire to protect others from Greg Holloway had pushed one of the most respected men in the community to act, and now his life would be ruined because of it.
Looking deep into Brie’s eyes, Sir told her, “I want you to listen to me carefully. Every single time you find yourself worrying about Gray, I want you to send him positive thoughts and let the concern go. By doing this consistently, you will acknowledge your concern without letting it have control over you. If you are diligent, those errant thoughts won’t have any power over you.” He stroked her cheek lovingly. “You have made too much progress to allow anything to derail you now, babygirl.”
A smile of understanding slowly spread across her face, realizing he was right. It would be easy to fall back into despair but allowing that to happen wouldn’t benefit Marquis and would be harmful to her. But if Brie consciously sent him positive thoughts, it might make a difference to Marquis, and would certainly ease her aching heart.
“That is wonderful advice, Sir.”
He smiled as he turned on the car. She stared out of the car window to take in the breathtaking scenery of the coastline on the drive to his uncle’s house to pick up the children.
Each time Marquis came to mind, she closed her eyes and sent him good thoughts and positive energy. She felt an inner reset whenever she did it.
Glancing at Sir, Brie felt deeply grateful for his timely advice.
Hours later, when Sir pulled the car into their driveway, Brie was crestfallen to see that their house was swarming with reporters. It appeared that there was renewed interest in the case since Holloway’s mysterious death.
Fortunately, Hope was fast asleep in the car, having spent the day entertained by her cousin Jonathan. Brie quickly covered both children with blankets so the reporters couldn’t take photos of the children as they pulled into the garage.
Once they were inside the house, Sir took their daughter upstairs to finish her nap. Brie laid a blanket out on the floor, setting Antony on it. When Sir returned downstairs, he nodded to Brie as he headed straight into his office, shutting the door behind him.
Brie frowned, concerned about what Marquis would confess to Sir. Keeping her promise to her Master, she dutifully closed her eyes and sent both Marquis and Celestia positive thoughts before she joined Antony on the floor.
Her little boy gave her a dimpled grin and scootched on his stomach to get closer to her, a look of pure joy on his face. Brie was touched by his devotion and leaned forward to rub noses with him.
Sharing in his innocent joy seemed to overshadow everything else and she lost herself in the moment, which is why she was startled by the sound of Sir throwing open his office door.
Brie gazed up at him hoping to see a look of relief on Sir’s face after finishing his phone call with Marquis. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw his grave expression.
“Gray deeply regrets causing you unnecessary pain.”
Brie swooped Antony into her arms, holding him tight against her chest. “Did he explain what happened?”
He shook his head.
Fear crept into Brie’s heart again when she asked, “Do you think Marquis Gray might go to jail for this?”
“I honestly don’t know,” Sir answered somberly.
Closing her eyes, Brie squeezed Antony tighter.
“Gray refuses to explain himself but stated several times that he regrets that you saw his text.” Pausing for a moment, Sir added, “He seems to be in a very dark place.”
“Poor Marquis…” she whimpered, gutted that the esteemed trainer was suffering because of that evil man. “Should we visit him, Sir?”
He shook his head. “I spoke to Celestia after my conversation with Gray. She says we should wait until he calls on us.”
“Celestia must be worried out of her mind,” Brie lamented. “This situation is so unlike Marquis Gray.”
Sir nodded in agreement. “Celestia insists that Marquis is a man of the highest integrity, and she fully supports whatever decision he may have made concerning Holloway.”
Brie looked up at him in surprise. “So, even she doesn’t know what he’s done?”
“It doesn’t appear so. However, Celestia is steadfast in her loyalty and confidence in him.” Sir held out his hand to Brie, helping her to her feet before wrapping his arms around her waist. “Whatever Gray’s actions and intentions were, they have no bearing on you, babygirl.”
Brie sighed as she laid her head against his chest. “Knowing Marquis is struggling hurts my heart.”
“And what are you going to do about it?” he prompted.
Closing her eyes, she replied, “I am sending him good thoughts and letting it go.”
Sir kissed the top of her head. “Good girl. Your distress would only compound Gray’s suffering if he knew.”
Hearing a commotion outside, Sir let her go and went to the front window. Growling in disgust as he stared at the reporters, he said, “Ever since the announcement of Holloway’s death, their numbers seem to keep growing…”
That night, Brie lay in Sir’s arms, exhausted by the incredible highs and lows of the day. To go from the exhilaration of the balloon ride and the insights it provided to the darkness of Marquis Gray’s confession was completely disorienting.
Although Brie could control her thoughts while awake, sleep turned out to be a different matter. She tossed and turned all night, unable to find rest. When it finally came in the wee hours of the morning, she quickly woke up screaming.
“Shh…babygirl,” Sir commanded softly, enfolding her in his embrace. “You’re safe.”