Tied to Hope (Brie's Submission Book 18)

  Copyright © 2019 Red Phoenix

  Kindle Edition

  www.redphoenixauthor.com

  Tied to Hope: Brie’s Submission

  18th Book of the Brie Series

  Cover by Shanoff Designs

  Formatted by BB Books

  Phoenix symbol by Nicole Delfs

  This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only.

  All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the author.

  Description

  “Welcome me home…”

  My life is what dreams are made of!

  I am deeper in love with Thane after the birth of our child, and I can’t believe the plans he has for our future.

  My joy Is doubled when Rytsar Durov returns as a conquering hero.

  In the midst of such bliss, a dark secret surfaces that has the power to tear our world apart.

  Love has always been the cornerstone my submissive journey, and now I must make a heartbreaking choice.

  What would you sacrifice for love?

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  Don’t miss the Audiobook narrated by Pippa Jayne!

  Tied to Hope:

  Brie’s Submission #18

  Available Soon

  CONTENTS

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Description

  Audio Book

  Coming Next

  About the Author

  Newsletter

  Join My Friends of Red Phoenix Group

  Welcome Home

  Joyful Reunion

  A Night with the Gallants

  Weekend Retreat

  Cocky Russian

  Laugh with Lea

  Moving Day

  Sexy Goodbyes

  The Letter

  The Power of Gray

  Spa Day

  Her Warriors

  Lunch Is On Me

  Disconnect

  Clash

  Twisted Fate

  Loving the Russian

  Their Voices

  Other Red Phoenix Books

  Connect with Red on Substance B

  Welcome Home

  As Brie stepped up to the porch, holding Hope in her arms, the door to their new home swung open. To her shock and delight, Rytsar stood in front of her with Titov behind him.

  Wearing a mischievous grin, the Russian threw his arms wide open and commanded, “Radost moya, welcome me home.”

  Brie stood frozen in shock for a moment, then rushed into his arms. “Rytsar!”

  The tears started when she melted into his powerful embrace.

  “No tears,” he chuckled as he looked down at her and the baby. “This is a happy occasion, is it not?”

  She nodded, smiling, as she hastily wiped away her tears with her free hand. “I…I just can’t believe you’re here. You’ve been gone so long…”

  “I had to finish it,” he answered, grazing the baby’s cheek with his thumb. “For you and for moye solntse.”

  Brie looked at him in happy disbelief, barely choking out the words, “You’re home…” before the tears starting falling again.

  He gave Sir, who was standing beside her, a chagrinned look. “Your submissive is still not very good at following commands.”

  “In this instance, I’ll give her leniency,” Sir stated with a grin, sticking out his hand to Rytsar. “Welcome home, brother.”

  Rytsar grasped it, pulling him close. He wrapped his arm around Sir with his other arm still around Brie.

  Volumes were spoken between the two men without either saying a word.

  Brie had given Rytsar up for lost after the long period of silence, and she couldn’t quite believe he was here in the flesh.

  As she laid her head against Rytsar’s chest, she smiled up at Sir.

  Sir wrapped his arm around her, connecting the four of them in a communal hug. Brie hadn’t thought she would ever feel this connection again and closed her eyes to soak in the moment.

  Just then, Hope made a cute little squeak that caused all three of them to look down at her.

  “She has grown much since I left,” Rytsar stated with regret.

  “She has, old friend,” Sir answered, “and we owe that to you.”

  Brie’s stomach twisted in a knot, knowing what Sir said was true. They owed Rytsar for saving Hope from a life of childhood slavery.

  It scared Brie when she saw the grave look Rytsar gave Sir, and she pressed herself against the Russian, wanting to meld herself to him. “It’s been torture knowing you were in danger.”

  “Da,” he answered in a serious tone. “The danger was real, radost moya.” He turned to look at Titov. “I would not be here if it were not for this man.”

  Ice ran through Brie’s veins hearing how close it had really been. Feeling a profound sense of gratitude, she asked Sir if she could hug Titov.

  When Sir nodded, Brie saw tears of gratitude welling up in his own eyes.

  Brie handed Hope over to Rytsar, telling him, “This young lady is very grateful to her dyadya.”

  When Rytsar held Hope, however, her eyes grew wide in fear and she began to cry.

  “Nyet, moye solntse, do not cry. It’s your dyadya…”

  Hope stared fearfully at Rytsar as if he were a stranger, but the moment he began humming his Russian lullaby, Hope’s eyes met his and she broke out in a smile. Brie desperately wished she’d had a camera to take a picture of the moment.

  Turning away, she walked over to Titov. Unmindful of her tears, she hugged him tightly, thankful beyond words. Letting out a sob, Brie told him, “I will never be able to repay you for everything you’ve done.”

  Titov felt extremely stiff in her embrace. Unused to having any physical contact with Brie, he patted her awkwardly in response.

  “It was no trouble,” he muttered.

  She broke away from him, laughing through her tears. “No trouble? You risked your life to save Rytsar because you were protecting our little girl. You are a hero.”

  It was his turn to laugh. “A hero? No…”

  “Yes!” she insisted. “I would do anything to thank you for making this happy reunion possible. Anything.”

  His face turned beet red. “No need, Mrs. Davis.”

  “I’m serious. Just name it.”

  Frowning, he glanced over at Rytsar. “I do have one request.”

  “Yes, anything!” Brie encouraged him.

  He looked back at her and said dryly, “Stay out of trouble.”

  Brie said nothing at first, and then burst out laughing. She had no idea Titov had a sense of humor. No wonder Rytsar had been friends with him for years.

  “I promise I’ll try,” she answered him.

  Titov gave her one more awkward pat.

  She turned back to Rytsar. “I trust you know what we can do to repay Titov?”

  Rytsar stared at the man with a look of profound gratitude. “Radost moya, it is not your debt to pay, but mine.”

  “Brie and I owe you as well, old friend,” Sir insisted.

  “Nyet. You and I are brothers. There is no such thing as a debt between us.” Rytsar’s gaze moved to Brie, then Hope. “Knowing they’re safe is enough.”

  Watching Rytsar holding their little girl again, Brie wanted to pinch herself. It was hard to believe this was real.

  T
urning to Sir, she asked, “How long have you known he was coming back?”

  He shook his head. “I just found out today.” Eying the Russian, he added, “One of us enjoys keeping his closest friends in the dark.”

  Rytsar gave him an innocent look. “I couldn’t stomach disappointing you in case I was delayed.”

  “That…or your ego demands a grand entrance,” Titov muttered.

  Sir pointed at Titov, stating, “You hit the nail on the head.”

  Rytsar smirked, asking him with bravado, “What is the harm in that?”

  “But, Rytsar, I’ve been sick with worry this entire time,” Brie protested, glancing at Sir. “We both have.”

  Still cradling Hope, Rytsar held out an arm to her. “Come.”

  Brie hesitated a moment, upset that he’d made them suffer longer than necessary, then grumbled, “You’re such a sadist.”

  “Da,” he agreed with obvious pride. “Now, come to me.”

  Pouting, Brie reluctantly walked into his embrace. However, she couldn’t stay mad at him when she looked down at Hope cradled in his arm.

  They were both safe from the slavers because of him.

  “You can rest easy, radost moya,” he assured her in a low voice. “No one is ever going to hurt you or the babe.”

  She gazed up at Rytsar, the tears threatening to start again. “How can I ever thank you.”

  “Your beautiful smile is the only thanks I will ever need,” he answered.

  Brie pressed herself against him, confessing, “I can’t quite believe you’re back.”

  His intense gaze held her captive, causing her heart to skip a beat as she stared deep into those blue eyes. She could see that what had happened while he was gone still haunted him, and that he, too, was struggling to believe this was real.

  “We’re together now. All of us,” Brie said, holding her hand out to Sir. “Nothing can break us apart.”

  The world seemed to stop for a moment as they stood together in silence.

  Rytsar finally broke it by stating, “Titov, where’s the vodka?”

  “The kitchen.”

  As they made their way into the kitchen, Sir explained to Brie, “Obviously, there is some work to be done in here. While I like the full-sized countertops, I want to replace them with marble.”

  Brie broke away from him for a moment to run her hands over the extensive counters. “You could feed an army with this much kitchen.”

  “Among other things,” Sir answered her with a private smile.

  Brie glanced at the countertops again imagining all the things he had planned and grinned, moving back into his embrace. “I can’t wait to officially christen the new counters.”

  “I bet you can’t,” Rytsar murmured as he looked knowingly at Sir. “Go ahead, radost moya, open the fridge.”

  Brie walked over and opened the large stainless steel double-door refrigerator to find a bottle of vodka, four shot glasses, and a jar of pickles inside.

  She laughed, taking out the bottle of vodka and handing it to Rytsar. “Would you be kind enough to open it?”

  He handed it to Titov. “My friend should do the honors. He is the one who supplied the housewarming gift.”

  Brie smiled warmly at Titov. “Aww…that’s so sweet of you.”

  Titov cleared his throat, stating, “I understand the importance of vodka in celebrating a welcome home.”

  Once he opened the bottle, Titov went to pour the first glass, but Brie stopped him.

  “No, please. Allow me.”

  She set the four chilled glasses out, making sure each was a generous pour to express the amount of joy she felt. While she was pouring, Rytsar opened the jar of pickles and held it out so Sir and Titov could each take one.

  Brie went to give Sir the first shot to honor him as her Master, but he nodded to Titov instead.

  With a grateful smile, Brie gave Titov the first shot glass and silently mouthed the words “thank you” as she handed it to him.

  Once everyone had a shot in his or her hand, Sir made the toast. “To this man of valor. May fate reward you many times over.”

  Titov shook his head at being hailed as a hero but then downed his shot along with everyone else.

  Rytsar handed Brie his pickle after she had swallowed the fiery liquid. “Take a bite,” he commanded.

  She looked at him tenderly as she bit down on the salty, dill goodness.

  All of this seems like a dream…

  Brie got another round ready for the men, choosing not to partake herself because of the baby.

  After a healthy second shot and a hearty shout of “Za zdarov’ye!” by all, Rytsar stated, “Your Master must show us around this new beach house.”

  Brie smiled sheepishly at Sir. “I was so happy to see Rytsar that I forgot there were other rooms in this house.”

  Sir chuckled warmly. “He is the reason we came tonight. The house, itself”—he looked around the spacious area—“is just the icing on the cake.”

  Rytsar handed Hope to Sir. “It’s only right that her father shows off the new home.”

  Sir held Hope in his arms, and smiled down at his little girl. “Now the ocean will sing you to sleep every night.”

  Brie’s heart melted when Sir wrapped his other arm around her waist, pulling her close. “This is a new beginning for all of us.”

  She gazed up at him lovingly. “I can’t believe this, Sir.”

  Looking over at Titov, he said, “Naturally, I want you to join us while we take a tour of the place.”

  Titov glanced at Rytsar for a moment and then responded with obvious embarrassment, “No, that’s unnecessary, Sir Davis.”

  Sir smirked. “I wasn’t asking. We consider you part of the family now.”

  Brie nodded enthusiastically.

  Titov let out an uncomfortable sigh and glanced at Rytsar again.

  Rytsar shrugged. “Better get used to it, Titov. You’ve earned it.”

  The man looked back at Sir, nodded curtly and muttered a quick, “Thank you.”

  Sir slapped him on the back as he gestured to the large room they stood in. “Naturally, this is the great room.”

  The view of the ocean through the floor to ceiling windows was stunning, but what made the room unique was that the wall was curved in a half-circle, giving the area more room and a more open feel to it.

  “I’m in awe, Sir,” Brie said, unable to believe this view of the ocean was really theirs to enjoy.

  “The arched doorway from the kitchen leads to a formal dining room.”

  Brie let out a happy squeak as they walked into a large room with its exquisite chair rails, dark wooden floors, and a modern chandelier above. “I’ve never had a formal dining room before…just think of all the big holiday meals we’re going to have in here,” she said in wonder.

  Sir bounced Hope in his arms. “A lifetime of them.”

  Brie sighed in contentment. She imagined this room full of family and friends sitting around the table with Sir at the head of it and her sitting beside him.

  “On this side of the house,” Sir continued, walking down a short hallway. “We have a sizeable office and a guest suite with its own private bathroom.”

  When Brie saw the guest room, she exclaimed, “If this is the guest room, I can’t imagine what the master must look like.” She took a peek at the luxurious bathroom attached to the spacious room and whistled in appreciation.

  “There’s more to this little gem,” Sir informed her with a sparkle in his eye. Walking through the bathroom, he opened a door that led outside. “Go ahead. Take a look, babygirl.”

  As soon as Brie walked through the door, she let out a squeal of delight. “It leads straight to a hot tub?”

  Sir chuckled. “Yes. With the ocean in our backyard, I saw no need for a pool. However, I thought a hot tub would be appreciated on cool nights.”

  Brie looked at the lattice fencing covered in flowering vines that shielded the area from prying beachgoers. “I love the
privacy this gives us.”

  “I do, too,” he agreed, leaning down to kiss her. “Anything is possible…”

  Rytsar cleared his throat, looking at Titov knowingly.

  “Perhaps we should go,” Titov suggested.

  “Not at all,” Rytsar answered, grinning at Brie and Sir. “I’d like to see where this leads.”

  Sir smirked at Rytsar. “Let me show you the other side of the house.”

  He led them back through the great room to a set of double doors. Before opening it, he asked, “Any guess what this is, babygirl?”

  She grinned. “The place where babies are made?”

  He chuckled as the doors swung open dramatically.

  “Oh, Sir…this bedroom is huge, and just look at that view!” Brie walked over to the large windows and stared out at their unobstructed view of the ocean. They were so close that she could see the waves crashing against the shore.

  Oh, to make love while looking out at that…

  Turning to Sir, she gushed, “This house is amazing in every way.”

  “The bathroom is nothing to sneeze at, either,” Rytsar informed her.

  Brie ran over to look and found a tastefully designed Roman-inspired bathroom. White marble steps led up to a Jacuzzi tub with two columns on either side. Colorful Italian tile accented both the tub and the seriously impressive Roman shower.

  “I think I could vacation in this bathroom!” she cried.

  “It also has an extensive walk-in closet,” Sir said, pointing to another door.

  Brie kept shaking her head as she explored the multitude of shelves and drawers in the closet. “I can’t believe all this is ours.”

  “There’s one other thing unique to this bedroom, and I’m curious what you think about it,” Sir told her.

  He walked Brie out of the bathroom and over to the other side of the bedroom where she saw another door. Dying to know what was inside, she opened the door and gasped. It was an entire room dedicated to shoes.

  “How many shoes did the previous owner have?” she wondered aloud. Twirling in the middle of the giant closet she told him, “This could be Hope’s bedroom, it’s so big.”

  Rytsar elbowed Sir in the ribs, chuckling. “You will have to supply your woman with a lot more shoes, comrade.”