Free Brie Masters Love in Submission: Submissive in Love by Red Phoenix

oblivious to everything else as his sorrow became hers and her strength became his.
    Finally, Tono whispered, “He’s gone.”
    Brie nodded, knowing how great his loss was. Not only had he just lost a parent, but his teacher and mentor. “I’m so sorry.”
    Tono shook his head, fighting to maintain composure. “I will not cry, not here.”
    She took his hand and squeezed it. “Let’s go somewhere private.”
    He led her out of the hospital, trying to guide her through the crowd of reporters to get to his car. To Brie’s surprise and gratitude, Master Nosaka’s fans pushed back the journalists to make a safe path for his son.
    Tono drove away in excruciating silence, his grief overwhelming her with its darkness and depth. Brie struggled to breathe slowly as she accepted the onslaught of his crushing emotions.
    He took her to Shinjuku Gyoen, a beautiful city park filled with over a thousand blooming cherry trees and the soothing sound of moving water. He walked with long strides, oblivious to her desperate attempts to keep up with him. She followed as close as she could while he led her deep into the park. Tono stopped for a brief moment when he came to a bridge before crossing over it to a small island dominated by an ancient tree.
    There he sat under its immense branches and began to sob as he stared at the water—a black hole of grief Brie could not hope to penetrate. She settled beside him and the two sat in collective sorrow.
    Eventually, when the tears stopped, he spoke. “Thank you.”
    She looked at him questioningly. “For what?”
    “For being here, for not asking questions or trying to comfort me with meaningless words.”
    “I can’t begin to know your pain, but this garden,” she said, looking around, “it is a good place to mourn, Tono.”
    He tilted his head back and rested it against the tree. “It doesn’t seem real. A man of great strength and wisdom is gone, yet the day continues unaffected.” He turned to look at her. “It is both tragic and reassuring to me.”
    Brie smiled sadly.
    “To never hear his praise again, or his correction—I can’t fathom it.”
    “Neither can I.”
    He looked at her with fresh tears in his eyes. “ Otosama is dead.”
    The pain behind his statement crushed her. “But you’re not alone, Tono. I’m here with you.”
    His eyes reflected even deeper sorrow. “I wish that were true.”
    She squeezed his arm reassuringly. “It is! I’ll always be here for you—both Sir and I will.”
    Tono looked deep into her eyes. It was the kind of gaze that was disconcerting because of its raw intensity.
    “Brie, I…”
    “What?” she urged when he stopped.
    “I’ve kept something from you. Something I’ve been hesitant to share, even though it has been eating me alive.”
    “I knew you were hiding something. Please, Tono, I need to know.”
    He looked at her uncertainly, then nodded. “My father said something just before you arrived in Japan. Something that has tormented me ever since he mentioned it.” He let out a long, drawn-out sigh, looking up towards the sky.
    When Tono said nothing more, she encouraged him, “Whatever it is, I’m sure he never meant to hurt you. It’s obvious that your father loved you very much.”
    He shook his head. “Brie, I’ve heard many words of criticism over the years, and have no problem receiving them from him.”
    “What is it, then?” she asked, suddenly concerned when she saw the look of agony in his eyes. What terrible secret had his father shared?
    Tono groaned, hitting the back of his head against the tree and closing his eyes. “My father said he was sorry.”
    She was relieved to hear it, but couldn’t fathom the reason for Tono’s odd reaction. “Why would that make you upset? I don’t understand.”
    He refused to look at her when he explained, “ Otosama apologized for being wrong about you.”
    Brie’s heart skipped a beat. She said nothing as the gravity of those words slowly sank in.
    With