Page 32 of Below the Surface

"Are you drunk?" I ask.

"Why so secretive, Mistress Trinity?"

"Kelsey."

"Oh, come on, Piper. Lighten up. You're in a room full of people who know you as Trinity. Would you rather one of them let it slip?"

I’m tempted to remind her we’ve been in this crowd many times before tonight—many times since I stopped attending Union. No one has ever said a word about my days at the club. Evidently, they have more respect for me than Kelsey. It occurs to me there are more people here tonight from the club than usual—people like Greg Hanson. "I don't care if Cameron knows what people called me in the past."

"Then why are we in my hallway?"

"Kelsey, I'm going to ask you a question. I suggest you answer honestly."

"Go ahead."

"Do you care about Cameron?"

"What kind of question is that?"

"Answer it," I demand, my voice eerily calm. I watch as Kelsey's demeanor changes and she gulps. Mistress Trinity wasn't my alter-ego. She's part of me just like every layer of who I am. Clearly, Kelsey wants to see that side of me emerge. What she doesn't realize, is that IknowCameron will respond lovingly and appropriately if I take on that persona. Kelsey has unknowingly altered my plans for the evening.

I've told Cameron many things about my past, including a few things about my time at Union. She knows people referred to me as Mistress. I don't know why I haven't told her I was Mistress Trinity. It was my first partner, who taught me what it means to be a responsible dominant, that suggested the name. She said she admired my understanding of the delicate balance between power, pain, and pleasure. Just like how lust and love intertwine, constantly shifting from one to the other and back again, being a dominant is also a constant balancing act. Ihaven’t spent time mourning that part of my life, but I admit, bringing Mistress Trinity to the surface is exhilarating.

"Answer the question, Kelsey."

"Of course I care about Cameron."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

I raise a brow at her.

Kelsey's eyes lower.

"Since you are keen on discussing my past, how do you address me?"

"Yes, Mistress Trinity," Kelsey says.

"You have a funny way of showing you care. There is nothing I'm afraid to share with Cameron," I tell her. "Inmytime. Not yours."

Caleb appears in the doorway with Cameron at his side. "What's going on?” he asks.

I hold up my hand and keep my gaze on Kelsey. "Would you like to tell Master Caleb what we're discussing?"

Kelsey looks at Caleb. "Mistress Trinity was reminding me who is the dominant."

Caleb looks at me and nods.

I look at Cameron. "I told you; I'll be right back. Go back to the party, Cameron, and wait for me."

Cameron looks at Kelsey, then offers me a nod.

I smile at her, take a deep breath, and shake my head when she disappears. "What the hell is with you two?" I ask.

"We were hoping you'd consider coming back to Union," Caleb says.

"And you think making Cameron and I uncomfortable is the way to do that? I don't have any interest in coming back to the club."