by Lila Dubois
They’d tried to slide out of bed without waking Irina, but she popped up as they’d fumbled for clothes. She confirmed that she was hungry, and so they’d headed out for a very late dinner together.
They stumbled into the dining room just after midnight. A couple, both with dark hair, sat together on one of the couches by the fire. The woman wore a short black robe, open to reveal a leather bustier and black lace panties. The man wore only dark brown pants made of some loose, lightweight fabric. He watched their trio as they walked in, and Jasper moved a bit closer to Irina, shielding her. The man wasn’t exactly threatening, but he certainly didn’t give off a “harmless” vibe.
While Eli and Irina picked up plates, Jasper shoved two of the tables together and gathered silverware and napkins for them, setting the table. When he came back with a bottle of water for each of them, Irina was sliding into the seat Eli held out for her. Jasper held out a seat for Eli, who did that startled/confused blinking thing Jasper was coming to love, and he too sat down.
“I wanted to get you a plate,” Irina said to Jasper, eyes pinched with distress, “but I didn’t know what to get you. I don’t know what you like to eat. Are you a vegetarian? Vegan? Are you allergic to peanuts? We’re going to be married and I don’t even know if you have food allergies.” Irina’s voice was soft.
Eli reached his long arm across the table, taking her hand in his. Jasper returned to the bar, rifling through the bottles on the top shelf until he found a nice bottle of red. He grabbed that, a corkscrew, and three stemless wineglasses. The dark-haired man on the couch watched Jasper’s hands, narrowing his eyes. As Jasper returned to the table, the man leaned over to say something to the woman, who twisted to look at them, tapping her champagne flute against her lower lip.
He left the wine and glasses at Eli’s elbow, then quickly filled a plate, taking the seat beside Irina. Eli passed him a glass.
“To us,” Jasper said.
“To us.” Eli raised his glass.
Irina took a deep breath. “To us.”
They clinked, sipped, and then tucked into their food. The silence between them was comfortable. As soon as the first piece of cheese passed his lips, Jasper realized he was ravenous. Their irregular sleeping and eating schedule was taking its toll. They’d started their day around dawn in a motel in Colorado. It seemed as if days had passed since then, and even the burgers in Kansas seemed long ago.
Once the first flash of hunger had been satiated, Jasper set down his fork and picked up his glass. “I’m not allergic to anything. Though sometimes walnuts make me feel itchy.”
“I was lactose intolerant growing up, but grew out of it in my twenties. I don’t really like the taste of cheese, but love ice cream.” Eli pointed at his cheese-less plate.
Irina’s shoulders were starting to relax. “I normally don’t eat red meat, unless it’s something like earlier, where a burger seemed to be the safest option. Or if I’m in Texas I’ll eat brisket. For some reason I love smoked brisket, but I don’t like steak.”
“I hate wearing underwear.” Jasper gestured toward his crotch with a spear of asparagus.
“That explains the bacon boxers.” Eli’s voice was dry.
Irina laughed. “I wondered. Figured it was you showing off your irreverent sense of humor. Which is accurate.”
“Let’s say it served two purposes. One, it let my triad know what they’re in for.” Eli rolled his eyes and Irina giggled. “Two, they were the only boxers I could find.”
“What about pets? Anyone have one?” Irina asked.
“You know I don’t.” Eli popped an olive into his mouth.
“I have a cat. Well, I got a cat from a shelter, and then he decided he liked my next door neighbor better, so it’s more like there’s this cat that hangs out with me sometimes when I’m home.”
Irina shook her head. “No pets here.”
“Hobbies? Sports?” Eli looked pleased with having come up with the questions.
“I don’t know about hobbies,” Jasper said, “but my sport of choice is cycling. I ride to work when I’m in D.C.”
“Krav Maga,” Irina answered. “There’s an amazing studio on Eighth Street, near Eastern Market.”
Eli frowned. “You both live in D.C.”
“We haven’t really talked about that.” Jasper watched Eli, who was poking a piece of salami dissolutely. “And I for one don’t have to be in D.C.”
“But that’s where the Smithsonian is.”
Jasper shrugged. “I spend as much time in New York with Annie as I do in D.C.”
“And like I said before, I can transfer anywhere.” Irina frowned. “That’s assuming I still have a job. I wonder what happens to the company once, uh, you-know-who deals with Mr. Bennett.”
The scrape of chair legs on the wood floor halted their conversation. Jasper’s, Irina’s, and Eli’s heads whipped around.
The dark-haired couple was standing beside their table. The man pulled over an extra chair, placing it beside Eli. The woman, who seemed either unaware or unconcerned that her robe hung open, showing off her lingerie, sat with the unhurried grace of the supremely confident.
“Oh come on, you three.” The woman propped her elbow on the table, chin on her fist. Her eyes sparkled. “She’s not Voldemort. You can say ‘Grand Master.’”
Shit.
Jasper tensed. Irina shoved her chair back half a foot, bracing herself to leap into action. The man, who was standing at the end of the table, assessed Irina and Jasper’s movements and shifted his weight onto his back foot, making it clear that he too was ready to engage.
Eli leaned toward the woman, peering at her boobs.
“Eli,” Jasper snapped.
Eli sat back, adjusted his glasses, and raised the wine bottle in the direction of the newcomers. “Would you like a glass?”
Irina and Jasper were looking at him like he was cracked in the head. Eli glanced at the dark-haired woman, who raised one brow at Eli, indicating that it was up to him to clue in the other people at the table.
Her companion went, not to get glasses for wine, but to retrieve a short glass of amber liquid and a champagne flute from a side table near the couch they’d been sitting on.
The dark-haired man pulled up a fifth chair, situating himself at the head of the table, between his companion and Jasper. Jasper flicked his gaze between the newcomers and Eli, eyes wide, and a “what the fuck?” expression written large on his features.
Eli should just tell them, but over the past few days, he’d regularly been the one who didn’t know what was going on, who had to ask what was happening. They weren’t dumb, they’d figure it out in a minute, and Eli’s advantage was proximity to the woman, but he was going to savor the moment nonetheless.
It felt good to have the tables turned.
“To the Grand Master.” Eli raised his glass.
“Long may she reign.” There was a rueful note to the woman’s voice as she raised her flute.
“And may wisdom find her.” If the woman’s tone had been rueful, the man’s bordered on cutting and snide.
They each took a sip. Irina and Jasper didn’t move. Irina in particular was starting to look at Eli suspiciously, so before she could fully panic, he decided to relent.
“Look at their jewelry,” Eli said.
The woman obligingly dropped her forearm to lie atop the table, leaning back so the small gold charm dangling just above her cleavage caught the light. That’s what Eli had been looking at. It was partially hidden by the black choker she wore, meaning Eli was the only one who could really see it. The man saluted them with his glass, then set it down and twisted the ring he wore, so the embossed signet caught the light.
Eli watched, knew the moment Irina and Jasper realized that their new companions each wore the triquetra, the symbol of the Trinity Masters.
“You’re…you’re…” Irina stumbled over the words.
“We’re members of this great experiment’s oldest and most ruthl
ess society.” The man’s smile was sardonic. “I’m Caden, this is Darling.”
The woman set down her glass and extended her hand, first to Eli, then to the others. They introduced themselves and shook hands in turn.
Jasper looked at them. “Of all the gin joints.”
Caden snorted. “True. Though there are few places that offer this level of anonymity and privacy.”
“And, to be fair, I did learn about this place from another member at one of the galas.” Jasper looked a bit sheepish.
Darling nodded. “Considering, I’m almost surprised this is the first time we’ve run across other members.”
“You, uh, come here often?” Irina asked.
Darling looked to Caden, who answered, “There are other places we frequent more—better ambiance, better food. But this is our favorite for privacy. And there are no stupid games.”
“I couldn’t help but overhear—” Darling started.
“You were listening as hard as you could,” Caden broke in. Darling ignored him.
“—but are you a new trinity?”
“We were just called to the altar a few days ago,” Eli answered.
Darling raised one brow. “And the Grand Master sent you here? I’m sorry. It used to be that people went to a suite at the Plaza in Boston. Perhaps not all the new Grand Master’s changes are for the better.”
“We were there. It’s a bit of a long story how we ended up here.” Eli was about to launch into the details of their adventure so far, but Irina spoke first.
“Are you married? I mean trinity married?”
Darling’s face blanked. Caden shook his head. “No. We’re not.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I just assumed…”
There was an aloof intensity about Caden that was both intimidating and faintly irritating. In a blink, that was gone, and in its place was the face of a man haunted. “Darling is the love of my life.”
“Caden, don’t…” Darling reached out for him. He took her hand, forcing it down onto the table.
“Until a few months ago, we thought Darling was going to be called to the altar to be with two other people.” Caden picked up his glass and tossed back a mouthful. Eli wondered how much of what he said was because he was drinking. “A trinity that didn’t include me. That…changed with the new Grand Master. We’re enjoying the stay of execution. Another few months, maybe another year, of stolen moments and weekends of kinky sex. No tenderness. No love.”
Darling had lowered her head, shaking it slightly. Caden raised his glass and drained it.
Silence sat heavy on the group, and Eli felt as if the floor had shifted under them, as if they were now players in an entirely different game.
“You, my friend, need another drink.” Jasper went to the bar, returning with a bottle in each hand. “Irish or Scottish?”
“Irish.”
Jasper poured Caden two fingers.
Irina’s eyes were soft with sadness. “You’re in love, but you won’t be in the same trinity? Why do you assume that?”
Darling shrugged delicately. “It’s a relatively common practice among some of the legacy families to ask the Grand Master to agree to certain trinities, family alliances, that sort of thing. My family wants me to be in a trinity that is politically and financially advantageous to them.”
Irina frowned, but Jasper nodded in understanding.
Caden considered Jasper. “Are you a legacy?”
“Somewhat. I was adopted by people who were members, so I knew about it all, growing up.”
Darling hummed in understanding. “My whole family, going back generations, are members. In fact, our families were founding members of the Trinity Masters.” Darling gestured at Caden.
“I don’t understand,” Irina said. “Why can’t you be together now if you’re in love?”
“If you all are done eating, let’s move by the fire,” Caden said.
Since Caden was shirtless, and Darling in lingerie, it was clear why they’d want to be closer to the fire. Drinks were refilled, small plates piled with fruit and cream for dessert, and then everyone selected seats. Caden and Darling returned to the same couch, Eli and Irina settled on the other love seat, and Jasper took the armchair.
Once everyone was in place, Eli looked at Caden and Darling, who were looking at each other.
Darling held out her hand. Caden raised it to his lips. He kissed her reverently, with his eyes closed and a slight furrow to his brow. Darling made a noise, like a wounded animal—part pain, part distress.
She pulled her hand away from Caden and pressed her fingers—the ones that had just been kissed—over her mouth.
Caden sighed, twisted his Trinity Masters’ ring around his finger. “Maybe I should tell you my story. My life story. Darling’s life story.”
Darling raised her hands. “No, Cade, don’t. They’re happy. They’re on their honeymoon. They don’t want to be dragged down by this.”
“They should know what can happen. What generations of power and perversion can lead parents to do to their own children.” Caden’s voice was harsh, and his gaze seemed to bore into Darling.
Then Caden’s gaze roved over their little group, before returning to the woman he loved.
“Darling.” His voice dropped half an octave and rang with command. “Remove your robe.”
Jasper and Eli both tensed, and Irina gasped.
Darling didn’t protest. Didn’t slap his face. She shrugged the robe off her shoulders.
“On your knees,” Caden commanded.
Without protest, Darling dropped to her knees, facing Caden. She kept her chin up, staring at his chest, her hands resting palms up on her thighs.
“Strip,” he commanded. Caden didn’t look at Darling as she obeyed. He was watching Eli, Irina, and Jasper.
Darling pulled at the bustier, undoing the hidden hook-and-eye closures at the front. She slid it off, exposing her bare back to them. She folded the bustier and held it up to Caden, who took it, tossing it over his shoulder to the other side of the sofa, ensuring it was out of reach.
“May I stand, Master?” she asked softly. Her thumbs were hooked in the edges of her lacy panties.
“I don’t know what you’re trying to prove,” Irina said angrily.
“Stop it,” Eli demanded. This should have been sexy, but instead he just felt uncomfortable, and protective of Darling.
Tension was mounting—until Jasper burst out laughing. “Are you two seriously trying to blame your kinky preferences on your parents?”
Eli looked at Jasper, who didn’t seem concerned by what Caden and Darling were doing. Caden looked shocked by Jasper’s reaction, then a reluctant smile spread across the dark-haired man’s face.
“Darling, you may put on your robe and sit on the couch.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
When her robe was on and belted, Darling rose and plopped down onto the couch. She looked worried, but not by what had just happened. She was looking at Caden, her worry clearly for him.
No one spoke for a moment. Eli caught Jasper’s eye, and Jasper winked. Eli relaxed, but that feeling didn’t last long.
“Without knowing our story, our Dom/sub relationship isn’t shocking,” Darling said quietly. “It shouldn’t be.”
Caden nodded. “Maybe you know a bit about power exchange play in sex, or BDSM in general. Most people learn about kinks when they’re in their twenties. They match up these vague feelings they’ve had their whole lives with an adult kink that makes sense to them. They choose to explore it.”
The way he emphasized the word “choose” made dread pool in Eli’s stomach.
“We didn’t choose this,” Darling said quietly. “Caden’s parents…”
“My parents started training us, her as a submissive, me as a dominant, when we were teenagers. One of my fathers has a theory, a pet theory, you could say. He thinks in every trinity there has to be a submissive, a dominant, and a switch.”
“When you were teenager
s?” Eli asked, horrified. He hadn’t touched a naked boob until college. There’d been some under-the-shirt fumbling in high school, but that was it. He certainly hadn’t been learning about sexual power dynamics.
“What do you mean ‘training’?” Irina asked. “He didn’t…I mean, they were your parents.”
Caden’s jaw clenched so hard the muscles bunched under his skin. He looked between the glass in his hand and the fireplace, as if he were planning to throw it at the flames. When he didn’t respond to Irina, Darling leaned to one side and stroked his jaw. The muscle unclenched and his shoulders relaxed.
“Our families are old friends,” Darling said, “and have been for generations. When my mother died, and my father and other mother couldn’t take me in for political reasons, Caden’s parents adopted me. I spent most of my time with them anyway. When I say trained, I truly mean trained. Caden’s fathers kept a submissive in an apartment in the city. They’d take Caden and his brother to her to train them how to touch a woman, how to treat a submissive, how to always be in control.”
Darling spoke to them, but kept a hand on Caden, as if he were a horse she was afraid would spook without the reassuring touch. “Caden’s father—one of them—wanted him and his brother to be the dominants in their relationships. He wasn’t sure which role I’d have to play in my trinity, so he trained me as a switch.”
Caden snorted. “Darling he was willing to train himself. Magnanimous, wouldn’t you say? To take your fifteen-year-old adopted daughter and make her your sexual submissive.”
“Oh my God, you poor thing,” Irina whispered.
Darling merely shook her head. “They’re so out of touch with reality, with how real relationships should be, that I’m not even sure they know how screwed up what they did to us was. They were legacies, and their parents were legacies. To them, the family, and the Trinity Masters, is far more important than the happiness of a single person.”
“Oh, they know how screwed up they were,” Caden growled. “They knew exactly what they were doing. What they are doing.”