Page 55 of Mistress A-0002

Silence. I pulled at the neckline of my blouse as the seconds passed.

“You don’t want Jett represented? You know he faces death.”

“So has other Masters, and they don’t get the option of lawyers. He’s accused. He’s either innocent or guilty. He brought this on himself. Am I scared what will happen to my son. Absolutely. Am I going to allow him to appear guilty and privileged because of his own actions? Not on his life. He’s a LaRoe. He’s either going to live by who he is or die by it.”

More silence.

Had I sounded too angry? Too unstable? Why was I fucking sweating so badly?

“I respect your stance. Just so your aware, I was updated not an hour ago that Jett is doing well, given the circumstances. I will keep you updated if I learn anything new.”

“Thank you.” I swallowed hard glancing back to the clock. “Elec…Have you ever come across a trigger you couldn’t break?”

“From someone?”

The curiosity was genuine, and I felt it put me at ease.

“Sort of. I mean, I guess.” I bit against my lip, not able to sit still. “I find myself going over the most basic beginnings of our craft. Do you think triggers could evolve so profoundly that they go beyond affecting the target?”

“Beyond? Who else would they affect?”

I laughed. “I don’t know. Anyone. Us? What we do—how far we go—there’s no scientific data of long-term side effects. What we do goes beyond words or actions. Beyond hypnosis or simple brainwashing. The Masters or Mistresses, they have no idea what they’re undergoing when they join. And that’s fine. Really, I don’t care. What I worry about is whether we’re rewiring our brains, along with theirs. The triggers…” I threw my hand up. “Take the tapping I accidently did on you. A natural reaction during stress, but subconsciously, Elec... what is it doing to me? We know what it did to you. It did what it was supposed to but.”

I stopped and Elec immediately picked up.

“Are you saying you’re being affected by your own triggers?”

Tick.

Tick.

“Of course not,” I rushed out. “Not that I know of, but could I be and not know it, is what I’m saying.”

“Hmm.”

“I think we need to get back to the lab. We need to run tests. With you as the Main Master, I don’t think we can be too safe.”

Footsteps.

“It’s an interesting theory, but not one I think we need to worry about. Unless there’s more you need to tell me.”

“No,” I forced out.

“Great. It’s a good catch, but I think we have time before we need to worry about anything like that. I have to go. I’ll keep you updated on Jett.”

“Elec.”

“Yes?”

I turned to face my desk, resting one of my hands down for balance as I closed my lids.

“Have you seen Braddock? I don’t like him so unstable. I know I’m supposed to let it go and stay away, but you know I can’t. That’s not how I work. He’s my patient, and he’s not well. Ineedto see him.”

“Don’t.”

“He needs help. I can help him.You need to let me see him.”

Was I tapping ever so quietly? God, I was, and I couldn’t stop myself.

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