Hidden Devotion (23 page)

“You are here to be formally bound in the marriage of the Trinity Masters.”

Juliette, Franco and Devon stepped forward. Harrison’s voice was filled with emotion as he quietly officiated his sister’s wedding. Like Harrison’s own wedding, this was rushed—there’d been no bonding ceremony, and Franco had not gone through any of the new-member initiations or the six-month waiting period. But Juliette was the Grand Master and the only people who could have questioned her were her councilors, who were hardly going to raise objections. Besides, technically Franco was a legacy.

Juliette was radiant in her white dress, Franco and Devon both handsome in their tuxedos, though Devon looked tense. Only when they’d sealed their marriage with a kiss did Devon relax, prompting Franco to laugh.

Alexis and Michael appeared with one of the last bottles of Champagne, passing around flutes and toasting the new trinity.

When there was no one left but the three of them, Juliette sank to the floor, tracing the edges of the triquetra with her hand. Franco and Devon joined her.

“A lot of people know. They recognized my voice.” Luckily the shock over her being the Grand Master had prevented most people from asking what had happened and why Harrison wasn’t the Grand Master.

“It doesn’t matter. You’re the Grand Master. Your word is law.”

The tension that had built up over the past few days was finally dissipating. Her hands started to shake. “I’m not sure I can do this,” she whispered.

They surrounded and comforted her. She had to be strong. Only they could see her fall apart.

“You can. It’s in your blood.”

“We won’t let anyone hurt you.”

Juliette Adams let them comfort her, let herself shake and cry in reaction to the stress of the evening. Then she rose, flanked by her new husbands, and went to celebrate her wedding night.

Sebastian should have been in Boston weeks ago. There were things happening there that he needed to deal with, things he needed to tell his best friend before she discovered them on her own.

Unfortunately, midway through his flight, he’d gotten word a shipment of arms he’d been tracking finally made its way to Libya. He’d had to make a split-second decision, and in the end he’d decided finding those guns was more important and had taken the next flight home. Locating and confiscating them had taken longer than he’d thought—weeks instead of days—and he’d had to ditch his phone along the way. He would have died if not for Anderson.

When he finally arrived in Boston, there was a letter waiting at the townhouse he co-owned with Juliette and a few friends. The expensive creamy paper was unmistakable. It was a letter from the Grand Master.

Sebastian,

You are called to the altar…

It was signed “Grand Master”, but he knew that handwriting. He’d passed too many notes in high school English class with the author to not recognize that scribble as Juliette’s.

Shit. This was bad. He needed to find Juliette and talk to her. She’d been his best friend since they were kids. Sebastian could only imagine how she must be feeling, knowing he’d lied to her for years. The dishonesty hadn’t come easy to him, but he’d had no choice. Surely, she’d understand once he had a chance to explain.

Maybe.

He needed to touch base with his handler, Devon, and get a read on the situation. The Grand Master held absolute power over the Trinity Masters, and Sebastian was pretty sure that at the moment, the Grand Master was super-pissed at him.

That was exactly what he didn’t need—his pissed-off best friend, who’d just found out that he was secretly a CIA asset, deciding who he should marry.

Juliette was good at revenge, and if he didn’t find her soon, he might be facing a lifetime of it.

Liz knows what she wants—to be dominated by a powerful man—but she has yet to meet a man strong enough to do it. Mark is very careful about picking subs, since as former NFL player he’s already imposing enough without admitting he likes his sex rough and kinky.

When the former college friends meet at a BDSM mixer they’re shocked to see one another, but Mark isn’t surprised that the super successful Liz is a Domme. When Liz admits that she wasn’t looking for a sub, but is a submissive herself, Mark realizes she’s the BDSM partner he’s been waiting for.

Their chemistry is undeniable, and Liz’s brand of submission—fiery, passionate and demanding, challenges Mark as a Dom. Together they push the limits, exploring every kink, position and taboo that interests them.

They’ve finally found what they’re looking for, but soon sex isn’t enough, and they’ll have to decide if they’re willing to risk more than their bodies, but their hearts.

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*****

Mark, rather than pulling away, was leaning toward her, absorbing her anger and drawing in the emotions in her words.

“Liz, Liz, let me finish my thought. I would never treat you like a toy. I didn’t mean to be arrogant or condescending. That was a dumb-fuck thing to say.” He studied her for a moment. “I can only imagine that you would be an incredible submissive.”

“That’s sweet, and thanks, but I know my attitude isn’t…” She sighed and toyed with her straw. “I want sex, Mark. I want lots of sex. I want pleasure and pain and bondage and yes, I want to be controlled, but if that control involves being told to vacuum the house naked while not having sex for days then I’m going to walk.”

Mark’s eyes darkened, the pupils swelling until the iris was only a thin ring. The happy, normal bustle of the diner faded away, until there was nothing and no one but them. The tension and chemistry encircled them like a thick-skinned bubble, and inside the air was thick and dark, like maple syrup.

“You blindsided me.” Mark’s voice was a low rumble. “You know I don’t handle surprises well. I like to run the play that was called. Let's pretend that didn’t happen. Pretend I didn't say what I did.”

Liz let out a slow breath and sat back. “I’m sorry I jumped on you like that. After all the bullshit I had to see tonight at the center…”

Mark imagined some of the so called Doms from the gathering putting their hands on her. Reminding himself of his dentist’s warning about grinding his teeth, he unclenched his jaw.

“Those dicks at the community center aren’t fit to lick the bottom of your shoes,” he growled. “They couldn’t handle you.”

“Are you implying that you are?” She searched his face. He wouldn't want a submissive like her. Would he?

He met her gaze squarely. “Yes, I think I am.” He held out his hand.

Returning his stare, she took a chance, both on him and on her fantasies. “I think you are too.”

*****

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Dani was 17 years old when she ran from New Orleans like a thief in the night. With no idea where she was going or how she’d survive, she was certain of just one thing—she’d never again step foot in the Big Easy. Now, time and circumstances have made her a liar. After twelve long years, her beloved foster family, the Lewises, have tracked her down. And so has the very person who drove her away—her father.

Together with her best friends, Aiden and Bryson, Dani is standing at the precipice of success. Their band, Closing Time, has just signed with a major label and their star is on the rise. But Dani can’t enjoy any kind of future while constantly looking over her shoulder, waiting for the past to catch up. It’s time to return to New Orleans…time to confront the face that’s always haunted her nightmares.

Aiden and Bryson have long suspected Dani is hiding something, some dark secret she refuses to confide. When she leaves Nashville without a word, they follow. How can they not? What they feel for her…what they want from her…won’t allow them to let Dani face her demons alone. Whether she’s ready to believe it or not, over the years, the men have come to know a few things for certain: they’re stronger as a trio. And three hearts beat better as one.