Elegant Seduction (Trinity Masters Book 6)

by Mari Carr

  “What did it say?” Sebastian asked.

  “He couldn’t make out all of it—I swear my father’s handwriting was worse than a serial killer’s—but the basic gist was my grandfather knew about and was investigating the purists. They were basically Nazi sympathizers during World War II who started to push back against adding members who worked on social issues or who were minorities.”

  “We know all that,” Grant interjected.

  “Yes,” Juliette continued, “but let’s face it. They’d pretty much effectively lost that battle by the sixties, and it seems some of it was in part thanks to the work the Trinity Masters did, despite dissention within the organization. My grandfather seemed to think they’d disbanded, but in his journals, my father said he thought they went underground.”

  Sebastian frowned, confused. “But if they’re not Nazi sympathizers, what was their cause?”

  Juliette sighed. “What is always the underlying root of all evil? Greed. Apparently, my dad realized that some of the Trinity Masters’ secrets—some valuables, information that could be used for financial gain, stuff like that—went missing.”

  “And he thought the purists took it?”

  “Yes.”

  Elyse reached for the pitcher of iced tea she must have put out for their pizza dinner, pouring a glass and taking a sip. “Mrs. Wythe said that Jessica had been one of the Grand Master’s counselors.”

  Juliette nodded. “Yeah. She was close to my grandfather and she would have had access to files—financial records of the members, geological surveys showing where there might be oil, government secrets. I think she managed to sneak out a lot of stuff before my grandfather’s suspicions were raised.”

  Elyse looked troubled. “So she betrayed the Grand Master.”

  Juliette’s eyes narrowed. “Yes. Yes, she did.”

  Sebastian wanted to roll his eyes, but thought it probably best not to taunt Juliette. Instead, he said, “And that was very naughty.”

  Juliette said something unflattering about his desire to make love to an inanimate object in Arabic.

  Grant cleared his throat. “There’s something I’ve been wondering. No one seems to know who Jessica’s trinity was.”

  Juliette leaned back, her expression morphing from irritated to grim. “I don’t believe she was ever called to the altar. I think my grandfather discovered her disloyalty and kicked her out before she was ever matched with her triad.”

  Grant rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Jessica died of a heart attack. According to my grandfather, his sister’s death was sudden. She wasn’t particularly old.”

  “She had just turned thirty-nine when she died.” Juliette supplied the answer quickly. She had obviously done her homework on Jessica.

  “You think your grandfather…” Grant didn’t finish asking the question. He didn’t have to.

  Juliette shrugged. “We’ve all heard the stories about what happens to members who break the rules.”

  They all took a minute to let that sink in.

  When Juliette spoke again, her voice was quiet. “There’s one particular entry that Harrison noted, that makes me think my father was still worried about them. That it didn’t all end with Jessica’s death. It was an entry about one of the galas where my dad announced that the Trinity Masters had new, improved storage areas. Apparently he gave some speech about how members had been asked to safeguard the treasures of the society in the past, but now it was time for those to come home.”

  “You think it was a fishing expedition,” Sebastian said.

  “Or a pardon.” Grant rubbed the spot on his head that had finally healed. “It was a chance for anyone who’d been part of Jessica’s original theft to give back whatever they had.”

  Elyse rose and walked to the window, then sat on the wide sill and faced them. “Did anyone come forward?”

  Juliette shook her head. “No. Either they were too afraid, despite the way my father phrased it, or they were still active members of the purists. I’ll bet you anything there isn’t a member of the purist sect who doesn’t know about Jessica’s untimely death. The wrath of the Trinity Masters is mighty.”

  Grant sighed. “And this brings us back to Mrs. Wythe.”

  “You think she’s been mentoring Elyse in hopes of recruiting her as a member?” Sebastian asked.

  “Yes,” Juliette and Elyse answered in unison.

  “I’m sure Katherine saw me as a very rich, very impressionable little girl whom she could mold in her own image. She doesn’t have any children of her own and if she’s proud of her sordid legacy, then it stands to reason she’d want to pass it on. To keep it alive. When you think of it, the purists’ cause has always been the same. They want to stay rich and in control.”

  Sebastian stood, his anger rising. “That isn’t what the Trinity Masters is about.”

  Juliette smiled. “I agree. Which is why it’s vital we find out who’s involved.”

  “And then what?” Grant asked. “What happens when you discover their names?”

  It was obvious to everyone in the room what he was asking. Sebastian thought it was a bold question.

  “Grant—” Sebastian started. Asking the new Grand Master if she had the chops to do what was necessary to punish the wrongdoers probably wasn’t a wise thing to do considering they’d just been caught in said wrongdoing.

  Juliette raised her hand to cut Sebastian off. “I’ll do whatever is necessary.” The answer was short, succinct and deadly. Sebastian didn’t doubt for a moment that his best friend meant it.

  “Which means,” Juliette continued, looking at Grant and daring him to challenge her again, “Elyse is going to take the map to Mrs. Wythe.”

  Grant didn’t respond. In fact, Sebastian could see the other man’s jaw tense as if he was clenching his teeth to remain silent.

  “In public,” Sebastian said. “Elle can arrange to meet Mrs. Wythe at the library. Show her the map there.”

  Juliette considered that suggestion, and then agreed. “Very well.”

  “I’ll call her tomorrow to set it up,” Elyse said. “I don’t want to appear too anxious. It might make her suspicious.”

  Juliette rose and reached for her coat. “Perfect. Keep me in the loop on the plans. I want to thank the three of you for your efforts to uncover the truth. Just a few more days and then you can go back to your normal lives.”

  Elyse chuckled. “I’m not sure the three of us have set up a normal life yet.”

  Juliette frowned, her troubled gaze flying to Sebastian. Though she didn’t say a word, her confused look wasn’t lost on Elyse and Grant. It was as if a bomb had detonated in the room.

  “You said you brought them into the investigation…” Juliette seemed to be at a loss for words.

  Sebastian held her gaze, wondering, hoping his best friend could read his plea, could understand what was in his heart.

  She gave him a sympathetic look in return. “I see,” she said at last. Then she left.

  The room was silent, no one moved.

  Grant was the first to break it, his expression and voice wooden. “The trinity was a fake.”

  “Of course,” Elyse whispered. “It never made sense. Now it does.”

  “It’s not a fake,” Sebastian said stubbornly. “I won’t let it be.”

  Grant scowled. “It’s not your fucking decision, is it, Seb?”

  “You knew,” Elyse said, angry tears forming in her eyes. “You knew this whole time.”

  Sebastian couldn’t stand their matching looks of anger laced with sorrow. “I also knew I was going to ask Juliette to let the trinity stand.”

  “And when were you going to do that?” Grant asked.

  “I thought all of this shit would be over by now. I’d hoped we would find the information we needed and then I could convince her that this—that we—work.”

  “I’ve never heard of a trinity being broken without repercussions.”

  Sebastian sank down onto his chair. “The Grand
Master has the right to dissolve a trinity during the binding period. Once the marriage ceremony is performed, no one can break it.”

  “So we have less than a week left?” Elyse asked, her voice strained, quiet.

  Sebastian nodded.

  “What do you think Juliette’s answer will be?” Grant’s anger seemed to have abated.

  However, Elyse still looked shattered. It killed Sebastian.

  “I don’t know.” And that was what had stopped Sebastian time and time again. If Juliette said no, if she insisted on dissolving the trinity, he couldn’t remain with the society. “I’m not taking no for an answer. And if she won’t change her mind, I…”

  He struggled to admit where his thoughts had been taking him. They all knew what going against the organization meant. “I have a place in Rome, friends there. We could…”

  Elyse tilted her head. “Leave the Trinity Masters? Run?”

  “We’re not going to have to do that. We’ll convince her to marry us.” Grant’s tone was strong, sure.

  Elyse glanced at Grant, surprised. Then her face morphed into one that matched Grant’s in determination. “Yeah. We will. We’ll do whatever it takes. No one is breaking us up.”

  For the first time since he’d met his partners at the altar, Sebastian didn’t feel completely alone. “I’m so sorry for all the lies, for not telling you right from the beginning.” Sebastian had been buried under a mountain of guilt for weeks. He couldn’t quite believe they weren’t tearing him apart, ripping him a new one.

  Grant shook his head. “No, Seb. We don’t need apologies. You were doing what the Grand Master asked.”

  “Helping someone you loved. Even though it killed you to do it,” Elyse added. Sebastian saw the compassion in her eyes and realized she knew exactly what it felt like to go against your own beliefs to help someone you cared about.

  Grant walked over and put a strong hand on Sebastian’s shoulder. “We’re going to find a way to make this work. The two of you are mine. I don’t give up what belongs to me without a fight.”

  Elyse chuckled. “Your inner caveman is showing again.”

  Grant reached out and pulled her toward him, engulfing her tiny frame in his bear-like embrace. “Is that a complaint?”

  “This time?” she asked, her voice muffled as she pressed her face against Grant’s chest. “No. But I reserve the right to complain about it on a case-by-case basis.”

  Sebastian chuckled. The weight of the world had just been lifted from his shoulders. He’d come clean to his lovers and they were still here. If he needed to, he could fly.

  Grant’s face was serious when he stepped away from Elyse, his hands gripping her upper arms as he bent down to look her in the eye.

  “Well, get ready to bitch because I’m not finished speaking my piece about this plan of yours.”

  She shrugged off Grant’s hold and stepped away. “I’m not changing my mind. I’ve lived my entire life fitting into the molds other people formed for me. Snob. Airhead. Lazy. Weak. I don’t want to be any of those Elyses anymore. I want to be the woman the two of you see when you look at me. Strong. Smart. Worthy.”

  “God, Elle,” Sebastian said, rising from his chair. “You are that woman. You don’t have to put yourself in danger to prove that.”

  “Maybe not to you. But I need to prove it to myself. I’m going to stand up to Katherine tomorrow. I’m going to make her pay for what she’s done. And then I’m going to face my father, show him that I’m not weak or stupid or—” Her voice broke as she added, “Elliot.”

  Grant huffed out a frustrated breath. “Fine. It’s obvious we’re not going to change your mind. So we’re making a plan. One that keeps you well away from harm.”

  Elyse smiled and reached up on tiptoe to kiss Grant, then Sebastian. “Okay.”

  “Let’s discuss it over dinner,” Sebastian said, rubbing his stomach. “We keep missing meals, feeding other hungers.”

  “The pizza should be here any minute,” Elyse said, checking the time on her cell phone.

  Grant laughed. “Let’s raid the cabinets for some dessert for after. If we’re very clever in that kitchen, maybe we can find a way to feed both at the same time.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Elyse stood in a dark corner of the Wiggins Gallery and perused the dioramas. The third floor of the library was dingy, quiet, off the beaten path. Sebastian and Grant were on the first floor, no doubt attempting to blend in with the scores of tourists roaming around, snapping pictures of the murals and sculptures, and awaiting the arrival of Mrs. Wythe. They planned to make sure she was alone and then follow her up. They’d chosen this room because of the adjoining hallway.

  Mrs. Wythe would no doubt use the elevator. Sebastian and Grant intended to use the stairway in the Sargent Gallery and watch them through the small window in the door. They’d be able to observe her conversation with the elderly woman covertly while remaining close.

  She glanced at her phone and tried to calm her nerves. She’d told herself a million times since arriving that this was just Mrs. Wythe. There was nothing frightening about the tiny, elderly lady.

  She tugged her purse off her arm and pulled the map out. She’d only brought Grant’s section. As far as they knew, Mrs. Wythe wasn’t aware that the Grand Master was in possession of a second section.

  Katherine had been very excited when Elyse called this morning to say she had found a map mixed in with Grant’s family papers. Elyse had tried to brush it off as a boring discovery, considering the map was torn, but Mrs. Wythe’s undeniable excitement over seeing it was the last ounce of proof she needed. Katherine was a purist. The thought angered Elyse, made her sick.

  “There you are, dear,” Mrs. Wythe said.

  Elyse turned and forced a friendly smile. “I’m sorry to drag you to the library, Katherine. I’ve just got a million errands to run. I didn’t have time to make the journey out to Wellesley today, but I could have brought it out for you to see next week.” Elyse had said basically the same thing on the phone, but Mrs. Wythe had insisted on seeing the map as soon as possible.

  “It was absolutely no problem. I have errands of my own to attend to in the city as well, so today was just perfect.” Mrs. Wythe pointed to Elyse’s hand. “Is that the map?”

  Elyse led Katherine over to a table, where she spread out Grant’s section of the map. The room was empty except for them. Elyse resisted the urge to look over her shoulder to see if Grant and Sebastian were peering in from the Sargent Gallery. She didn’t want Katherine to catch a glimpse of them.

  Katherine studied the map quietly for several minutes.

  “What do you think it’s a map of?” Elyse asked, playing dumb.

  Katherine glanced up at her question, and then looked around the room to confirm they were still alone. “I’ll show you.”

  Elyse was shocked when Mrs. Wythe picked up the map.

  “What do you mean?”

  Mrs. Wythe’s hand snuck into the pocket of her coat. She pulled it out slowly, revealing the gun. When she returned it to her pocket, her hand remaining, there was no doubt the muzzle was pointed at Elyse.

  “Shall we take a little walk?” Katherine asked as pleasantly as if they were strolling through a garden.

  Elyse slowly followed, wondering if Grant and Sebastian had seen her flash the gun. She trusted they were formulating a plan and figuring out the best way to approach them.

  Katherine gave her a light shove toward the hallway that led away from the Sargent Gallery. “Walk.”

  Elyse kept moving as Katherine directed her toward the rare book room.

  “Katherine?” Elyse asked when they entered the room. She hadn’t expected Mrs. Wythe to take her anywhere. She’d anticipated Katherine taking the map and leaving. “Where are we going?”

  “You’ll see.” The elderly woman was silent as she opened the hidden door. Together, they took the secret elevator down to the Trinity Masters’ headquarters. Elyse was slightly surprised that
neither Grant nor Sebastian had stopped them yet, but she wasn’t worried. Devon had given her a tracking device to wear this morning. The tiny piece of technology was taped in place just beneath the top edge of her bra.

  Mrs. Wythe was watching her closely, the gun still directed at her. Elyse prayed the old woman didn’t accidentally pull the trigger.

  When the elevator doors opened, Katherine led her down the long grand hallway, their steps echoing. They turned left at the first, and only, intersection. Mrs. Wythe walked with confidence down a corridor Elyse had never taken. Her initiation into the organization and her binding ceremony had both taken place in the altar room. With the exception of that room and the dressing room attached to it, and the larger gathering room, Elyse had seen very little of the headquarters below. She knew there were offices and other rooms filling the elegant space, but she’d never seen them

  Mrs. Wythe ushered her into one of the dressing rooms, where the long ceremonial gray robes waited in neat rows. She opened a door that Elyse assumed was to a bathroom, but instead was a small private changing room with a floor-to-ceiling mirror on one wall.

  There was a handle set into the mirror frame.

  Katherine pulled the handle, revealing a small conference room, complete with a large table and chairs.

  “I had no idea this was here.” Elyse tried to hide her growing fear. Would the tracker work with her so deep underground? As far as she knew, no one privy to her meeting was down here.

  If the tracker didn’t work, did Sebastian and Juliette even know about this room? Would they be able to find her?

  Then she wondered where Juliette’s office was in relation to this room. Something told her it was nowhere near here.

  “The existence of the Trinity Masters is only the first secret most of us learn. You’re young, but don’t worry, dear, I’ll tell you some of my secrets.”

  Once they were in the room, Katherine shut the door and locked it. “Where’s the rest of the map?”

  “What?” Elyse asked.

  “The other piece.” Katherine’s voice was no longer that of the kindly grandmother Elyse was accustomed to. This woman was no-nonsense, demanding.