by Mari Carr
“We did it,” Grant said quietly.
Elyse sighed happily. “Yeah. We did.”
“Now if I could only get you two to admit the West Coast serves up better Mexican food than the East, everything would be perfect.”
They all fell asleep laughing.
Epilogue
“If he’s right, we won’t be able to keep it a secret.”
“No, we won’t.” The Grand Master shook her head. Looking around the table at her counselors, she tried to project confidence and leadership. Devon and Sebastian looked back at her, both men more than capable leaders, but waiting for her to make the call.
The third counselor was over at her desk, supervising the book scanner he’d set up. Franco was hovering over the scanner, which took up most of the surface space of the desk. The sleek black plastic shell and mechanical hum seemed out of place. A window in the front meant she could see the arm inside the scanner carefully turn the page before the built-in cameras snapped pictures.
Whatever happened next, Franco had convinced her that the contents of those albums had to be protected.
Juliette turned her attention back to the small conference table and the photos spread out there. They shuffled the headshots back and forth like playing cards. But this wasn’t a game. This was a potential trinity on the line.
“Are we doing the right thing?”
Sebastian gestured to the scanner. “You mean by investigating this?”
“No, I mean by forming a trinity based on a task, rather than on jobs, or fields of study, or even on personalities.”
“Trinities have been formed for less.” Sebastian smiled wryly.
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
Devon reached over to stroke his wife’s arm. “We’ve found too many things in that room to deal with on our own. We have to turn to the membership for help.”
Juliette nodded. What Devon wasn’t saying, what they’d all avoided saying, was that one of the main reasons they needed to have these issues investigated by trinities, and not just by individual members, was that they couldn’t trust any one member. Not until they knew who the purists were.
“Eli Wexler.” Juliette pulled his picture toward her. “He’s by far the best person to tackle this.”
“We know this will be dangerous. He needs someone for help with security.”
“Price Bennett was one of my brother’s counselors. I reached out to him for a suggestion.” Juliette grabbed a photo of a beautiful dark-haired, dark-eyed woman. “Irina Gentry.”
“That takes care of the brains and the muscle.” Devon looked at the photos. “What about their third?”
“You’re going to need more than muscle.” Tasha leaned out of the shadows. She was so quiet Juliette had almost forgotten she was there. Tasha had served as a fixer for Harrison when he served as Grand Master. Juliette hadn’t read through Tasha’s file—frankly, she didn’t want to know exactly what the lovely woman was capable of.
“What do you suggest? Someone with intelligence work experience?” Juliette looked at Devon, who started shuffling through the images, sorting out people who were either CIA or FBI agents or assets.
“Intelligence work.” Tasha’s lips quirked. “No. I think not.” She went to the stack of photos they hadn’t been considering. Flipping through, she pulled out one and with a flick of her wrist had it sliding down the table to Juliette.
A good-looking, if unremarkable, man stared straight ahead in the photo. He wore thick-rimmed glasses and his hair was messy. Juliette smiled at the photo, her gaze flicking to Franco, who was petting the book scanner.
“That’s Jasper Ferrer.” Tasha resumed her position half in shadow.
Juliette flipped over the image to read the bio printed on the back. “He’s an archaeologist. That’s not exactly going to help.”
“He’s an archaeologist as much as Indiana Jones is.” Tasha laughed softly.
Devon whistled through his teeth. “This is the guy? I’ve heard rumors about him.”
Juliette handed him the photo. “What guy? And what do you mean by that Indiana Jones comment?”
Devon chuckled. “Indiana Jones is a terrible archaeologist, but he’s a good collector, or grave robber, depending on your point of view.”
“Jasper’s a grave robber?”
“No,” Tasha said. “He’s a cat burglar, specializing in art and antiquities.”
Sebastian laughed. “Actually…that might be helpful.”
Juliette lined up the photos. “Eli, the art historian, married to Jasper, the art thief.” She sighed. “Irina is going to have her work cut out for her.”
* * *
Meanwhile…in another city, the dark-haired woman looked down at the faded section of map and thought about secrets. Secrets inside secrets. Loyalties and secret sects that stretched back generations, all housed inside an already-secret society.
No one knew all the secrets. But she knew more than most.
And they were killing her.
She folded the original map, placing it back into its waterproof sleeve along with all the fake copies she’d made. No one alive, except her, knew what the real map looked like. She’d “made copies” to give to those who thought they deserved a copy, those who had blackmailed and coerced her into sharing what she knew.
But the dark-haired woman was no stranger to blackmail and secrets. She’d grown up living a lie, living in secrets.
She shoved the waterproof envelope into the hidden compartment behind the tile in her bathroom. Only she knew that the copies she had weren’t really copies, but instead were photoshopped images, each one slightly different than the last. A small rebellion, a tiny step toward fighting back.
No one would ever suspect the rebellion. She’d been raised from birth to support this cause, been trained to layer secrets one atop another.
No one would ever suspect she’d turn those skills against them. She wasn’t brave enough yet. Didn’t know everything she needed to know.
Until that day came, she had to live with herself.
And that was increasingly hard to do.
Join the world of the Trinity Masters…
Elemental Pleasure
Trinity Masters, book 1
There is passion and power in three…
When Carly Kenan joined the secretive Trinity Masters in college, she knew that she’d have to pay. That day has come. Returning to Boston, Carly meets former Marine Lance Glassco, a mathematician for DARPA, and Preston Kim, a celebrated chemist. Though on the surface they have nothing in common, it’s clear the Grand Master thinks that together the three of them can do something amazing. And that’s why he’s declared that Carly, Lance and Preston must unite. In a ménage.
Tempers flare as they struggle to understand each other, but their physical attraction is explosive, and the sex leaves all of them begging for more. Pushed beyond her limits, Carly runs from Lance and Preston. What she doesn’t understand is that she now belongs to them, body and soul…and they belong to her. When Lance uncovers a dangerous crime at Preston’s company, Carly is caught in the crossfire and the struggling lovers are forced to move beyond desire…to trust.
The Trinity Masters have the power to make careers and change lives, but there’s a price. Members know that the day will come when the Grand Master will select them, and pair them with two others. For the Trinity Masters the strongest bond isn’t a pair, but a threesome.
Primal Passion
Trinity Masters, book 2
An FBI agent. A wealthy CEO. A virgin scientist.
Deni Parker thinks she’s got it all figured out. At the cutting edge of science, she has little time for anything but work. Luckily she doesn’t have to bother with dating because she’s a member of the Trinity Masters—a secret society that has not only helped her career, but which will identify the two people she’ll spend the rest of her life with in an arranged ménage marriage. When her invitation to the introduction ceremony is delivered—years ahe
ad of what she expected—by the very intimidating, and far too handsome, Price Bennett, Deni’s more than a little unprepared.
Price didn’t join the Trinity Masters to play messenger. As CEO of a major security firm and heir to one of the largest fortunes in the world, he’s annoyed when the Grand Master orders him to transport the disorganized, virgin scientist to the ceremony to meet her partners. It’s only when they arrive that Price realizes he isn’t a messenger—he’s been matched with Deni.
FBI Agent Gunner Wells has been in love with Deni for years, but he’s resisted giving in to his attraction. When he arrives at his introduction ceremony, he’s delighted to discover Deni is not only a member of the secret society, but one of his partners…along with billionaire playboy, Price Bennett.
Their strong personalities clash—in the bedroom and out of it—but Price and Gunner have to put aside their overprotectiveness, and Deni must put aside her pride, when someone tries to stop her research—with deadly methods.
Scorching Desire
Trinity Masters, book 3
A reformed spy. A respectable lawyer. A renowned playboy.
When Damon Corso is blackmailed it’s not just his career that’s in jeopardy, but the Trinity Masters–America’s oldest and most powerful secret society. He and fellow member Marco Polin, a world famous playboy musician, enjoy sharing women, a secret that until now they’ve kept quiet.
Tasha Kasharin, the reformed spy sent to help them, knows this is more than simple blackmail. Marco and Damon’s lives are in danger. She ignores her increasingly vivid fantasies about being part of a trinity with them until their investigation is interrupted by the Grand Master, who calls them to the altar and binds them in a menage marriage.
The men must trust their futures to the unexpectedly innocent woman who’s now their wife, while dealing with the change in their own relationship, and the complicated feelings that come with it. Blackmail escalates to violence, and they’ll have to trust and accept one another if they’re going to survive.
Forbidden Legacy
Trinity Masters, book 4
An enigmatic leader. A steadfast woman. An improper proposal.
Harrison Adams has served as leader of the Trinity Masters for a decade. He’s always placed the group above his own needs—even when it comes to the one woman who calls to him. When a dangerous threat to the secret society surfaces, Harrison sets a plan in motion that could save the organization, but it comes with a price.
Alexis turned down an invitation to join the Trinity Masters, afraid to relinquish control over her life, her future…her heart. That rejection means night after night of unrequited lust as she and Harrison are forced to ignore their desires. Her heart aching, she throws herself into her job and her difficult working relationship with her boss, Michael. He’s attractive and maddening, but Alexis has zero plans to give in to the crazy chemistry between them.
Harrison asks Alexis to experiment in a ménage relationship with him and she agrees unable to take another moment of longing for him. Perhaps with a third around she’ll be able to keep her heart intact. She is completely unaware their third will be Michael. She couldn’t have known how giving herself to them would inflame her desires. Or how much she would enjoy submitting to them.
But when an evil man looking for revenge sets his sights on Harrison, time is the one thing none of them have. And it soon becomes apparent Harrison’s forbidden legacy could destroy them all…
Hidden Devotion
Trinity Masters, book 5
A reluctant leader. A CIA handler. A lost legacy.
Juliette Adams’s spent her life running, from both her status as the daughter of the Grand Master and her arranged marriage. Until the day everything changed and she became Grand Master—a position she was never meant to hold.
Devon Asher has more than a few secrets, the least of which is that he’s desperately in love with Juliette, which shouldn’t be a problem since they were betrothed when they were children. Now that she’s Grand Master his secrets aren’t safe.
Franco Garcia Santiago always assumed the tales of a Trinity Masters were fantastical stories his grandfather made up, until Juliette shows up at his door. Together they uncover the secrets of the Trinity Masters, unaware of the danger they’re putting themselves in.
Juliette must decide if she’ll turn her back on her destiny or embrace the role of Grand Master, and if she’ll use her power to discontinue the trinity marriages she grew up despising, or follow her heart, which tells her happiness lies with both Devon and Franco.
About the Authors
Writing a book was number one on Mari Carr’s bucket list. A New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller, Mari’s computer is now jammed full of stories — novels, novellas, short stories and dead-ends. Mari writes contemporary erotic romance novels.
Join her newsletter so you don't miss new releases and for exclusive subscriber-only content.
Find Mari on the web at:
www.maricarr.com | Facebook | Twitter | Email: [email protected]
Lila Dubois is a top selling author of paranormal, fantasy and contemporary erotic romance. Having spent extensive time in France, Egypt, Turkey, England and Ireland Lila speaks five languages, none of them (including English) fluently. She now lives in Los Angeles with a cute Irishman.
Lila loves to hear from fans! Send an email to [email protected]
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Other Titles by Mari Carr
Trinity Masters:
Elemental Pleasure
Primal Passion
Scorching Desire
Forbidden Legacy
Hidden Devotion
Elegant Seduction
Sparks in Texas:
Sparks Fly
Waiting for You
Something Sparked
Big Easy:
Blank Canvas
Crash Point
Full Position
Rough Draft
Triple Beat
Second Chances:
Fix You
Full Moon
Status Update
The Back-Up Plan
Never Been Kissed
Say Something
Compass Brothers:
Northern Exposure
Southern Comfort
Eastern Ambitions
Western Ties
Compass Girls:
Winter’s Thaw
Hope Springs
Summer Fling
Falling Softly
Individual Titles:
Erotic Research
Assume the Positions
Tequila Truth
Rough Cut
Happy Hour
Power Play
Slam Dunk
Just Because:
Because of You
Because You Love Me
Because It’s True
Cowboys:
Spitfire
Rekindled
Inflamed
Lowell High:
Mad about Meg
Bound by the Past
Covert Affairs
Wild Irish:
Come Monday
Ruby Tuesday
Waiting for Wednesday
Sweet Thursday
Friday I’m in Love
Saturday Night Special
Any Given Sunday
Wild Irish Christmas
Wild Irish Boxed Set
June Girls:
No Recourse
No Regrets
Madison Girls:
Kiss Me, Kate
Three Reasons Why
Boys of Fall:
Free Agent
Red Zone
Wild Card
Scoundrels:
Black Jack
White Knight
Scoundrels Boxed Set
Foreign Affairs:
Princess
Cowboy
Master
Hands
/> Other Titles by Lila Dubois
BDSM Checklist, BDSM Erotic Romance
A is for…
B is for…
C is for…
Standalone BDSM Erotic Romance
Betrayed by Love
Red Ribbon
New Adult BDSM Romance
Dangerous Lust
Undone Lovers, BDSM Erotic Romance
Undone Rebel
Undone Dom
Undone Diva
The Trinity Masters, Erotic Ménage Romance written with New York Times bestselling author Mari Carr
Elemental Pleasure
Primal Passion
Scorching Desire
After Burn (free short story)
Forbidden Legacy
Hidden Devotion
Glenncailty Castle, Contemporary Romance
The Harp and the Fiddle
The Irish Lover (short story)
The Fire and the Earth
The Shadow and the Night
Monsters in Hollywood, Paranormal Romance
Lights, Camera… Monsters
My Fair Monster
Gone with the Monster
Have Monster, Will Travel
A Monster and a Gentleman
The Last of the Monsters
The Wraith Accords, Paranormal Romance
Carnal Magic
Zinahs, Fantasy Romance