by Dubois, Lila
Tristan had lived his entire life alone, never having to consider the feelings of anyone sitting at home, worrying about him.
Yet another thing he was going to have to learn…in addition to living without a hand and being admiral of the entire British territory.
“I’m sorry, James. I didn’t mean to worry you.”
“Neither did I,” Sophia said softly, raising up on tiptoe to kiss James on the cheek.
James gave them an affable grin as they stepped into the elevator and he pressed the button to the first floor. Tristan felt lucky to have landed the other man as a spouse. He was genuinely kind and damn easy to live with.
“No worries, love,” James said, wrapping his arm around her shoulders, the three of them leaving the hotel. Lorelei had sent a car over to pick them up, and James whistled as the limousine pulled to the curb.
“I do like being married to royalty.”
Sophia and Tristan laughed as they climbed into the car. Once they were underway, James picked up the conversation again.
“I suppose there are a lot of things we’re going to have to start figuring out. Like living arrangements and such.”
He and Tristan both looked at Sophia.
“We have to live in London,” she said. “I know that.”
“That doesn’t mean you’ll like it,” Tristan said, glad James had taken the bull by the horns and brought the topic up. He’d been worried how Sophia felt about her rapid change of lifestyle. One minute she was a princess in Italy, working for the Carabinieri, the next she was the wife of two British men, her home and her job left behind.
“I’m happy to be here with the two of you,” Sophia said. “I will have to return to Italy soon to set my affairs in order there, but I hope you will believe me when I say I am pleased to be married to you both. I think we will make a strong trinity, a powerful team.”
Tristan agreed, but still felt a twinge of guilt. “You should keep your apartment in Rome. I suspect you’re going to need a break from the constant tea from time to time.”
She laughed. “I am going to miss the coffee. And the wine.”
James tugged her onto his lap and Sophia snuggled close, lifting her face to receive his kiss.
Tristan watched them, soaking in the warmth of their embrace, love washing over him.
“I love you.” The words came without thought.
Sophia and James both turned to look at him.
“I mean it,” he said. “I’m in love with you. Both of you.”
Sophia slid off James’s lap, kneeling between Tristan’s outstretched legs. “Ti amo, my cavaliere,” she whispered before looking back at James and repeating the sweetest Italian words Tristan had ever heard. “Ti amo.”
James reached across the distance between them, placing a strong hand on Tristan’s leg while cupping Sophia’s cheek with the other. The touch connected all of them.
“There may be a bunch of treacherous bastards out there trying to come between us, but I swear to you both right now, no man will ever be more devoted, more in love, than I am with you.”
Epilogue
Mateo looked out the window of his hotel suite and down on the picturesque courtyard below. He’d been in London nearly a week with no word from Arthur yet. He was beginning to feel like a caged bird.
He was needed back on the Isle of Man. The new fleet admiral was settling in, and it was crucial that Mateo be there to make that transition as smooth as possible. He hadn’t intended to spend so much time away. As such, he hadn’t packed enough clothing and his fitness regimen was completely fucked up. While the Taj Hotel offered a state-of-the-art fitness center, it didn’t hold a candle to his gym on Man. It was important to him that he train every day, to stay sharp, alert, ready.
He had called Greta the day after Manon was killed, wanting to be the one to break the news to her about her spouse’s death. He’d have preferred to do it in person, but the British admiral had asked him to stay in London, so he’d been forced to do it over the phone. She’d been devastated at first, but as he’d revealed Manon’s betrayal, that sadness quickly turned to silent resignation. He was worried about her. Though she was a strong woman, he wasn’t sure how much emotional stress she could continue to endure.
While his role as captain of the Spartan Guard meant providing protection and security for the fleet admiral and his family, for Mateo, it had become more than that. Greta and Kacper knew the truth about his family.
He blew out a long breath and clenched his fist. He needed to get out of here, needed to get back to the isle. He didn’t belong here.
Mateo considered going out for a run to blow off some steam, but discounted the idea.
To hell with it. If the mountain wouldn’t come to Muhammad…
He was going to go see the admiral, and then he was going home.
His cell phone rang, and the sudden sound in the silent room had him reaching for his gun for a split second. This was why he needed to get back home, back to his training. He was off-kilter, unfocused.
He recognized the number on the screen. Finally.
“Hello, sir,” he said when he answered. “I’ve been waiting for your call.”
“I’m sorry it took me so long to get in touch with you,” Arthur said. “There were several things I needed to attend to first. There’s a courier heading to your hotel as we speak, but I wanted to call you in person before it arrived.”
It? What the hell was it? Rather than ask, Mateo simply said, “Okay,” his curiosity piqued.
“The fleet admiral called me. He’s spoken to your admiral in Castile as well, and they’ve both agreed that this is for the best. They asked me to tell you.”
Mateo got a sinking feeling in his stomach. Was he being fired? Let go for failing to protect the fleet admiral?
“Sir, I know that I failed in my duties, but if you’d just give me another chance to prove myself, I think you’ll see—”
“Prove yourself?”
Mateo swallowed heavily. “I swear to you, if you’ll let me retain my position, I won’t fail the Admiralty again.”
“Mateo, you aren’t being fired from your position. Kacper promoted you to captain because you were up to the task, and believe me, no one disagrees with that decision.”
“Then I don’t understand why the fleet admiral called you.”
“He wanted me to perform a task for him. You see, today is your binding ceremony. He’s chosen your partners.”
About the Authors
Writing a book was number one on Mari Carr’s bucket list. Now her computer is jammed full of stories — novels, novellas, short stories and dead-ends. A New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller, Mari finds time for writing by squeezing it into the hours between 3 a.m. and daybreak when her family is asleep.
You can visit Mari’s website at www.maricarr.com. She is also on Facebook and Twitter.
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.
You can visit Lila's website at www.liladubois.net. She loves to hear from fans! Send an email to [email protected] or join her newsletter for contests, deleted scenes, articles, and release notifications.
See where it all began…
The Trinity Masters series is available NOW!
Elemental Pleasure
Trinity Masters, book 1
A dangerous Marine. A tech genius. A brilliant scientist.
When Carly Kenan joined the secretive Trinity Masters in college, she received entrée to an exclusive club that gave her access to wealth and power. But there’s a price all members must pay—they accept an arranged marriage, between not two, but three people.
Ordered to return to the Trinity Masters’ headquarters in Boston, Carly meets Marine Lance Glassco, a mathematician for DARPA, and Preston K
im, a dangerously intelligent 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 marry.
Though the physical attraction is instantaneous and incendiary, Carly is unprepared for the emotional intensity of the ménage relationship. 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. For the Trinity Masters, there is passion and power in three.
Primal Passion
Trinity Masters, book 2
An FBI agent. A billionaire CEO. A virgin scientist.
Deni Parker doesn’t have time for anything but her cutting-edge scientific work, and that’s how she likes it. She doesn’t have time for relationships. When she’s called to the altar—years ahead 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 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.
Gunner Wells has been in love with Deni for years, but he’s resisted giving in to his attraction. When he arrives at the Trinity Masters headquarters to be bound in marriage, 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.
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 existence of 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 ménage 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 talented doctor. And the man who can bring them together.
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 agent. 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.
Elegant Seduction
Trinity Masters, book 6
A spoiled heiress. A corporate mediator. And a man with a secret.
Sebastian has dedicated his life to upholding the ideals of the Trinity Masters. However, when his best friend, Juliette, is named Grand Master, he knows secrets he’s harbored will be revealed. While he expects Juliette to be angry, he does not expect her to call him to the altar, to bind him to a stranger, Grant, and to Elle, the woman who’s haunted his dreams for years.
Then Juliette reveals a secret of her own. There’s evil at play in the secret society and she needs him to root it out. Sebastian has no choice but to go undercover to spy on his own trinity. As the danger surrounding the trio grows, Sebastian is forced to choose between loyalty and love.
Because reluctantly bound to Elle and Grant or not, Sebastian can’t deny the pair have earned their place in his heart.
Secret Scandal
Trinity Masters, book 7
A dashing thief. A passionate scholar. And the beautiful bodyguard engaged to protect them.
Eli Wexler is a prominent art historian, a job that under normal circumstances isn’t dangerous. But Eli is a member of the Trinity Masters, and when he’s called to the altar he not only meets the man and woman he’s to marry, but is given a mystery to solve as well.
Jasper Ferrer realizes there’s trouble coming when he meets his trinity. Given Jasper’s checkered past, he doubts Eli will be thrilled by their marriage. Art historians, as a rule, dislike art thieves.
Irina Gentry knows what her trinity needs from her—her new fiancees are both art experts, and she’s there to protect them. It’s a job she’s more than qualified for, though she doubts there will be any need for her skills.
But the task the Grand Master gives them is far more dangerous than it seems. The quest for a long lost sculpture pits the new trinity against a hidden faction within the secret society, a faction who are willing to kill to keep the secrets Eli, Jasper and Irina are working to uncover.
Delicate Ties
Trinity Masters, book 8
A Broadway star. An adventurous architect. And the powerful Dom determined to claim them both.
Christian Rogers Stewart is no stranger to the stage, nor is he a stranger to the ways of the Trinity Masters. A legacy, he's grown u
p among brilliant, powerful people and he's more than ready to contribute to the society's noble cause when initiated as a member. However, he is blindsided when he's called to the altar by the Grand Master. First by lust for his arranged partners Charlotte and Vincent. And then by the revelation that the Trinity Masters are under attack, from within, by an insidious faction called the purists.
At their binding ceremony, Christian, Charlotte and Vincent are given two tasks: study the web of tunnels hidden beneath headquarters and investigate a suspected member of the purists, a fellow Dom in Vincent's clubs. By day Charlotte struggles to make sense of a coded blueprint of the tunnels. By night they investigate the wealthy, powerful Dom, with Vincent guiding his new lovers into the dark and sensual world of BDSM.
Both tasks lead the new trinity to earth-shaking discoveries. Not just about the purists, but about themselves and their own erotic desires.
Beloved Sacrifice
Trinity Masters, book 9
A woman with nothing to lose. A man who knows too much. A secret that could destroy them all.
Rose Hancock is no stranger to danger, fear, or pain. Her whole life has been shaped by the purists–a shadowy splinter group within America’s most powerful secret society. When the leader of the Trinity Masters has her partner-in-crime shot, Rose has nothing left to live for except revenge.