Hidden Devotion (Trinity Masters #5)(15)

Juliette tipped the paper towards the light, examining his right hand, which was visible. On his middle finger Francisco wore a ring she knew all too well.

“Son of a bitch.”

Juliette dashed to the computer again, this time searching for Francisco, finding a high-resolution version of the image in the magazine article on the foundation’s website. She magnified his hand. There it was—the gold triquetra ring worn by male members of the Trinity Masters.

With a sinking feeling, Juliette spent the next hour checking the member files for anything on Francisco or his father Henry. There was nothing. For some reason, Francisco’s family wasn’t in the records. Luis Garcia Cruz, Francisco’s grandfather, had been a member, but unless the file for his trinity had somehow been destroyed, it seemed that he’d never been called to the altar. And now his grandson was flaunting a Trinity Masters’ ring in public photos.

Juliette read through everything a second time, committing it to memory since she shouldn’t take anything out of this room. Placing all the papers into a new file, she labeled it “Garcia Family – Inactive?”

After a moments debate she put the rest of the hidden files back in the Victrola then gathered up her things and left the office. When she hit ground level, she pulled out her phone to call her brother.

*****

“Are you sure you don’t want something to drink?” Alexis looked at her husband Michael and then back to Devon, who was pacing in their living room.

“I’m fine, thank you.” Devon knew he shouldn’t be here—most members didn’t know the Grand Master’s name since he always wore a black, hooded robe—let alone where he lived or what he did. It was only because of the Asher family ties to the Adamses that he knew, but that didn’t make this appropriate.

Harrison hadn’t been home when Devon came knocking an hour and—he checked his watch—seventeen minutes ago. Instead, Devon had found Harrison’s spouses, Michael and Alexis. He hadn’t heard that the Grand Master had gotten married, but Juliette’s brother had always been a private person, so he wasn’t surprised. While Devon recognized Michael, he didn’t know Alexis, which made the fact that he’d invaded her house all the more awkward.

The metallic clack of a key in a lock made all three turn their heads. Michael laid a hand on Alexis’ shoulder then left the living room, undoubtedly to warn Harrison about their guest.

Devon should be worried about the Grand Master’s reaction to his breach of manners, should be worried about potential repercussions. He wasn’t. All he cared about was an explanation. He wanted to know why his trinity—something that for Devon was as good as set in stone—had been dissolved. He wanted to know what Juliette had said that would make the Grand Master do something so drastic.

“Inactive? No. I’ve never seen anything like that.” Harrison’s voice carried faintly from the hallway. “You’re going where?” There was a pause. “Do you think that’s… No. Of course not. I’ll try to think of anyone who might know more about it.” A longer pause and then Harrison said, “Please be careful, Juliette.”

At the sound of her name, Devon’s already tight muscles hardened into blocks. He had to force himself to relax his jaw and hands, to make sure his posture didn’t give away what he was feeling.

Harrison stepped into the room. Alexis rose from the couch and kissed her husband on the cheek. She whispered in Harrison’s ear before leaving the room, closing the door behind her.

Devon hadn’t seen Harrison in years. The man had aged; his dark hair was no longer streaked with gray. Instead, the salt and pepper was equally distributed and there were deep lines creating defined grooves in his face.

He didn’t smile when he saw Devon. Instead, he gave him a short nod that, paired with Harrison’s stern expression, offered Devon no hope that this conversation would end well. He took a seat then gestured for Devon to do the same.

“You shouldn’t be here, Devon.”

“I know, Grand Master.”

Harrison slashed a hand through the air, frowning. “Don’t… Tell me why you’re here.”

“I want to know why you did it.”

Harrison went unnaturally still. “Why I did what?”

The words caught in his throat. Devon pulled the letter from his pocket and held it out. Harrison took it, glancing over it quickly, then handed it back.

“When did you get this?”

“Earlier today.”

“I assume you’ve seen Juliette.”

“This morning.”

Harrison was silent, waiting for Devon to continue. When he didn’t, the Grand Master gestured. “And?”

“What did she say to you?” Devon rubbed his forehead. “What did I do? What did she find out? Whatever it is, it can’t have been bad enough that you had to dissolve our trinity.”

“You know your situation, the fact that your trinity was decided on when you, Juliette and Rose were children, is unique.”

“I do.”

“And since you’ve known Juliette her whole life, you better than anyone should know that it’s been hard on her, for many reasons.”

“It wasn’t easy on Rose or me, either.”

Harrison raised a brow and Devon realized that had come out more pouty than explanatory. He cleared his throat. “Grand Master, I—”