Hidden Devotion Read Free Page A

coming up. Perhaps you could make an announcement about the former Grand Master stepping down.”
    “An announcement?” Juliette raised her brows. An announcement was both too informal and too ordinary for something like this.
    “What happens if we don’t say anything?” Michael asked.
    “You mean don’t acknowledge it?” Price shook his head. “The Grand Master’s identity is unknown, but Harrison’s height and voice are recognizable.”
    “If it’s clear that there’s been a change in leadership, but no death, people will wonder what happened. They’ll wonder if there was a problem.”
    “You want to make this seem voluntary?” Juliette asked.
    “Yes,” Harrison replied.
    “And will anyone believe that?”
    Michael let out a startled bark of laughter. “I forgot how much you’re like your old man.”
    “I’ll ignore that insult.” But she smiled—Michael had that kind of laugh.
    Harrison shrugged. “Our members aren’t exactly known for being the kind of people who can’t put the pieces together.”
    “If that’s the case, is stepping down enough punishment?”
    Harrison sat back and his jaw clenched. Michael rose to his defense, insisting Harrison had sacrificed more than enough, but it was Price who really answered the question.
    “I can only counsel the Grand Master, and stepping down seemed a fitting punishment. However, if you don’t think so, then as the next Grand Master, it would be up to you to make that decision.”
    Michael opened his mouth to protest, but Harrison stopped him. “Price is right. It may not be enough. You’re both biased, Price less so, but it shouldn’t be either of your decisions.” Harrison looked worried, and the way he glanced at Michael made her think that it wasn’t for himself that he worried, but for the other members of his trinity.
    “If I don’t step in as Grand Master, who would the position go to?” Juliette looked at Price. He certainly had the personality and power to handle the Trinity Masters.
    Price shook his head. “We’d have to check the laws. It’s always been an Adams.”
    “But never a woman,” she pointed out.
    “Frankly, I think selecting a man over the traditional bloodline would cause more problems than a female Grand Master would.”
    Juliette nodded in agreement with Price. Anyone who joined the Trinity Masters had to be accepting of nontraditional relationships since they’d be expected to be part of a ménage marriage. Throughout their history, female members had been some of the most powerful women in the nation, able to rely on the strength of the Trinity Masters to push political agendas and break glass ceilings. Misogyny was almost inherently against the ideals of the Trinity Masters.
    “While I agree, this is a break in tradition, and I’m young. Considering the condescending way the three of you were acting when I got here, I can only assume if I were to be Grand Master, it would be an uphill battle.”
    “It would, but Price and I will serve as your councilors, help you transition.” Michael’s tone was cool—it seemed he hadn’t forgiven her for mentioning Harrison’s punishment.
    “I’ll choose my own councilors.”
    All three men exchanged glances. Clearly that wasn’t what they wanted to hear.
    “The Winter Gala is coming up, so you have some time to make a decision.” Harrison reached out to her but paused, his hand slowly sinking to lie palm down on the table. “Juliette, I never expected this to pass to you. I never meant…”
    She met her brother’s gaze and something passed between them. Others, people like Price and Michael, might think they understood, but in Harrison’s eyes she saw the weight of the responsibility that he’d born, the same weight that had made Juliette’s father such a hard man.
    Juliette had come to this meeting knowing that there was no real choice. Price was right. Her age and gender were problematic, but it was her lineage that mattered most. She was willing,