Page 1 of Wicked Devotion

Prologue

Franklin watched the men, the only men he trusted with his beauties, walk into his bedroom and stand around his bed. Before he could say anything, the air got stuck in his lungs, and he coughed until he was gasping for breath. He knew the end was near, so he had little time to protect his girls.

Finally, after the coughing fit had passed, he laid back and concentrated on slowing his heart down. He wiped his mouth with the handkerchief in his hand.

“I want to thank you all for coming. I have a favor to ask of you three. You know I have triplets?”

The men nodded.

“I have to get them married off as soon as possible.”

“Wait,” Casen said. “I’m not ready to get married.”

Franklin nodded. “I know, but after I tell you my story, I’m hoping you’ll change your mind. You see, I’ve just learned some startling news. My wife, the girl’s stepmother, Eldora, is planning on selling them to the highest bidder after I’m gone.”

“How do you know that?” Rowan asked.

“One of my loyal servants overheard Eldora in a meeting with a man whose business is selling women.”

The three young men glanced at each other.

“Do you know who it is?” Rafael asked.

Franklin looked at the men. “Have you ever heard of Master Erikson?” His heart skipped in his chest when he could tell all three knew the man and didn’t think highly of him.

Rafael cleared his throat. “He’s into the black market—everything from guns, drugs, women, and even children.”

Franklin nodded. “I’ve put out feelers for information on him, and what I’ve gotten back has terrified me and given me nightmares.”

“I don’t blame you,” Casen said.

“What do you want from us?” Rowan asked.

Franklin smiled. He could always count on Rowan to get to the point.

“First off, I want to know the type of women you usually date?”

“What do you mean? Are you talking physically, emotionally, or professionally?”

Franklin grinned at Rafael. This friend of his was the analytical one. “All of it.”

Rafael shrugged. “I usually date brunettes. I like them to look like women instead of boys with breasts. I’d prefer a woman that wants to stay home and is mild-mannered.”

“I like blondes,” Rowan said. “I also like them to look like women and nothing fake. I want one that wants a family and won’t bow down to me. I need her to be able to stick up for herself, or I’ll bulldoze all over her.”

Franklin nodded and then looked at Casen. “And you?”

Casen grinned. “I go for the curvy redheads. I like their tempers and their passion. I also want a woman who doesn’t mind taking care of me and not having a career.”

Franklin smiled. “This is good. Now I know which daughter to give to who.”

“Wait,” Rafael said and held up a hand. “I haven’t agreed to anything yet.”

Franklin nodded. “This is where the huge favor comes in. If you men don’t marry them, Eldora has the right to give them to anyone after I’m gone.”

“Your daughters are adults, right?” Casen asked.

“Yes. The triplets are twenty-two, but you must remember where my family came from. In my homeland, it’s the job of the parent to find a husband for his or her daughter. It doesn’t matter where we live. We have to follow the dictates of our country.”

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