Page 13 of Forgotten Promise

She and Benjamin exchanged a quick glance, and she could see he was as shocked as she was by John’s aggression because both of them resumed their seats immediately.

“I’ve spent the last month listening to what the two of you aren’t going to do. So now it’s my turn, because I think you need to know what I’m not going to do. I am not going to be the ‘child’,” he finger quoted, “stuck in the middle of your contentious divorce. I am not going to shuffle from one home to the other, always playing the mediator in your arguments. I am not going to split my time between the two of you because you can’t let go of the past and move on. I joined the Trinity Masters because I wanted the stability I never had as a kid. So I’m telling you right now…if the two of you don’t knock this shit off, I’m going to—”

Kailani’s phone chirped loudly, cutting John off mid-threat. She wasn’t sure if she was glad of that or regretful because the masochist in her wanted to know what he was going to do.

Her heart started to race as she pulled the phone from her pocket.

The display said only “333.”

“It’s the Grand Master.” She snuck a quick glance at Benjamin, then focused on John.

“Why are they calling you?” Benjamin frowned and pulled out his phone, checking the display to see if he’d missed a call.

“I guess we’re about to have our answer.” Kailani put her phone on the table and answered on speaker. John and Benjamin both leaned in, their expressions different but equally hard to read.

“This is Kailani,” she said in greeting. She didn’t expect this to be a conversation. Either their request was granted, or this call was to tell them what, if any, punishment there was for even asking.

“Keyholder.”

Kailani froze, time seeming to stop for a moment.

“Our society is under attack.”

Holy shit. Was this really happening? Was she getting the call?

“Please gather the others and open the door. The top lock position is now the acting Grand Master.”

John was frowning, looking between her and Benjamin. Benjamin looked confused, and he shook his head at John. Both men looked at her. Kailani recovered enough to grab the phone, stabbing the screen as she tried to take it off speakerphone.

“Be careful,” the voice on the other end of the line said. “Our secrets may be compromised.”

Just as she managed to turn off the speakerphone, the call ended.

Kailani stared at her phone. That was a call she’d never expected to get. After all, her mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother had never received the call when they were the keyholders.

She looked at John and Benjamin. The issue of their marriage, which had consumed her thoughts and kept her from sleeping this past month, was no longer the biggest crisis in her life.

“We’re not…I can’t go to Boston. I don’t think you have to either.” She rose. “I’m sorry, I have to go.”

“What was that?” Benjamin demanded. “That wasn’t about our marriage.”

“No, it wasn’t,” she agreed as she headed for the door. “It wasn’t an answer to our request, but right now I have another…duty…that’s more important.”

John somehow beat her to the door, holding it open for her. “I’m coming with you.”

“We’re coming with you,” Benjamin countered. “He said be careful. There’s danger.” Benjamin’s face was stark as he followed her down the hall.

She was practically running, but Benjamin’s long legs meant he could keep up with her at a walking pace.

“You’re in danger?” Benjamin looked at her for confirmation.

Kailani didn’t answer as she raced down the stairs, John and Benjamin beside her.

Again, John beat her to the exit, but this time he blocked it, his gaze bouncing from her to Benjamin and back. “Who, or what, is a keyholder?”

Chapter Four

If Kailani thought he was going to walk away when she was in danger, she’d lost her damn mind.

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