Page 37 of Forgotten Promise

“Believe me,” he said. “If I could go back and rewrite the whole beginning of our story, I would.”

“It got worse than that?” John asked sympathetically.

“Hell yeah. I tried to seduce Carly without Preston there, picked a fight, stormed out, then…”

“Let’s just say that by the next morning, I was on a plane back to California alone after telling Preston and Lance I wanted nothing to do with them or the trinity,” Carly replied. “Can you top that?”

John waited for Benjamin to respond, curious what he’d say.

“Kailani and I dated back when we were both still in college. I didn’t think it was that bad of a breakup, but when my name was called and she realized it was me—”

Lance relaxed. “Ha. You fucked up way before the binding ceremony, didn’t you?”

Benjamin started to shrug, then nodded. “Yeah. Kailani stormed out and said she wouldn’t marry me. She caught a flight back to Hawaii and yesterday was the first time we’ve seen each other since. Today was supposed to be…” Benjamin caught himself before saying the rest. If he admitted today was supposed to be their wedding day, he’d also have to explain why they were in California instead of Boston. “We asked the Grand Master’s counselor if it was possible to dissolve the trinity, but we haven’t heard back from her.”

Carly took a sip of coffee. “I considered doing the same thing, though it didn’t get quite that far. For what it’s worth, I’ve never heard of any trinity being dissolved. Can I ask you something, Benjamin?”

He nodded.

“Are you resistant to the trinity as well?”

John was shocked when Benjamin shook his head without a moment’s hesitation. “I want a trinity marriage. I want to be married to spouses who want me.” He snuck a glance at John. “I’m not willing to accept anything less. And neither of them should have to either.”

“Then can I offer you some advice?” Carly asked.

Benjamin leaned forward eagerly. “Please.”

“Talk to her. I know that sounds like ridiculously vague advice, but Preston, Lance, and I could have solved so many of our problems if we would have stopped throwing up roadblocks, stopped running away, and just talked.”

Lance smiled at him and Benjamin. “Once you’re ready for the conversation, text me. I have a recipe for a souffle that is guaranteed to put your girl in a well-fed, mellow mood.”

Carly laughed, even as she elbowed Lance playfully, then crooked her thumb at him. “This guy is the reason I have to work out an hour every day. I obviously don’t know either of you well, but I genuinely hope your marriage is a happy one.”

* * *

“Is someone protecting the waihona?” Preston asked once she’d finished explaining the chaos of yesterday.

“Yes. My brother.”

“He knows enough to protect it?”

“All of my family knows about the waihona—where it is, that it’s our duty to protect it. The hotel was actually built around it. However, no one but the keyholder knows exactly how to access it.”

“Good that your brother is there, but is that enough?”

“My brother, Makani, was able to talk to someone in Boston, I’m guessing one of the counselors, and they’re sending additional guards.”

“My father was a counselor,” Preston said softly. “We can call him if we need more information.”

“Right now, I need to make sure you get on a plane, and then I need to go get the last keyholder.”

“I’ll go pack for us.”

“Us?”

“My trinity is coming with me,” Preston said.

“But it might be dangerous there,” she said.

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