Owned (Office Intrigue Book 8) by Nicole Edwards (year 2 reading books TXT) 📗

reason you’re thinking,” Landon said with a laugh. “I fear she’ll bolt if we give her half a chance.”

“Did you come from the dungeon?” Langston asked me. “Thoughts?”

The only reason I smiled was because I knew they were expecting it. That and it helped to ease the lie that tumbled out easily. “I found it rather pleasurable, yes.”

Trent gazed past me before resuming eye contact. “No pets for you this evening, either?”

I quirked a brow, not bothering to answer. They knew me better than that. I did not have pets, as they so affectionately referred to their submissives. Mine were possessions, which was an entirely separate and distinct subset.

“If you’ll excuse us,” Langston said, tapping Landon’s arm and nodding toward their submissive. “I think we need to intervene.”

I glanced over, saw Luci smacking the hand of an overly touchy Dominant.

When I turned back, Justin and Ben were engaged in conversation with another Dominant, and Trent had moved in closer to me. “Did you see Ransom earlier?”

I masked my expression. “Briefly.”

Trent stared at me and I could practically see his brain working. The man was nothing if not astute—not to mention skeptical—and for the past year, I think he’d been as curious as I was regarding what was going on with Ransom. However, I didn’t think he’d managed to unearth the same information I had, despite the fact Ransom headed up security for Chatter PR and worked closely with Trent and his clients.

“You know something, Talon.”

“Do I?” I took a sip of champagne.

“If there’s something I can do to help him, I think you need—”

Before he could finish the sentence, our attention was diverted to a commotion near the front door.

From my vantage point above most of the others, all I could see was long dark hair pulled back in a haphazard ponytail. Whoever it was was in a hurry, pushing through the throng, forcing the guests to step back or get run over.

“Have you seen my brother?” the woman asked someone, the wealth of concern in her tone instantly capturing my attention.

FIVE

TALON

Déjà vu.

It was during a party very similar to this one that I’d first been introduced to the dark-haired sweetheart who had once again crashed TJ’s party, this time sounding far more unraveled than the last.

“Excuse me,” I told Trent before making my way over to head the security guards off at the pass.

I intercepted the guy who fancied himself in charge before he could get his hands on the newest arrival, motioned him to the side.

“I don’t have time right now,” he snapped, attempting to circumvent me.

I stepped right into his path.

“You’ll make time,” I declared, keeping my voice low, stern. “If you’d like to avoid an incident like the last time.”

The man looked up at me, dark brown eyes sparking with irritation.

“She’s with me,” I informed him. “And don’t give me any bullshit about a costume or invitation. Call your dogs off.”

I could see he was gearing up to argue, but thankfully, TJ chose that moment to appear. He said something to his hound, and instantly there was a shift in the man’s expression.

“Of course, Master Arlington.”

When the man headed over to where Braelyn was still arguing with more of the security staff, TJ turned to me. “Like last time. You’ve got full access to my home.”

I nodded. “She wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t urgent.”

Although it wasn’t quite an apology, it was as close to one as I would give, and he knew it.

I didn’t go into further detail, nor did he ask. With purpose, I strolled over to Braelyn, gently gripping her by the arm. Her eyes flew up to my face and there was instant relief.

“Talon, I need to find him,” she whispered harshly.

“I know. This way.” I urged her away from the congregating guests and the curious eyes that had shifted in our direction.

There was no reason anyone else needed to know what was going on here.

“Where is he?” Braelyn demanded as I urged her up the winding staircase.

“We’ll discuss in a minute,” I stated firmly, offering a curt nod to a couple of other guests we passed.

“Talon!”

The shout came from downstairs, and I glanced back, seeing Trent glaring up at me.

Never subtle, that one.

“Not now, Trent.”

I opened the first door I came to. Seeing that the room was empty, I nudged Braelyn inside, closing the door behind us. She was shaking violently, her breaths rapid and choppy, her face red, appearing to be chapped by the wind.

I knew this was unlike the last time she’d come in search of her brother. She wasn’t merely panicking because she couldn’t reach him. This time, something had happened.

I wrapped a firm hand around her bicep, intending to lead her toward a chair, watching as a single tear slid down her smooth cheek. She stumbled once, more tears following the first, as though the dam had broken, all that had been held back now free. Next thing I knew, I was pulling her against me, cradling the back of her head with my hand, noticing how small she was in comparison.

Just like the first time I’d set eyes on her, something consumed me. An overwhelming protectiveness, a foreign desire. Since the one and only time I’d interacted with Braelyn Bishop, for the longest time I thought I’d imagined my reaction to her, but it appeared it hadn’t been all in my mind. The rush of emotion was the same, the urge to protect and defend still there.

Braelyn sobbed, clutching the lapels of my tuxedo as she leaned into me. The silk would wrinkle easily, but if it would make her feel better, I would’ve told her to set the damn thing on fire.

A knock sounded on the door. Perhaps it was more of a pound, signaling the impatience of whoever was on the other side.

Not like I didn’t know who it was.

A moment later, without invitation, Trent stormed into the room, closing the door behind him with hardly a click. Surprising considering the fury I