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

actions were out of necessity. But I reiterated that the job opportunity was real if she was inclined to entertain it.” Tiegan glanced over at me, leaning a hip on the rail and crossing her arms over her chest. “Which got me thinking … have you considered she could be your executive assistant?”

Always playing an angle, this one.

“I have not, no.”

“It’s a thought. You know, having a backup ready for when you decide to promote me.”

Tiegan didn’t know it yet, but her promotion was coming faster than she realized. She’d been vying for one specific job for the past six months, and because I had something else in mind for her, I had yet to give her the news. Although it wasn’t what she was hoping for, I knew she was better suited for it. Plus, it went with another plan I had in the works.

Tiegan peered out at the courtyard, her attention on one of the possessions pushing a rolling cart loaded down with laundry. “You tell her about this place yet?”

“I have not, no. All—”

“In due time,” Tiegan interrupted, eyes narrowing. “Yes, I know. Braelyn’s intuitive. It won’t take long for her to figure it out.”

I knew that to be true, as well. Considering her brother was an active part of the BDSM community, and it appeared the siblings talked quite a bit, I got the feeling Braelyn had a decent understanding of the lifestyle. Not my lifestyle, per se, but overall.

“You think she’s still interested in a position here?” I asked, watching as another one of the possessions, this one pushing a food cart, stepped out of the Owners’ Retreat across the way.

“Define position,” she teased. “Are we talking about a position under you?”

I rolled my eyes, ignoring her. Tiegan was always attempting to rile me up.

She chuckled softly. “I think she’ll come around. Like I said, she’s got backbone. If I had to guess, she can handle what she finds here. It just might take her a little time to adjust.”

“And Ransom?” I took a long swallow of brandy. “Where’s he?”

Tiegan seemed to relax at the change of subject. “Jasper insisted on keeping him close for the day. Something about a concussion. I assume he’s in the clinic. I’ll have a room prepared for him.”

“No. Set him up in one of the villas. He’ll need his own place.”

“You expect they’ll be here a while?”

“I do.”

“Is it still your intention to have him assume the responsibility of overseeing the possessions in training?”

“I don’t know what my intentions are, honestly. I’ll need to spend some time with him.”

Like Braelyn, I suspected Ransom was going to be shocked once he learned what went on here. However, if they were as open-minded as they appeared to be, I got the feeling they would find exactly what they were looking for, if and when they accepted it.

Tiegan laughed softly. “Personally, I look forward to seeing how this all plays out.”

I had nothing to say to that. My assistant was good at baiting people, but her charms never worked on me. I think she appreciated that about our relationship.

“Instruct the staff they’re to treat Ransom as they do upper-level management.”

“And Braelyn?”

I regarded her momentarily. “They’re to treat her the same as they do me.”

I could see the surprise in Tiegan’s glittering green eyes, so I looked away, adding, “I expect them to cater to her every whim.”

“Are you—”

Before she could say something I did not like, I held up a hand. “Leave it be, Tiegan. Braelyn is not your business.”

There was a hint of hesitation in her voice when she said, “Of course.”

Standing tall, I knocked back the rest of my drink. “I’ll be retiring for a few hours. Zion’s in charge.”

Without a word, Tiegan took it as the dismissal it was and left me alone with my thoughts once again.

I remained outside, the soft breeze gliding past, the warm air blowing across the courtyard, making the palm trees sway, the sky brightening slowly. It wasn’t long before I saw two male possessions—both acquired by Owned, Incorporated sometime in the past three months since they were currently naked—moving promptly across the manicured lawn on their way to the pool house, their daily chores well underway. It took time and effort to maintain the one hundred twenty thousand square feet of resort and residence that sat stoically in the center of fifteen thousand acres of prime real estate referred to as Sapphire Island, a private island in the Caribbean. This was where I had built my empire and where I housed those who had amassed a portion of my fortune.

Only a select few knew where I laid my head at night. I kept certain details about myself private for a reason. Many details, actually. Like the fact there were roughly three dozen human possessions here at any given time, all working diligently to keep this estate running smoothly while they got the training necessary to go on and cater to someone else’s needs. They were in training via the program instituted by my company. In fact, they were the very heartbeat of my business, the reason Owned, Incorporated existed.

That didn’t include the seven who were owned by me.

Speaking of…

I lifted my hand, crooked my index finger twice.

Rolphe appeared instantly at my side.

“Make me another drink, then I want you and Auberon to get some sleep. Send Taurus, Corvin, and Ari to my quarters. The others can continue with their duties,” I said, not bothering to look his way.

It only took a moment before Rolphe was handing over my brandy, then strolling off to do my bidding.

Giving the others a few minutes to make it to my room, I took a sip, letting the warm breeze blow off some of the stress from the night.

There was no denying it. I loved it here, on the island. It was the only place I cared to be. Unfortunately, it wasn’t always an option. I spent my fair share of time traveling because it was required when