Owned (Office Intrigue Book 8) by Nicole Edwards (bill gates book recommendations txt) 📕

“I’m going to get dressed. I’ve got things I need to deal with in my office.”

Braelyn nodded, wrapping a plush towel around her delectable body.

“Did you still want me to fill in for Tiegan?” she asked, her tone hopeful.

“I could certainly use your assistance if you wouldn’t mind.”

“I’m not sure how helpful I’ll be, but I wouldn’t mind something to keep me occupied.”

“Why don’t you get dressed, then we’ll see what we can tackle.”

I dressed while Braelyn returned to the guest room to do the same. Because I knew she needed to eat before she tackled anything, I waited for her in the dining room. She joined me a short time later wearing another of the outfits I’d provided for her—a white skirt that stopped mid-thigh paired with a red sleeveless blouse, a pair of wedge sandals on her lovely feet.

We indulged in coffee and pancakes because she requested them, and I found I wanted to fulfill her every wish.

Two hours later, after taking three calls, two regarding Zafiro business and one from an Owner who had recently been scheduled to come to the island in the near future but now had to change his plans, I went in search of Braelyn.

With help from one of the other assistants, I’d had Braelyn temporarily set up in Tiegan’s office until I could get hers furnished. I found her sitting at Tiegan’s desk, her fingers flying over the keyboard as she stared intently at the screen.

I didn’t interrupt, simply stood silently, watching her.

When she finally looked up, I realized I was smiling, enjoying having her here.

Her smile was warm and filled me with that foreign sensation I was beginning to anticipate. Before long, I figured it would no longer be foreign.

“How’re things?” I asked.

“Good.” She put her hands in her lap, gave me her full attention. “I was just scheduling a flight out for next week at Zion’s request.”

“No issues?”

“Actually, no.” She chuckled. “I found some how-tos Tiegan must’ve created. She’s very thorough.”

“She is.”

“I did have a question.” Her gaze darted back to the computer then up to me. “There are a couple of requests for phone calls to be returned. I didn’t know if you’d prefer someone else to handle them or not. I did a search on the email accounts they came from and found one’s from an Owner, the other from what I gather is a potential Owner. Notes say she’s been approved but has yet to acquire one.”

I found it intriguing that she was so at ease discussing Owners and possessions.

“Do you feel comfortable calling them back?”

“Sure. I figure if it’s something I can’t handle, I’ll discuss with Zion, or have one of the others help me.”

“Then I’m confident in your abilities.”

Braelyn watched me for a moment, clearly waiting for me to speak again. I had nothing more, so I turned to leave but paused.

“One other thing I require of my personal assistant,” I said, glancing back at her.

Her eyebrows rose in curiosity.

“She must be available for lunch when I am.”

Braelyn smiled. “Did you have Tiegan join you for lunch every day?”

“Never. It’s a new rule.”

She laughed and I found I loved the sound.

“Who am I to disregard the rules?”

“I’ll come find you when I’m ready. We’ll go to the resort dining room so you can interact with the others.”

Braelyn nodded and smiled.

And I was left with that same warmth when I walked away, looking forward to taking a break.

Another first for me.

THIRTY-TWO

RANSOM

I spent the majority of the day Tuesday doing my best not to pay attention to my sister and Talon.

From the time they ventured into the Owned offices, Talon had kept a close eye on her. From when he introduced her to the other assistants, to when he escorted her out for lunch then returned an hour and a half later, both of them smiling at one another in that way that said they shared a secret. A secret I seriously doubted I wanted to know about.

Much of the morning pertained to reading information regarding Owned, Incorporated, getting familiar with their rules and regulations, of which they had many. More than I would’ve imagined considering what it was they did. However, knowing Talon as I did now, I could understand.

While my sister was temporarily sitting in Tiegan’s old office, I had been relegated to an empty one, set up with a laptop and a desk. Admittedly, I wasn’t one for desk work, preferring to be moving about. And that was how I found myself convincing Braelyn to take a walk shortly after three o’clock. Before we got too far into it, I figured it was best we get this discussion out of the way. Otherwise, I could very well be wasting everyone’s time.

“Is something wrong?” she asked when I guided her down the path that led to the beach on the opposite side of Talon’s main house.

“Not at all. Why?”

She shrugged, the breeze blowing her hair back from her face. It was only then I realized she’d been wearing it down more, something she rarely ever did before. For Talon, maybe?

“I guess I’m just waiting for a lecture,” she answered.

I chuckled. “No lecture. You’re a big girl and you can make your own decisions. I actually wanted to talk about the job offer Talon made me.”

“It’s a good one,” she said, although she didn’t exactly sound supportive.

“It is. Better than anything I’ve had before and likely anything I’ll have again.”

Her eyes were sad when she peered up at me.

“I didn’t mean it like that, Brae.”

I knew my sister had always felt guilty, believing she had somehow become my burden. The truth was, I wouldn’t change a single thing. She was the one who’d made my life complete. She was my family.

“The job. Is it what you want?” she asked, kicking off her sandals and carrying them as we moved down to the sand.

“Is it what you want?” I countered. “It’s my fault we’re here in the first place. The only