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

room, sliding over Jones’s body as the system computed all the measurements. On the screen, alongside those that had already been captured, the new measurements appeared, all flashing green as they matched perfectly.

“The scale is built into the floor,” Ransom noted. “This process eliminates the need for anyone’s assistance. The Owners can select the time at which they wish to perform the initial inspection. They can even decide whether they want to take possession now or wait until later in the event they have something else to take care of first.”

“Gives them more control as well as options,” Memphis mused. “That’ll go over well.”

“We believe it will,” Ransom agreed. “Plus, it keeps the staff free to do other things.”

“Tiegan,” the voice prompted, “would you like to continue the inspection of possession four-seven-one?”

“Of course I would,” she answered easily now.

“Possession four-seven-one, proceed to the inspection bed.”

The glass door slid back into the wall, allowing Jones to step out of the vestibule. On the opposite side of the room, another panel retreated, revealing a white padded table inset in another small room. There was roughly two feet of space on the other three sides of the table, allowing plenty of room for someone to walk around it.

After seeking my nod and getting my approval, Jones sidestepped Tiegan and climbed onto the bed, lying on his back.

“This is all so high-tech,” Tiegan said, grinning.

“Automation is the key to efficiency,” Ransom stated.

“Tiegan,” the voice said, “would you like to perform the physical inspection yourself? Or would you like me to assist?”

Her eyebrows rose. “I’ll … uh … let you assist.”

“Very well.”

Just like in Talon’s dungeon, panels retreated, and an electronic arm extended.

There were still tweaks being made to the machine, but this one did as it was programmed to for Jones specifically, everything set for his exact measurements. It started with a milking machine that stroked his cock until he was erect. At that point, another beam of light moved across him, measuring the full length of him. When that was complete, the automated voice instructed him to turn over, describing the position he would need to move into. He did, pulling his knees up beneath him and leaning forward, his chest on the padded top, his ass in the air.

After another beam of light crossed over him, gauging the exact position he was in, a different motorized arm shifted down, this one with a dildo on the end. It proceeded to slide into his ass. On this one, there was a camera that projected onto the screen, giving the Owner full visibility.

“There are numerous options an Owner can select from. Some don’t require anal probing,” Ransom explained. “Others like to indulge. The intake rooms, where the possessions come when they first arrive on the island, have also been updated with the same equipment. Dr. Tate and Jayda will still be required to screen every possession upon their arrival, but it will no longer require the assistance of others.”

“Efficient. I like it,” Memphis said, turning to Talon. “I assume the marketing is up to us.”

“That it is.”

“Will you be completely functional for the upcoming retreat?”

“We no longer have the need for scheduled retreats,” Talon explained, his arm coming around me once again. “Getting fully automated and better staffed has allowed us to welcome current and future Owners on a regular basis. We’ll still manage occupancy, but we’re aiming for a steadier flow versus an influx.”

A knock sounded on the door, all heads turning toward the newcomer.

Zion stepped into the room, his gaze coming to rest on Talon. “Boss, we’ve got incoming.”

Talon’s arm fell from around my shoulder, taking my hand, his silent request for me to follow.

“Ransom,” I said quickly, “please have Jones returned to the house.”

“Let Memphis handle that,” Zion called out. “Ransom, you’re gonna want to follow me.”

“What’s going on? What does incoming mean?” I asked.

“An inbound plane. Gulfstream, to be exact,” Zion informed us.

“Who’s onboard that plane?”

“Couldn’t tell you, but the registered owner is none other than Trent Ramsey.”

“No one knew he was coming?” Talon asked, peering over at my brother.

Ransom shook his head. “Haven’t heard from him in weeks.”

No one had, I knew.

*

RANSOM

To say Talon was pissed was an understatement. Evidently, the man did not approve of surprise arrivals here on his private island.

Not that I necessarily blamed him.

“How many passengers are logged on that flight?” I asked Zion when we stepped out of the resort.

“Six, including two pilots and one flight attendant.”

“Who’d he bring with him?”

“More importantly,” Talon injected, “why the fuck didn’t he tell us he was coming?”

Knowing Trent, it was because he wanted the face-to-face. I took that to mean he had good news, because it was just like Trent to want to deliver it so he could take the credit.

“Plane landed five minutes ago,” Zion said. “I instructed security to drive him in. They should be here—”

Phones chimed, signaling someone was approaching the resort.

We were nearing the driveway as the Range Rover pulled in, stopped, three of the four doors opening.

Trent was in the front seat while…

“Well, hell,” I muttered, heading to the three men looking around in awe.

“This is nice,” Isaac Stokes said, smiling. “Why the hell haven’t we been invited before?”

“You weren’t invited now,” Talon said, his tone hard, his big body partially blocking Braelyn from view.

Clearly Isaac and his twin brother, Ian, hadn’t gotten that memo. Not if the hard glare they directed at Trent was any indication.

Trent didn’t seem at all fazed, his attention shifting to me. “It’s done.”

Done? Meaning…?

Trent then looked at Talon. Information passed between them with a simple nod, but I had no idea what it meant.

“We apologize for not letting you know,” Ian said, stepping forward, glancing sideways at Trent. “We just figured…”

Yeah, assuming Trent did anything was never a good thing.

“In our defense,” Ian continued, “we thought it was important to come here, share the details in person. Don’t trust electronic communication for this.”

Which told me everything I needed to know.

Talon seemed to put away his anger