Owned (Office Intrigue Book 8) Nicole Edwards (classic english novels TXT) 📖

She was quiet for a minute before she stopped and turned toward me. “I’ve always been happy. You’ve made sure I was.”

I studied her face. “I’m not going to pretend I don’t see what’s going on with you and Talon. Or that it looks serious to me. Is it serious?”

Another shrug.

“Okay, how about this: do you want it to be serious?”

“Yes.”

I was surprised by how easily she answered but not so much by her answer.

I’d sensed their attraction from the beginning, knew they were getting closer. Before today, I wouldn’t have been able to say whether they’d acted on it or not. After they’d spent the morning sharing those longing glances, I knew they had.

Part of me was tempted to threaten Talon away from her, to insist he keep his paws off my baby sister simply because that was what an overprotective brother was supposed to do. The other part actually wanted the two of them to pursue whatever this was, because I knew ultimately that Braelyn would be safe with Talon. And if Talon let himself love her, he would love deeply and forever. Of that I had no doubt.

Did I think she’d be happy immersed in a world where he had seven male possessions and indulged whenever he wanted? I honestly didn’t know the answer to that. She did not seem turned off by the notion, and if she’d spent any time wandering around inside this compound, she knew he was indulging. Hell, I’d witnessed it the first night when he was down by the pool. Surely Braelyn knew.

I couldn’t deny there was guilt that plagued me. I’d witnessed the tears when Braelyn learned I’d set our old lives on fire, literally. Ransom and Braelyn Bishop no longer existed as far as the world was concerned. And hopefully that meant our parents believed Salvatore and Teresa Bianchi were dead, too. If they didn’t, then it had all been for nothing.

Regardless, there was no going back for us.

I hated it, but I needed for it to be real, for those closest to me to believe that I was dead and gone. Perhaps someday I could reemerge with a new identity, but I would never be able to resume the life I’d once lived. Only Talon and those he trusted most knew what really happened and they were sworn to uphold my secret.

“The only thing I’ve ever wanted is for you to be happy,” I told her. “Genuinely happy, Brae. And if you don’t think you can find that happiness here, I understand.”

“Can you?” she asked, watching me closely. “I’ve seen the way you look at Jasper. I know he’s from your past.”

I hadn’t realized she’d remembered him.

“Do you still love him?”

“I do,” I admitted, because lying to my sister wasn’t something I could do. “Doesn’t mean anything’s going to come of it.”

“Do you want it to?”

I was as honest as she had been when I said, “Yes.”

“You sound certain.”

I smiled because she always managed to lighten my mood. “I am. But Jasper and I have a ways to go before we figure it all out.”

“I know the feeling.” Braelyn sighed, turned to continue down the beach.

We walked for a few minutes before Braelyn turned toward me. “Does Trent Ramsey know what’s really going on?”

I frowned. “Why would he?”

“He was at TJ’s that night. Talon told him he was bringing us here. To the island.” She looked guilty when she added, “and I might’ve heard Talon talking to him this morning.”

That was news to me. All of it.

“As far as I know, they all believe we died in the house fire.”

She nodded again, walked. “I just wish I didn’t have to change my name again. I’m rather fond of being Braelyn Bishop.”

I put my arm around her, hugged her to my side. “I know.”

“I think you should take the job. I think we should stay here.”

Stopping again, I turned her to face me, putting my hands on her shoulders. “Are you sure?”

“I’ve never been sure of much, but I’m sure we’re supposed to be here. On this island. With these people. It’s where the universe wants us to be.”

I immediately thought of Jasper and I had to wonder whether or not she was right. After all, I did not believe in coincidence.

Several hours later, I was sitting on the small patio overlooking the pool behind my house. I’d been out here for an hour, watching the sun sink in the sky while I enjoyed the warm breeze on my skin, the salty smell of the ocean. It hadn’t been until a few minutes ago that I realized I was feeling better. Significantly better, actually. Every now and then there was a twinge, but my ribs were no longer protesting. The shoulder still ached from time to time, but it was manageable.

What I wanted now was some alone time with Jasper.

Speaking of…

The sound of voices drew my attention to the swimming pool. I got to my feet, wandered closer. I remained out of sight as I watched Jasper and Cody launch themselves into the pool. They were laughing, though I couldn’t hear what they were talking about. The chatter continued as they swam back and forth a few times before leaning against the side and relaxing.

I dared to get closer, wanting to hear what was being said.

“Are you thinking about a replay of the other night?” Cody asked, chin resting on his arms, his head turned to the side as he looked at Jasper.

“The other night?”

I smiled. No way Cody didn’t catch on that Jasper was purposely playing dumb.

“It was hot, right?”

“Hot. Right.” There was something in Jasper’s tone that said he wasn’t happy about the direction the conversation was going.

“If I had a say in it, I’d ask for a replay,” Cody said with enthusiasm. “The way Ransom commanded you to fuck me… Have you ever done that before?”

Jasper peered over. “What?”

“A threesome.”

I wouldn’t go so far as to say that was