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

a grin. “I was shot in the throat. Hurt like the devil, but I survived.”

“Yep, he’s like a cockroach,” Tiegan muttered as she walked by. “He’ll be here long after the rest of us have died off.”

I was shocked by the rude comment, but no one else seemed to be. In fact, I was fairly sure that was a smile pulling at Zion’s mouth as he followed Tiegan with his eyes.

“And this is Micah,” Talon explained, drawing my attention to the man standing at Zion’s side.

I found myself staring. Not because there was anything abnormal about Micah. No, his appeal was more because he was so … I wanted to say beautiful but that didn’t seem appropriate. Yet it was still true. His light brown hair was shaggy, flopping down over his forehead and his ears, the wavy strands resting on his shoulders. But it was his eyes that were devastating. While he didn’t look at me, I could still see the brilliant blue of them. The sort of bright teal blue that was otherworldly.

“He’s mine,” Zion said easily, as though it made perfect sense for someone to belong to him.

Evidently it did, because Micah didn’t so much as meet my gaze before turning and following Zion toward the opposite side of the table.

“Have a seat,” Talon said firmly before holding my chair once more.

I had just planted my butt down again when the doctor appeared, coming directly toward Talon.

“Sir, Ransom will not be joining us. I’ve given him a pain pill and he’s sleeping.”

“Thank you, Dr. Tate.” Talon, still standing, motioned toward me. “On an official note, this is Ransom’s sister, Braelyn. Braelyn, this is Jasper Tate. My on-staff physician.”

As I remained seated, I had to wonder why Talon hadn’t introduced us earlier. But the thought didn’t last long as the doctor’s name started to tumble around in my brain. The name sounded so familiar, and I found myself staring up at him, wondering if it could possibly be the same man my brother had spoken of many years ago. I mean, Jasper wasn’t a common name, was it?

“How’s he doing?” Talon asked.

I was grateful Talon asked the question, and I waited with bated breath for the doctor to respond.

“Better than he looks on the outside,” Dr. Tate explained, looking directly at me, his light green eyes somehow comforting. “Based on what Zion told me about the accident, your brother was extremely lucky. He’s got a mild concussion, some bruised ribs, and a dislocated shoulder. I was able to shift the shoulder back into place, but it’ll be painful for a little while. Other than that, he’s banged up quite a bit, a lot of bruises but no broken bones.” Dr. Tate glanced at Talon again. “I’ll be watching over him for the duration of the trip, waking him every hour.”

I actually smiled at that, biting back a giggle.

“Something funny?” Talon asked, peering down at me.

I schooled my expression but my smile returned. “I just know Ransom. He’s grouchy when he’s woken up.”

“That he is. But I can handle it,” Dr. Tate said, and there was so much recognition in his tone. “Once you’ve had your dinner and settle in to rest, I’ll get your injuries properly bandaged.”

It took a moment to realize what he was referring to. The pain in my feet had been the least of my concerns for the past hour or so. But no sooner did he mention it than they started to burn and ache.

I nodded. “Thank you.”

Dr. Tate returned my smile before looking at Talon. “I’ll have my meal delivered to me later.”

Talon nodded. “Thanks.”

“It was nice to finally meet you, Braelyn.”

I swallowed hard, staring into Jasper’s eyes. If there’d been any lingering doubt as to whether he knew Ransom, there wasn’t anymore. He really was the man from my brother’s past. A man I’d never met but had heard so much about. I’d been a teenager when my brother had been seeing Jasper, and I remember hanging on every detail of the stories Ransom would tell me.

But then one day, those stories just stopped, as though Jasper had fallen off the face of the earth.

“Shall we?” Talon said, his voice loud and clear.

As though that was the dinner bell, everyone took their seats.

Interesting dynamic, that was for sure.

*

TALON

As Dr. Tate exited the room, I let my gaze trail after him. I’d noticed the surprise on his face when I had introduced him to Ransom’s sister.

Being that I was a very private man, I’d done a deep dive into everyone who worked for me, including Jasper Tate. Upon hiring him, I’d been aware of his previous relationship with Ransom but had never brought it up. Not my place. Of course, when Ransom had approached me with his request for a favor, I knew the two would have a long overdue reunion. Now I was curious as to how it was all going to play out.

Something to deal with at a later date.

Not until I took my seat did the possessions begin bringing the food out, placing plates around the table. Aside from Zion and Tiegan, there were a handful of others who often traveled with me. Tiegan’s two assistants, as well as one who worked directly for Zion. I rarely interacted with them, nor them with me, but they were usually in the background.

It wasn’t surprising how easily Braelyn fit in with my team. I knew her brother well enough to know he was an intelligent and witty man. He’d obviously passed those along to the sister he had raised, because she had no problems following the conversation, contributing when necessary, and bringing up topics of her own. She was inquisitive, there was no doubt about it. Hard to believe that just a couple of hours ago she’d been in tears. Now, here she was, cool and composed, interacting as though she hadn’t been nearly kidnapped, her brother nearly killed.

Sometimes people needed a distraction, I figured.

Probably helped that we toasted in the new