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

a particular Owner might want in their possession, we strip them down to nothing. Literally. It’s our goal to rid them of all those ingrained ideals they’ve learned through their life.”

“And naked helps?”

“It brings out their sense of vulnerability,” Gideon continued. “And also eliminates their ability to hide. What you see is what you get.”

“Do any of them leave once they’re here? I mean, not with an Owner.” Once again, Braelyn divided her attention between me and Gideon.

That was the same question her brother had asked.

“No.” Gideon met my gaze and I nodded, giving him permission to give her a bit more detail. “Those who come into our possession are the ones we’ve deemed worthy, I guess you could say. They aren’t playing games, they’re in this because it’s what they feel they need to be happy. They aren’t submissives who want to push the boundaries. These are the ones who truly want to be owned in every respect, to give up their ability to make choices for themselves. Before they arrive on the island, before they give up their entire existence, we’ve vetted them to ensure this is what they truly want, because the goal is for them to succeed.”

“Sounds complicated.”

“We don’t take it lightly,” I assured her. “We provide a service, and we’re not in the business of selling people against their will. Owners and potential Owners expect to get their money’s worth. They want what I promise them. A human possession.”

“So the Owners pay?” Braelyn asked, her question directed at me.

“They do. And it’s not cheap.”

“Because you want to make money?”

“Because we don’t want to hand over a human possession to someone who might toss them aside,” Gideon countered, not bothering to hide his temper. “Think of a dog or a cat. Many shelters give them away for free, or for a few dollars to cover shots or whatnot. Which makes anyone able to get one. Who’s to say that person is going to take care of the animal? That they have the means to do so? That their desire to have a pet isn’t just a passing fancy? Just because they’ve got a twenty lying around to cover discount shots doesn’t mean that animal will get the proper care.”

I grinned to myself.

That was one of the reasons I liked Gideon. He understood on a level most didn’t. And though he was seeking a possession of his own, he considered all of those in residence his until they left the island. He was protective in that manner.

While he continued to explain that it cost money to house the possessions even for a short period of time, Gideon continued with the tour. Through the banquet hall, the conference areas, the entertainment spaces.

I watched Braelyn take it all in, saw the way she looked at the various fetish equipment—eye hooks in the walls and ceiling, St. Andrew’s cross in the library, spanking benches and other pieces of furniture throughout. After all, this wasn’t the Hilton. We catered to a specific clientele.

“While in our care, they receive room and board, medical treatment, and the like,” Gideon clarified. “And since we don’t charge the possessions for that, someone has to make up for it.”

Braelyn’s gaze held firmly with Gideon’s. “I see your point and I apologize if I offended you.”

“You didn’t, Miss Bishop.” Gideon’s eyes softened. “It’s me. I tend to get a little defensive.”

“Not a bad quality,” Braelyn noted, looking over at me. “How long do they stay here?”

“As long as it takes to find them a proper home.”

“And I assume whatever app or site you’ve built is how potential Owners find them?”

“That’s correct.”

Gideon stopped just inside the second-floor gym, where a female possession was currently strapped to a spanking bench, her ass a brilliant red from the leather-wrapped paddle being wielded by another of our trainers.

“That’s Zed Lynch,” Gideon told her. “He’s one of our temporary trainers.”

Braelyn’s full attention was on the way Zed smacked the possession’s ass a few more times before he leaned down and spoke right in her ear, his voice deep and strong, though the words were indistinguishable from this distance.

“Punishment,” Gideon said, clearly sensing Braelyn’s unspoken question.

Braelyn still didn’t look away when she asked, “Do they have a say in the matter? In who their Owner might be?”

“Yes. The possession has as much right to choose as the Owner. If they don’t feel it would be a good fit because they’re not attracted to the Owner or for some other reason, seems rather pointless to force the matter.”

“But you bring them here before they find someone?”

“Correct,” I answered. “We had issues in the beginning where possessions were misrepresenting themselves. Whether it be height, weight, age, or other distinguishing factors. Because Owners are the ones investing, I realized it only made sense that I vetted them first.”

“So they can’t lie?”

“Correct,” I answered with a nod. “The possessions are not permitted on the app until they’ve been acquired by us. It’s so we can ensure honesty on every level. Once they’ve been vetted and approved, each possession is instructed to sever ties to their previous life. I allow them to reside in a training facility and give them ninety days to do so. At that point, after I’ve verified they’ve paid off all their debts, quit their jobs in a respectable way, I bring them here.”

“Why? Why can’t they just up and walk away from their life? It wouldn’t matter, would it?”

“It all boils down to self-respect. These people haven’t fallen on hard times. They’re making a life change. If someone’s willing to shaft everyone else to get what they need, where are their loyalties? I’ll only work with people who respect themselves enough to make good on their promises.”

“What about family and friends? Do they sever ties with them, too?”

“For the most part, yes. But for these people, their desire to be owned by another is more important than those relationships they’re leaving behind. In many cases, those who come here don’t have much family