Page 108 of Their Ruthless Sadist

“Morning,” he greeted.

I leaned back in my chair and smiled. “Morning.”

For a brief moment, his eyes roamed over my face and I wondered if he was going to launch into something about how I looked different. My sister had already called it out this morning, and since I was known to give everyone shit, I figured Ben was gearing up to launch into the same thing.

He didn’t. He simply smiled, white teeth flashing in his dark face. “I thought I’d check in, see what you decided on the hiring front.”

I sighed heavily. “Heather accepted the offer, and I’m still on the fence about Lance. Because I wasn’t thrilled with the other interviews, I’ve got a couple more coming in this afternoon.”

“Want my help talking to them?”

“If you’ve got time, sure.”

“Always have time for you.” He stood tall. “Send me the calendar invites and I’ll block out my afternoon.”

“Will do.” I fully expected him to say something more, but Ben simply turned and disappeared.

I stared at the empty space, which was the only reason I caught Greg trying to slip by unnoticed.

“Edge!”

He grumbled something, but then appeared in my doorway.

“Come in,” I urged. “Let’s chat.”

Electric-blue eyes shot to my face momentarily, then darted down the hall. I expected him to come up with an excuse. I couldn’t blame him. I would run from me, too.

When Edge peered back over, he looked… I’d go so far as to say the man looked scared. Which could only mean something had happened with my sister.

“Sit,” I commanded.

A smile pulled at his mouth, but he did join me. “I’m not one of your submissives, Zeke.”

“Nope. You’re not. However, you are the Dom who introduced my sister to kink.”

He practically fell into the chair across from me. “Is this where you give me shit about it? Keep in mind that was your idea.”

“Technically, it was Ransom’s.”

“But you went along with it.”

True. I did.

I stared at him for a moment, hoping the silence would intimidate him. I should’ve known better. Edge wasn’t intimidated easily. He had a backbone of steel, which I actually admired.

“So, how’d it go?” I held up my hand quickly. “But spare me the details. I mean overall.”

He seemed to consider his words carefully. “It …” Edge thrust a hand through his thick, black hair. “Fuck, Zeke. Why’d you have to go and do this?”

I sat up straight when I heard the torment in his voice. “What happened, Edge?”

He dropped his head in his hands, and I instantly came up with worst-case scenarios, hating myself for doubting my friend. He was right. This had been my idea. I thought back on Jamie’s responses at breakfast. She had seemed so happy. Well, except for the fact that she’d obviously been waiting for Edge to call her, and he hadn’t.

Leaning back in my chair, I forced myself to relax, to take deep, even breaths. “Talk to me, Edge.”

“What do you want me to say?” he snapped, his eyes lifting.

I shrugged. “I don’t know. Tell me how it went.”