Page 107 of Their Ruthless Sadist (Office Intrigue Duet 5)
Thankfully, I pulled up to the diner in time to put an end to that conversation. Without a word, I threw the truck in park and hopped out.
My overly cheerful sister was at my side a moment later, hooking her arm into mine and leading the way into the restaurant. While everyone seemed distracted by her giddiness, I did my best to allow the mask to fall back in place.
I hoped like hell the cowboy and the pretty boy didn’t start looking at me differently. If they did … well, if they did, then perhaps it was time for us to move this to the end phase. Maybe that was what was best for everyone.
Especially me.
*
Case
(The pretty boy)
JAMIE LAUTNER WAS CUTE AS could be. The way she mooned over her brother, as though he was the greatest man she’d ever known… It gave me tremendous insight into Zeke. A glimpse I honestly never thought I would have the opportunity to see. There was a hell of a lot more to him than most people realized. Sure, he was a sadistic man, but there were so many other qualities about him that intrigued me.
The way he carried on a conversation with Jamie made it obvious he was highly intelligent. Of course, I’d gathered that merely from his position at Chatter PR Global. I’d heard him talk to clients, knew he was well-versed in what he did. But it was more than that. He had something to say on nearly every subject she brought up. Unless it pertained to something personal. Especially regarding Brax or me. He did not seem pleased by Jamie’s inquisitive nature when it came to our history.
Yet he listened without interruption as Jamie asked about what we did for a living, how we’d come to be in the industries we were in. How we’d met Trent Ramsey, what was it like working for him. And so on and so forth.
When she finally fell silent for a moment, I decided to get in a question of my own.
“So, were you able to make it to Dichotomy?”
A deep growl sounded from Zeke and I looked over to see him glaring back at me. I smiled because why not. I knew this wasn’t a subject he was fond of, but I wanted to know how it had turned out.
“I was,” she said hesitantly, her eyes darting over to Zeke, who was sitting beside her in the booth.
“And…?” I prompted.
“It was…” She took a deep breath and then a brilliant smile transformed her face. “It was amazing, Case. Truly amazing. I’ve never experienced anything like it. I couldn’t believe half of what I saw. It was far more intense than any book I’d read.”
I watched Zeke as she spoke, noticed the way his hand tightened around the handle of his coffee mug. If he wasn’t careful, he would break the damn thing.
“So you spent time with Master Edge?” Brax asked.
There was a dreamy look in her eyes and I was suddenly grateful Zeke was sitting beside her. Otherwise, he would’ve seen that look and poor Master Edge would probably be missing a few fingernails at the very least. I imagined Zeke torturing the man, tying him to a chair, demanding answers before plucking out his fingernails one by one when he didn’t say what the Sadist wanted to hear.
“I did,” she said, her tone steadier than her gaze. “He showed me around, let me watch some scenes. We talked for what felt like hours. I had a fantastic time.”
“So I take it you related to the submissives?”
“Yes. Very much so. In fact, I’m going to go back.”
Zeke grimaced, but he didn’t look at his sister. I could see the strain on his face. He was holding back whatever he wanted to say. I had to admit, I was proud of him. I could tell this wasn’t easy, but he was giving his sister the chance she had asked for.
“Do you know when?” Brax asked.
“No.” She smiled, but it appeared sad. “I was hoping Master Edge would call me, but he hasn’t.”
Zeke’s eyes cut to his sister, but he didn’t turn his head. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking. Was he happy Master Edge was blowing her off? Or was he planning to beat the man to a pulp for it?
There was no telling with Zeke.
“So, tell me what it is you’re studying,” I prompted, hoping by changing the subject the big man would get in a better mood.
That or he wouldn’t decide to take his frustrations out on us for bringing it up in the first place.
“Hmmm. Where should I start?” There was a mischievous gleam in Jamie’s eyes when she spoke.
I was almost positive I’d seen that same gleam in Zeke’s a time or two.
*
“What’s your plan for the day?” Zeke asked Jamie when we were heading back to his house an hour later.
