My gut hurt as I waited for Kylie to divulge information. I knew something like this would take time, but I couldn't help but will the hours to pass.

My business partners were assholes, using terse tones when I faded into my own thoughts. Hero took dominion over them. I couldn't forget him if I tried. 

The messy bundle of hair.

The glistening piercings.

The toned body...

His secretly soft demeanor.

"Hello? Are you awake?" Brad demanded. 

His two colleagues eyed me warily.

They'd done their best to keep away from me since I'd lashed out. I couldn't blame them. Since then I'd been going off the deep end. 

I blinked up at the conference around me. Many of the men seemed disturbed. It was as if they were thinking: 

This is the new owner? Really? 

"I'm sorry what were we talking about?" I slurred, in a deep haze. 

"The advancement of the firm we are expanding." Al sighed. 

I ran a hand through my sleek Auburn locks. 

"I'm so sorry. I'm just... I'm having a bad day."

The echo of several coughs sounded. I closed my eyes knowing this had been the wrong thing to say. They were all uptight and professional and my feelings clearly didn't matter. 

"Bad day?" A random plump man asked Icily. "Don't we all? Remind me again why that affects your ability to work."

I took offense to this.

Who did he think he was? He was in my house wasn't he? All I wanted to do was scream at him that he had no right to say it, only to stop dead. 

This was a business.

My personal issues didn't matter. The world wasn't going to stop for me.

The plump man continued. 

"You know what? This is a waste of time." He slammed his clipboard on the long table. "She's a joke. She's not ready. Not without Tiffin." 

My heart beat in my chest. What was he doing?

I blinked. 

"I-I am a Tiffin-"

The man stood and eyed me with a dark look in his beady eyes. 

"You may have married into the family, but you are no Tiffin, my dear. You're a desperate, heartbroken woman that galavants around the office with no clear direction. I suggest that you step down." 

What? No! What was he saying? 

As I began to retort, he held up a finger. 

"Momentarily. At least a week. Should be enough time to gather your bearings." 

Could he even do this? 

Did he have the power to? 

Brad instantly stood to his feet, nodding in agreement. 

"Good call." 

That pompous jerk!

I was willing to bet he was jumping in joy mentally. 

It didn't take me long to fight with them. 

"This isn't right- I own-" 

The plump man formed a steely expression. 

"That is my word. Bring this to the board. Do what you have to do. I'm willing to bet they will agree that you are unfit. Go home. Relax. Then, come back in a refreshed mood."

I glared into his back as the entire room emptied.

Now this made me feel less than equal to them all. 

Crap.