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After I spent a good half an hour (with Hero's help) describing everything that we all had gone through the past few months and more, all the parents in the room were lost for words. 

I could tell Josephine's parents were beside themselves. I had visited them a few times and they seemed calm and relaxed.

They had been under the impression I'd been a good influence on their daughter and believed the craziest thing she'd done is enter a marriage with a wholesome man. 

I had no doubt they were contemplating on kicking me out of her life. 

Tawnee and Garrick were pissed. They weren't happy that Niall had joined the sting without their knowledge. 

Per Tawnee's words: 

"If he was still a minor, I'd beat his hide!" 

I was sure she was anything but supportive.

My parents were not enthusiastic with my life choices, but each of their reactions varied. 

Emma was a mess, nearly hyperventilating, but in between tears, she tried to understand what I had been going through for many, many months. 

Archie, on the other hand, did not go soft on me. While expressing the danger I put myself in for not alerting the cops, he glared at Hero. 

Even after Hero tried to explain to Archie that he did what he did to protect me, he still didn't ease up. 

"You don't understand what we had to go through, Tiffin! My daughter was a complete wreck. I was worried she'd need some sort of mental help." 

Hero took all the comments in stride. 

"I understand you're angry with me, sir. It utterly gutted me to leave. I believed I was keeping her safe."

"So what?" Emma went on. "You now have to go through another court hearing? Kristina... the baby... you don't need to go though that." 

I shrugged. 

"We might have to, but I'm not sure yet. If we do, I want to attend. That way I can look the kidnapper in the face to let him know he didn't get to me. Besides, I have to support Kylie." 

"Very well, sweetheart." 

Before we could go on with our conversation, all three of our company partners busted through the door. They seemed livid, their faces masks of hatred. 

"Kristina Tiffin!" Brad exploded. "You mind explaining- Mr. Tiffin?" 

His eyes widened when he caught my husband's disapproving stare.

Yep, honey. They are real dicks.

"Yes," Hero stated firmly. "I'm back. I really am not a fan of how you were speaking to my wife. It seems I may have to make some more changes to this enterprise of mine." 

Brad seemed to fumble over his words.
 
"I-I'm so sorry. I didn't mean anything by it. Truly. She has been neglecting her job here and well... she left us hanging the other day-" 

"Which she has a reason for," Hero snapped, "I'm sure when I speak to the board members, they will agree and will fire you at my first discretion-"

Everyone stood silently while the threat of Hero's words reverberated off the walls. I knew my husband well. He would definitely do as promised. 

Brad must have believed him too because his face contorted. 

"Please, don't do this. I need this job-" 

Hero glared. 

"Then I suggest you watch how you talk to women." 

With one last look at me, Brad swallowed. 

"I'm sorry Mrs. Tiffin. I was out of line."
 
I tipped my head in his direction. I really didn't want to see this ass hat grovel at my feet. I just wanted things to go back to normal. 

Well, as normal as they could have been. 

After a moment of awkward silence, Hero sent another nasty look at all three of our partners. 

"Well, what do you need? Did you only come in here to harass my wife?"

Brad shook his head adamantly. 

"No, I simply wanted..." he trailed off.

He didn't need to finish.
 
"Then I suggest you get the fuck back to your stations and get to work. Your superiors will get you if we need anything." 

Once our partners took the hint and scurried out the room, I waited for Hero to explain himself to the adults in the room but I knew better. 

He would not apologize for sticking up for me. For us. 

After insinuating that they would all talk to their children about the sting and didn't bear any ill will, my parents, Jo, and Niall's gave us hugs and left.

Hero gave me a lingering gaze, without any hunger this time.

It told me everything I needed to know:

Things would be fine now. 

Right?

So yeah.

Hero totally did that 😭

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