Page 73 of Morally Black Betrothal

“Anyway, I didn’t quit. I’ll have to reduce my hours, but you’ll still see me here. This is a mistake.” I wasn’t about to be forced out of everything important to me, no matter how many millions were headed my way. I pulled my coat closed and adjusted the shoulder strap of my purse, then delivered another smile to Joan. “You know, I just realized I’m supposed to be meeting up with my fiancé now. I’ll see you later, Joan.”

“Good luck!” she called. “And congratulations!”

I waved at her over my shoulder, knowing if I turned, she wouldn’t see wedding bells in my eyes, but rage.

Brendan had no right to take my job away, contract or no contract.

No matter where this courage was coming from, I was going to use it.

I hailed a taxi outside the hospital and slid into the back seat.

“Where to?” the driver asked over the tinkling sounds of a Bhangra melody.

“Blackguard Headquarters.”

17

EVERYONE’S A CRITIC

Brendan

Imposter syndrome is a bitch.

A harpy-faced, poison-spewing, spell-casting succubus whose shrieks were deafening as I sat in my father’s chair in the Blackguard conference room.

In front of me was a document that would potentially change my life forever.

“Mr. Black?” Liza sat to my right, her mauve-colored nails tapping lightly on the mahogany wood. She leaned closer and spoke in a lower voice. “Brendan?”

Beyond the glass walls, everyone else on the executive floor also observed my paralysis. Assistants peeking over their cubicles. Mail couriers pausing mid-documents delivery. Every accountant, janitor, or other random personnel in the building seemed to have gathered outside those windows to watch me put pen to paper.

Today, while my father continued his recuperation at home, I was the biggest fish in this giant bowl. The one who, despitethe victory this day was supposed to be, felt less like a shark and more like a guppy.

The question was…why?

“Brendan.”

I took a deep breath and gave a firm nod to Liza, then another to the members of the board. My siblings were here, of course, as were the other executive officers. Head counsel showed up from legal, including Liam. Even Cormac Savage, one of the members of the Savage York conglomerate we’d just invested in last year, was here to cast his shadowy gaze over the proceedings.

Everyone watched me scribble my signature on the document enshrining my authority, however temporary, over one of the largest companies in the world.

Brendan Black, Interim CEO of Blackguard Holding.

Fuck. Me.

“It’s my honor to accept the position,” I told everyone. “As interim CEO, I will serve our shareholders to the best of my ability.”

Applause broke out in the room. I flashed the same plastic smile I’d cultivated for years as Niall Black’s eldest. As soon as I’d gotten my braces off at fifteen, I’d started practicing that shit in the mirror.

I gestured to Owen on my right. “Please, let’s also applaud my brother, the new interim COO. We have a big job ahead of us, but I’m confident we can utilize the lessons our father has taught us over the years to make him proud and to keep Blackguard moving forward.”

Owen’s smile was considerably more sharkish. No doubt, COO was a consolation prize to him. “I wish he could have been here today. But yes, my brother and I will do our best to honor him.”

“Or honor yourselves,” Ronan muttered to Liam while he mimed a quick hand job.

“Fuck off,” I mouthed.

Ronan grinned.