BOUND TO HIM (Book II: Captured series)

3. Elle

I don't know what I hate the most.

This fucking business.
The fact that I'm stuck here in a room full of old men.
Or the pointless meetings where everyone is just fighting over every damn thing.

I had spent weeks studying the files on each and every person that worked under my father, yet I'm unable to establish authority. They didn't trust me and no matter what I did they kept second guessing my decisions.

"This is not what your father would've done!"

I glance around the table, looking at the three men my father trusted the most. I was told that he always reached to them for their opinions and approvals. From the looks of it, it doesn't seem like I'll be getting anything apart from unwanted criticism.

"Gentlemen, I think we figured it a while ago that I'm not my father. I called you all here to give my decision and not ask for approvals. Things will be done differently around here and if you don't like what's happening, too bad. I don't fucking care" I state with a confidence I wasn't even aware I possessed.

That's one thing I've learnt while being here, men like these do not take orders from women well and I have full intentions of changing that. The shocked expression on their face was my winning trophy, as I stand up.

"That'll be everything for today" I tell them and they stand nodding their heads.

Pushing the chair back, I aim for my office as Seth holds the door open for me. His footsteps a rhythmic accompaniment to my heels. It is only when I'm surrounded by the dark walls of my office, do I let out a sigh. My hands clutching the edge of the tan wooden desk, I let my head hang.

"Jeez, am I glad to be in your good books" Seth whistles, shutting the door.

"Please tell me I don't have any more meetings for the rest of the week" I groan.

"I think you did well" I hear him shuffling around the room, then pouring something that I'm hoping is going to take my headache away.

"Are you kidding me? They hate me! All of them! Last week I heard someone say that I can't be trusted because I married the opposition" I scoff, turning to face him.

"Well the McKenzie's had been our allies for the longest time" He smiles as he hands me a glass of water. I accept it with a smile.

"Yes, then my father ruined it and now I'm being blamed for his screw up! One of these days they're going to barge through those doors with their guns pointing at me" I tell him my fear, which causes him to frown. "That's what I'm here for, don't worry boss"

Now I frown at him, "Haven't I told you not to call me that"

He's about to smart mouth me like how he always does, when a static voice catches his attention. "Is he by himself?" He speaks into the headset.

"Alright, give me a sec—fuck!" He curses angrily as he walks to the door, his gun already drawn out.

"What's wrong?" I inquire.

"It's your brother-in-law" He grunts. The very second the door opens to reveal a very calm and collected Elon. Seth already has a gun in his face but that didn't seem to bother him at all. "Mr McKenzie, when you step into our territory you have to follow our protocols, that includes waiting downstairs until we give you the clear" Seth reminds him.

"I just don't have the time to follow your formalities" Elon turns his attention to me as he steps inside, to which Seth stiffens.

"It's alright, Seth" I wave him off and it takes him few seconds to put away his gun and walk out the room.