I froze, my heart racing. These were my employees, people who relied on Eclipse Beauty for their livelihood. And now, they were scared because of the choices Axel and I had made.
One of my assigned security personnel appeared at my elbow. "Mrs. O'Brien, we should get you inside."
"No." I straightened my shoulders, lifting my chin. "They deserve answers. I'm not running away."
"Ma'am, this could get volatile…"
"Then make sure it doesn't. But I'm talking to them."
I moved closer to the crowd, and the guard reluctantly followed, speaking into his radio.
"Everyone, please," I called out, raising my voice to be heard over the din. "I know you're scared. I know you have questions. And I promise I'll answer them."
"Why did they target us?" someone yelled from the back.
"Is this a move by your family for putting your sister in prison?" another voice demanded.
"Are they coming back?"
"Will we have jobs after this?"
