Read A Bargain with the Boss for Free Online Page B

and asked them to change his password.”
    Tuck had no idea what to make of the message. Zachary had been with the company for a decade, rising through the ranks to his current, very well-paid position.
    â€œWhy would he do that?”
    Excellent question.
    Tuck’s phone rang. He saw that it was Lucas Steele.
    Tuck took the call, speaking without preamble. “Do you know what’s going on?”
    â€œZachary walked,” said Lucas.
    â€œI just got his email. Do you know why?”
    â€œHarvey went with him,” said Lucas.
    â€œHarvey, too? What on earth happened ?” Tuck couldn’t keep the astonishment from his voice. Two long-term directors had quit at the same time?
    Amber’s eyes widened while she listened to his side of the conversation.
    â€œPeak Overland made them an offer,” said Lucas.
    â€œBoth of them?”
    â€œYes.”
    The situation came clear in Tuck’s mind. “Without Dixon, we look vulnerable.”
    â€œYes, we look vulnerable. Nobody knows anything concrete, so there are theories all over the place. I’m hearing everything from he’s been thrown in jail in a foreign country to he was killed skydiving.”
    â€œHe’s in New Orleans,” said Tuck. “Or maybe Miami.”
    There was a silence.
    â€œYou don’t know where he is.” Lucas’s voice was flat.
    â€œHe’s on vacation. He needs some time alone.”
    â€œThe divorce?” asked Lucas.
    â€œThat’s my best guess.”
    â€œOkay,” said Lucas, his tone growing crisp again. “You need me to come out there?”
    â€œYes. But I also need you in Chicago. And I need you in Antwerp.”
    What Tuck really needed was Dixon and there was absolutely no time to waste. His next call would be to Jackson.
    Lucas gave a chopped chuckle. “Where do you want me?”
    â€œCan you hold the fort in Chicago?”
    â€œI can.”
    â€œTalk to security. Change the locks, change the system passwords. Make sure they can’t do any damage.”
    â€œWill do.”
    â€œIs there an heir apparent to either Zachary or Harvey?”
    â€œNobody comes instantly to mind. But I’ll think about it. And I’ll ask around.”
    â€œThanks. Talk to you in a few hours.”
    Tuck’s lack of knowledge and experience with the family company suddenly felt like an anvil. He needed his brother more urgently than ever before.
    â€œI’d choose Hope Quigley,” said Amber.
    â€œWho?”
    â€œShe’s a manager in the marketing department. She’s been on the social media file for a couple of years, but she’s incredibly organized.”
    â€œYou want me to promote a blogger to marketing director?”
    Amber frowned. “It’s a lot more than just blogging.”
    â€œThat’s a huge jump in responsibility.”
    Her hand went to her hip. “And you’d know this, how?”
    Tuck did not want to have to make this decision on his own. “I’m calling Jackson. No more messing around. We’re turning over every possible rock to find Dixon.”
    Something shifted in Amber’s expression. “You don’t need Dixon back.”
    What an absurd statement. “I absolutely need Dixon back.”
    â€œYou can promote Hope. And there are others who can step in.”
    â€œThe company needs a strong president. Look around you. We’ve got two days to pull this thing together. The reception is already in trouble, and there are thirty private meetings set up with the marketing director .”
    â€œYou take the meetings.”
    â€œYeah, right.” As if he was going to speak knowledgably about Baltic Exchange indices and intermodal freight transport.
    â€œTake Hope with you. Give her a new title. She’s got two days before the meetings. She can come up to speed on the specific client accounts.”
    â€œI’ve never ever met the