Page 53 of Trapped with the Billionaire

“Stephanie Quantell has left, and she’s not coming back.”

I sat down, trying to control the steam that was probably coming out of my ears. “Does nobody around here understand the concept of giving two weeks’ notice?”

First Rossi, and now whoever Quantell was.

Rosa’s sheepish expression made me regret my tone. “Sorry. I don’t mean to take it out on you. Who is Ms. Quantell, and what does she do for us?”

“She is…was the CFO.”

The bad news kept getting worse. When I looked up, Nicole was at my door.

“Stephanie?” Nicole asked.

Rosa turned in her seat to address Nicole. “She called to say she’s not coming back in.”

Nicole walked in to join us. “That’s a bullshit thing to do.” She threw her retention agreement on my desk. “Signed.”

I slid it across to Rosa without bothering to check the back page for her signature. “File this, please.”

Rosa picked up the papers. “With pleasure.”

“And I’d like a copy as well,” Nicole added.

Rosa stood. “I imagine you two have a lot to talk about.”

A few seconds later, the door closed behind Rosa, leaving me alone in the office with Nicole.

At last I’d caught a break.

* * *

Nicole

Josh had triedto hide it, but he’d breathed an obvious sigh of relief when my papers landed on his desk.

Now I knew something about him I hadn’t known before. He wanted me to stay, but was a bit of a poker player. His bluster in my office a few minutes ago had been part playacting. That was something I’d have to file away for another day. I might have more leverage than I’d guessed.

Quiet enveloped the room after Rosa left, and the two of us sized each other up.

If there was one thing Daddy had taught me about business, it was not to show weakness. Josh had started the staring contest, but I wasn’t backing down.

I held those pale blues with my own gaze until a slight curve appeared at the ends of his lips. I’d won the initial contest.

“So how’s this going to work?” I asked.

He placed his elbows on the desk and leaned forward. “I’d say the first order of business is to keep the ship from sinking. I’d like this Quantell lady to be the last departure.”

“Her name was Stephanie, not Quantell lady, and she’s a friend of mine. You’ve rocked the boat in a pretty big way and made everybody nervous.”

“And it’s your job to reassure them.”

“My job?”

“They work for you, don’t they? Most of them, at least?”

This was going to be a big problem if he kept referring to everybody here asthem.

I gritted my teeth. “This isn’t some case study like in your pretty little business strategy books. Those are real people out there, a real organization. In assigning tasks, shit may flow downhill to the little people, but company morale is one of those responsibilities that floats to the top.” I pointed at him. “And that makes it your problem.” I stood and paced to the door.

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