Take No Quarter Read online

  Maybe that was what it was. But… “Craig kept that car in tiptop condition.”

  “Mechanical problems can still happen,” Noah pointed out. “I want to make sure they’ve checked every single thing.”

  Taylor turned to Lindsey. “You and I need to decide what we’re going to tell clients and share that with the staff. Additionally, because Elite has a high public profile, as soon as word gets out, the media will be like starving wolves at your door. How about if you draft something and run it by me?”

  Lindsey nodded. “I can do that. Are you thinking about a press conference?”

  Taylor shook her head. “No. I want to low-key this. In fact, I don’t want to make a general announcement. We’ll need to call his list of clients, something I think is best you handle. If they ask, we’ll send them a brief statement electronically. And we should get ready for calls from others as word trickles out. Maybe even the media, although I hope not. He had a pretty high profile in the Miami–Fort Lauderdale area, right?”

  Lindsey nodded. “Okay. I’ll get something put together for you to take a look at. Before we do anything, however, I’d like us to meet with the staff. We have to tell them right away. When Craig’s in town, he’s always in his office early. His absence will raise questions. How about I get them in the conference room as soon as they arrive at work?”

  Taylor nodded. “Yes. Let’s do that.”

  Lindsey wet her lips then asked the question she’d been battling with. But it was important that she knew. “I should probably wait until we get past this immediate crisis, so I hope you’ll forgive me for asking.” She put on her best professional face. “Are you planning to bring someone in from the outside to take over in Craig’s place?”

  The Cantrells exchanged a look and Noah gestured to his wife.

  Your deal, he told her in unspoken acknowledgment.

  “We discussed this on the way over here from Texas,” Taylor answered. “We’d like you to step in as head of the agency. Think about it. You know the operation and the clients. And we know you. It would be one less thing to worry about. Elite would be in very good hands and both the clients and the staff know you.” She paused. “Unless you’d rather not do it. But, Lindsey, you’re the logical person.”

  For a moment Lindsey wasn’t sure she’d heard right. “Take charge of Elite?”

  “That’s not a problem, is it?” Noah asked, his face expressionless.

  “Of course not.” She was stunned. “But what about Natalia? Won’t she inherit Craig’s share of Elite? She might not like having me around.”

  Taylor shook her head. “We prepared for that. In all the Arroyo subsidiaries, if the partner passes away, Arroyo does a buyout with the surviving spouse. If there’s no spouse, then with the estate. We can’t have unqualified people suddenly in charge of our subsidiaries just because they inherited.”

  “Makes sense. That means you’re buying the other fifty-one percent of whatever business it is, right?”

  “That’s correct. It then becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Arroyo, so you don’t have to worry about some idiot coming in and making a mess of things. It’s your baby, at least for now.”

  Lindsey didn’t know whether to be thrilled or terrified. “Thank you both for having such faith in me.”

  “Your reputation and history speak for themselves. That’s why we sought you out to begin with.” Noah rose from his chair and held out his hand. “We know you’ll do a great job, Lindsey. And now I’m going to leave you and Taylor to dig into what’s going on here and keep things running smoothly while I get on with my business. How about dinner at eight to recap the day and see where we are?”

  Lindsey’s head was spinning, but she managed to nod. “Whatever you need, I’m there.”

  “Good. I’m glad we got that settled.” Taylor grinned at her husband. “I knew we’d made the right decision.”

  “Okay, then. I’m out of here.”

  It said a lot that Noah Cantrell did not leave without kissing his wife goodbye. It was a good indication of the strength of their relationship and how comfortable they felt in their own skins.

  As soon as Noah was gone, Taylor refilled her cup. “Okay, Lindsey. Let’s get to work.”

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  About the Author

  Today best-selling author, Desiree Holt has produced more than 200 titles and won many awards. She has received an EPIC E-Book Award, the Holt Medallion and many others including Author After Dark’s Author of the Year. She has been featured on CBS Sunday Morning and in The Village Voice, The Daily Beast, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, The London Daily Mail. She lives in Florida with her cats who insist they help her write her books, and is addicted to football.

  Desiree loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website details and author profile page at https://www.totallybound.com