Rafe straightened, a sinking feeling in his stomach.
“My team’s right on the cusp of getting this right, and I’m in the thick of it.”
“And you need to be here, or they’ll have to wait until you’re back.”
“Yeah.”
Rafe stared out the window and rubbed his temple again. A delay would cost them tens of thousands of dollars. He let out a breath. It didn’t matter. Family came first.
“Then we’ll roll it out late,” he said.
“We can’t. You’ve got all the marketing lined up.” Kayn’s voice turned hesitant. “There’s another option—yougo instead of me,”
“Me?” Rafe jerked his gaze back to his friend.
“I wouldn’t entrust her to anyone else. I know you’ll make sure she gets here safely.”
“I don’t know . . .” Rafe said, staring at one of his closest friends. He and Kayn had met while taking a computer class at Harvard. When Rafe had found himself overwhelmed, computer whiz Kayn had come to the rescue. They’d hit it off and been friends ever since, and he’d been there for Rafe when Tess had ditched him. He was flattered that Kayn would trust him with something this important, but didn’t a distraught woman need her brother at a time like this?
“I already asked her if you could bring her back here instead.” Kayn raised his hands at Rafe’s expression. “I feel guilty enough, but she’s tougher than you might think. When our father abandoned us, she’s the one who kept us together. Our mother was an emotional mess. If not for Ahri making her pull it together, we’d probably have ended up in foster care.”
“Um, boss?” Olaf said over the intercom.
“Hang on, Olaf.” He glanced at Kayn. “You’re sure she’s okay with the substitution?”
“Her exact words were: Just get someone here right away.” Kayn shrugged.
“All right then.” Rafe reached for his keyboard. “Olaf, pleaseclear my schedule for today and most of tomorrow. There’s nothing on my calendar that can’t be postponed.”
“Thank you.” Kayn was already backing toward the door. “I’ll get back to work. I owe you, man.”
“And don’t you forget it,” Rafe called after his retreating back before turning to the intercom. “Olaf, please order a car too.”
“Already done, boss.”
Rafe grinned. He doubted there was anyone as efficient as Olaf at this job.
“I need a suite with two bedrooms for one night. I’ve been wanting to check out that Phoenix gaming den anyway. I’d like to see for myself how people are liking our more recent updates.”
“Good plan.”
“And please see if Bill Ryze is available to come,” Rafe added.
“Security?”
“It’s a sensitive issue.”
“Understood.” Olaf hung up but then appeared at the office door, looking hesitant. “Um . . . I know this is bad timing, but there’s something I need to tell you.”
“Yes?” Rafe braced himself.
“I’m giving notice.” Olaf’s voice had gone soft, like he was a little kid who was having to confess something.
Rafe’s headache spiked, his heart sinking. Cass, his other assistant, was expecting a baby soon and would be off work for the twelve weeks after. When Olaf had been placed on the waiting list for law school in the fall, Rafe had thought he’d have more time to find and train a replacement.
“I’m guessing a place opened up.”
“Yes.” Olaf’s excitement burst through his reticence. “I just found out last night. Since they’re accepting me so late, I’m on a time crunch. I’m really sorry to just drop this on you.”
