Aleks’s helpless gaze flickered in her direction. His brow creased and she worried that one of his headaches was coming on.
“We gave him a job,” Mrs. Solveig hissed.
“All while keeping the truth from him.” Portia’s temper was climbing.
“You can pretend to be lily white, but the Tremaine Corporation doesn’t have the cleanest rep in the world.”
“No, we don’t,” Portia admitted. “I’m going to change that. You’ve already seen proof of the lengths that I’ll go to.”
Neither of the Solveigs spoke for several minutes. She hoped they were sufficiently cowed.
“What do you want?” Mrs. Solveig asked finally. “How much to keep this quiet?”
Portia laughed harshly. “I’ve already exposed you to the only person I care about.” She lifted her gaze to Aleks.
He nodded and her heart felt lighter. Whatever they faced going forward, they would face it together.
Mrs. Solveig stood abruptly. “Send the papers to the hotel. We’ll sign them there. Aleks, make the arrangements.” She led the procession of Solveig Consortium personnel out of the room until only Aleks remained.
“We’ll wait for you outside,” Dizzie whispered.
Portia nodded, but she only had eyes for Aleks. She rose from her chair as he approached. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I found out right before the meeting. I wish you didn’t have to learn about it like that.”
“It’s true, then?” The grief in his eyes broke her heart.
“It is.” She wrapped her arms around him and held on tight.
His arms came around her and he buried his face in her hair.
They stood that way in silence for several long minutes. When Aleks started to untangle, she resisted. “Where are you going?”
“I have to make arrangements for their return.”
Portia’s jaw dropped and she stepped back. “After all that, you’re going back with them?” She couldn’t keep the horror out of her voice.
His hand cupped her cheek. “I told you that I had to see this through. I meant it.”
“But... but they lied to you.”
His gaze was solemn. “I know. And I need some space to deal with that too.”
That sounded ominous. “What does that mean?”
“Portia, it’s okay. I promise. We’re okay. It just means that I need to finish this assignment and pack up my belongings.”
“To move here?” She hated how needy she sounded.
“If you’ll have me.”
“Yes, definitely.”
“Good.” He kissed her gently, then stepped back. “I love you.”
Portia’s heart clenched, those three little words sealing the crack that had been in her heart for too long. “I love you too.” She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him with everything she had in her.
“I’ll be back, I promise,” Aleks said when they finally separated.
“You better,” she said. Her eyes welled with tears as she watched him walk out of the room, taking her heart with him.
