Dizzie blew out an exasperated breath, then flopped gracelessly against the back of the couch. Portia bit her tongue not to say something snarky about Dizzie’s upbringing.
“Why do you need me, exactly?” Portia prompted her.
“Killian would protect me.” Dizzie’s expression was pensive. “It’s his first reaction, even when he isn’t aware of it.”
Having experienced Killian’s protective instincts for Dizzie firsthand, Portia rolled her eyes. “That’s a bad thing?”
Dizzie shook her head and smiled. “Not usually. I’m trying to temper that habit.” Her blue-eyed gaze was so like what Portia saw in the mirror every day it almost made her squirm. Almost. “I knowyouwon’t protect me.”
“True.” Portia laughed.
“But,” Dizzie continued, “you also won’t let the Solveig Consortium take advantage of me in any way that would affect the company.”
Dizzie’s insight surprised Portia. “Also true. But why would you care? My understanding is that you were hellbent on buying your freedom not that long ago.”
“Do you not see what’s wrong with that sentence? Thebuyingmy freedom part?”
A flash of guilt rolled over Portia. Yes, that was a problem. One of many on the running list in her head calledToo Many Problems, Not Enough Time. “Well, you have your freedom now.” And then some. “Why wouldn’t you want the Solveig Consortium to screw us?”
“Just because one side of my DNA sucks doesn’t mean I’m going to automatically side with the other.”
Portia could only stare at her. “Why not? You hate the Tremaines.”
Dizzie’s gaze was locked on a spot over Portia’s head. “I don’t. Not really.”
“Riiiight.”
Dizzie huffed out a breath. “Okay, fine. I hate your dad. My dad? Our dad?” She paused and pursed her lips. “Whatever I should call him, yes, I hate him. I hate that he kept me around for spare parts like you would my motorcycle. But the rest of the company... it’s fine, I guess. I had a hell of a good time running wild in the basement of this building. Something that I don’t think I would have had if I’d grown up with you.”
She looked Portia in the eye. “If I grew up with you, I hope I would’ve turned out to be more like me than you, but we’ll never know.”
Her words cut in ways that Portia had never imagined. “What’s wrong with being me?”Shit.She hadn’t meant to say that out loud.
Dizzie’s earthy laugh was another reminder of how different they were. “Nothing. You’re exactly what you were raised to be, a pretty, corporate elite.”
Her comment poked at insecurities Portia had believed were long buried and she lashed out with a cold smile and cruel words. “Aw, is baby sister jealous that I was the wanted daughter and you weren’t?”
Dizzie blanched, but she didn’t fold. Though she’d never admit it, Portia admired that about her.
“I know why you do that,” Dizzie said. “Killian has told me stories about your childhood.”
The blood drained from Portia’s face and her stomach churned. She’d thought Killian was her friend. Once again, he’d chosen Dizzie over her. “What stories?”
Dizzie leaned forward and Portia was sure she was going to twist the knife. Instead, she reached out and placed her hand over Portia’s.
Portia jerked it back and stared at Dizzie. There was no viciousness there, only understanding, which was much,muchworse.
“He didn’t betray any confidences,” Dizzie said quietly. “I swear. He only said you had a tough time after your mom died. That’s it.”
Tears welled in Portia’s eyes at the reminder. She held them back through years of practice and sheer force of will. Picking up her coffee, she took a sip to moisten her throat. Otherwise, she might not be able to speak. And she wouldnotshow weakness in front of Dizzie, no matter what.
“I’ll attend the meeting with you.” It wasn’t because Dizzie had been nice to her. There was no question of Portia’s attendance; she had a company to protect.
“Thank you.” Dizzie leaned back.
Iron will was the only way Portia met the other woman’s gaze. “Shall I set up the meeting or do you want to?” Her voice was steady and tear-free when she spoke.
“I’d like you to. I don’t want to deal with them until I have to,” Dizzie admitted.
