“I’ll hold you to that.”
“Thank you.” He managed to keep his voice level, because his mind had already started imagining all the different ways that he could pay Portia back. Many of them involved her naked body wrapped around his. Which wasn’t only inappropriate, but also incredibly distracting when he needed to be on the top of his game. “I’m bringing you into the call now.”
He pressed a button to start the conference call and cleared his throat. This was going to be an absolute disaster and he had no one to blame but himself.
“Mrs. Solveig, I have Portia Tremaine on the call with us to discuss the meeting with Dizzie.”
“Took you long enough,” Mrs. Solveig groused.
Aleks closed his eyes and counted to three before responding. But Portia beat him to it.
“Don’t blame Mr. Lind,” she said with such sharpness that he felt the bite of her words. “I’m an incredibly busy woman and you should be thankful that I took his call. He’s already taken up significant amounts of my time with your demands.”
The silence on the Solveigs’ end surprised him. Either Mrs. Solveig was still half asleep or she hadn’t expected Portia to push back. Very few people did because it never ended well.
Finally, she responded. “You’re just as lacking in pleasantries as your father. Very well. Aleks said you are negotiating on behalf of my granddaughter. I don’t believe you. You must want something before you let her talk to me. You probably have her locked up in that basement again.”
Aleks rubbed his eyes and bit back a groan. He prayed this conversation didn’t blow up all the inroads he’d made with Portia over the last few days, both personally and professionally.
If the aggression bothered Portia, she didn’t let it show. Her voice was as cold as ice when she replied. “As far as I know, Dizzie is at her boyfriend’s home. Feel free to call and check.” Her pause was carefully timed, allowing for the older woman’s sharp inhale on the other line. “Oh, right. Youcan’tcontact my sister. Which is why you sent your emissary.”
If this were a video call, he could watch Portia’s expressions. This woman—the Portia Tremaine of the newsies and tabloids—was so very different from the Portia who’d lost herself in his arms. It was almost like she was two different people. Which one was the real Portia?
“I met with Mr. Lind, as you requested,” Portia continued. “Dizzie has asked that the meeting be on Monday.”
Mrs. Solveig squawked in protest. “It’s already Saturday here. We can’t possibly be ready in time.”
“That’s not my problem. You can attend the meeting or not, but until Dizzie requests any changes, the arrangements I made stand.” Her tone was ice cold and he could practically hear her bared teeth when she spoke again. “Now, I’m going back to my other concerns. Good day.”
Portia dropped off the call, leaving Aleks impressed in her wake. She was a formidable woman. Her strength and that hidden soft side drew him like a moth to a flame.
“That was distasteful.”
Aleks struggled to tear his thoughts from Portia. “Pardon?”
“Dealing with that woman. Distasteful.”
Despite the lack of video, Aleks easily pictured Mrs. Solveig’s lips curled up in the sour expression she wore when she was displeased. And this entire situation displeased her.
“Dealing with Ms. Tremaine is my job.” One he didn’t find distasteful at all. “Would you like me to make your travel arrangements?”
He held his breath. Would she lash out at his overstep?
“No. My assistant will handle that. We’ll arrive on Sunday. You’ll need to ensure the proper clearances for the jet are in order.” She paused. “Make sure that my granddaughter has the required paperwork—passports, whatever—for international travel.”
“What if she doesn’t decide to come with you?” It was a daring question, but he wanted the information for Portia.
That thought brought him up short. It was an indication of the effect she was having on his loyalties. They should belong to the Solveigs, to the people who’d given him a job and a purpose after the surgery had gone so wrong.
“Of course she’ll come with us. Silly questions like that are why you can’t be trusted with more complicated duties. Honestly, that implant was a disaster.”
Unclenching his jaw required physical effort. “Of course, Mrs. Solveig. My apologies.”
She sniffed. “Send the details to my assistant. I don’t expect to hear from you again until we land in Seattle.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Solveig. Good night.”
Dead air greeted him. Another reminder that she didn’t consider him worthy of her time.
