Midnight’s Queen (Stroke of Midnight #3)

Chapter 31

“I need your help to save the Tremaine Corporation,” Portia told the people gathered around her.

Dizzie had taken the other stool at the table. Killian stood protectively behind her, one hand on the back of her chair. Ash leaned against the table, one elbow propped on its surface, while Taryn stood slightly off to the side, arms crossed over her chest, her gaze on the room around them.

“Are you sure it’s worth saving?” That was Ash, though honestly, she wouldn’t have been surprised if the words came from Dizzie.

“I think it is,” Portia said. What she didn’t say was that it was all she had left. She wasn’t looking for their pity.

“Is this about the Solveigs’ proposals to buy Tremaine stock?” Killian asked.

Portia blew out a breath. “That’s part of it,” she admitted. “But only a small part.”

God, she hated laying her problems out for the world. But it was the only way she could think of to get the help she needed. Time to rip the bandage off. “The Solveigs want to take over the company, yes, or else destroy it. Whichever, they want me out of the way, preferably permanently.”

She held up a hand when the questions started. “They want Dizzie to go to Sweden with them.”

Killian cursed.

“Against that backdrop, I’ve learned the company was the original manufacturer of Vyne. And, to top it all off, my father’s back from the dead.”

Chaos erupted around her. Questions, statements, curses. She was bombarded with all of them. Her hand shook around her glass so she just clenched it tighter and sipped the whiskey.

The noise finally eased and everyone stared at her. “Feel better?” she asked.

Someone, maybe Taryn, laughed.

“How long have you known your, our—that man was back?” Dizzie asked.

“When I walked into my apartment tonight and found him waiting for me.”

“Did you let him in?” Dizzie asked suspiciously.

“No,” Portia said, not bothering to hide her shudder. “I don’t know how he got in, but I changed all the security codes before I came here.” Not knowing how he’d originally accessed her home, she hoped it was enough.

“I’ve got a few tricks if you want me to help,” Ash offered.

“Yes, thank you.” The thought of her father having constant access to her home made her downright uneasy.

“What does he want?” Killian asked, his voice hard. He stepped closer to Dizzie, as if his mere presence would keep her safe.

“The first words out of his mouth were about the Solveigs. He wanted to know what they wanted. But underneath it all, I think he’s here to try to take back control of the company.” Her tone hardened.

The mutters around the table contemplated Phillip Tremaine’s return.

“I can’t let him do that. It’s my company now.” Portia’s voice was hard. Determined.

“What do you expect us to do about it? It sounds like a family problem,” Taryn commented.

The others nodded in agreement.

“My father cannot be allowed to run the Tremaine Corporation again. It’s not good for the company and it’s not good for the city. I can’t fight a war on multiple fronts by myself,” she admitted. “I need help.”

For a long moment, the only sound around them was the clink and glasses and murmurs of the other patrons.

Would they agree to help her?

“Vyne is part of this?” Taryn asked, her voice hard and cold.

Portia swallowed hard. “Yes. I only learned that a couple of days ago. Ash has been looking into it for me.”

Taryn and Ash shared a look. “You’ll shut it down?”

Portia nodded. “As soon as I find out exactly where it’s coming from.”

“I’ll have that data for you soon,” Ash said. “Just making sure I’m not missing anything.”

“Thank you.” Portia meant it. She’d shut down that business if it was the last thing she did. Which wasn’t out of the realm of possibility.

“That leaves the Solveigs and your father,” Killian said.

A shadow fell over the table. “Your father? What does he have to do with this?” Aleks asked incredulously.

“What are you doing here?” Portia asked at the same time Dizzie said, “Everything, apparently,” her tone dark.