Page 42 of Midnight’s Queen (Stroke of Midnight #3)

“Well, that was exciting,” Dizzie said when the crowds around the table had dispersed.

Portia waited for her to comment on Portia’s abrupt exit, but the other woman seemed more focused on Mrs. Solveig and her very public outburst.

“How long was she bothering you?” Portia asked.

“Not long,” Killian said. At the same time Dizzie said, “It felt like forever.”

“Do you want to meet with them again?” Portia was curious if anything had changed.

Dizzie shrugged. “I might have considered it, but she won’t take no for an answer. It’s like my feelings don’t matter. I’m not willing to accept that.” She sipped the glass of wine that had been replaced. “If they started with a quiet lunch, maybe. Coming at me with double barrels both times? No, thank you.”

Portia considered Dizzie’s words as she took a sip of water. Her nerves were too shot tonight for anything stronger. When she’d reached the table and seen the Solveig disaster unfolding, the first thought in her head was that she was glad Aleks was here to help. “It’s unfortunate that they chose this restaurant for dinner tonight.”

“But it was pretty heroic the way Mr. Lind stepped in to protect you,” Dizzie said slyly.

Portia thought so too, but she wasn’t about to admit it. “He knew an incident like that would be bad for business.” When he’d prevented Mrs. Solveig’s slap attack, Portia’s heart had done that funny little hiccup it did when he was around.

“Yep, I’m sure business was the only thing on his mind,” Dizzie teased.

“Mmhmm.” Portia studied the menu in front of her. It hadn’t changed at all since the last time she’d been here, but she needed a distraction from Dizzie’s probing.

“The Solveigs are going to continue to be a problem, Portia. What are you going to do about them?” Killian asked.

Like she had any idea. But since he was pushing... She gave him a bland smile. “I’m going to hand Dizzie over. That should get them out of my hair long enough to solve the other problems.” She flashed him a toothy grin.

“Haha. Real funny,” Dizzie said. Then she got a faraway look in her eyes. “Actually, that’s not a bad idea.”

Killian tugged on one of her braids. “No. You are not handing yourself over to them.”

“Aw, it’s so sweet when you think you can tell me what to do.” Her tone was teasing and her hand came up to rest gently on his cheek. Her pink nails sparkled against his skin.

Jealousy was an unwelcome lump in Portia’s stomach.

“But I wasn’t talking about myself,” Dizzie continued.

“I’m not giving myself up either,” Portia protested. Her gaze swung to Killian.

He frowned. “They certainly don’t want me.”

Dizzie rolled her eyes. “You’re both so dense,” she said with a laugh. “Who do they really, really hate?” She didn’t give them a chance to respond. “Our father. We give them what they want.”

Portia’s menu fell from lifeless fingers. It was so simple... and so diabolical. She wasn’t sure whether to be impressed or fearful of the woman across the table.

“That’s... that’s...” She didn’t even know what to say.

“Genius!” Killian planted a loud kiss on Dizzie’s lips. “Pure genius. It solves two problems with one move.”

“Do you think they’ll hurt him?” Portia asked in a small voice. Phillip Tremaine was a right bastard, but he was still her father and the only parent she had left. Could she live with herself if her actions led to his death?

“Oh, Portia.” Killian reached across the table and grabbed her hand. “We’ll figure something out.”

She laced her fingers with his and gave him a tremulous smile. “Thanks,” she whispered. “I thought he was dead all this time and now that he’s alive... I don’t know what to do with that. He wants to take everything back. How can I let him do that when so much of it was bad? But then... he’s my father and he’s alive and that’s a good thing, right?”

Neither Killian nor Dizzie answered. Which was fair. They both had their own issues with the man.

She gave Killian’s fingers one last squeeze and released him.

Forcing a smile for Dizzie, she said, “It’s a good idea. Really. And if it were anyone else, I’d be all in without a second thought.”

“We’ll figure out a way to make it work, Portia,” Dizzie said. “One that doesn’t get your heart broken again.”

That was more kindness than she could have expected from the other woman, especially after the way Portia had treated her. “Dizzie, I?—”

“Are you ready to order?” A waiter appeared at their table.

Portia snapped her mouth shut. That was enough sharing for one night.