Hero Duty by Jenny Schwartz Page A

side of the desk, bracing herself. ‘— please inform Portia that Brodie will be coming to dinner tonight.’
    ‘No.’ Sharp and definite from Derek, with a glare in Brodie’s direction.
    ‘Will Anabel be there?’ Jessica gripped the edge of the desk.
    ‘Anabel is my fiancée. Hired muscle eats in the kitchen.’
    Rage shivered over her skin. She no longer needed the desk to stand upright. ‘Apologise.’
    Strange how she could accept insults directed at her. She could even believe she deserved them. But Brodie was not going to be demeaned.
    ‘Truth hurt, sis?’ Derek sneered. ‘No boyfriend, no partner. You have to pay a man to breathe your air. You will not bring a bodyguard to my house.’
    Her eyes widened, then narrowed. She saw the moment when Derek realised he’d shown his hand too blatantly. Forget all the stuff he’d said about her attractiveness, or lack thereof. ‘It’s my house.’
    ‘Well, I have things to do.’ Joe’s cheerful voice cut the tension. ‘I would think you have, as well, Derek. And I know Jessica does.’
    ‘I do?’ She was shaking, shocked at her own courage in challenging her stepbrother. Shocked, too, at how confident Derek was that what was hers, was his. Joe’s sudden sports-coach peppiness baffled her.
    He smiled, and somehow the CEO’s smile resembled a predator showing its teeth. ‘Running Numbat keeps a person busy, and you have your own academic career. Indeed, that’s something we need to talk about. After this weekend, hmm?’
    Sheer force of personality seemed to propel Derek out with him.
    ‘What just happened?’ She stared at Brodie.
    The impassive expression on his face relaxed and he grinned at her. ‘You just told the world that you’ll fight to keep what is yours. I don’t think you need me at all, tiger.’
    ‘T-t-tiger?’ That was hysterically untrue.
    He crossed the room and tugged her into a close, comforting hug. ‘Maybe a tiger cub, but I think Vera will give you lessons.’
    ‘I heard that,’ Vera said from the doorway.
    Jessica leaned into Brodie. ‘I’m sorry Derek was so rude.’
    ‘I bet he’s sorry, too.’ Vera laughed. ‘I’ve been waiting for this day.’
    Brodie’s arms tightened around her. ‘If you want to hear abuse, you should have heard what my first sergeant called me. It’s all good, Jessica. Don’t worry.’
    ‘Will you still come to dinner tonight?’ She held her breath. She couldn’t go alone.
    ‘I’d pay to go,’ Vera contributed.
    Brodie looked at her. ‘Are you commentating this scene?’
    ‘Think of me as the voice of reason,’ Vera said, undaunted by his sergeant’s voice. ‘Believe me, nothing is going to be more satisfying than watching that precious duo encounter a Jessica who embraces her own strength.’
    Jessica turned to stare at her. ‘Do you think I’m strong?’
    ‘You’re Mikal’s granddaughter. I know you’re strong. I just wondered if you knew it.’
    Laughter rumbled in Brodie’s voice. ‘We’re working on it.’
    ***
    Four hours later, Jessica’s brain churned like an overloaded washing machine. She held up a hand, begging for mercy. ‘Enough.’
    Vera sat back in her chair. ‘I think that covers the basics.’
    Jessica restrained a whimper, barely.
    After the intense scene in the office, she, Brodie and Vera had decamped from Numbat’s headquarters and regrouped at a quiet restaurant Vera had recommended. Her niece ran it, successfully. The restaurant was in an old building down at The Rocks. On the downside, that meant unexpected glimpses of the sea, but that was a common problem in Sydney. The damn harbour zigzagged in everywhere. On the plus side, The Rocks had human-sized buildings and their history reminded Jessica that people had survived worse than anything she’d lived through.
    The restaurant was private, with discreet service and heavenly food, and Jessica could have been happy, if only Vera didn’t seem suddenly determined to transfer all her knowledge