Chapter 110: Let Me Spoil You, Eve. Please

POV: EVE

At exactly eleven o’clock, the doorbell rang.

Eve opened it to find a stylish woman in her forties with an assistant and a rolling rack of what looked like twenty garment bags.

"Ms. Thorne! I’m Valentina, your stylist for the gala." The woman’s smile was warm, professional. "Mr. Valentino gave me your measurements and some guidance on his preferences, but I’ve brought a wide selection so you have plenty of options."

"Twenty dresses is a wide selection," Eve said, eyeing the rack.

"Twenty-three, actually. Plus shoes and accessories." Valentina wheeled the rack inside. "Mr. Valentino was very specific that you should have choices."

Dimitri appeared from his office, looking pleased with himself.

"Twenty-three?" Eve turned to him. "That’s excessive."

"That’s thorough." He kissed her cheek. "Try them on. All of them. I want to see."

"This is going to take hours...."

"I have all day." Dimitri settled onto the sofa like he was preparing for a show. "Valentina, whenever she’s ready."

The next three hours were a blur of silk and satin and tulle.

Eve tried on dress after dress.....emerald green that matched her eyes, midnight blue that made her skin glow, champagne gold that shimmered under the lights, classic black that was elegant and timeless.

Each one was more beautiful than the last.

And each one made Dimitri’s eyes darken with want.

"That one," he said when she emerged in a deep burgundy gown with a dangerously low back. "Definitely that one."

"You said that about the last three," Eve pointed out.

"Because you look incredible in all of them. But that one..." He stood, circled her slowly. "That one is special."

The dress was stunning. Form-fitting through the bodice and hips, then flowing into a soft train. The neckline was high in front but the back plunged almost to her waist, held together by delicate crystal chains.

Elegant. Sophisticated. Sexy without being obvious.

"I like this one too," Eve admitted, looking at herself in the mirror.

"Then it’s decided." Dimitri looked at Valentina. "We’ll take the burgundy. And the emerald. And the midnight blue."

"Dimitri, I only need one..."

"You need options. What if you change your mind Saturday morning? What if you spill something at breakfast?" He pulled out his phone. "Three dresses. Plus matching shoes and accessories for each."

"Mr. Valentino, that’s very generous..."

"It’s not generous. It’s necessary." Dimitri’s tone left no room for argument. "Package everything. Have it delivered by Friday afternoon."

Valentina beamed. "Of course. It’s been a pleasure dressing you, Ms. Thorne. You’re going to be the most photographed woman at the gala."

After Valentina and her assistant left, Eve turned to Dimitri.

"Three dresses? Really?"

"You looked beautiful in all of them. I couldn’t choose." He pulled her close. "Let me spoil you, Eve. Please. It makes me happy."

"You make me happy," Eve said softly. "Not the dresses. Not the money. You."

Dimitri’s expression softened. "I know. But I still want to give you everything."

"You already do."

They were kissing when Nonna’s voice interrupted from the kitchen.

"Madonna! Dimitri, if you buy this many dresses for a charity gala, what will you do for the wedding? Buy her the entire store?"

Eve froze. "Wedding?"

Dimitri looked sheepish. "Nonna..."

"What? You think I don’t see?" Nonna appeared in the doorway, hands on hips. "You look at her like she’s the sun. You buy her everything. You told me yourself you’re going to marry her. So yes...wedding. Eventually."

Eve looked at Dimitri. "You told Nonna you’re going to marry me?"

"Of course I did." He didn’t look embarrassed, just matter-of-fact. "Because I am. When the contract ends. When you’re ready. I’m going to ask you properly, and you’re going to say yes, and then we’re going to spend the rest of our lives together."

Eve’s heart stuttered. "You sound very certain."

"I have informed you about my plan to marry you Eve, I told you weeks ago, and i’ll keep telling you because I am certain." His hands framed her face. "You’re it for me, Eve Thorne. The only woman I’ll ever want. The only future I can see. So yes...eventually, there will be a wedding. And yes, I’ll probably go overboard with that too."

"Probably?" Nonna snorted. "Definitely. This boy doesn’t know how to do anything halfway."

Eve laughed, even as tears pricked her eyes. "I love you."

"I love you too." Dimitri kissed her softly. "Now...lunch. Then I have a few calls to make before Saturday."

"Business calls?"

"Security calls. Making sure Saturday goes perfectly." He didn’t mention Isabella, but Eve heard the unspoken concern. "Marco’s handling most of it, but I want to review the final arrangements."

"Okay." Eve squeezed his hand. "I trust you."

Those three words....I trust you, landed heavy in Dimitri’s chest.

Because she did trust him.

And he was still lying to her.

About Lorenzo’s threats. About the full scope of what Isabella had planned. About how close Eve had come to being "removed."

But Saturday would be fine. He’d made sure of it. Extra security. Eyes on Isabella at all times. Protocols in place if anything went wrong.

Eve would be safe.

And she never had to know how much danger she’d been in.

***

POV: MARCO

Marco sat in his office three floors below the penthouse, reviewing security protocols for Saturday’s gala.

His phone buzzed. One of his street contacts.

"Talk to me," Marco answered.

"Got movement on that woman you’ve been tracking. Catarina Milano. The one who came in with Isabella Russo."

Marco’s attention sharpened. "What kind of movement?"

"She made contact with an Eastern European supplier yesterday. Encrypted communications, but we caught fragments. Something about a pharmaceutical. High-grade. Illegal. Delivery scheduled for Saturday morning."

Marco’s blood ran cold. "Saturday morning? You’re sure?"

"Positive. Our guy intercepted the confirmation. Payment was 200K. Whatever she’s buying, it’s serious."

"Do we know what the pharmaceutical is? Name? Function?"

"Working on it. Should have more intel by tonight."

"Get it to me the second you have it." Marco’s mind was already racing. "And keep eyes on Catarina. I want to know everywhere she goes, everyone she meets, every breath she takes."

"You got it, boss."

Marco hung up, stared at his computer screen.

Isabella’s mysterious companion was acquiring illegal pharmaceuticals.

For delivery Saturday morning.

The same day as the Castellano Gala.

The same event where Dimitri and Eve would be.

This wasn’t a coincidence.

Marco pulled up Isabella’s surveillance files, cross-referenced Catarina’s movements with known black market suppliers.

Whatever Isabella was planning, it involved drugs. Illegal ones. Expensive ones.

And it was happening in two days.

Marco reached for his phone to call Dimitri, then stopped.

He didn’t have the full picture yet. Didn’t know what the pharmaceutical was or how Isabella planned to use it.

Going to Dimitri with half-information would just make him paranoid. Make him want to cancel the gala or lock Eve in the penthouse.

No.

Marco needed the full intel first. Needed to know exactly what they were dealing with.

Then he’d tell Dimitri.

Then they’d handle it.

But in the meantime...

Marco pulled up the security roster for Saturday night, started making adjustments.

More men. Better positions. Tighter protocols.

If Isabella tried anything....anything...they’d be ready.