Chapter 114: Something’s Wrong Dimitri

Isabella pressed a folded hundred-dollar bill into his palm along with the atomizer. "See that man at the bar? Tall, dark suit, silver-gray eyes?"

The waiter glanced over. "Mr. Valentino?"

"Yes. He’s about to order a drink, probably whiskey. When you deliver it, I need you to add the contents of this atomizer to his glass. Discreetly. No one can see."

The waiter’s eyes widened. "Ma’am, I can’t..."

Isabella pressed another two hundred-dollar bills into his hand. "Yes, you can. It’s completely harmless, just a little something to help him relax. He’s been so stressed lately." She lowered her voice conspiratorially. "I’m an old friend. Trying to help. But you know how proud men are, he’d never accept it directly."

The waiter hesitated, then pocketed the money. "What’s in it?"

"Just herbs. Natural relaxants. Completely safe." Isabella’s smile was warm, trustworthy. "You’d be doing a good deed trust me."

"Okay." The waiter nodded. "I’ll do it."

"Thank you so much." Isabella pressed one more bill into his hand. "And remember....discreet. No one can know."

The waiter nodded again, slipped the atomizer into his pocket, and headed toward the bar.

Isabella returned to her table, her heart pounding so hard she thought everyone could hear it.

She watched Dimitri order his drink.

Watched the waiter prepare it behind the bar.

Watched him add the compound with a subtle squeeze of the atomizer.

Watched him deliver the glass to Dimitri with a professional smile.

It was done.

Dimitri had the drink.

In fifteen to twenty minutes, the effects would start.

And then....

Isabella’s breath caught in her throat.

Dimitri took the glass, said something to the bartender, then turned....

And walked back toward his table.

Toward Eve.

He sat down beside her, said something that made her laugh....

And handed her the drink.

No.

No no no no no....

Isabella watched in absolute horror as Eve smiled, took the glass from Dimitri’s hand, and drank the entire thing in one long swallow.

"That wasn’t supposed to happen," Catarina said quietly beside her, her voice tight with alarm.

Isabella couldn’t speak. Couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t process what she’d just seen.

She’d drugged Eve.

Not Dimitri.

Eve.

The compound, four to six hours of overwhelming arousal, painful if not relieved, no antidote....

Was now in Eve Thorne’s system.

"We need to leave," Catarina said urgently. "Right now. Before..."

"I can’t." Isabella’s voice came out strangled. "I can’t just...what do I do? She’s going to....oh God, she’s going to..."

"There’s nothing you can do. The compound is already in her system. It’s irreversible." Catarina gripped her arm. "Isabella, we need to go. Now. Before Dimitri realizes what happened and traces it back to you."

But Isabella couldn’t move.

Could only watch as Eve sat beside Dimitri, smiling, talking, completely unaware that in fifteen minutes her body would start betraying her.

That she’d start feeling warm. Sensitive. Increasingly aroused.

That by thirty minutes, she’d be uncomfortable.

That by forty-five minutes, she’d be in agony.

And it was all Isabella’s fault.

***

POV: EVE

Eve finished Dimitri’s whiskey, she’d been teasing him about never letting her try his drinks, so he’d handed it over with an amused smile, and set down the empty glass.

"Happy now?" Dimitri asked.

"Very. Though I don’t know how you drink that straight. It burns."

"You get used to it."

The auction continued. Eve watched, mildly interested, as people bid ridiculous amounts on things they didn’t need.

And then...

A warmth started spreading through her chest.

Not unpleasant. Just... noticeable.

Like she’d swallowed sunshine.

"You okay?" Dimitri asked, noticing her shift in her seat.

"Yeah. Just warm. Is it hot in here?"

"A little. Six hundred people will do that." He flagged down a waiter. "Can we get some water please?"

The waiter nodded, hurried off.

Eve tried to focus on the auction, but the warmth was spreading.

Down her arms. Across her stomach. Lower.

She shifted again, suddenly aware of the silk of her dress against her skin. The weight of the crystal chains across her back. The pressure of her sitting position.

Everything felt... heightened.

"Eve?" Dimitri’s hand touched her arm. "What’s wrong?"

"Nothing. I just...I need to use the restroom." She stood, swayed slightly.

Dimitri stood immediately, steadying her. "I’ll come with you."

"No." The word came out sharper than she intended. "I’m fine. It’s just the ladies’ room. I’ll be right back."

"Eve..."

"I’m fine, Dimitri." She forced a smile, even though her skin felt like it was buzzing. "Just need a minute. Okay?"

He didn’t look convinced, but he nodded. "Okay. But if you’re not back in ten minutes, I’m coming to find you."

"Deal."

Eve walked toward the bathroom, concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other.

The warmth was growing. Intensifying.

Spreading lower, between her thighs, making her acutely aware of every sensation.

What was wrong with her?

She pushed open the bathroom door, grateful to find it empty.

Eve braced her hands on the marble counter, looked at herself in the mirror.

Her face was flushed. Her pupils dilated. Her breathing fast.

And her body...

God, her body felt like it was on fire.

Every nerve ending hypersensitive. Every brush of fabric against her skin almost painful in its intensity.

She splashed cold water on her face, trying to calm down.

But it didn’t help.

The warmth kept building. Growing. Spreading.

And with it came arousal.

Sudden. Overwhelming. All-consuming.

Eve’s hands gripped the counter, her knees weak.

What the hell was happening to her?

She thought about Dimitri. About his hands on her. His mouth. His body.

And the arousal spiked so sharply she gasped.

She needed...

She needed him.

Needed his touch. His kiss. Needed him inside her right now...

Eve shook her head, trying to clear it.

This wasn’t normal. This wasn’t right.

Something was wrong.

She pulled out her phone with shaking hands, texted Dimitri.

Something’s wrong Dimitri. I don’t feel right. Can you come get me?