Chapter 130: Boss. We Found Dr Armani

"Always," Eve murmured, already half-asleep.

"Always," he agreed.

He watched her slip into sleep, her face peaceful, her body relaxed in his arms.

This.

This was what he was protecting.

This woman. This love. This life they were building together.

And he’d do anything....anything to keep it safe.

Even if it meant going to war with his own father.

***

He waited until Eve’s breathing had evened out completely before he carefully extracted himself from the bed.

She stirred slightly but didn’t wake, just burrowed deeper into the pillows.

He stood there for a moment, watching her sleep.

God, she was beautiful.

Even now, after hours of sex, her hair a mess, her body marked with his kisses and his teeth and his hands...

She was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.

And the thought of losing her...

The thought of someone hurting her the way his mother had been hurt....

It made something cold and terrible settle in his chest.

Dimitri moved to the bathroom, turned on the shower, stepped under the scalding water.

This past week had been torture.

Trying to act normal. Trying to pretend everything was fine. Trying not to think about the fact that Eve had been drugged right under his watch.

But every time he looked at Eve, all he could think was: What if?

What if they still decided she was a threat?

What if someone drug her again or worse poisoned her the way they’d poisoned his mother?

What if he lost her because he wasn’t careful enough, wasn’t vigilant enough, wasn’t ruthless enough?

The fear was new.

Dimitri had been afraid before, afraid of losing power, afraid of showing weakness, afraid of being vulnerable.

But this was different.

This was the kind of fear that made him want to lock Eve in a tower and never let anyone near her.

The kind of fear that made him fuck her for hours just to reassure himself she was real, she was safe, she was his.

The kind of fear that was going to make him do terrible things to protect her.

Dimitri finished his shower, dried off, pulled on sleep pants.

When he stepped back into the bedroom, his phone was ringing.

Marco.

Dimitri grabbed it quickly, moved back into the bathroom so he wouldn’t wake Eve.

"Talk to me."

"Boss." Marco’s voice was tight with suppressed excitement. "We found him. Dr. Armani. He’s in Italy. Rome. I’ve got eyes on him. He’s secured."

Dimitri’s hand tightened on the phone. "You’re certain?"

"Positive. Facial recognition confirmed. He’s been living under an alias but it’s definitely him."

"And he doesn’t know you’re watching?"

"No. Our people are ghosts. He has no idea we’ve found him."

Dimitri’s mind raced.

Dr. Armani.

The man who’d been prescribing Isabella her "anxiety medication" for years.

The man who had to know what Isabella really ordered for.

The man who could confirm everything Dimitri suspected about his father’s involvement in what happened to Eve.

"Prepare a location," Dimitri said quietly. "Somewhere secure. Somewhere we can have a conversation without interruption."

"Already done. We have a warehouse on the outskirts of Rome. Isolated. Soundproof. Perfect for interrogation."

"Good." Dimitri closed his eyes, made the decision. "We leave tomorrow. First thing. I want to be wheels up by 8 AM."

"Understood. I’ll arrange the jet. What about Eve?"

"I’ll tell her it’s a business trip. She doesn’t need to know the details."

Marco was quiet for a moment. "Boss, are you sure about this? If your father finds out..."

"He won’t. Not until I want him to." Dimitri’s voice turned hard. "And by then, I’ll have everything I need to bury Isabella."

"Understood. I’ll have everything ready by morning."

Dimitri hung up, stood in the bathroom for a long moment, staring at his reflection.

Tomorrow, he’d fly to Italy.

Tomorrow, he’d interrogate Dr. Armani.

Tomorrow, he’d find out the truth about his father’s cover stories.

But tonight...

Tonight, he’d hold Eve and pretend everything was fine.

Tonight, he’d memorize the feeling of her in his arms, safe and warm and his.

Dimitri moved back to the bedroom, slipped into bed beside Eve.

She stirred, reached for him automatically, curled into his chest.

"Mmm. You okay?" Her voice was sleepy, slurred.

"I’m perfect." He kissed the top of her head. "Go back to sleep."

"Love you," she mumbled.

"I love you too, cara mia. More than you know."

She drifted back to sleep immediately.

Dimitri lay awake, holding her, feeling her heartbeat against his chest.

Tomorrow, he’d hunt for answers.

But tonight, he had this.

This moment. This woman. This perfect, fragile, precious thing they’d built together.

And he’d protect it.

No matter what it cost.

No matter who he had to destroy.

Even if it was his own father.

***

POV: EVE

Eve woke to sunlight and the smell of coffee.

She stretched, feeling pleasantly sore everywhere, and smiled at the memory of last night.

Dimitri had been insatiable.

More intense than usual. More possessive. More desperate.

But God, it had been incredible.

She pulled on one of his shirts, padded out to the kitchen.

Dimitri was there, dressed in a dark suit, phone in hand, looking every inch the powerful businessman.

Nonna was at the stove, making breakfast.

"Good morning," Eve said, moving to kiss Dimitri’s cheek.

He set down his phone immediately, pulled her into his lap. "Good morning, cara mia. Sleep well?"

"Eventually." She gave him a look. "You didn’t exactly make sleeping easy."

"No complaints though."

"None at all."

Nonna turned from the stove, gave them both a knowing look. "You two. Every morning, the same. Can’t keep your hands off each other."

Eve blushed. Dimitri just smiled.

"Nonna, I have to travel today," Dimitri said. "Business in Italy. I’ll be gone for two days, maybe three."

Eve’s smile faded. "Italy? You didn’t mention a trip."

"It came up last night. After you fell asleep. Something that needs my attention personally." He tucked hair behind her ear. "I wish I could bring you with me, but it’s going to be boring business meetings. You’d hate it."

Eve studied his face, looking for tells.

He seemed calm and sincere.

But there was something in his eyes. Something he wasn’t saying.

"What kind of business?" she asked.

"Contracts. Territory negotiations. Nothing interesting." He kissed her softly. "I’ll be back before you know it. And when I return, I’m taking you somewhere. Just us. A weekend away. Anywhere you want."

"Anywhere?"

"Anywhere in the world."

Eve smiled despite her unease. "I’ll hold you to that."

"Please do."

They had breakfast together....Eve, Dimitri, and Nonna.

It was normal, domestic and perfect.

But Eve couldn’t shake the feeling that Dimitri was keeping something from her.

Nothing major. Nothing dangerous.

Just... something.