Chapter 199: You Are Stronger Than Claire Was

"I’ve seen every inch of your body," he said, settling onto the edge of the bed next to her. "And I’m very satisfied with what I’ve seen. Every inch belongs to me, by the way. Just so we’re clear."

"Possessive much?" Eve said, but there was no heat in it.

"Absolutely." He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Come on. Eat something. You need your strength."

"For what?" Eve asked, though she suspected she knew the answer.

His smile widened. "For everything that comes next."

***

POV: DIMITRI

Watching Eve eat breakfast while wearing nothing but his shirt was officially his favorite thing.

She was curled up on the small sofa, the containers of food spread across the table in front of her, wearing the shirt he’d dressed her in yesterday. It hit her mid-thigh, and every time she moved, the fabric rode up slightly, reminding him that she had nothing underneath.

He’d opened her suitcase after she’d gotten dressed (sort of), and found all her things exactly as they’d been when she’d packed it in anger last night. Clothes thrown haphazardly. Her passport. Her phone charger.

She’d packed to leave. Had genuinely intended to abandon him.

The thought made something in his chest tighten.

"Stop staring," Eve said without looking at him, reaching for more coffee.

"Can’t help it," he replied. "You’re beautiful in the morning."

"I’m not beautiful right now," Eve said. She touched her face self-consciously. "I haven’t showered. I probably have sex hair. And my makeup is definitely smudged."

"You’re perfect," Dimitri said simply. "That’s what I’m staring at. The fact that you’re here. That you didn’t leave. That you gave me another chance."

Eve looked at him then, her expression softening.

"I didn’t give you another chance," she said carefully. "I gave us another chance. But Dimitri, if you lie to me again....if you keep secrets from me again, I will leave. And I won’t come back. Do you understand me?"

"I understand completely," Dimitri said. "No more lies. No more secrets. Full transparency. You’re my partner in this, not someone I need to protect from reality."

"Good." Eve went back to eating, but she reached over and squeezed his hand briefly. A gesture of acknowledgment. Of trust being offered, but contingent.

They finished breakfast in comfortable silence, and then Eve excused herself to shower.

Dimitri listened to the water running and used the time to call Mike.

His best friend answered on the second ring.

"Is she alive?" Mike asked without preamble. "Is she going to forgive you, or do I need to help dispose of your body?"

"She’s alive," Dimitri said. "She’s in the shower. And she’s giving me another chance, but there are conditions."

"Good. She should have conditions." Dimitri could hear the satisfaction in Mike’s voice. "Bring her home. Nonna’s been pacing all night."

"We’ll be there in an hour."

"Dimitri?" Mike’s voice shifted. "She’s my sister. If you hurt her again..."

"I won’t," Dimitri said. "I promise you. I won’t."

The call ended.

By the time Eve emerged from the shower, Dimitri had already packed her suitcase properly, folding everything with care. She noticed immediately and didn’t comment, just offered him a small, grateful smile.

The drive back to the penthouse was quiet. Eve stared out the window while Dimitri drove, one hand on the steering wheel, the other resting on her knee.

When they arrived at the penthouse, Nonna was waiting at the door.

She took one look at them, at the way they stood slightly apart but still connected, at the marks on Eve’s neck that were clearly visible despite her best efforts to hide them, at the careful way Dimitri was watching Eve as if she might still disappear, and nodded once.

"Good," Nonna said simply. "You fixed it."

"We’re working on it," Dimitri said, pulling Eve closer.

***

POV: EVE

The penthouse felt different when they walked back in.

Or maybe Eve felt different in it.

She’d left this place in tears, convinced that she couldn’t stay with someone who lied to her so fundamentally. And now she was walking back in, knowing that Dimitri had lied, knowing that he would probably have to make difficult choices in the future that would affect her, knowing that his world was darker and more dangerous than she’d fully understood.

And she was choosing to stay anyway.

Not because she was weak. But because she was strong enough to stand beside him. To demand honesty. To be his partner instead of his possession.

Nonna pulled her into the kitchen while Dimitri took care of something in his office.

"He told you?" Nonna asked, setting a plate of fresh pasta in front of Eve without asking if she wanted to eat.

"About The Covenant? About the infiltration? About James?" Eve nodded. "Yes. He told me everything."

"Good." Nonna sat across from her, studying her face. "And you did not leave." 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ

"I wanted to," Eve admitted. "For about ten seconds. But then I realized that leaving wouldn’t make any of this go away. The danger would still exist. The lies would still have happened. And I would be alone instead of standing with him."

Nonna smiled, a real, warm smile that transformed her entire face.

"You are stronger than Claire was," Nonna said quietly. "Dimitri’s mother. She was gentle. She broke under the weight of this world. But you...you are different. You are steel wrapped in silk. This world needs someone like you beside Dimitri."

Eve felt tears prick her eyes at that, not from sadness, but from the weight of being chosen. Of being seen.

"I’m going to get hurt," Eve said. "In this world. Loving him. Being with him. I’m going to get hurt."

"Yes," Nonna said simply. "But you will hurt standing beside him instead of standing alone. That is the choice you are making."

Eve nodded and went back to eating while Nonna hummed in the kitchen, a song that sounded like a lullaby.