Chapter 50: Enzo Went To Eve’s Company

POV: EVE

The afternoon light filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows of her office, casting long shadows across the polished mahogany desk. Eve leaned back in her chair, reviewing the quarterly reports spread before her. Phoenix Talent Agency had grown another twelve percent this quarter.....a fact that would have filled her with pride if she could focus on anything other than the knot of unease that had been tightening in her chest since breakfast.

Dimitri’s face this morning. The way he’d held that kiss at the elevator. Tonight. I’ll tell you tonight.

Something was coming. Something big enough that even Nonna had moved into the penthouse.

"Ms. Thorne?" Her assistant Melissa’s voice crackled through the intercom, pulling her from her thoughts. "Your three o’clock is here. Mr. Valentino from Russo Holdings."

Eve’s fingers stilled on the contract she’d been reading. Valentino. The name sent a strange flutter through her stomach....not Dimitri’s first name, but his last. Probably a coincidence. Valentino wasn’t exactly uncommon in Italian business circles.

"Send him in," she said, straightening in her chair and closing the financial reports.

She glanced toward Marco, who stood in his usual position by the door. For the past week, he’d been inside the building with her rather than waiting in the car. Another sign that something had shifted, though Dimitri hadn’t explained why.

The door opened, and Eve’s professional smile was already in place as she stood.

The man who entered was striking....tall, though not quite Dimitri’s towering height, with dark hair swept back from a sharp-featured face. He wore an expensive charcoal suit that fit him perfectly, and when he smiled, it was the kind of smile that probably made most women weak in the knees.

Eve felt nothing but polite interest.

"Ms. Thorne." His voice was smooth, cultured, with just a hint of an Italian accent. "Thank you for making time for me on such short notice."

"Mr. Valentino." She extended her hand across the desk, noting the firm handshake, the warm brown eyes that seemed to assess everything about her in seconds. "Please, sit. Melissa mentioned you’re with Russo Holdings?"

"That’s right." He settled into the chair across from her with an easy confidence. "We’re expanding our portfolio into entertainment and media ventures. Your agency’s reputation precedes you....impressive growth in just three years."

Eve couldn’t help the small smile of pride. "Thank you. We’ve been fortunate to represent some incredible talent."

She didn’t notice the way Marco’s entire body had gone rigid by the door, his hand drifting infinitesimally closer to the weapon concealed beneath his jacket.

"Fortunate and skilled," the man corrected, leaning back and crossing one ankle over his knee. "I’ve done my research, Ms. Thorne. You built this from nothing. That takes more than luck....it takes vision. Ruthlessness."

The way he said that last word made something prickle at the back of her neck, but his smile remained warm, almost admiring.

"I prefer to think of it as determination," she said carefully.

"Of course." He inclined his head. "Forgive me. I spend too much time in rooms where ruthlessness is considered a compliment."

Eve felt her shoulders relax slightly. Just a businessman used to a harsher world than hers. She could understand that.....she’d been living in that world’s shadow for seven weeks now.

"So, Mr. Valentino," she said, pulling up her tablet, "what kind of partnership were you envisioning with Phoenix?"

"Please, call me Enzo."

The name meant nothing to her, but across the room, Marco’s jaw clenched so hard she heard his teeth grind together.

Eve glanced at him, confused by the sudden tension radiating from her normally stone-faced bodyguard, but he stared straight ahead, his expression unreadable except for something burning in his eyes that looked almost like fury.

"Enzo," she repeated, turning back to her potential client, that unease from this morning creeping back. "What brings Russo Holdings to Phoenix?"

"We’re interested in developing a talent division....models, actors, influencers. The entertainment industry is experiencing a significant shift toward digital platforms, and we want to position ourselves at the forefront." He leaned forward slightly, elbows resting on his knees. "Your agency already has the infrastructure, the reputation, the talent pool. A partnership would be mutually beneficial."

It was a good pitch. Smart. The kind of opportunity Eve would normally be excited about.

But something felt wrong.

Maybe it was the way his eyes lingered on her just a fraction too long. Maybe it was Marco’s reaction....the bodyguard who never showed emotion now looked like he was barely restraining himself from violence. Maybe it was the way Enzo’s smile didn’t quite reach his eyes when he said "mutually beneficial," like the words tasted different in his mouth than they should.

"That’s certainly interesting," Eve said, keeping her voice professionally neutral. "Though I’m curious why Russo Holdings specifically. There are larger agencies with more international reach."

"True." Enzo’s smile widened, and for just a second, something flickered in his expression that reminded her of.....

No. She was being paranoid.

"But you see, Ms. Thorne, I don’t want the largest agency. I want the best one. The one built by someone who understands what it takes to survive in a world that doesn’t hand you anything." He tilted his head, studying her. "I imagine you know something about that. Building an empire from nothing while the vultures circle, waiting for you to fail."

The words were sympathetic, but the way he said empire made her skin prickle.

"I’ve had my share of challenges," she said carefully.

"I’m sure you have." His gaze dropped briefly to her left hand....bare now, no wedding ring. "I understand congratulations are in order. On your divorce."

Eve’s blood went cold.

That wasn’t public information. The papers had been filed quietly, processed quickly through channels that Dimitri had arranged. Simon had left the country. Nobody outside of a very small circle knew the divorce had been finalized.

"I...." She faltered, and his smile gentled, as if he’d sensed her alarm and wanted to soothe it.

"Forgive me," he said smoothly. "That was presumptuous. I have... connections in legal circles. Word travels in certain industries." He spread his hands in a gesture of apology. "I meant no offense. Merely that you seem to be entering a new Chapter of your life, and new Chapters often call for bold business moves."