Chapter 55: Don’t Kill Him

He’d told Eve the truth in her office. Given her the horror story, the warning, the escape route she deserved.

And she’d chosen him anyway.

I’m not fragile. I’m not your mother. I’m the woman who watched you torture a man and got wet.

Fuck. She was going to destroy him.

Or save him.

Maybe both.

Dimitri got in the car, started the engine, and pulled out his phone for one more call.

It rang twice before Nonna answered.

"Dimitri?"

"He went to her office," Dimitri said without preamble. "Enzo. Posed as a potential investor. Touched her. Tried to plant doubt about my mother."

Silence. Then Nonna’s voice, hard as steel: "Stronzo." Asshole.

"She’s okay. Angry, not scared. Wants to be partners in whatever comes next." He closed his eyes, feeling suddenly exhausted. "She said I should stop treating her like she’s fragile."

"She’s right." Nonna’s voice gentled. "That girl is strong, Dimitri. Stronger than your mother. Stronger than Claire ever had the chance to become."

"I know."

"Do you? Because you’re still trying to protect her from the truth instead of arming her with it."

"I told her," Dimitri said roughly. "About Claire. About what happened. About what it means to be mine."

"And?"

"She chose me anyway." His voice cracked on the words. "She looked at me and said she’s not a weapon someone can use against me. She’s a partner."

"Then treat her like one," Nonna said firmly. "Stop hiding things from her. Stop trying to shield her. She chose this world with open eyes. Respect that choice."

"If something happens to her because of me...."

"Then you will burn the world down and salt the earth," Nonna interrupted. "Just like you would for me. Just like you would for anyone you love. But you cannot keep her safe by keeping her ignorant, nipote mio." My nephew. "You keep her safe by making her strong. By giving her the truth. By standing beside her instead of in front of her."

Dimitri’s throat felt tight. "When did you get so wise?"

"I’ve always been wise. You just haven’t always been ready to listen." He heard the smile in her voice. "Now, what are you going to do about Enzo?"

"Remind him who he’s dealing with."

"Don’t kill him. Not yet. Antonio will use it as justification."

"I know."

"But make him bleed," Nonna added, her voice sharp. "Make him understand that touching what’s yours has consequences."

"I will."

"Good. Now come home. I made ossobuco. And your girl needs to eat....she picked at lunch."

"How do you..." Dimitri started, then stopped. Of course Nonna knew. She knew everything. "I’ll be there in an hour."

"We’ll be waiting."

The call ended.

Dimitri sat in the idling car, his hands loose on the steering wheel, his mind already planning.

Enzo had made his move.

Now it was Dimitri’s turn.

And by the time the night was over, his brother would understand exactly what it meant to threaten something the Devil loved.

***

POV: ENZO

The Hotel Noir penthouse suite was exactly what Enzo had expected....opulent, sterile, expensive in the way that screamed new money trying to look old. He stood at the floor-to-ceiling windows, whiskey in hand, watching the city lights blur and sharpen through the crystal glass.

His phone buzzed. A text from one of Antonio’s men downstairs: Movement. Three vehicles. Valentino colors.

Enzo smiled.

Right on schedule.

He’d known the second he walked out of Phoenix Talent Agency that Dimitri would come for him. Had counted on it, actually. His brother was nothing if not predictable when it came to protecting what he considered his.

And Eve Thorne....God, she was even more interesting than the reports had suggested. Smart. Guarded. Beautiful in an understated way that probably drove Dimitri insane. She’d sensed something was wrong within minutes, her instincts sharper than someone with her background should possess.

Three years married to a weak man, and now she was sleeping with the Devil.

The irony was delicious.

"Should we prepare?" One of Antonio’s men....Luca, thick-necked and competent....stood by the door, hand resting on his weapon.

"No need." Enzo finished his whiskey, set the glass down with careful precision. "My brother won’t start a war in a public hotel. Too messy. Too many witnesses." He turned, buttoning his suit jacket. "He’ll want somewhere private. Controlled. Somewhere he can make his point without consequences."

"The warehouse district," the other man....Paolo....said quietly. "That’s his preferred location for... discussions."

"Exactly." Enzo checked his reflection in the window, smoothed his hair back. "So when he arrives, we’ll go willingly. Show respect. Play the dutiful younger brother."

"Boss..." Luca shifted uncomfortably. "Antonio said not to engage directly. Reconnaissance only."

"And I’ve done reconnaissance." Enzo’s smile sharpened. "I’ve met his weakness. Touched her hand. Planted the seeds. Now we see how deep the obsession goes." He headed for the door. "Don’t worry. Dimitri won’t kill me. Not yet. He needs to understand what I want first."

"And what do you want?" Paolo asked.

Enzo paused, hand on the doorknob. "What he has. All of it."

**

The hotel lobby was empty except for the night staff, who suddenly found urgent business elsewhere when Dimitri Valentino walked through the doors.

Six-four of lethal grace in a black suit, his silver-gray eyes scanning the space with the precision of a predator. Marco at his right, three other men fanning out to secure exits. They moved like a military unit...silent, efficient, absolute.

Enzo descended the staircase slowly, letting Dimitri see him coming, hands visible and empty.

"Brother," he said, his voice carrying across the marble lobby. "I was wondering when you’d visit."

Dimitri didn’t smile. Didn’t speak. Just watched Enzo approach with eyes that promised violence.

"You came to my city without announcing yourself," Dimitri said finally, his voice conversational. Almost pleasant. "That’s poor manners, Enzo."

"I’m here on business. Didn’t think it warranted a formal introduction." Enzo stopped a respectful distance away, noting the way Marco’s hand had drifted inside his jacket. "Though I did take the liberty of exploring some local opportunities. Phoenix Talent Agency has impressive growth projections."

The temperature in the lobby dropped ten degrees.

"You went to her office," Dimitri said, still in that terrifyingly calm voice.

"Touched her. Spoke to her. Without my permission."