Chapter 59: You’re A Good Man, Dimitri Valentino

"When I was with Enzo tonight, he asked if I’d told you I love you. I said no. He asked why." Dimitri’s thumb brushed across her knuckles. "I didn’t have a good answer. Because the truth is, I’ve been in love with you since you were eighteen years old and kissed my cheek like it was nothing. I’ve been in love with you through seven years of staying away, of keeping my promise to Mike, of watching you marry someone else and pretending it didn’t kill me."

Eve’s eyes filled with tears.

"I’ve been in love with you since that night at Sinners when you climbed into my lap and asked me to touch you. I’ve been in love with you through every denial, every punishment, every moment of watching you transform from a broken woman into a fucking queen." His voice roughened. "And I’m going to be in love with you for the rest of my life, Eve Thorne. Whether you stay with me or walk away. Whether we get our forever or the world burns down around us. You own me, completely and absolutely."

The tears spilled over.

"That’s not how you’re supposed to say ’I love you’ for the first time," Eve whispered, laughing through her tears.

"I know." Dimitri wiped her tears with his thumbs. "But I’ve never been good at doing things the right way. I just know I needed you to hear it before Isabella arrives. Before things get complicated. Before..."

Eve kissed him, cutting off the words.

"I love you too," she said against his mouth. "I’ve loved you since you made me read that contract out loud. Since you killed Simon’s career with a single phone call. Since you held me in the bathtub and washed my hair like I was something precious." She pulled back, meeting his eyes. "I love you, Dimitri Valentino. The Devil. The Don. The man who tortured someone in front of me and the man who cried when I said I loved him. All of you."

Dimitri’s eyes were bright, suspiciously wet.

"Say it again," he said roughly.

"I love you."

"Again."

"I love you."

He kissed her, and this time it was claiming and tender and desperate all at once.

When they finally broke apart, both breathing hard, Nonna’s voice called from the kitchen:

"Finalmente!" Finally! "Now come eat before the food gets cold and I have to hit you both with a wooden spoon!"

They laughed, and it felt like the most natural thing in the world.

Hand in hand, they walked toward the kitchen, toward Nonna and dinner and normalcy.

But Eve knew....and Dimitri knew....that tomorrow, Isabella would arrive.

And the real war would begin.

****

POV: DIMITRI

The call came at 6:47 PM.

"Her plane just landed," Marco’s voice was flat, professional. "Private terminal. She brought four people...two bodyguards, one assistant, one unknown."

Dimitri stood at the penthouse windows, watching the city lights flicker to life as dusk settled over the skyline. Behind him, Eve was curled on the sofa with her laptop, reviewing contracts for Phoenix. Nonna was in the kitchen, humming something in Italian while she prepared coffee.

She looked domestic and peaceful.

"The unknown?" Dimitri asked quietly.

"Female. Late twenties. Could be another assistant, could be something else. Running her face now."

"Keep me updated. I want to know the second she leaves the airport."

"Boss....." Marco hesitated. "She asked for you specifically. Said to tell you she’s staying at the Grand Millennium. Presidential suite. She expects you tonight."

Of course she did.

Isabella Russo didn’t ask. She expected. Demanded. Assumed the world would bend to her will because it always had.

"Tell her I’ll be there at nine," Dimitri said.

"You’re going?" Eve’s voice came from behind him, quiet but with an edge.

Dimitri turned. She’d set aside her laptop, was watching him with those hazel eyes that saw too much.

"She’s here," he said simply.

Eve stood, crossed to him. "I know. I heard." She tilted her head. "And you’re going to see her. Alone."

It wasn’t a question.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because if I don’t, she’ll come here." Dimitri’s hands settled on Eve’s waist, pulling her close. "And I’m not ready for that conversation yet. Not until I’ve made it very clear to her that nothing has changed. That the engagement is over. That she needs to let this go."

"You think she’ll listen?"

"No." He was honest. "But I need to say it face-to-face. Give her the respect of honesty before this gets ugly."

Eve studied him for a long moment. "You’re a good man, Dimitri Valentino. Even when you’re breaking someone’s heart."

"I’m not breaking her heart. She doesn’t love me....she loves what I represent."

"Maybe." Eve’s hands slid up his chest. "But it’ll still hurt. Being rejected for someone like me."

"Someone like you," Dimitri repeated, incredulous. "Cara mia, you’re extraordinary. You’re everything she was trained to be but could never actually become. You’re real."

Eve smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. "Be careful tonight. She’s been preparing for this her whole life. She won’t give up easily."

"I know."

"And Dimitri?" Eve rose on her toes, pressed a kiss to his jaw. "Come home to me. Not to the penthouse. To me."

His arms tightened around her. "Always."

****

POV: ISABELLA

The Grand Millennium Presidential Suite was acceptable.

Not exceptional...Isabella had stayed in far more luxurious accommodations in Rome, Paris, Monaco....but acceptable for a city like this.

She stood before the floor-length mirror, assessing her reflection with the critical eye of someone who’d been taught that appearance was armor.

The black dress was Valentino...ironic, but she’d always appreciated the symmetry. It hugged her curves perfectly, the neckline just low enough to be suggestive without being vulgar. Her dark hair fell in glossy waves past her shoulders. Diamond studs glinted at her ears, a gift from her father when she’d turned eighteen.

Twenty-three years old, and she’d spent fourteen of them preparing to be Dimitri Valentino’s wife.

Not anymore, apparently.

"Signorina." Her assistant .Chiara appeared in the doorway. "He’s on his way. ETA fifteen minutes."

"Good." Isabella smoothed her dress, checked her lipstick one final time. "Have champagne ready. The Krug. And make sure we’re not disturbed unless I call for you."