It was a reasonable explanation. Plausible.
But Eve's instincts....instincts she'd learned to trust over seven weeks of living in Dimitri's world....were screaming that something was very, very wrong.
Marco had moved. Just slightly, but he was closer to the desk now, his eyes locked on Enzo with an intensity that would have made most men nervous.
Enzo didn't seem to notice. Or if he did, he didn't care.
"Mr. Valentino...."
"Enzo, please."
"Enzo." Eve kept her voice level. "I appreciate your interest in Phoenix, but I'm not currently looking to bring on new partnerships. My focus is on organic growth and maintaining the culture we've built."
It was a polite dismissal. Professional. Final.
Enzo didn't move.
"Of course," he said, but he didn't stand. "Though I hope you'll reconsider. Sometimes the right partnership can offer... protection. Stability in unstable times."
The way he said protection made every nerve in her body stand at attention.
