CHAPTER 5 — IN THE SHADOW OF HIS NAME
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Aria barely made it to the server room before her knees nearly buckled.
The cold air blasted against her skin, snapping her out of the fog Dimitri left her in. She grabbed the edge of the metal rack and forced herself to take a breath.
He knew about the note.
He knew.
Her mind raced.
How?
How could he have known?
How had he seen something she didn't even report, something she destroyed immediately, something even her agency hadn't commented on?
She closed her eyes.
Because he watches everything.
Because he is everywhere.
Because nothing happens on his territory without his knowledge.
That's why he was feared.
That's why he was untouchable.
And that's why she was the only one insane enough to infiltrate him.
She pressed her fingers to the scanner. The system beeped, giving her full backend access—something Dimitri granted her with a trust she didn't deserve.
She sat.
Opened the network logs.
Pretended to work.
But her mind was on one thing.
The note.
> "I know who you are."
Just five words.
Written in black ink.
Left taped to her apartment door.
Not Dimitri's style.
He didn't do warnings.
He acted.
So who?
Someone inside Russo Enterprises?
Someone from her agency?
A rival mafia?
She didn't know.
And that was the part that set her nerves on fire.
She didn't get long to think.
Because the door opened.
And he walked in.
Dimitri never came to the server room.
This wasn't a place for heirs—this was for tech teams, operations, quiet work.
Seeing him here was like seeing a wolf in a library.
He filled the room instantly—too tall, too powerful, too aware.
"Status update," he said.
He didn't raise his voice.
He didn't have to.
His presence did the talking.
Aria stood. "I just started the deep scan. It'll take forty minutes."
Dimitri stepped closer, examining the screens—even though she knew damn well he didn't understand half of what was there.
He wasn't here for the system.
He was here for her.
"You're shaking."
Her throat tightened. "It's cold."
He looked at her the way a hunter looks at footprints in the snow—knowing the truth was close.
"Come here."
"No."
His eyes sharpened. "Aria."
She hated that the sound of her name in his voice weakened her bones.
But she stayed still.
He stepped closer anyway.
Close enough that the cold in the room suddenly didn't matter.
Close enough that she could feel the restrained heat beneath his tailored suit.
Close enough that lies were impossible.
He reached out—slowly, deliberately—and touched her wrist.
Just her wrist.
But it felt like he touched everything.
"You're not fine," he said softly. "Someone scared you."
Her breath hitched.
"What makes you think that?"
"Because you're hiding something."
His thumb brushed her pulse.
"And your heartbeat gives you away."
She jerked her hand back like his touch burned.
"I'm not your responsibility."
"No," he said, voice dropping.
"But you are my concern."
Aria stepped back; he followed.
She swallowed. "I don't need you concerned about me."
He stared at her, expression unreadable.
"Yes, you do."
She froze.
Dimitri moved closer, but slower this time, almost… carefully.
"I don't care if you push me away," he murmured. "I'm still going to protect what belongs to me."
Her chest tightened.
"Stop saying that."
His jaw tensed.
"Why? Because it scares you?"
"No," she whispered.
"Because it's not true."
Silence crackled between them.
Slowly, dangerously, Dimitri lifted his hand and cupped her jaw with a gentleness that contradicted everything about him.
"It will be."
Her breath caught.
"This place," he said quietly, "is full of men who would bleed this city dry. Who would take anything they wanted—including you."
The room got smaller.
Darker.
He didn't break eye contact.
"But I won't let them touch you."
"Because I'm useful to you?" she whispered.
A shadow crossed his eyes—offense, maybe even hurt—but it disappeared as quickly as it came.
"No," he said.
"Because I want you safe."
Her heart thudded.
"And if someone leaves another note on your door," he continued, voice turning dark, "I'll make them disappear."
Aria's breath shook. "You can't just make people disappear."
He stepped even closer until there was barely an inch between them.
"I can," he murmured.
"And I will."
She felt the truth in his voice like a blade against her throat.
And for one terrifying moment…
she didn't want him to move away.
She wanted him closer.
She wanted—
No.
No, she didn't.
She stepped back, breaking the moment.
"I have work to do," she said, turning away.
Dimitri didn't stop her.
But she felt his eyes on her like a hand pressed against the back of her neck.
He finally spoke.
"Aria."
She didn't turn.
"After work," he said softly,
"I'm driving you home."
Her pulse tripped.
"No," she said. "You're not."
"Yes," he replied.
"I am."
And then he left the server room, the heavy door clicking shut behind him.
Aria stood frozen, staring at the server lights blinking in the dark.
She had two choices.
Run.
Or fall.
But with each passing moment…
each stolen breath…
each look from Dimitri Russo…
Running was becoming impossible.
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