Anastasia couldn't stop thinking about what Leonidas had said.
"I liked waking up with you in my arms, Anastasia."
She had spent the entire day pretending it didn't shake her, pretending her heartbeat hadn't gone all weird, pretending she hadn't stood in front of the mirror, staring at her lips, remembering the way he had kissed her.
She needed to get a grip.
But just as she was convincing herself that nothing had changed, a knock sounded at her door.
Her stomach flipped.
She already knew who it was.
Taking a deep breath, she pulled the door open—
And there he was.
Standing there like he owned the entire world, looking like he had just stepped out of a dream women shouldn't have.
Dark shirt, sleeves pushed up, the first few buttons undone, revealing the sharp lines of his collarbone.
He wasn't even trying, and yet, she couldn't look away.
And then, in that deep, unreadable voice—
"Have dinner with me."
She blinked.
That was it? No command, no smug expectation—just an invitation?
She should say no.
She should slam the door in his ridiculously good-looking face.
But instead, she found herself nodding.
"...Alright."
His lips twitched slightly.
"Good."
Dinner was at a quiet, exclusive restaurant—one of those places where only the rich and powerful went.
The kind of place where the air smelled like expensive wine, soft music played in the background, and people pretended they weren't gossiping about each other.
Leonidas had picked a private table by the window, overlooking the city lights.
For the first time, Anastasia wasn't sure what to expect from him.
He wasn't being his usual intense, unreadable self.
He was... calmer.
And what was even weirder—he actually asked about her.
What she liked.
What books she read.
What places she wanted to visit.
And then—he listened.
Not the fake, polite kind of listening.
But the kind where he actually cared what she had to say.
It threw her off.
She had just started to feel like maybe—**just maybe—**this night wouldn't be completely terrifying.
And then it happened.
A voice from a nearby table.
Loud enough to be heard.
Sharp enough to slice through her confidence like a knife.
"She's still here? Thought he'd be done with her by now."
Laughter followed.
Then—
"Guess even Leonidas has to settle for second choices sometimes."
Her stomach dropped.
It took her a second to process it.
And then it hit.
They were talking about her.
Her hands curled into fists under the table.
She could feel her skin burning, feel the weight of all the judgmental eyes in the room.
She wanted to disappear.
She had no idea how to fight back in this world.
But she didn't have to.
Because before she could even think of what to do—
Leonidas stood.
And the entire room froze.
The laughter died instantly.
The man who had spoken—a well-dressed businessman with a cocky smirk—looked up, suddenly less amused.
Leonidas didn't say anything at first.
Didn't even look angry.
He just stood there, looking at the man like he was deciding whether or not he was worth his time.
Then—
"Say that again."
The businessman shifted uncomfortably. "I—"
"I wasn't asking for excuses."
His voice was cold.
Calm.
But there was no mistaking the warning.
"You thought I wouldn't react?" Leonidas asked, tilting his head slightly.
A slow, dangerous smirk.
"You should know me better than that."
And then—without raising his voice, without causing a scene—he destroyed him.
Laid out every single one of the man's secrets.
Every business failure.
Every shady deal.
Every weakness that the man probably thought was well hidden.
And by the time Leonidas was done, the man was sitting there, pale as death, looking like he wanted the floor to swallow him whole.
Leonidas leaned in slightly, his voice quiet but cutting.
"Next time, be careful who you insult."
And then—the final blow.
"She is not second to anyone."
Anastasia's heart stopped.
She sat there, stunned, as the entire room stared.
And in that moment, she realized something.
She would never have to fight alone.
Because Leonidas Nikoladis would always protect her.
A few days later, he told her they were leaving the city.
"For business," he had said.
And when they arrived, she realized just how different this was.
The estate was nothing like the world he ruled.
No towering buildings.
No endless city noise.
Just rolling green hills, clear blue skies, and the kind of peace she had never thought he would care about.
And Leonidas...
Without his suits.
Without the power, the business deals, the ruthless edge—
He looked different.
Relaxed.
And God help her, even more devastatingly handsome.
He wore a simple white shirt, the sleeves rolled up, the fabric stretched over broad shoulders.
His dark hair was slightly tousled, the sun highlighting the sharp angles of his face.
And then he turned to her, the faintest smile playing on his lips.
"Come. Let me show you something."
And for some reason—she followed.
He took her through the fields, pointing out things he actually cared about.
Not business.
Not power.
Just... life.
She had never seen him like this.
Had never imagined he could be like this.
Gentle.
Thoughtful.
A man who noticed things—like the way the wind moved through the trees, or the way her hair caught the sunlight.
And for the first time, she saw him.
Not just the powerful businessman.
Not just the man who had saved her reputation.
But the man underneath it all.
Because in this quiet, endless place—
Away from the world that had forced them together—
She felt something she had been fighting since the beginning.
She felt safe with him.