Because You're Mines

"I cannot believe he did that," Chloe Georgiou cried out, her voice shaking as she clutched the torn remains of her dress. Her hands trembled as Andreas Nikolaou put his jacket around her shoulders. The fabric was warm and scented with him, a clean scent of sandalwood and old books that for some reason made her feel a little safer.

"He's a coward," Andreas growled, his jaw tight. He pulled her closer, his arms a steady anchor. "He always was."

Chloe snuggled into him, the cold night air in stark relief to the warmth of his body. "I don't know why. Why me? Why tonight?"

"It was never about you, Chloe. It was always about me. He thinks... he thinks that by hurting me, he can finally win. He's been trying to one-up me since we were children."

"One-up you? By... by doing that?" Chloe's voice was a whisper, the shock of the moment still new. "What did you do to him that was so wrong?"

Andreas sighed, a deep sigh that seemed to have the weight of years behind it. "I am not proud of it, but I put a stop to his little schemes. He was trying to embezzle money from the family foundation. I caught him, I exposed him, and I made sure he could not do it again. He lost everything. He lost his reputation, his trust fund, his inheritance. He lost Ariadne."

Chloe's head snapped up. "Ariadne? But. she's your sister.".

"Exactly," Andreas said, his voice oozing bitter irony. "He tried to turn her into a pawn in his own private game. He told her that I was the one embezzling, that I was trying to ruin the family. Ariadne, God bless her, wasn't having any of it. She confronted him, he broke down, and she disinherited him. He never forgave me for that. He never forgave her, either."

"And he thought... he thought he could get back at you by hurting me?"

"He knows how I feel about you, Chloe. He saw the way I looked at you tonight. He saw that you're the one person who makes me feel... human again. He wanted to take that away from me. He wanted to prove to me that I couldn't have anything good without him finding a way to destroy it."

Chloe was developing a new sob. "I just feel so... used."

"You aren't used, Chloe. You're a victim of his cruelty. But he didn't succeed. I reached you in time. And he's gone. I promise you, he won't be back."

"How can you be so certain?"

"Because he knows what I'll do to him if he shows his face again. He knows that I'll make sure he's not just a pariah in our family, but in the entire city."

Chloe looked at him, truly looked at him, and saw the raw anger in his eyes. It was a terrifying sight, but also strangely reassuring. She knew he would protect her.

"Thank you, Andreas."

"Don't thank me. Just... let me take care of you. We can go to my house. I'll buy you a new outfit. You can tell me all that happened. We can talk to Ariadne. She'll understand."

"I don't know if I can face her. Or anybody."

"You don't have to see anybody. Just me. And Ariadne. And whomever else you want. We'll do this your way."

Chloe nodded, a silent tear rolling down her cheek. She was still scared, but she was also starting to feel a glimmer of something else: determination. She would not let Pavriel Ioannou get the best of her. She would not let him ruin her night, or her life. Not now, not ever.

The next day, as Chloe sat in Andreas's library, all bundled up in a warm blanket and a fresh change of clothes, Ariadne Nikolaou came in carrying two cups of herbal tea.

"I'm so sorry about what happened, Chloe," Ariadne said, her voice soft and full of genuine concern. "I wish I could say I was surprised, but... Pavriel has always been like this. He's always been cruel, always been trying to hurt Andreas in any way he can."

"I just... I don't understand," Chloe said, her voice still a little shaky. "Why did he think that would be a good idea?"

He's not a nice person, Chloe. He never was. He plays with life as if it's a game, and he'll do anything to win. Even hurt innocent people. He's a narcissist, a sociopath. He thinks he's smarter than everyone else, and he thinks he can get away with anything. Until now."

"Until Andreas got involved.

"Yes. Andreas always intervenes. He's the good brother, the one who always tries to do the right thing. That's why Pavriel hates him so much. Andreas is everything he's not: honorable, kind, and strong. He can't take it. He can't take being in his shadow. He can't take that Andreas is better than him in every conceivable way."

Ariadne handed Chloe a cup of tea. "Drink this. It will settle you."

Chloe took a sip. Mint and chamomile, soothing. "Thanks, Ariadne. You're... you're very kind."

"It's the least I can do. You're one of us now, Chloe. We take care of our own. And we don't let anyone, least of all Pavriel, hurt those we care about."

Chloe felt a warmth spread through her chest. It was not just the tea; it was the kindness in Ariadne's voice, the sincerity in her eyes. She felt safe, she felt loved, and she felt like she had a new family.

Later that week, at the annual charity gala, Chloe was introduced to Danae Demetriou, a stunning woman with a sharp sense of style and a quick mind. Andreas made the introductions, having decided to take Chloe as his date.

"Chloe, this is Danae. She's a close friend of mine, and a great architect. Danae, this is Chloe. She's a fine artist, and... the woman I love.".

Chloe's heart missed a beat at his words. Danae simply smiled and had a knowing glint in her eyes.

"It's lovely to meet you finally, Chloe. I've heard so much about you. All good, of course. Andreas cannot stop talking about you. I was beginning to believe you were an imaginary creature."

Chloe laughed. "I can assure you, I am very real.".

Good. I'm pleased you're real. Since I'm getting a little tired of listening about this phantom woman who has won Andreas's heart. Time I got to meet her in person."

"Danae," Andreas cautioned.

"Oh, don't be so stern, Andreas. I'm just kidding. I'm truly happy for you guys. It's time you found someone who could make you smile once more.".

Danae turned her attention back to Chloe. "So, tell me, what's it like being with the most eligible bachelor in the city?"

"Eligible bachelor? I thought he was just... Andreas," Chloe said, smiling playfully.

"Oh, no. He's the whole package. Rich, handsome, and single. At least, he was. Until you came along."

"Danae, you're incorrigible," Andreas said, his head shaking in an affectionate smile.

"I know. It's my charm. I'm just being honest. It's a rare quality in this city."

Chloe found herself liking Danae. She was confident, funny, and she didn't seem intimidated by Andreas at all. She was a woman who knew her worth, and she wasn't afraid to show it.

"Well, I'm just happy to be here," Chloe said. "It's a beautiful event."

It is," Danae concurred. "And the food is incredible. Have you tasted the baklava? It's to die for."

Later in the evening, Chloe found herself surrounded by unfamiliar faces-all of Andreas' friends. There was Kalliopi Papadopoulos, a kind and gentle woman who headed the charity foundation. There was Darianna Georgiou, a young woman who was bubbly and full of energy and was an upcoming fashion designer. There was Georgios Andreou, a shy but intense artist who did abstract sculpture. And Nefeli Niu, a hard-nosed, outspoken journalist who wasn't afraid to ask the difficult questions.

Chloe was a little overwhelmed by it all, but Andreas was always right there beside her, a steady presence in the whirlwind of introductions and conversation. He was her anchor, her safe harbor in the storm.

Are you okay?" he asked, his voice low with concern.

### "I'm fine," she said, her eyes shining. "I'm just a little... overwhelmed. But in a good way. Everyone is so nice."

"I told you they would be. They're my friends. They're good people."

"They are. It's just... it's a lot. I'm used to a quiet life. This is... a lot.".

"I know. But you'll adjust. And if you don't, we'll simply retreat into my library and never emerge. How's that?"

### Chloe laughed. "That sounds like a pretty good plan."

As they spoke, a stunning woman with vibrant red hair and a piercing gaze came up to them. It was Zina Ioannides, a rival art gallery owner who had been trying to poach Chloe for months.

"Chloe. So happy I ran into you," Zina said, her voice a silky purr. "I needed to speak with you. I have an offer to make you. A very profitable offer.".

"I am content where I am, Zina," Chloe asserted in her voice.

"You are?" Zina probed. "You really are? You're an artist, Chloe. You deserve to be in a gallery, not in some wealthy man's pocket. Andreas can provide you with a comfortable life, but I can provide you with a career. I can turn you into a star."

"I do not wish to be a star, Zina. I wish only to create art."

"And you can do it with me. I'll give you a gallery showing, a percentage of every sale, and all the creative freedom you could possibly want. Think about it, Chloe. This is your chance to be someone. To be something more than just... Andreas's girlfriend."

I am more than Andreas's girlfriend, Zina. And I don't require you to remind me who I am. I know very well who I am. I'm a human being, a woman, and an artist who is extremely happy with her life."

Zina's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. "Well, the offer is there. My number is on my card. Call me when you come to your senses."

She walked away, trailing a cloud of expensive perfume in her wake. Chloe let out a deep breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

"She's... intense," she said, facing Andreas.

"She's a shark," he said, his voice rough. "She sees something she wants, and she strikes. She's been trying to steal you from me from the moment we met."

"I'm not a painting, Andreas. I can't be stolen."

"I know. But she doesn't. She thinks she can buy anything. But she can't buy you. She can't buy your talent, your heart, or your love."

"No," Chloe whispered. "She can't."