RICO
"She shouldn't be here."
⸻
Marco's voice cut through the silence of the study.
Low.
Controlled.
But firm.
⸻
Rico didn't look up immediately.
He stood by the window, hands in his pockets, gaze fixed on the darkness outside.
⸻
"I don't remember asking for your opinion," he said calmly.
⸻
"I'm not giving an opinion."
A pause.
⸻
"I'm giving you a warning."
⸻
That made Rico turn.
Slowly.
⸻
Their eyes met.
⸻
No fear.
No hesitation.
⸻
Marco had crossed a line.
And he knew it.
⸻
"Be careful," Rico said quietly.
⸻
"I am," Marco replied.
"That's why I'm saying this."
⸻
Silence stretched between them.
Heavy.
⸻
"She was taken too easily," Marco continued. "No resistance. No struggle that made sense."
⸻
Rico's expression didn't change.
⸻
"Say what you're trying to say."
⸻
Marco exhaled slowly.
⸻
"I'm saying she might not be as unaware as you think."
⸻
The air shifted instantly.
⸻
Dangerous.
⸻
Rico took a step forward.
⸻
"Choose your next words carefully."
⸻
"I already did."
⸻
Marco didn't back down.
⸻
"That location," he continued. "Ethan didn't just pick it randomly. He knew security gaps. Movement patterns."
A pause.
⸻
"He knew your movements."
⸻
Rico's jaw tightened.
⸻
"And you think she told him?"
⸻
"I think," Marco said carefully, "that she's connected to this in a way you're not seeing."
⸻
Silence.
⸻
Rico's gaze darkened.
⸻
"You're letting your emotions cloud your judgment."
⸻
That hit.
⸻
But not the way Marco expected.
⸻
Rico stepped closer.
Slow.
Measured.
⸻
"You think this is about emotion?" he asked quietly.
⸻
Marco didn't answer immediately.
⸻
"That's exactly what I think," he said finally.
⸻
A pause.
⸻
"You're not thinking like a strategist anymore."
⸻
Another step closer.
⸻
"You're thinking like a man who almost lost something he didn't realize he couldn't live without."
⸻
Silence.
⸻
That was the truth.
⸻
And both of them knew it.
⸻
Rico's voice dropped.
⸻
"Careful, Marco."
⸻
"I'm trying to keep you alive," Marco shot back. "Because right now? You're vulnerable."
⸻
Rico laughed softly.
⸻
A dangerous sound.
⸻
"I don't do vulnerable."
⸻
"No," Marco said.
"You just don't admit it."
⸻
That was it.
⸻
The line.
⸻
The breaking point.
⸻
Rico grabbed him by the collar, slamming him lightly—but firmly—against the wall.
⸻
Fast.
Controlled.
Deadly.
⸻
"Watch yourself," Rico said quietly.
⸻
Marco didn't flinch.
⸻
"Or what?" he asked.
⸻
Silence.
⸻
Then—
⸻
"Or you'll prove my point."
⸻
Rico's grip tightened.
⸻
For a second—
It looked like he might actually hit him.
⸻
But he didn't.
⸻
Instead—
He let go.
⸻
Stepping back.
Reclaiming control.
⸻
"Bella has nothing to do with this," Rico said coldly.
⸻
Marco adjusted his collar slowly.
⸻
"I hope you're right."
⸻
A pause.
⸻
"But if you're not…"
⸻
His eyes met Rico's again.
⸻
"She's not the only one in danger."
⸻
Silence fell heavily.
⸻
BELLA
She hadn't meant to listen.
⸻
But she had heard enough.
⸻
Just outside the study door.
Still.
Silent.
⸻
Every word.
⸻
Her chest tightened.
⸻
Not from fear.
⸻
From something worse.
⸻
Doubt.
⸻
Because for the first time—
⸻
She realized something terrifying.
⸻
Not everyone in Rico's world trusted her.
⸻
And if things went wrong—
⸻
She wouldn't just be unprotected.
⸻
She would be a target.
⸻
Her fingers curled slightly at her sides.
⸻
No.
⸻
If she wanted answers—
⸻
If she wanted control—
⸻
She would have to find it herself.
⸻
Because trusting Rico?
⸻
Might be her biggest mistake.