The door hadn't fully shut before Rico moved.
"Bella."
His voice was sharper now. Colder.
Dangerous.
⸻
But she didn't stop.
Didn't even look back.
Her steps were fast, almost unsteady as she hurried down the hallway, her heart pounding wildly in her chest.
She needed air.
Space.
Distance.
Anything but him.
⸻
"Bella!"
This time, his voice echoed through the mansion.
Commanding.
Final.
⸻
Still… she kept walking.
⸻
That was her mistake.
⸻
In seconds, Rico caught up to her.
His hand grabbed her arm, spinning her around so fast she gasped.
"You think you can just walk away from me?" he growled.
⸻
Bella yanked her arm, anger flashing through her tears.
"Yes! I can! I'm not yours, Rico!"
⸻
Something in his expression snapped.
Completely.
⸻
Before she could react, he pushed her gently—but firmly—against the wall.
Not to hurt her.
But to trap her.
⸻
"You walked into my life," he said, his voice low and lethal.
"You stayed in my house."
"You looked at me like I was something more."
⸻
He leaned closer.
Too close.
⸻
"And now you think you can just leave?"
⸻
Bella's breath trembled, but she forced herself to meet his gaze.
"I didn't walk into your life," she shot back. "I was sent."
⸻
That made him pause.
Just for a second.
⸻
Her lips trembled.
"My father sent me," she whispered. "To get that document… and to poison you."
⸻
Silence.
⸻
Heavy.
Explosive.
⸻
Rico stared at her.
Searching her face.
For lies.
For hesitation.
For anything.
⸻
But there was none.
⸻
Instead of anger…
A slow, dangerous smirk formed on his lips.
⸻
"I know."
⸻
Bella froze.
"…what?"
⸻
"I've known from the beginning," he said calmly.
⸻
Her heart dropped.
"That's not possible…"
⸻
Rico leaned even closer, his lips almost brushing her ear.
"Did you really think someone like me wouldn't investigate the girl I got married to?"
⸻
Bella's knees felt weak.
"You knew… and you still—"
⸻
"Kept you?" he finished for her.
⸻
His hand slid to her waist again, firm.
Possessive.
⸻
"Yes."
⸻
Her breath hitched.
"Why?"
⸻
That question lingered between them.
Dangerous.
Personal.
⸻
Rico's eyes darkened as he stared at her like she was something he couldn't get rid of.
"Because," he said quietly,
"I wanted to."
⸻
Bella's heart betrayed her again—skipping, racing, aching.
"No…" she shook her head. "No, this is sick. You're sick."
⸻
Rico chuckled softly.
"Maybe."
⸻
Then his expression hardened.
"But you're not leaving."
⸻
Her eyes widened.
"You can't keep me here!"
⸻
"Watch me."
⸻
Panic surged through her.
Real panic this time.
⸻
"I'm not your prisoner!" she snapped, pushing against him.
⸻
Rico caught both her wrists this time, pinning them above her head.
Effortless.
⸻
"You were sent to kill me," he said, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.
"You think I'm just going to let you walk away?"
⸻
Bella's chest heaved.
"I didn't do it!"
⸻
His gaze flickered.
Briefly.
⸻
"I know."
⸻
That soft confession hit harder than anything else.
⸻
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Just stared.
Felt.
Fought something neither of them understood.
⸻
Then—
A phone rang.
⸻
Rico's.
⸻
He didn't move at first.
Didn't break eye contact.
⸻
The phone kept ringing.
Insistent.
⸻
Finally, he released her.
Slowly.
Reluctantly.
⸻
Bella stumbled back, breathing hard, her heart still racing.
⸻
Rico pulled out his phone, his expression instantly shifting back to cold control.
"Yes."
⸻
A pause.
⸻
Then his eyes darkened.
Dangerously.
⸻
"Where?" he asked.
⸻
Bella watched him, confusion mixing with fear.
⸻
Another pause.
⸻
"I'll handle it."
⸻
He ended the call.
Silence filled the space again.
⸻
But this time…
It felt different.
Worse.
⸻
Rico looked at her.
Really looked at her.
⸻
"They've made their move," he said.
⸻
Bella's heart skipped.
"Who?"
⸻
Rico's jaw tightened.
"Your father."
⸻
Everything inside her went cold.
⸻
"He knows you've seen the file," Rico continued.
"And now…"
⸻
He stepped closer again.
Slow.
Intentional.
⸻
"He's coming for you."
⸻
Bella's breath caught.
Fear wrapping around her chest like chains.
⸻
Rico's voice dropped, darker than ever.
"And this time…"
⸻
His hand gently tilted her chin up again.
But there was nothing gentle in his eyes.
⸻
"You don't get to run from me."
⸻
A pause.
⸻
"Because I'm the only one who can keep you alive."