As we stepped into the safe house, Rico's bodyguards, Marco and Luca, flanked us, their eyes scanning the surrounding area for any signs of danger. Rico nodded to them, and they took up positions outside the door, their hands resting on the grips of their guns.
Rico turned to me, his eyes burning with intensity. "Vivienne, I know you're scared, but I need you to trust me," he said, his voice low and husky.
I nodded, my heart still racing from the attack. "I'm trying," I said. "But you need to tell me what's going on. Who attacked us? And what's going on with Sophia?"
Rico's expression turned grim. "Sophia is a business associate," he said. "But she's also a rival. She's been trying to sabotage my business dealings for months."
I raised an eyebrow. "And the attack?" I asked.
Rico's eyes narrowed. "I think it's connected to the theft," he said. "Someone is trying to frame me, and they're willing to do whatever it takes to make it look like I'm guilty."
I felt a shiver run down my spine. "But why?" I asked.
Rico's expression turned cold. "Because I'm a threat to them," he said. "I'm a billionaire, Vivienne. I have power and influence. And there are people who will stop at nothing to take that away from me."
As Rico spoke, his bodyguards moved closer, their eyes scanning the surrounding area for any signs of danger. I felt a sense of safety wash over me, knowing that Rico's team was there to protect us.
But as I looked into Rico's eyes, I saw something there that made my heart skip a beat. Something that made me wonder if I was in over my head.
"Rico, what's going on?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Rico's expression turned intense. "I'll tell you everything," he said. "But first, we need to get to the bottom of this. We need to find out who's behind the theft and the attack."
I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. "Okay," I said. "Let's do it."
Rico's eyes locked onto mine, his gaze burning with intensity. "Together," he said. "We'll do it together."
Rico nodded to Marco, one of his bodyguards. "Get the team on it," he said. "I want to know who's behind this."
Marco nodded and stepped away, pulling out his phone to make the call.
Rico turned to me. "Vivienne, I need you to stay here with Luca," he said, nodding to the other bodyguard. "It's not safe for you to be out there right now."
I nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. I didn't want to be in any more danger than I had to be.
Rico's eyes locked onto mine. "I'll be back soon," he said. "And we'll get to the bottom of this."
I nodded, feeling a sense of trust wash over me. Rico was going to take care of this. He was going to keep me safe.
As Rico turned to leave, Luca stepped forward, his eyes scanning the surrounding area. "I'll keep her safe, boss," he said.
Rico nodded and turned to me. "Remember, Vivienne," he said. "You're safe here. Just stay inside and wait for me."
I nodded, feeling a sense of reassurance wash over me. Rico was going to take care of everything.
As Rico left, Luca turned to me. "Let's get you settled in," he said, nodding to a room in the back of the safe house.
I nodded and followed Luca, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. I was safe now. Rico's team was going to take care of everything.
But as I looked around the room, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. That there was more to the story than Rico was letting on.
And as I sat down on the bed, I noticed something that made my heart skip a beat. A small piece of paper on the nightstand, with a note scrawled on it.
"Meet me outside," the note read. "Come alone."
I felt a shiver run down my spine. Who had written this note? And what did they want?
As I looked around the room, I knew that I had to make a decision. Should I follow the note and meet whoever was outside? Or should I stay inside and wait for Rico?
I took a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest. I knew what I had to do.
I stood up and walked to the door, Luca's eyes following me. "Where are you going?" he asked.
I smiled, trying to look calm. "Just to the bathroom," I said.
Luca nodded and turned back to his phone. I slipped out of the room, my heart pounding in my chest.
I was going to follow the note. I was going to see who was behind this.
As I stepped outside, I looked around cautiously, trying to see if anyone was watching me. The street was quiet, with only a few people walking by. I didn't see anyone suspicious, but I knew that didn't mean anything.
I looked down at the note again, trying to decide what to do. The note had said to come alone, but I wasn't sure if I should trust whoever had written it.
As I stood there, trying to make up my mind, I heard a faint noise behind me. I turned around, and that's when I saw her. Sophia, the woman who had been causing so much trouble for Rico.
She was standing in the shadows, her eyes fixed on me. "Vivienne," she said, her voice low and husky. "I've been waiting for you."
I felt a shiver run down my spine as Sophia stepped forward, her eyes glinting in the light. "What do you want?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
Sophia smiled, her lips curling up in a sly smile. "I want to show you something," she said. "Something that will make you understand what's really going on."
I hesitated, unsure of what to do. But Sophia's words had piqued my interest. I wanted to know what she had to show me.
"Okay," I said finally. "I'll come with you."
Sophia's smile grew wider, and she nodded. "Good," she said. "Follow me."
As I followed Sophia, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was making a mistake. That I was walking into danger.
But I pushed the feeling aside, determined to uncover the truth. Whatever Sophia had to show me, I was ready to face it head-on.
We walked for several blocks, Sophia leading the way. We finally stopped in front of a nondescript building, and Sophia pushed open the door.
"Welcome to my office," she said, gesturing for me to enter.
I hesitated, unsure of what to do. But Sophia's eyes seemed to bore into mine, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.
I took a deep breath and stepped inside, Sophia following close behind. As the door closed behind us, I felt a sense of trepidation wash over me.
What was Sophia going to show me? And what did it have to do with Rico?
As I looked around the room, I saw a series of photographs on the wall. Photographs of Rico, and of me.
My heart skipped a beat as I realized what I was looking at. Sophia had been watching us, following our every move.
And then, I saw something that made my blood run cold. A photograph of Rico, standing next to a man I didn't recognize.
But it was the caption that made my heart skip a beat. "Rico and his business partner," it read.
I felt a wave of confusion wash over me. What did this mean? And who was Rico's business partner?
As I turned to Sophia, I saw a sly smile spreading across her face. "You didn't know, did you?" she said. "You didn't know what Rico was really involved in."
I shook my head, feeling a sense of unease wash over me. What had I gotten myself into?
And as Sophia's eyes seemed to bore into mine, I knew that I had to get out of there. I had to get away from Sophia and her secrets.
But as I turned to leave, I realized that I was trapped. The door was locked, and Sophia was standing in front of it, a sly smile spreading across her face.
"You're not going anywhere," she said. "Not until you know the truth."