Page 143 of Their Reckless Thief
Celeste’s exhaustionfinally won out, and I held her close as she slipped into sleep. I couldn’t pull my gaze from her face. I never thought I’d need anyone like this, but with her, every ounce of my resistance seemed foolish.
My phone buzzed in my pocket, jolting me out of my thoughts. I carefully reached for it, keeping one arm under her as I checked the message.
Dorian:Cleared all the Phantomine out of Celeste’s room. And I’m checking the rest of the house.
I typed out a quick reply, telling him to destroy the stash. The reality of what that drug had nearly cost me hit me likea hammer to my chest. If I hadn’t stopped her in time, she could have slipped away from me forever. I couldn’t shake that thought, nor would I ever let it happen again.
Satisfied that Dorian would handle it, I put the phone away and gently extracted my arm from under Celeste. She murmured something but didn’t wake as I eased off the bed and pulled the blankets around her. As I watched her sleep, that protective urge washed over me again, and it was stronger than ever now that I’d bared my soul to her. She was mine to protect, to keep safe from whatever could threaten her—even herself.
The quiet of the house stretched around me as I strode toward the kitchen. The staff worked quietly, the smell of simmering sauces and fresh bread drifting through the house. It was Saturday, which meant they were working late to prepare the food for the next day, since I gave the staff Sundays off.
Gloria, the head cook, straightened when she noticed me. “Good evening, sir.”
“Evening, Gloria.” I nodded at her and took a seat at the high counter. She looked a bit surprised but didn’t comment, nodding at the other staff to carry on.
I paused, considering the best way to approach the topic. “I want to talk to you about something.”
Her brow creased slightly. “Of course.”
“I’ve had Dorian clear all the Phantomine out of the house.”
Her eyes darkened, her expression hardening with disdain. “Thatstuff,” she spat, shaking her head. “I can’t stand it. It’s poison, sir. Nothing less.”
I held her gaze, appreciating the firmness in her words. “That’s what I need to know, Gloria. You’re here every day, you know the staff better than anyone else. Have you seen or heard anything? Anyone on the staff using it?”
She shook her head vehemently. “No, not in my kitchen. If I did, I’d send them out the door myself.” She hesitated, glancingdown at the countertop before meeting my eyes again. “Lost my brother to it last year. It’s no life, watching someone kill themselves slowly. I won’t stand for it, not here.”
I inclined my head. “I’m sorry for your loss. And I’m glad you feel that way. You’ll let me know if anything changes, if you see or hear even a whisper of it.”
“Absolutely. We’ll keep her safe, sir. You have my word on that.”
I nodded, feeling a measure of reassurance. I trusted Gloria. She would stand by her word without fail. “Thank you. This is important to me, Gloria. To keep her safe. She’s…” I cleared my throat, keeping my voice steady. “She means more than I can explain.”
Gloria’s expression softened, and she offered a small, understanding smile. “I know, sir. You don’t need to say more.” She glanced at the staff bustling about and added, “I’ll make sure this stays a clean house.”
Satisfied, I stood and offered a grateful nod. “That’s all I needed to hear.” With a last glance around the kitchen, I made my way back toward my room, the quiet warmth of her promise settling in the back of my mind.
As I slipped back into my room, I found Celeste where I’d left her, breathing softly, her hand curled over the pillow beside her. Seeing her there, peaceful and whole, hardened my resolve. I’d keep her safe—no matter the cost.
She was curled up in the blankets, looking like she’d finally found a semblance of peace. I didn’t have the heart to wake her. She’d been through enough, and she needed rest far more than I needed company tonight.
I put on one of my best suits, savoring the feel of tailored silk against my skin. The need for a change of scenery gnawed at me, a familiar restlessness churning beneath the surface. I had to getout, somewhere I could let loose in a way I couldn’t here, not around Celeste. I needed to be around my kind.
The city center was alive with its usual vibrancy as I flew toward the heart of my empire, my wings cutting through the night, a cloak of shadows in the moonlight. The entire district was mine; every club, bar, and alley bore my mark, pulsing with a rhythm set by me. Tonight, I needed to ground myself in that pulse, to remind myself of the power that was still very much mine.
When I landed, I pulled on my shirt and jacket while I eyed the line outside my club. It was already winding around the block. Magical beings of every type were packed close together, wearing next to nothing, their auras practically vibrating with anticipation as they hoped to get inside. The night was young, and it was already buzzing.
The shifter bouncers at the entrance spotted me instantly, and they stepped aside.
“Boss,” they said as I passed.
I gave them a brief nod and moved through the crowd, past the bar, the dance floor, and the hungry gazes trailing after me. My presence was more than familiar here; it commanded every room I entered.
Ignoring the thrumming music and heat, I headed straight to the back stairwell, descending several flights until I entered the underground cavern carved into the stone—a space reserved for those of us who shared a specific appetite.
The atmosphere here was starkly different from the club above. Dim, smoky light and an undeniable allure hung over the vampires lounging in this subterranean den. Some were having hushed, close conversations. Others were entwined in corners, lips on skin, fangs bared in indulgence. Their low murmurs and sighs hummed around me as I settled into a plush leather couch.
Almost immediately, a server appeared beside me. Strips of black leather clung to her figure, her dark eyes glinting as she gave me a low hiss of greeting. “Drink for you, Mr. Moretti?”
