Page 7 of Their Reckless Thief
Vivian’s eyes narrowed. “I wish you’d drop this one, Celeste.”
I leaned against the kitchen counter and examined my nails. “I’m going for it.”
She stared at me, blinking once, then twice. “This is the part where you tell me you’re joking, and we go to bed like normal humans.”
“Nope. Tonight’s the night, Viv.”
Vivian’s chair creaked as she leaned back and crossed her arms over her chest. “You’re insane. You know that, right?”
“Maybe.” I shrugged, then pushed off the counter and walked over to her. “But I’ve got a plan. And I’ve got you. Seriously, Vivian, trust me. My vision was crystal clear. Vincenzo won’t be at his mansion. Most of his security detail will be with him at the off-site meeting. I can slip past the remaining guards, and with your help, I’ll be in and out in minutes. I can grab a shitload of jewels and shit, and we’ll be set for a very long time. And best of all, we’ll be out from underneath Roberto’s thumb.”
Her gaze softened slightly, but I didn’t miss the hesitation in her eyes. “Celeste, we’re talking about something massive. Roberto doesn’t know about this, does he?”
I shook my head. “Nope. This one’s all me. And we’re not splitting the profits with him either.”
Vivian sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose like she was trying to stave off a headache. “You realize how reckless this is, right? Those supernatural mafia leaders are not to be fucked with.”
I leaned in, lowering my voice to a teasing whisper. “Reckless? Maybe. But when has that ever stopped us before? At least this is forusand no one else.”
She stared at me, and for a second, I thought she might say no. Then, with a long, drawn-out sigh, she uncrossed her arms and pointed at the screens. “All right. But we’re doing this myway. No half-assing it. I want every angle covered. If I say bail, you bail.”
I smiled, my heart lifting. “Deal. Minus the bailing part.”
Vivian shook her head, her lips twitching. “You’re going to be the death of me.”
“But what a way to go, right?” I shot back, moving toward my room to change into something more practical.
As I dug through my closet, I couldn’t shake the excitement building beneath my skin. Tonight, I would prove to Vivian and myself that I could do this without Roberto and, more importantly, that I could make a life for us. After all, I was the fucking best of the best.
I grabbed a bottle of Phantomine from my nightstand and stared at the purple liquid. It was my only vice, a way to calm my anxiety and think clearly. Even after numerous heists, I still experienced an increased heart rate and racing thoughts right before a job. So much could always go wrong.
The liquid slid down my throat, warming my entire body. It was just what I needed to face the biggest heist I’d ever attempted.
Tonight, I was going to pull off something no one thought I could.
And with Vivian in my ear, nothing could stop me.
The tearin the Veil shimmered ahead, rippling like the surface of water in the wind. It was hidden between two grimy old warehouses at the edge of the city, its edges glowing faintly in the dim light of a streetlamp that barely flickered to life. It was subtle, blending into the shadows unless you knew exactly whatto look for. And I did. I’d slipped through it more times than I could count.
The air around it hummed, almost singing with power. Stepping through it always felt like the briefest second of weightlessness before the other side hit you. It was a small shift in gravity. A blip in time.
As I got closer, the magic brushed against my skin, a warm, tingling sensation like static electricity.
Carl stood in front of the tear on the other side, as usual, but I could only see a sliver of him from this side.
“Back already?” he said, as I climbed through the tear. “It’s getting rowdy out here tonight.”
“Aw, Carl, you worry too much.” I grinned, pulling a small bar of chocolate from my pocket and tossing it to him. He snatched it out of the air without missing a beat.
He glanced at the wrapper, his gruff expression softening as he tucked it into his coat. “You know my weakness.”
“Of course, I do. It’s how I stay your favorite.” I winked at him as I adjusted the collar of my leather jacket. I was dressed for stealth—tight, black leather that allowed for quick movement, my twin blades strapped to my thighs, boots laced up just right. My attire was a reminder of what I was about to do and how I’d need to be quick and undetectable. My life depended on it.
Carl smirked, but I saw the faintest hint of a blush creeping up his neck. “Don’t go spreading that around. I have a reputation to uphold. Stay out of trouble, Celeste,” he yelled as I continued walking, but there was a grin in his voice.
“Me? Trouble?” I winked. “Never.”
The streets pulsed with an energy that never really slept. Creatures of all shapes and sizes moved through the shadows, some blending into the background, others standing out with sharp, predatory glares. Tonight, none of them were my concern.
