Page 96 of Their Reckless Thief
We’d been wanderingVincenzo’s territory for hours, taking in the sights, the strange mix of wonder and danger. I had expected Dorian’s version of a tour to end with a drink at one of his clubs, but he had other plans.
“So, what’s next on the grand tour?” I asked, already bracing myself for whatever ridiculous answer he was about to give.
Dorian’s grin widened, that playful glint in his eye making my stomach twist with excitement and mild anxiety. “Well, ladies,” he began, glancing between Vivian and me, “we’ve got a little meeting to attend with one of the rival mafia leaders. He’s the guy who oversees the territory where the black-market vault is located.”
Vivian raised an eyebrow, her usual cool demeanor slipping for a moment. “A meeting? With a rival mafia lord?”
I shot Dorian a look. “Isn’t this something you should’ve mentioned earlier?”
Dorian shrugged like it was no big deal. “What’s life without a little danger, love? Vincenzo expects you to be there since you’ll be involved in the heist, so it’s not up for debate.” Dorian gave me one of his delicious smiles, the one that always rendered me absolutely useless. “Besides, it’s at one of my most expensiveclubs. High-end and exclusive. Vincenzo insisted I take you two to pick out dresses before we go tonight.”
Vivian’s eyes widened, but my defenses kicked in. “Dresses? I don’t need a new dress. Especially not one that’s probably going to cost a fortune.”
Dorian shot me a mischievous smile. “Vincenzo’s paying. It’s non-negotiable.”
Vivian looked intrigued, but I was pissed off. Of course, Vincenzo would pull some shit like this. He always had to be in control, always making decisions for everyone else… but I didn’t want to make a scene in public. Instead, I heaved an exaggerated sigh and gestured toward the street ahead. “Lead the way, then.”
We entered the boutique, the space glittering with chandeliers and walls lined with racks of dresses that looked more like works of art than clothes. The air smelled expensive, too—a faint mix of perfume and something floral that made me think of old money.
“We could never afford anything in here,” Vivian said, her fingers brushing over the fabric of a midnight-blue gown.
I nodded in agreement. “She’s right. This is way out of our league.”
Dorian, already lounging on a plush chair like he owned the place, waved us off. “I told you. Vincenzo’s paying. He wants his girls in the best. Who cares if this isn’t your usual style. Just go for it.”
His girls. The phrase made me want to vomit, but I let it slide, mostly because I knew arguing with Dorian would get me nowhere. Instead, I exchanged a glance with Vivian, who gave me a small shrug, as if to say,fuck it, let’s just go with it.
I sighed. “Fine.”
Vivian and I started pulling dresses from the racks, each one more stunning and more expensive than the last. I found myself staring at a sleek, form-fitting black dress with a high slit. Itwas the kind of dress that could make a girl feel dangerous and beautiful.
I took it to the dressing room and put it on. The silky fabric hugged my body like it was made for me. I turned around, glancing over my shoulder at the mirror. The dress accentuated every curve.
When I stepped out, Dorian gave a low whistle.
“Damn, Celeste. You’re killing me here.” His gaze raked over me in a way that sent heat crawling up my neck. “Get that fine ass of yours back in that dressing room before I follow you in there and do something real naughty.”
I bit my lip, fighting back a smile. “You’re impossible.”
As I made to turn around, I felt the telltale pull of a vision, and before I could stop it, I was somewhere else. A hand—cold, skeletal, and marked with strange, glowing sigils—reached out to me. Shadows wrapped around it, coiling like smoke. The vision snapped back as quickly as it had come, and Dorian’s voice cut through the haze.
“Hey, you okay? You zoned out for a second.”
I didn’t respond, not exactly sure what to say.
Thankfully, I was spared from replying when Vivian stepped out of the dressing room in a deep-emerald gown that hugged her curves perfectly.
Dorian sent me a look that told me he was choosing to let me get away with not telling him what had happened, then gave another low whistle as he made a show of checking Vivian out. “Viv, you look fuckingamazing.”
Vivian blushed—I hadn’t seen her do that in years—and shook her head. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“No, seriously. You’re both showstoppers,” Dorian said, giving us a slow, appreciative nod.
I chuckled, the tension easing a little as Dorian hyped us up. There was something comforting about the way he did it, even if it was completely over the top.
Vivian bit her lip as she looked at herself in the mirror. “I can’t believe Vincenzo’s paying for this.”
“Yeah, well, Vincenzo’s always pulling strings. I doubt anything he does is half-assed. We’ll just have to get used to it,” I said.
