Page 2 of Their Reckless Thief
I made my way through the casino, weaving between vampires in darkened booths, shifters prowling near the bar, and fae with shimmering skin. My heels clicked against the floor, each step measured, deliberate. I could sense the power, the hum of magic, the pulse of danger thick in the air. The scent of lavender and fire-tinged magic wafted past as a fae flirted with a demon at the bar, their whispered conversation sparking small bursts of flame that fizzled out on the counter.
My mark was a regular in the underground, and tonight, the man was standing between me and what Roberto needed. His scent hit me like a wave—cologne, sharp like cedar and smoke, with a trace of something darker. Power.
“Time to play,” I muttered under my breath.
I slid onto the barstool beside him, crossing my legs. He didn’t even pretend not to notice.
“You alone?” His low, gravelly voice was imbued with curiosity and desire. He was already hooked.
I smirked, brushing my fingers down the side of my dress. I didn’t miss the way his eyes followed the movement. “For now.” I leaned in slightly, so he could catch the scent of my perfume—spicy and floral, like jasmine at midnight. “You offering to change that?”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Depends on what you’re after.”
Oh, honey, if you only knew.
I laughed lightly and leaned against the bar, trailing my fingers over the rim of his glass. “Funny thing about poker…”I said, twirling the glass around, “you can learn a lot about a person by watching how they play.”
“Is that right? And what have you learned about me?”
I leaned closer, lowering my voice to a sultry whisper. “That you’re a man who likes to take risks… but only when you’re sure you’ll win.”
“Two minutes,” Vivian warned. “Move your ass.”
He smirked, clearly enjoying the game. I rested my hand on his, letting my touch warm his skin. His breathing hitched a little, and I knew I had him.
I subtly tugged on my left earlobe, a visual cue Vivian would be watching for.
“In his pocket,” she replied smoothly. “Left side.”
Perfect.
I let my fingers drift to his chest as I leaned in, pretending to brush something off his suit. “You’ve got a little something right… here,” I murmured, sliding my hand down and snatching the small keycard from his pocket in one smooth motion.
He didn’t notice a thing. Too busy staring at my lips.
“Thanks for the drink,” I whispered, brushing past him and slipping the keycard into my bra.
As I walked away, I could feel his eyes on me, but he’d never know what he’d lost.
“Got it,” I murmured.
“Good girl,” Vivian purred in my ear. “Now get the fuck out of there before anyone else gets any bright ideas.”
Smirking, I collected my winnings and strolled out of the casino, every step calculated, every look purposeful. It was simply another night, another job. And as the cool air hit my face, I couldn’t help but smile.
They always underestimated me.
Too bad for them.
The night swallowed me whole. The underground streets of The Below were alive with magic, danger, and creatures far too eager to prey on anyone foolish enough to wander these parts alone. Shadows danced along the cracked cobblestones, twisting and bending unnaturally in the faint glow of the streetlights, each corner more threatening than the last.
I pulled my leather jacket tighter around me, its familiar weight a comfort against the cool air, though the heat from the crowded casino still clung to my skin. A cacophony of voices, snarls, and whispers surrounded me.
Supernaturals moved through the city around me, each more intimidating than the last—vampires with glowing eyes lingering in the darkened alleyways, fae with their ethereal glow passing by like living ghosts, and shifters with their restless energy stalking the streets like predators on the hunt. It was a parade of nightmares.
As I passed a restaurant, the sound of drunken merriment echoed down the street. A group of Veil Guard officers sat outside, probably just off duty. They were in uniform and drinking beer, no doubt discussing their miserable lives working for the government with mediocre pay. Everyone knew the big bucks came from working in one of the mafia lords’ territories.
I loved it here.
