Page 54 of Their Reckless Thief
We started walking through the quiet streets, and I reached into my pocket, pulling out the small vial of Phantomine. The familiar warmth of it spread through my chest as I took a quick hit. It was like liquid peace, just enough to dull the gnawing anxiety that lived in my gut these days.
Vivian shot me a look, shaking her head. “You know, I really wish you’d quit that stuff.”
“I know.” I sighed and tucked the vial back into my pocket. “But I’m not there yet.”
Vivian didn’t push it—she never did—but the concern in her eyes was clear enough. It was the same look she always gave me when she thought I was pushing myself too hard or falling too far. I couldn’t deal with that right now, though. Not when I had to walk into Roberto’s office and act like I hadn’t spent the past few days tangled up in a web of mafia lords and my own spiraling thoughts.
The old brick building loomed over us like some sort of judgmental beast. Inside, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Roberto was seated behind his desk, his sharp eyes locked on me like a predator sizing up his prey.
“Celeste. Vivian.” He greeted us with a curt nod. “You’re late.”
I bit back a retort and forced a neutral expression onto my face. “By thirty seconds,” I muttered, not really caring if he heard me or not.
He didn’t seem interested in arguing. He gestured toward the screen on the wall behind him, where a lineup of jobs was displayed. “Here are your assignments for the next month. The first two are simple enough since they are here in the human realm. I expect you to handle them efficiently.”
I nodded absently, my stomach twisting as my eyes moved to the third job on the list. It was in The Below, right on the edge of The Shadow’s territory. A pang of worry shot through my gut as I remembered everything Vincenzo had said about The Shadow and how dangerous he was.
I swallowed hard. I didn’t want to go back. Not yet. Everything about it—the streets, the creatures, the men—was still too raw. I wasn’t ready to face it, and Vincenzo had ordered me to stay away. But I couldn’t tell Roberto that. I knew how he’d react.
I tried to remain calm, focusing on breathing in through my nose and out through my mouth. Roberto could read auras, and if I didn’t chill the fuck out, he’d know I was hiding something.
He leaned back in his chair, studying me with that unnerving gaze of his. “You’ve been off lately,” he said, his voice sharp, almost accusatory. “What’s going on with you, Celeste?”
“Nothing,” I lied, forcing my voice to remain steady. “I’m just... tired. That virus really threw me for a loop.”
Roberto’s expression darkened. He wasn’t buying it. My aura was probably screaming that I was lying through my teeth. “Don’t lie to me.”
“I’m not,” I insisted, plastering a smile on my face. “I’m fine. Ready to get back to work.” Maybe if I sounded confident enough, my aura would follow suit.
Roberto lurched out of his chair and wrapped his hand around my throat with a crushing force. The air rushed from my lungs, my pulse spiking as his grip tightened.
“Don’t lie to me,” he snarled, his face inches from mine, his breath hot against my skin. “You know better than to fucking lie to me, Celeste. You know what happens to dolls that hide shit from me.”
Vivian reached forward without thinking.
Roberto’s gaze shifted to her. “Don’t even fucking think about it.”
She sank back, gripping her neck. She was helpless. And so was I.
Gasping, I clawed at his wrist, but he held me in place, his grip unrelenting.
“You are mine,” he hissed, his eyes flashing with that sickening, possessive gleam I loathed. “You do as I say. Working for me is a fucking privilege. Don’t ever forget that.”
Tears pricked at my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I would not break in front of him. Not again. This wasn’t the first time Roberto had lost his cool with me, though it was the first time I wondered if he might squeeze the very life out of me.
“Do you understand me?” Roberto growled, squeezing just a little harder.
“Yes,” I choked out. “I… I u-understand.”
He held me there for a moment longer, his eyes searching mine for any sign of defiance. Then, with a sudden jerk, he released me, and I stumbled back, coughing and retching as I tried to catch my breath.
“Good. Get out. Both of you. You have work to do.”
I turned on my heel, my hands shaking as I made my way toward the door. I didn’t look back. I couldn’t. Not when I was on the verge of breaking all over again.
Vivian followed close behind me, not saying a word. As soon as we were outside, she reached for my arm, her grip steady and reassuring.
“Are you okay?” she asked softly.
