Page 63 of Their Reckless Thief
I pressed harder on the accelerator, the car roaring as I sped through the streets. I wasn’t turning down that road. I wasn’t going to let myself get pulled back into his orbit. Not again.
I had work to do. And I had to keep moving forward, no matter what.
But the tightness in my chest didn’t ease, and the knot in my stomach grew tighter.
Fuck.
The heist had goneoff without a hitch, almost too perfectly. I had the package—small but heavy with importance—tucked safely under my arm. My heart was still racing, but not from fear or adrenaline. No, this was something else. I was on a fucking high and feeling cocky as hell. I couldn’t believe I’d pulled off a job on the edge of The Shadow’s territory, and now I was strolling out of the building like I owned the place.
“Got it,” I whispered into my mic. My breath came out in quick, excited bursts as I hustled down the narrow hallways and slipped through the back exit.
Vivian’s voice crackled in my ear, steady as always. “You’re clear. No alarms tripped. Good work, Celeste.”
I grinned, feeling the rush course through me. I was damn good at what I did. “I know,” I said, teasing, “I’m a fucking goddess.”
Vivian snorted, but I could hear the smile in her voice. “Let’s not get too cocky. You’re still in The Shadow’s territory. Get the hell out of there before you start celebrating.”
She was right, of course. The Shadow’s turf was nothing like the rest of The Below. It was darker, creepier. The kind of dark where the shadows seemed to breathe and pulse. The streets felt narrower and suffocating, like they were closing in on me. I hated it here.
I quickened my pace, making a beeline for the car I’d parked a block away. The sooner I got out of there, the better. This place crawled with cold, oppressive energy that made my skin prickle. The buildings were tall, looming structures that seemed to warp under the dim, flickering streetlights. The air was thickwith magic, choking the space around me. Everything about The Shadow’s territory screameddanger.
This was only my second time in his territory, but I had no desire to sightsee. Luckily, both heists had been just over the border, not requiring me to travel deep into his territory. Based on the look of everything around the perimeter, I wasn’t sure I could make it out alive if I had to pull off a heist in the belly of The Shadow’s fucking den.
I unlocked the car door and slid behind the wheel, tossing the package onto the passenger seat as I started the engine.
Suddenly, a cold shiver ran down my spine, and my instincts screamed at me.
“Viv, I think I tripped something,” I muttered, gripping the steering wheel a little too tight.
“What? You didn’t trip any alarms inside the building.”
“I know, but something’s wrong.” I checked my mirrors. My stomach flipped when I spotted movement in the shadows behind me.
“Shit,” I muttered, jamming the car into gear. I peeled out of the parking spot, tires screeching against the asphalt. Behind me, headlights flared to life. Someone was on my tail.
“Viv, I’ve got company,” I hissed, keeping my voice steady even though my pulse was racing.
“I see it. Hold tight. I’m flipping the traffic lights green for you.”
I grinned. “You’re the best.”
I floored the accelerator, racing through the narrow streets. The car behind me was relentless, swerving side to side, trying to ram into me, but I wasn’t an amateur. I was born for this shit. The car fishtailed behind me, gaining speed, but I swerved hard, cutting tight corners and dodging debris like it was second nature.
“Celeste, they’re gaining on you. I’m trying to slow them down.” Vivian’s voice was tense now. “I’ve got control of the lights, but you need to lose them. Now.”
I took a sharp turn and floored it down a straight stretch of road. The streetlights ahead turned green, thanks to Vivian, but the car was still on my ass, closing in fast.
Fuck.
I yanked the wheel to the right, cutting through an alleyway, but the car behind me followed, swerving wildly and clipping the side of a dumpster. I heard the crunch of metal, but it did nothing to slow them down. They kept coming.
I spun the wheel hard, sending my car sliding sideways as I made a sharp turn onto the main road. The car behind me wasn’t as lucky. It slammed into a fire hydrant, the force sending water shooting into the air. I watched in amazement as the water floated, suspended in the air and no longer contained. “Fucking magical water.”
I let out a breath, thinking I was in the clear. “Viv, I think?—”
Another set of headlights appeared in my rearview mirror.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I groaned.
