Page 79 of Their Reckless Thief
“I’ve got someone on it,” I replied, my fingers flying over the screen as I handled one problem after another. “You need to tell Vivian to go with the nice mafia man that comes to pick her up. She’ll be safe, and she’ll meet us at my place. Someone will also come by to pack all your equipment and bring it over.”
She scowled as she tossed more clothes into her bag. “We’re not charity cases you need to take in, Vincenzo.”
I scoffed, shaking my head. “This isn’t charity. This is me protecting what’s mine.”
She opened her mouth to argue, but I wasn’t about to give her the satisfaction. I slung her bag over my shoulder and motioned for her to follow me to the rooftop of the apartment building. As we stepped into the cool night, she glanced around, her brow furrowing.
“What the hell are you planning to do?” she asked, crossing her arms defensively.
I didn’t answer as I pulled off my shirt and stuffed it into her bag. I let my wings burst from my back, dark and imposing against the moonlit sky. Her eyes widened in surprise, but I didn’t give her more time to react. In one swift but gentle motion, I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her against my chest.
Her heartbeat pounded against my chest, and for a moment, I savored the feeling of her warmth pressed against me. Despite the chaos, the danger, the constant battle between us, holding her like this felt right. It felt like she belonged in my arms, even though I knew she’d never admit it.
I glanced down at her. “You okay?”
She nodded, her face a mix of awe and irritation. “Yeah. Just... maybe give me a little warning next time?”
I chuckled, my wings flaring as I prepared to take off. “No, I don’t think I will. I like seeing genuine surprise in your eyes.”
With one powerful thrust, we soared into the sky. The city blurred beneath us as I flew toward the tear in the Veil—not the one she was familiar with. I knew of a different tear hidden in the sky, far away from prying eyes. It took only minutes to reach it, and soon, the world shimmered and bent around us as we crossed into the other side.
My mansion came into view not long after, and I landed softly on the lawn, cradling her as we touched down. She stiffened slightly, and I loosened my grip, though part of me wanted to keep her close a little longer.
“We’re here.”
She stepped away from me, brushing off the moment as if it hadn’t happened, but her eyes flicked back to me, and they were soft with something deeper… something she’d never admit aloud.
As we walked into the mansion, Celeste slowed down again. Stubborn as she was, she would never admit when she needed help. I wasn’t about to let her collapse in front of me, so I scooped her up again.
She protested, wriggling in my arms. “Vincenzo, I can walk.”
Ignoring her, I kept going, carrying her past the grand foyer and up the winding staircase. I wouldn’t let her struggle on her own. Not here. Not now. She needed to be near me… needed to be protected. So, I took her to the room next to mine.
It was different from where I’d kept her before, less distant, closer. Intentionally close.
I set her down on the bed.
Her gaze sharpened, and her mouth twisted into a sneer. “So, what now, Vincenzo? How are you any different from Roberto? Are you just going to use me and keep me locked away like a prisoner?”
Her words hit like a punch to the gut. I wasn’t sure what stung more—the accusation or the fact that I had the capacity to feel hurt. Fuck, what was wrong with me?
Was I really as low as that fucker? No. I wouldn’t let her think that. As long as she was here, safe and alive, wasn’t that all that mattered? Surely, I didn’t care about herperceptions, herfeelings, right?
I clenched my jaw, the heat of her words burning through me. “Prisoner?” I stepped closer, my voice dangerously low. “You think I’m keeping you here like some prisoner?”
She crossed her arms, glaring up at me from where she sat on the bed. “That’s what it feels like. You, Roberto… what’s the difference? You lock me away, tell me what to do, treat me like I’m some possession.”
I stepped closer, the air between us crackling with tension. “You think I’m like him? You really think I’m just going to use you, then throw you away like some worthless toy? I’m nottossing you aside,dolcezza,not now. Not ever. You’re fucking mine.”
She shot to her feet, pushing up into my space. “What else am I supposed to think? You’ve been…” She let out a frustrated breath. “Youarepossessive and controlling.”
We were inches apart now. The anger and frustration swirled together, but beneath it was something electric. The tension between us was thick, suffocating, but in that suffocation, there was heat. It burned beneath my skin, in every word she threw at me.
“Maybe I am possessive and controlling, Celeste. If you’d stop and think for two seconds, maybe you’d realize why I make the decisions I do. You’remine, whether you want to admit it or not. But not mine to use or exploit. Mine to protect. Mine to care for. Mine toworship.”
She groaned in frustration. “Why do you have to be so damn hot?”
I stilled for a moment, her words catching me off guard. Suddenly, something inside me snapped. I caught her chin between my thumb and forefinger, tilting her face up to mine.
