Page 87 of Their Reckless Thief
I’d seen plenty of gruesome things in my time. The Below wasn’t exactly known for its warmth and humanity, butthisfelt different.
I took a deep breath, trying to ground myself, but the knot in my chest refused to loosen. I still felt dirty, even though it wasn’t the kind of dirt that water could wash away. Stepping into the massive shower, I closed my eyes and let the scalding water hit my skin, hoping to chase away the coldness that clung to me.
Part of me hated Vincenzo for what he’d done, for dragging me into a world where people’s lives were extinguished as easilyas snuffing out a candle. Another part, a darker, more twisted part of me, was grateful. Relieved.
I don’t have to look over my shoulder anymore.
Roberto wouldn’t hurt me again. He wouldn’t hurt anyone.
When I’d scrubbed my skin raw, I stepped out, my body shaking less but my mind still buzzing. Wrapping myself in a towel, I stared at the fogged-up mirror for a moment. My reflection was blurry, unrecognizable. Fitting. I didn’t know who I was anymore.
The closet in the room—the room Vincenzo had called mine—was ridiculous. Designer dresses, shoes, and bags lined the shelves like some high-end boutique. I didn’t remember ever owning this many clothes. Someone must have delivered them while I was sleeping. I bypassed the luxury items and grabbed a pair of jeans and a black T-shirt. Comfort over couture.
This mansion was enormous. Too big, really. I had no clue where I was going or how to find my way around, or where the hell Vivian might be. I opened the door to the hallway and peeked out, but it was a labyrinth of identical doors and long, dimly lit corridors.
Shit.
I started walking aimlessly, trying to recall the way I came in last night, but everything looked the same. I was about to give up and retreat back to the room when I heard Dorian’s voice.
I jumped, my heart stuttering as I turned to face him. He was standing just down the hall, his face unreadable. There was something in the way he looked at me, something that made the air between us shift. He knew about me and Vincenzo. Of course, he knew. I could see it in his eyes… the jealousy, the tension. It was almost palpable. Fuck, I missed him.
For a second, I tensed, waiting for something. An argument, maybe, or some snarky comment. None of that came. Dorian gave me a weak grin, like he was forcing himself to shake offthe jealousy. A silent understanding passed between us. I’d come undone under Vincenzo’s mouth, but my heart? That was mine. And it would never be theirs. Not like that.
“Come on,” Dorian said, breaking the awkward silence. “You must be starving. Let me show you to the kitchen. This place is a fucking maze.”
I couldn’t argue with that, so I nodded and fell into step beside him as he led me through the mansion. We walked through hallways that twisted and turned. We finally reached the kitchen, and it was bustling with staff. Cooks moved around, preparing dishes like it was a five-star restaurant. It smelled incredible—fresh bread, bacon, and something sweet. Dorian introduced me to the head cook, a middle-aged woman with a kind smile.
“You must be Celeste,” she said warmly, looking me up and down. “Vincenzo told us to expect you. He made sure we knew you didn’t like eggs.” She winked. “So, what can I get you instead?”
I blinked, momentarily thrown off. He knew that about me? I hadn’t told him that. It was unsettling how much he knew about me without asking. I forced a smile. “Uh, toast or anything works.”
The cook smiled and bustled off to prepare it. I sat down at the long dining table with Dorian, my mind still whirling. As I ate, though, something shifted in the room. A familiar presence.
Vivian walked in, her face a mask of irritation. She took one look at me, then at Dorian, and her expression darkened. “Well, I see you’re doing just fine,” she said, her tone biting. “Nice of you to check on me, by the way. I’m great, too. Thanks for asking. It’s not like I’ve been thrust into a fucking horror movie or anything.”
I swallowed a bite of toast, and a knot formed in my stomach. “Viv, I was on my way to find you when Dorian came and got me.I had every intention of checking on you. This place is a damn maze.”
She sighed, rubbing her temples before sitting down next to me. “Yeah, well, it’s fine. I’m here, aren’t I?”
An awkward silence settled over us, but I knew I couldn’t avoid what I had to say next. I had to tell her. I had to break the news about Roberto. I drew in a breath, my voice low. “Viv... Roberto’s dead.”
There was no reaction. No shock. No horror. Vivian stared at me, then shrugged. “Good. About time someone took that bastard out.” Her expression was neutral, almost cold. “Only thing that worries me is how we’re gonna get a paycheck now.”
I stared at her, taken aback by how little she cared. But then again, why would she? Roberto had been nothing but a nightmare to us. Still, it felt strange. Something had shifted between us that I couldn’t put into words.
I sat in silence, the weight of everything pressing down on me. I wasn’t sure if I was relieved or horrified. Maybe a bit of both.
Vincenzo and Luca walked into the kitchen like they owned the place. Well, they did. Everything shifted the moment they entered, all business, barely sparing me a glance. I clenched my jaw, anger boiling beneath my skin. I was ready to give Vincenzo a piece of my mind. He didn’t get to waltz in here and pretend everything was fine after what he’d done. After droppingthatlittle surprise on me this morning.
Vincenzo didn’t even acknowledge me as he turned to Dorian, his voice hard and clipped. “Meeting in my study. You too, Luca. Now.”
I stood up abruptly, my chair scraping against the floor, drawing all their attention. “Oh no, you don’t. You’re not getting rid of me that easily. I’m coming with you.”
Dorian cocked an eyebrow, clearly amused, and Luca stayed silent. But Vincenzo? He looked right at me, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes and a hint of a smirk playing at his lips. He crossed his arms over his broad chest, looking like he was about to laugh. “Sure,dolcezza. You may join us.”
His voice was dripping with amusement, like I was a stubborn child throwing a tantrum. I shot him a glare that could melt steel, but he just turned and headed toward the door. I glanced at Vivian. She shrugged and shoved the last of a bagel into her mouth. “Good luck,” she mumbled around her food.
Heart pounding, I followed them down the hall. I wasn’t entirely sure what I was about to walk into, but I was pissed. I wasn’t going to let Vincenzo walk all over me, no matter how much power he wielded or how godsdamn charming he thought he was.
