Page 3 of Their Reckless Thief (The Below #1)

Roberto was a stray, and his office was exactly what you’d expect from a stray who ran a group of highly trained, highly illegal thieves—dark, luxurious, and dripping with subtle menace.

Heavy drapes blocked out the world, while low lamplight flickered over a mahogany desk too polished to have ever seen a scratch.

He sat behind it, the picture of calm authority in a perfectly tailored suit, his green eyes locking onto me the moment I stepped inside.

“Well, if it isn’t my favorite doll,” Roberto greeted, his voice oozing the kind of charm that would put a politician to shame. “Back from the lion’s den, I see.”

Roberto narrowed his eyes like he always did when he read someone’s aura. “You’re fucking glowing, doll. Must’ve had success.”

I mentally praised the gods that Roberto couldn’t read minds, or he’d know my glow was a direct result of the vision I’d experienced of Darian Voss’s head between my legs.

I fell into the leather chair across from him and tossed a small velvet pouch onto his desk. It landed with a soft thunk , the gold coins inside jingling. His lips curved, eyes gleaming like they always did when he saw profit walking through his door.

“And here I was worried you might have gotten yourself into trouble this time.” His fingers ghosted over the pouch before he untied the knot with the casual precision of a man who never doubted he would get what he wanted.

“I’m insulted,” I said, crossing my legs. “I make trouble. I don’t get into it.”

His gaze lifted to mine, a subtle challenge in his eyes. “Good. Trouble doesn’t suit you.”

I arched a brow but didn’t bite. Roberto had a way of twisting words into knots that left you questioning whether you were the hunter or the prey.

Instead, I reached into my bra and pulled out the sleek keycard I’d swiped from tonight’s mark, the actual prize he was after.

I slid it across the desk. “This is what you really wanted, isn’t it? Winnings are just a bonus.”

Roberto’s smile deepened. “Now, that’s my girl.”

He took the keycard and pocketed it without so much as a glance.

It wasn’t like he didn’t trust me—I was his best thief, after all.

But he liked to play things close to the chest, as if revealing too much of his hand would somehow ruin the whole game.

That was Roberto for you, always two steps ahead, playing a longer game than anyone realized.

“How much did you bleed them for?” he asked, casually resting his hands on the desk, but I could feel the weight of his interest. He was always assessing, calculating, as if every interaction was another piece of some invisible puzzle he was trying to fit together.

“Low six figures.” I smirked, leaning back in my seat. “I didn’t even have to try.”

He chuckled, low and smooth. “Good. You’ll need the extra padding for that little habit of yours.”

I stiffened slightly but kept my expression neutral.

Roberto liked to remind me of my vices, liked to keep just enough control.

Phantomine, the magical drug I was enslaved to, was the ace up his sleeve, and he knew it.

He was the only source I trusted for the stuff, which meant I was tethered to him.

Even when I was winning, Roberto never let me forget who had the upper hand.

His tasks had become increasingly demanding and risky, yet I felt obligated to do them all. I was desperate for my cut. He always gave me just enough to survive. No more, no less.

I had a secret plan up my sleeve, though. If I could pull it off, I would be free of my obligation to him and finally financially independent.

“Is there anything else?” I asked, forcing a lightness into my voice. “Or can I enjoy my hard-earned payday?”

His smile thinned, and I knew something else was coming. It always did. “Actually, there is.” His tone was deceptively soft. “I have a new target lined up. Something big.”

I gave him a mock pout. “You know, Roberto, you never even let me celebrate one success before you throw me into another job.”

He leaned back in his chair and studied me. “You know you live for the thrill, Celeste. You wouldn’t have it any other way.”

He wasn’t wrong. The adrenaline was like a drug itself—the rush of outsmarting everyone, pulling off the impossible, knowing I was good at what I did. There was nothing quite like it. But tonight, I had something else in mind.

“I have plans tonight,” I said, standing and slipping the remaining cash into my jacket pocket. “But I’ll swing by when I’m done.”

His brow raised, curiosity sharpening his features. “Plans?”

I smirked, turning for the door. “Just something personal.”

His jaw ticked, but he didn’t push. He rarely did, as long as I played by his rules and he didn’t catch me in a lie. “Don’t let me keep you, then. But don’t forget, this isn’t a game. It’s business.”

I paused at the door, looking back at him. His sharp gaze was still fixed on me, but this time, it wasn’t merely calculated interest. It was a reminder—one I didn’t need.

Without another word, I stepped out into the hallway, my heartbeat picking up pace with each step. Vivian’s voice buzzed softly in my ear again as soon as I was out of his sight.

“That went well.”

I smiled. “As expected.”

“Back to the apartment, then?” Vivian asked, her voice warm with familiarity.

“For a bit,” I said, the adrenaline still thrumming beneath my skin, making my fingers twitch with excitement. “Tonight’s the night.”

Vivian’s response was instant, her voice sharpening with caution. “For what?”

I glanced up at the sky, the thin line between the human world and The Below never far from my mind. “The big solo heist. I’m going for it.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Nope. I’m dead serious.” I couldn’t help the smile tugging at my lips. “I’ve got this, Viv. We’ve got this.”

I had been planning it for longer than I’d like to admit, just waiting for the right moment. The last vision of this planned heist had been clear. The mansion I wanted to hit would be clear tonight. No mafia lord present and very few guards. It was tonight or never.

She sighed heavily, but I knew she was already on board. “Well, you’re going to need more than a laptop and good luck to pull it off.”

“Then it’s a good thing I have you,” I said, my steps quickening as I made my way toward our apartment. I needed to change out of this dress.

This wasn’t just about money. It wasn’t about Roberto. This was about me, about proving something to myself that no one else could take away: that I could make a way on my own, that I was good enough, and that I could rely on myself.

Vivian would try to talk me out of it, but we both knew one thing for sure.

When I had my mind set on something, there was no stopping me.

And tonight? I was all in.