Page 81 of Their Reckless Thief (The Below #1)

VINCENZO

I lifted her out of the tub as if she were made of porcelain, though every part of me screamed to hold her tighter, to shield her from the world.

She trembled in my arms, her teeth chattering from the cold, and I remembered the last time I’d held her this way, pulling her from a similar haze.

This time, the desperation that clawed at me was deeper and darker than ever before.

Losing her wasn’t an option. Not now, not ever.

She was so fragile, so irreplaceable. I gently laid her down on my bed and layered blankets over her, pulling the covers high as if they could shield her from every danger, even the danger I was to her.

I got in beside her, hoping my warmth could soothe the shivers that wracked her.

Her skin, cold and clammy under my fingers, felt like a blade to my heart.

Her breathing evened out, falling in sync with mine as I brushed her damp hair back over her shoulder, taking in the delicate thrum of her pulse in her neck. Her eyelids fluttered open, her gaze finding mine with a softness that shook me.

“Celeste,” I whispered, my control slipping. I swallowed hard. “I almost lost you again.”

She found my hand under the blankets, curling her fingers around mine. She was so small, so damn fragile.

“I’m still here,” she whispered.

“I can’t let this happen again.” My voice came out cracked, raw.

“I can’t... not with you.” I squeezed her hand tightly.

“I lost my sister to a drug overdose a few hundred years ago. Back then, Phantomine didn’t exist, but the drug of choice was just as addictive.

Most batches were tainted, not pure. Quality control didn’t exist. She got a bad dose.

” I paused, swallowing hard. “That’s why I’m so passionate about keeping the drugs in my territory clean. Pure.”

Her eyes held mine, full of a strength and resilience I hadn’t expected. I could see her slowly piecing together what I’d been too afraid to say out loud. There was no going back, no denying it. I was in too deep, bound to her in ways that were as terrifying as they were permanent.

“I love you, Celeste.” The words broke out of me, each one searing and fierce, as if they’d been forged in fire.

“I think I finally understand what it means. To me, at least.” I took a slow breath, letting the words settle between us as I looked into her eyes.

“Love,” I whispered. “I never thought I’d understand it.

I’ve spent my whole life looking at it from the outside, like some foreign thing meant for other people, never for me.

I thought it was possession, control… I thought it was just another way to wield power.

But with you…” I shook my head, trying to put it into words that didn’t sound hollow.

“With you, it’s something different. It’s about caring so much that your happiness becomes my own.

And, gods, Celeste, that terrifies me because it makes me vulnerable in ways I’ve never allowed myself to be.

But it’s powerful too. You make me want to be something more than I am, to do more than I’d do for myself.

” I traced her cheek with my thumb. “I never thought I’d be capable of it, Celeste, but I don’t want anything else.

I’d give up everything I know just to keep you close. ”

She pressed her hand to my cheek, tracing the line of my jaw. “You. This. It’s everything I didn’t know I wanted. Needed.”

The weight that had hung over me for so long lifted, and something warmer, more terrifying, took its place.

I was unraveling, piece by piece, letting her see me in a way no one else ever had.

It was a risk, yet with her, it felt inevitable.

Inescapable. Like it was written in the stars, in our very cells.

Celeste leaned in, brushing her lips against mine in a tentative kiss, so light, so gentle, it was almost too much to bear. My heart stuttered at this gift she was giving me. Her gaze held mine, searching, her eyes reflecting that unspoken promise. I didn’t think; I just surrendered.

I pulled her close, letting every part of me bleed into the kiss—raw, unfiltered, and consuming.

Her mouth was soft, her lips warm and yielding beneath mine, and I got caught up in the intensity of each brush, each movement of our lips.

I kissed her like she was the last thing tethering me to the world, and maybe, in a way, she was.

Celeste’s exhaustion finally won out, and I held her close as she slipped into sleep. I couldn’t pull my gaze from her face. I never thought I’d need anyone like this, but with her, every ounce of my resistance seemed foolish.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, jolting me out of my thoughts. I carefully reached for it, keeping one arm under her as I checked the message.

Dorian: Cleared all the Phantomine out of Celeste’s room. And I’m checking the rest of the house.

I typed out a quick reply, telling him to destroy the stash. The reality of what that drug had nearly cost me hit me like a hammer to my chest. If I hadn’t stopped her in time, she could have slipped away from me forever. I couldn’t shake that thought, nor would I ever let it happen again.

Satisfied that Dorian would handle it, I put the phone away and gently extracted my arm from under Celeste.

She murmured something but didn’t wake as I eased off the bed and pulled the blankets around her.

As I watched her sleep, that protective urge washed over me again, and it was stronger than ever now that I’d bared my soul to her.

She was mine to protect, to keep safe from whatever could threaten her—even herself.

The quiet of the house stretched around me as I strode toward the kitchen.

The staff worked quietly, the smell of simmering sauces and fresh bread drifting through the house.

It was Saturday, which meant they were working late to prepare the food for the next day, since I gave the staff Sundays off.

Gloria, the head cook, straightened when she noticed me. “Good evening, sir.”

“Evening, Gloria.” I nodded at her and took a seat at the high counter. She looked a bit surprised but didn’t comment, nodding at the other staff to carry on.

I paused, considering the best way to approach the topic. “I want to talk to you about something.”

Her brow creased slightly. “Of course.”

“I’ve had Dorian clear all the Phantomine out of the house.”

Her eyes darkened, her expression hardening with disdain. “That stuff ,” she spat, shaking her head. “I can’t stand it. It’s poison, sir. Nothing less.”

I held her gaze, appreciating the firmness in her words. “That’s what I need to know, Gloria. You’re here every day, you know the staff better than anyone else. Have you seen or heard anything? Anyone on the staff using it?”

She shook her head vehemently. “No, not in my kitchen. If I did, I’d send them out the door myself.” She hesitated, glancing down at the countertop before meeting my eyes again. “Lost my brother to it last year. It’s no life, watching someone kill themselves slowly. I won’t stand for it, not here.”

I inclined my head. “I’m sorry for your loss. And I’m glad you feel that way. You’ll let me know if anything changes, if you see or hear even a whisper of it.”

“Absolutely. We’ll keep her safe, sir. You have my word on that.”

I nodded, feeling a measure of reassurance. I trusted Gloria. She would stand by her word without fail. “Thank you. This is important to me, Gloria. To keep her safe. She’s…” I cleared my throat, keeping my voice steady. “She means more than I can explain.”

Gloria’s expression softened, and she offered a small, understanding smile. “I know, sir. You don’t need to say more.” She glanced at the staff bustling about and added, “I’ll make sure this stays a clean house.”

Satisfied, I stood and offered a grateful nod. “That’s all I needed to hear.” With a last glance around the kitchen, I made my way back toward my room, the quiet warmth of her promise settling in the back of my mind.

As I slipped back into my room, I found Celeste where I’d left her, breathing softly, her hand curled over the pillow beside her. Seeing her there, peaceful and whole, hardened my resolve. I’d keep her safe—no matter the cost.

She was curled up in the blankets, looking like she’d finally found a semblance of peace. I didn’t have the heart to wake her. She’d been through enough, and she needed rest far more than I needed company tonight.

I put on one of my best suits, savoring the feel of tailored silk against my skin.

The need for a change of scenery gnawed at me, a familiar restlessness churning beneath the surface.

I had to get out, somewhere I could let loose in a way I couldn’t here, not around Celeste. I needed to be around my kind.

The city center was alive with its usual vibrancy as I flew toward the heart of my empire, my wings cutting through the night, a cloak of shadows in the moonlight.

The entire district was mine; every club, bar, and alley bore my mark, pulsing with a rhythm set by me.

Tonight, I needed to ground myself in that pulse, to remind myself of the power that was still very much mine.

When I landed, I pulled on my shirt and jacket while I eyed the line outside my club.

It was already winding around the block.

Magical beings of every type were packed close together, wearing next to nothing, their auras practically vibrating with anticipation as they hoped to get inside.

The night was young, and it was already buzzing.

The shifter bouncers at the entrance spotted me instantly, and they stepped aside.

“Boss,” they said as I passed.

I gave them a brief nod and moved through the crowd, past the bar, the dance floor, and the hungry gazes trailing after me. My presence was more than familiar here; it commanded every room I entered.

Ignoring the thrumming music and heat, I headed straight to the back stairwell, descending several flights until I entered the underground cavern carved into the stone—a space reserved for those of us who shared a specific appetite.

The atmosphere here was starkly different from the club above.

Dim, smoky light and an undeniable allure hung over the vampires lounging in this subterranean den.

Some were having hushed, close conversations.

Others were entwined in corners, lips on skin, fangs bared in indulgence.

Their low murmurs and sighs hummed around me as I settled into a plush leather couch.

Almost immediately, a server appeared beside me. Strips of black leather clung to her figure, her dark eyes glinting as she gave me a low hiss of greeting. “Drink for you, Mr. Moretti?”

“B-positive.”

She dipped her head and scurried off, moving lithely through the room.

I leaned back and exhaled slowly. I was taking in the familiar surroundings when someone slid into the seat across from me.

I looked up at Dante, who wore his usual cocky grin.

We went back centuries, he and I. He was the kind of vampire who enjoyed his freedom too much to tie himself down with obligations.

Every offer I’d made him to join my ranks had been turned down with a wink and a toast to eternal bachelorhood.

He enjoyed the finer things in life and had no intention of complicating that.

“Vincenzo,” he drawled, smirk widening. “I’ve been hearing interesting things.”

I didn’t dignify that with a response, merely arched an eyebrow.

“Word is you’ve taken a little human pet. A prisoner, from what I’ve heard. And you’re keeping her all to yourself. What’s the attraction? More importantly, how’s the sex?”

Irritation surged through me. Under any other circumstances, I would’ve brushed off his questions and indulged in the camaraderie. But the insinuation struck a nerve. I leaned forward, my eyes narrowing to slits.

“That’s none of your fucking business, Dante. Mind your own affairs.”

Dante held up his hands, feigning innocence. “Touchy. Didn’t mean to step on your toes. Though I never thought I’d see you so possessive .” His tone held a subtle mockery that only fueled my irritation.

Before I could respond, the server returned, placing the goblet of blood on the low table in front of me. I lifted it, swirling the thick, dark liquid as it caught the candlelight, the scent rich and grounding. I took a slow, deliberate sip, the metallic tang settling on my tongue.

Dante leaned back, his expression shifting to something more serious. “Relax, Vincenzo. Let’s talk business. Rumor has it you’ve got a bit of a Phantomine problem. Tainted supplies, overdoses plaguing your territory.”

The blood turned bitter on my tongue. “It’s being handled.”

Dante eyed me carefully. “That so? Because from where I’m sitting, it looks like you’re letting things slip. People are talking, saying you’re losing your edge. Maybe you’re not as untouchable as you once were.”

White-hot anger blazed through me. The goblet slipped out of my hand, crashing to the floor as I moved. In a flash, I had one hand around his throat. Dante’s eyes widened in shock, but he didn’t resist, merely held my gaze as I tightened my grip until his pulse fluttered under my fingers.

“Listen closely,” I growled. “You go out there and you tell them that Vincenzo Moretti is more powerful than he’s ever been. I don’t care what they think they’ve heard, but if anyone questions my strength again, they’ll see how fucking wrong they are.”

The den had gone silent. Every eye was on us, fear pulsing in the air. I released him, letting him slump back into his seat. He gave a faint nod as he rubbed his throat. I stood back and turned in a slow circle, addressing the entire room.

“Spread the word,” I called out. “Whoever is fucking with my supply will pay dearly. Anyone with information on this will be rewarded handsomely. My territory is not up for grabs. This city is mine, and anyone who thinks otherwise will meet a very painful end.”

The vampires nodded, a silent agreement rippling through the crowd. None of them would dare ignore my warning. I turned back to the server, who’d watched the entire exchange with wide eyes.

“Blood to go,” I said, my tone colder than ice.

She scrambled to comply, and within seconds, I had a fresh goblet in my hand. I took a long, final sip, letting the taste of power linger before I strode to the exit, my footsteps echoing through the heavy silence.