Page 88 of Their Reckless Thief (The Below #1)

“Apologies for the surprise visit,” I replied, stepping forward. He studied me, as if he were cataloging every detail, every subtle shift in my expression. “But there’s something we need to discuss.”

A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth as he leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. “You seem different tonight,” he remarked idly, but I caught the sharpness in his eyes. “A man on a mission, I assume?”

“Something like that.” I forced myself to keep my voice steady, locking down the anger churning inside me. The Shadow was a predator who could sense even the slightest hint of weakness. He’d taught me that well enough.

I took a breath, letting the silence between us settle. “I’ve come to make a confession, actually.”

His gaze sharpened, his posture still relaxed, but the tension was palpable. I could sense the subtle pull of his magic, his aura prickling the atmosphere like static. He was reading me, assessing every edge of my expression, looking for weakness.

“In recent years,” I started, each word slow and deliberate, “I’ve been in close proximity to Vincenzo.

He… needed someone who could navigate his world and yours.

” I clenched my fists at my sides, forcing the words out despite the weight of his scrutiny.

“I’ve never betrayed your secrets—we both know that’s not possible—but I’ve been an ally of sorts to Vincenzo.

And I’ve been watching over someone else recently.

Someone I’ve come to care for very much. ”

“The girl. Celeste .” His voice held a note of recognition, but there was no surprise in his tone, only curiosity.

“Yes,” I said, my voice rough, the words spilling over the wall I’d kept between my emotions and reality.

“The Shadow Mark you placed on her... it’s tearing her apart.

” I struggled to keep my composure, to rein in the frustration clawing at my skin.

“I want to take on her curse. She’s come to mean too much for me to watch you destroy her like this.

As my punishment for breaking my loyalty to you, I’ll take the curse. ”

His expression darkened, a flash of disappointment flaring in his gaze.

“You disappoint me, Luca. This attachment is beneath you.” He steepled his fingers together as he studied me.

“And even if you are foolish enough to care for her, why bring this to me? You know the rules, the price of defying my will. And don’t think for a second that I’ll allow you to choose your punishment. That’s not how this works.”

“I brought this to you because you’re risking too much,” I said, fighting the urge to lash out, to make him understand.

“Vincenzo’s anger is growing every day, and he’s closer to the truth than you think.

If you told him why, if you explained some part of your plan, he might even understand.

But if you keep pushing, keep pushing Celeste, he’ll come for you and your territory. ”

The Shadow’s gaze narrowed, his calm demeanor vanishing. “You’d ask me to tell Vincenzo the truth?” His voice was soft, but the words were hard like steel. “You think he’d understand? That he would accept the sacrifices I’ve made, the lengths I’ve gone to keep my people safe?”

“Yes,” I replied, the words sharper than I intended. “If he understood… he wouldn’t be your enemy. Vincenzo respects strength, and he knows the burden of protection.”

His face twisted into something darker, and I saw a glint of regret, perhaps, but it was gone as quickly as it had appeared.

“You know as well as I do, Luca, that trust is a currency too costly to spend on men like Vincenzo. You’ve let your emotions cloud your judgment.

That bitch has blinded you to what truly matters. ”

“No. She has reminded me what matters,” I shot back, and for once, I didn’t try to hide the rawness in my voice. “I love her. And if I have to choose between protecting her and following your rules, I’ll choose her. Every godsdamned time.”

A heavy silence fell over the room, a slow, simmering tension building as he watched me. I’d crossed a line, but there was no going back, no erasing the weight of my words or the truth I’d laid bare.

The Shadow stood slowly, his movements precise and measured, his gaze dark with something I couldn’t quite read.

“Luca, you’re too valuable for me to simply discard.

But betrayal, even when driven by misguided loyalty, cannot go unpunished.

You’ve broken my trust.” He paused, and there was a glimmer of sadness in his eyes. “You’ve forced my hand.”

My pulse raced as his power surged, the room darkening around us.

Shadows crept from the corners, pooling at his feet, swirling with a life of their own.

I felt their chill, a creeping, insidious energy that bound me to the floor.

His powers were similar to mine, but I couldn’t compare to him.

He was godlike. Pain lanced through my body as his magic took hold, a suffocating grip that left me gasping for breath.

“It pains me to do this,” he said quietly, a touch of regret in his voice.

“You have been like a younger brother to me. A protégé of sorts. But you’ve made your choice.

Let this serve as a reminder of what happens when loyalty falters.

You know where my priorities lie. I can make no compromises when it comes to my people. ”

The shadows coiled tighter, and I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to remain still, to face him without fear. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of watching me break.

“Torturing her does nothing to further your agenda. If you won’t hear me out, then so be it. But you know this isn’t over. Vincenzo will come, and when he does, no amount of illusion will hide you from his wrath.”

The Shadow’s face twisted into an unreadable expression I’d never encountered before. “Perhaps. But until then, you’ll serve your penance. And you’ll remember where your loyalties lie.”

With a merciless twist of his power, he released me, and I crumpled to the floor, my vision swimming as pain throbbed through every inch of my body.

The reprieve was short-lived.

The darkness coiled around me, blotting out any sliver of light. The Shadow watched with that cold, calculated calm I’d grown to despise. Shadows unfurled from his fingertips, curling like serpents, each one promising pain in a way that was as personal as it was cruel.

I forced myself to look him in the eye, refusing to let fear take hold. My heart thundered, but I held myself steady, meeting his gaze with defiance. “Do what you need to do,” I rasped, the bitterness of defeat stinging as much as the impending punishment. “I won’t regret my choices.”

The Shadow’s eyes glinted, almost amused, proud as he extended his hand.

The darkness snapped out like an extension of his will, solidifying and curling around me.

The pressure mounted in my chest, stealing the air from my lungs.

The walls began to close in on me, his shadows growing darker, sharper.

They pulsed, waiting, coiled like vipers ready to strike.

Then, without a word, he unleashed them.

A sharp, searing pain tore across my back, the impact reverberating through me, leaving a dull, relentless ache in its wake.

I gritted my teeth, refusing to make a sound, refusing to give him that satisfaction.

My vision swam, and I forced myself to stay still, my body taut and ready to absorb the next blow.

Each strike sent a fresh wave of pain through me, and I knew he was watching, calculating the limits of my endurance. Every lash sliced deeper as though it were reaching into something beyond the physical, trying to break down the walls I’d spent years building.

“Tell me, Luca. Was she worth it? This attachment of yours?”

A bitter taste rose in my mouth, but I forced myself to remain silent. I wouldn’t give him the answer he wanted, wouldn’t let him twist this into a weakness.

“She may have been worth it to you, but don’t forget, the price of your devotion isn’t only yours to pay. Celeste will pay for it as well, every time you falter.”

Anger surged through me, drowning out the pain.

Rebellion surged through me even as I fought to keep my breathing steady.

This was his twisted way of keeping her within his grasp.

Keeping me within his grasp. I could endure whatever he dealt, but the thought of Celeste under his thumb, subjected to his cruel games, struck a deeper wound than any of his shadows could.

We had to get that fucking mirror.

The next strike left me reeling, but I raised my head, locking eyes with him. “You may have control over my life, my actions,” I gasped out, blood rushing in my ears, my back throbbing with each shallow breath. “You’ll never have my complete loyalty—not truly. That belongs to someone else.”

Anger and annoyance flashed over his face in quick succession. My refusal to bend to his will was pissing him off even more. The shadows held, tense, before he let them drop, the room silent save for my ragged breaths.

“Remember, Luca,” he said, his voice low and edged with an ominous calm. “This is a reminder of what happens to those who betray me. Your loyalty isn’t a choice; it’s a mandate. Defy me again, and you’ll wish I’d taken more than just your pride.”

He turned, leaving me to collect myself. As I watched him go, I made a silent vow. Whatever it took, I would find a way to protect her from him.