The Billionaire's Little Thief

RILEY’S POV “Third heist of the month,” I shouted, raising an invisible glass with my free hand. “Here’s to many more.” “To our gaddamn luck,” Avery fired back, unleashing that low, wicked laugh of hers— the kind that cut through the adrenaline and had me laughing right along with her, despite the pounding in my chest. For a moment everything else vanished, it was just us, the bike, and the thrill of speed. For a fleeting moment, I let my mind drift back to those endless nights after the accident that stole my parents from me, turning me into a homeless orphan. I couldn’t forget the raw ache of grief and the biting chill of the streets where I’d curled up alone,praying death should come to take me to my parents. Avery had found me there, a wild, fierce girl with tangled hair and defiant golden eyes. She’d pressed a stolen loaf of bread into my trembling hands when hunger had nearly killed me. Since then, she had become my ride-or-die, the only thing close to family I had l

The knock came again. I stood in the middle of the room, breath uneven and my palms damp, I stared at the door contemplating whether to open the door or not. I reached for the door knob, my fingers trembling, I twisted the door knob and the door swung open. Leonardo stood there, his expression unreadable, two guards stood behind him, they didn't need weapons to look dangerous, but I didn't care about them. I opened my mouth to greet him, and nothing came out at first. Leornardo didn't wait for an invitation, he walked in, his guards following right behind him. His shoes clicked softly on the floor as he moved like the space belonged to him. He dropped onto my couch, crossed one leg over the other, and leaned back. “Hello little thief” My stomach tightened. He lifted his eyes to mine, looking dark and calm. “It seems” he said slowly, “you have a very short memory” I swallowed “You heard my words that night, and yet you still found the courage to take what belongs to me” My

The sound echoed through the room, piercing through the silence. The sting burned through my skin, spreading slow and hot, but I refused to make a sound. My fingers curled against the desk, my nails digging into the polished wood as I forced myself not to react the way he expected. I wasn't going to give him that satisfaction I straightened immediately, yanking my dress back down, my chest rising and falling harder than I like. I turned and our eyes met. “Is that all?” I said, my voice low, but steady, even as my pulse refused to calm. He grabbed my arm and pulled me towards him in one swift motion. “Careful,”He said looking at me intently “Or what?” I cut in holding his gaze For a second, I thought he’d snap again. But instead, he smiled. “Oh, you’ll find out,” he said, and then let go of my arm, turned away and walked back to his desk, and poured himself another drink like nothing had happened. “Get out.” he said with a commanding voice. Of course…. I didn’t

Minutes later every single maid in the house was all lined up, across the hallway.I stood in front of them, Leonardo stepped beside me, with Damien on my other side.“Go on,” Damien said quietly.My eyes scanned the line, one face at a time, my chest tightening with every second that passed.She wasn't there, No….she had to be here, my fingers curled at my side. "She's not here," I said finally, my voice steady despite the unease creeping in.Leonardo didn't react immediately. He stood beside me, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. “Look again,” he said calmly.I walked the line slowly past them, Studying every face like I could force her to appear if I stared hard enough, but nothing changed. “I don't see her,” I said out loud.Leonardo didn’t even look surprised, he turned to the maids and dismissed them.The maids bowed quickly, and begin to file out, whispering among themselves.He turned to Adrian “Search the entire house, I want her found.”“Yes, sir” Adrian got to work

The door had barely closed before the silence started bothering me.I stayed on the bed for a moment, staring at nothing. then swung my legs off the bed, pain tugged sharply at my side, but I ignored it.I stepped into the hallway, and it was quieter than it should be.Their voices were already fading, low and distant, I followed slowly, just close enough to hear what they were saying.Their voices were already fading low and distant.I followed, careful and quiet just close enough to catch fragments of what they were saying.They stopped near the end of the corridor, and stepped into a room. The door didn't shut completely.I moved closer, stopping just before the narrow opening.Where is he?” Leonardo asked.“At the Warehouse,” Adrian replied, "sector three.” “Has he said anything?” “No.” There was a brief pause.“Then we’re done with him.” Adrian didn’t respond immediately“Take care of him,” Leonardo added.I felt my chest tighten.My foot shifted slightly against the floor,