Guild of Thieves (Book 1) ✓

𝓒𝓱.6 ~ 𝓕𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓪 𝓣𝓱𝓲𝓮𝓯

Caine and the others help last night was more than Arianna could have ever asked for. The storage room in the Apothecary was now fully stocked and wouldn't be running low anytime soon. It was this small gesture of kindness from Caine that made Arianna start to fall for him. There was no denying her feelings or running away from them, she was falling for a thief and couldn't stop herself.

She woke up earlier than usual, making a stop by the Guild before opening the store. Entering the abandoned mill factory she found it silent and empty. Not a soul to be seen, but she could faintly hear snoring from the bed chambers across from her. Arianna spotted Caine standing on the balcony above, watching her. He put a finger to his lips, signalling her to be quiet and motioned for her to join him.

Arianna made it to the top floor, losing sight of the leader, finding him in the Meeting Room. He shut the door behind them, pulling out the chair for her like a gentleman. He didn't speak as he sat across from her, silently pulling out a wooden box and placing it in front of her.

"What is this?" Arianna asked, not expecting a gift.

Caine only smiled, silently gesturing for her to open it and see for herself. Inside she found a deep blue dress with matching shoes.

"What is the special occasion?"

"I was hoping you would join me for dinner tonight?" Caine admitted, handing her a single rose.

How could she say no when he stared into her soul with his grey eyes and held the rose out to her like it was his own beating heart?

Arianna accepted the rose and the man's invitation to dinner. Caine gave her a time and place to meet him. As she left the Guild before the others woke, Caine kissed her goodbye and she left the factory with a grin. She had a dinner date with a thief to look forward to after work.

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The Red Heart was a fancy tavern, that served fancier meals than the stews and broths at the Lion's Den. Caine planned to impress Arianna and ask her to stay at the Guild with him and the others. He knew it was too soon to ask but didn't care anyway. What he wanted, he got.

A healer would come in useful at the Guild, so would Arianna's skills as a thief. Caine knew the woman would ask for a job, like all the others who have succeeded in their missions so far. The secret treasure room was slowly starting to fill with gold. An empty silo. Caine imagined the room when it reached full capacity, picturing himself standing upon the mountain of gold as he tossed coins into the air.

He was a greedy man when it came to money. Caine was a con man and could talk his way out of any situation with his charm, wits and quick thinking. He was also a man who liked to be in control, making others do the dirty work for him for just the right price. Even if it is only a quarter of the original price. Caine pocketed 75% of everyone's rewards for himself.

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Arianna felt the rush of mixed emotions as her heartbeat raced with excitement while closing the Apothecary. The day was another slow day, with not much to do but think, and by think, she meant daydream about the Leader of Thieves.

Racing home with a jump in her step, she cleaned up and slid into the deep blue dress. Arianna admired the silk and the shoulder tassles, deciding to wear her hair down with the dress. She sat fidgeting with her nails waiting for Caine to pick her up like he promised.

While she waited, Arianna felt her emotions change and the longer she waited alone in the cottage, the more anxious and nervous she grew. She was about to go out on her first date with a thief! Wondering what her parents or Teigen would have to say if they knew she was falling for Caine Reinhart.