SCARLET VOWS

Scarlet Vows

A Romance of Love, Betrayal, and Revenge

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1. A Deal with the Devil

The nightclub pulsed with music, the air thick with cigarette smoke and the scent of expensive liquor. Celeste pushed past bodies swaying to the beat, her heart pounding louder than the bass.

Santino was here.

Her father's murderer.

Her only chance at the truth.

A man in a dark suit intercepted her near the VIP entrance. "You shouldn't be here."

Celeste lifted her chin. "Tell him Celeste Romano is here to see him."

The guard hesitated, then murmured into his earpiece.

Seconds stretched into eternity before he stepped aside.

"He's expecting you."

A shiver ran down her spine.

She wasn't sure if that was a good thing.

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2. Face to Face with the Enemy

The private lounge was dimly lit, the air thick with tension.

Santino sat at the head of the room, a glass of whiskey in one hand, a cigar in the other.

"Celeste." His deep voice was like velvet wrapped around steel. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

She swallowed hard. "I want answers."

His lips curled into a smirk. "About your father?"

She stiffened. "You killed him."

Santino took a slow sip of his drink. "And?"

Rage burned in her veins. "Why?"

A pause. Then, finally—

"Because he betrayed me."

The words sent ice through her bones.

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3. The Truth That Changes Everything

Celeste's fists clenched. "You're lying."

Santino exhaled smoke, his eyes cold. "Am I?"

He flicked his wrist, and a folder slid across the table toward her.

Her stomach twisted.

Not again.

But she had to look.

Her hands shook as she flipped it open.

Letters. Contracts. Secret accounts.

A web of lies spun by the man she had idolized.

And at the bottom—

A final, damning document.

Her father had planned to kill Santino first.

Celeste's breath hitched. "No…"

Santino's voice was eerily calm. "Your father was a businessman, Celeste. A ruthless one. He played the game. He lost."

Tears burned her eyes.

She had spent years hating the wrong man.

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4. A Dangerous Proposition

Celeste lifted her gaze, her body trembling. "Why are you telling me this?"

Santino leaned back, watching her with amusement. "Because I like you."

Her skin crawled. "You murdered my father."

"And yet, here you are, sitting across from me."

She had no response.

Because he was right.

She had walked straight into the lion's den.

"What do you want from me?" she whispered.

Santino smiled. "Your loyalty."

Her pulse spiked. "You're insane."

"Am I? Or am I just offering you power?"

He leaned forward. "You're not a child anymore, Celeste. You know the world doesn't play fair. You can either be prey—"

His fingers brushed her chin.

"Or you can be a predator."

A cold chill swept down her spine.

Because deep down—

She wasn't sure which one she wanted to be.

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5. The Crossroads of Fate

Celeste stumbled out of the club, her mind spinning.

Her father had been a liar.

Santino was a monster.

And Rafael—

She didn't even know what he was anymore.

Her hands trembled as she reached for her phone.

She needed someone to tell her what to do.

She needed Rafael.

But just as she pressed his name—

A black car screeched to a halt in front of her.

The door swung open.

A masked man stepped out.

And before she could scream—

Everything went black.

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End of Chapter Twelve