SCARLET VOWS

Scarlet Vows

A Romance of Love, Betrayal, and Revenge

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1. The Escape That Never Was

Celeste's wrists ached from the rope digging into her skin.

Her mind raced. She had to get out.

Santino and Dante stood a few feet away, speaking in hushed tones.

She could hear fragments.

"Rafael is moving quickly."

"We can use her."

"We need to make him desperate."

Her stomach twisted.

She wasn't just bait.

She was a weapon.

A pawn in a war she hadn't even seen coming.

Her gaze darted to the door. If she could just—

"Thinking of running?"

Dante's voice sent a chill down her spine.

She met his gaze. "I'll never be your leverage."

His smirk was slow, amused. "Oh, love… you already are."

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2. Rafael's Warning

Rafael paced his penthouse, phone pressed to his ear. "Where is she?"

His informant hesitated. "Santino has her."

Rage licked through Rafael's veins. "Tell me something I don't know."

"It's not just him. Dante Salvatore is alive."

Rafael's blood ran cold.

"That's impossible."

"Apparently not."

His grip on the phone tightened.

Dante.

The man who had stolen Celeste's heart before fate had ripped him away.

The man Rafael had once considered a brother.

Now, an enemy.

"Find them. Now."

Because if Celeste was in Dante's hands—

She might never escape.

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3. A Proposition Drenched in Sin

Dante dragged a chair in front of Celeste, straddling it with ease.

"Let's make a deal, love."

She narrowed her eyes. "I don't make deals with traitors."

He tsked. "Still so fiery. I missed that about you."

She looked away, her pulse unsteady. "What do you want?"

He leaned closer. "To help you."

A bitter laugh escaped her lips. "Help me? You kidnapped me."

Dante tilted his head. "Details, love. Think bigger."

Her fingers curled into fists. "I don't trust you."

His gaze darkened. "That's smart. But trust won't save you."

Her breath hitched. "And you will?"

He smirked. "If you let me."

Something about his voice—about the way he looked at her—made her chest tighten.

Because beneath all the lies and betrayal…

A part of her still wanted to believe him.

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4. The Kiss That Shouldn't Have Happened

It happened too fast.

One second, she was glaring at him.

The next, his lips were on hers.

The kiss was fire and fury.

A battle of dominance, of emotions she wanted to deny.

Her body betrayed her, leaning into him for just a moment.

Then reality crashed in.

She tore away, breathing hard. "You bastard."

Dante wiped his lip, smirking. "Still tastes like heaven."

Her pulse thundered in her ears. "If you ever touch me again—"

"You'll kill me?" He chuckled. "Careful, love. That sounds like foreplay."

She slapped him.

Hard.

His head snapped to the side, but when he looked back at her—

His grin only widened.

"God, I missed you."

Her heart screamed at her to run.

Because the most dangerous thing about Dante Salvatore…

Was that she wasn't sure if she hated him—

Or if she still loved him.

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5. The War Begins

The door burst open.

Santino stormed in, his expression dark. "Rafael is coming."

Dante didn't flinch. "Let him."

Santino's jaw ticked. "We need to move her. Now."

Celeste's heart pounded.

No.

If they moved her, she'd lose her only chance of being found.

She had to act.

She launched herself at Santino, kicking him hard in the ribs.

He stumbled back, cursing.

Dante caught her wrist before she could run. "Nice try, love."

Her teeth clenched. "Let me go."

He pulled her close, voice dropping to a whisper. "Not yet."

A gunshot rang outside.

Santino cursed. "They're here."

Dante's grip tightened.

Celeste barely had time to breathe before the door slammed open—

And Rafael stood there, gun in hand, eyes locked on Dante.

"Step away from her. Now."

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End of Chapter Fourteen