SCARLET VOWS

Scarlet Vows

A Romance of Love, Betrayal, and Revenge

1. A Dangerous Invitation

Celeste had barely taken a step outside the De Luca estate when a sleek black car pulled up beside her. The window rolled down, and there he was—Rafael, lounging in the backseat like a king on his throne, his sharp eyes glinting under the dim streetlights.

"You left too soon," he murmured. "The night was just beginning."

Celeste forced a coy smile. "Some nights are better left unfinished."

Rafael chuckled, his fingers tapping idly against the car door. "Then let's continue it elsewhere."

She had expected him to take the bait, but not this fast. Was he testing her, or was he simply intrigued? Either way, it was a risk she had to take.

With a slow, deliberate motion, she slid into the car, feeling the tension coil around them like an unspoken promise.

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2. Tempting the Devil

The car pulled into a private lounge—exclusive, hidden, the kind of place where powerful men whispered secrets behind crystal glasses.

Rafael guided her inside with a hand on the small of her back, his touch light but possessive.

As they settled into a secluded booth, a waiter poured them wine, the rich scent filling the space between them.

"You fascinate me, Celeste," Rafael said, his gaze never leaving hers. "You move through a room like you own it, yet there's something... untamed about you."

Celeste tilted her head, taking a slow sip of her wine. "And what do you do with things that can't be tamed?"

Rafael leaned in, his lips curling. "I make them mine."

A slow, dangerous heat spread through her. This was what she wanted—his attention, his desire.

But the real challenge was making sure she didn't get burned.

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3. A Whisper of Warning

As the night stretched on, Rafael's attention deepened. The way his eyes followed her, the way his voice dropped lower when he spoke—it was intoxicating.

But then his tone shifted. "Tell me, Celeste... why did you come tonight?"

Her fingers tightened around her glass. Careful.

"Because I was curious about you," she answered smoothly. "A man like you draws curiosity, don't you think?"

Rafael studied her, the sharp edges of his smirk softening—just a fraction. "Curiosity is dangerous in my world."

There it was. A warning.

Did he suspect her?

She forced a small laugh, trailing her fingers along the rim of her glass. "Then tell me... should I be afraid of you?"

Rafael's hand caught hers, his grip firm, his heat searing into her skin.

"Yes."

A shiver ran down her spine.

And for the first time, she wondered if she had truly prepared for the man sitting across from her.

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4. The First Kill

The night ended with Rafael's driver taking her home. But as Celeste stepped inside her apartment, the air felt wrong—too still, too quiet.

Then she saw it.

A shadow moving in the corner of her eye.

Instinct kicked in. She spun just as a knife slashed through the air. She dodged, her training taking over, her movements fluid and deadly.

The intruder lunged again—but he had underestimated her.

Celeste grabbed his wrist, twisting it with brutal precision. A sickening crack filled the room. The knife clattered to the floor.

In seconds, she had him pinned, her own blade pressed against his throat.

"Who sent you?" she demanded, her voice steady despite the wild pounding of her heart.

The man gasped, eyes dark with pain. "You don't belong here."

Her grip tightened. "Who sent you?"

A dark smile flickered across his lips before blood pooled in his mouth. He bit down—hard.

Cyanide.

Celeste cursed, watching as his body went limp beneath her.

Someone knew.

Someone knew she had entered Rafael De Luca's world.

And they wanted her gone.

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5. The Message

She barely had time to breathe before her phone buzzed.

A message.

Unknown Number: Walk away while you still can.

Celeste stared at the screen, her blood running cold.

Whoever this was, they weren't just watching her.

They were waiting.

For her next move.

For her first mistake.

But Celeste Moreau didn't make mistakes.

She deleted the message.

Then she picked up the phone—and called Rafael.

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End of Chapter Two