SCARLET VOWS

Scarlet Vows

A Romance of Love, Betrayal, and Revenge

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1. A Trap of Silk and Shadows

Celeste sat still, her fingers curled tightly around the stem of her wine glass.

Lorenzo's eyes gleamed in the dim light, studying her like a predator sizing up its prey.

"You haven't touched your drink," he observed, swirling his own.

She forced a smirk. "Forgive me if I don't trust a man known for poisoning his enemies."

Lorenzo chuckled, amused. "If I wanted you dead, Celeste, I wouldn't waste good wine."

Her stomach twisted. No, he wouldn't.

But death wasn't what she feared from him.

Lorenzo had claimed her.

And she knew men like him never made empty threats.

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2. A Dance with Fire

As dinner continued, Lorenzo remained infuriatingly composed, never giving anything away.

Until the final course was cleared.

Until the candlelight cast sharp shadows across his face.

And then—he leaned in.

"I kept my end of the deal, Celeste." His voice was dangerously low. "Now it's time you kept yours."

Her breath hitched. "You said you'd help destroy Dante."

Lorenzo smirked. "And I am."

His hand trailed up her wrist, a deliberate reminder of who held the power now.

"But I never said I'd wait."

Celeste's pulse pounded. "And if I refuse?"

Lorenzo chuckled, dark and deep. "Oh, princess… you won't."

She hated that he was right.

Hated that part of her didn't want to.

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3. Caught Between Two Monsters

The next morning, Celeste woke to a storm.

Dante had struck back.

His businesses were bleeding, but Lorenzo's men had taken a hit too.

And Dante?

He wasn't going down quietly.

A message arrived just past noon.

A familiar voice—one that sent chills racing down her spine.

"You think hiding behind Lorenzo makes you safe, Celeste?"

Dante's voice was a whisper of venom. "You were mine long before you were his. And I always take back what's mine."

She gripped the phone, her knuckles white.

Because Dante had just declared war.

Not just against Lorenzo.

But against her.

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4. A Reckless Gamble

Celeste stormed into Lorenzo's office that evening, fury burning in her veins.

"You promised me power," she snapped. "But all you've done is paint a target on my back!"

Lorenzo barely looked up from his glass of whiskey. "Did you really think Dante would let you go so easily?"

She clenched her fists. "I won't be a pawn in this game."

For the first time, something in Lorenzo's expression shifted.

"Then become a player."

She froze.

His voice was a silk-wrapped dagger.

"You want Dante gone? You want to survive?" Lorenzo leaned forward. "Then stop acting like a victim and start acting like a queen."

Her heart pounded.

Because in that moment, she realized something terrifying.

Lorenzo wasn't just offering protection.

He was offering power.

And if she took it?

She'd never be the same again.

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End of Chapter Twenty-Six