SCARLET VOWS

Scarlet Vows

A Romance of Love, Betrayal, and Revenge

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1. The Body in the Dark

The call came just past midnight.

Celeste's hands trembled as she answered.

"It's Luca."

Her stomach twisted. "What about him?"

A pause. Then—"He's dead."

Her breath caught. The world blurred.

No.

Not Luca.

Not the one person who had always stood by her.

She ran outside, barely aware of Lorenzo calling her name.

And when she reached the scene—

She saw the truth written in blood.

Luca lay motionless on the cold pavement, a single bullet hole in his chest.

And beside him, a note.

"You chose the wrong side, Celeste."

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2. Fire and Fury

Lorenzo found her hours later, sitting in the dark.

Silent.

Deadly.

"Celeste—"

"Dante killed him." Her voice was calm. Too calm.

Lorenzo crouched beside her. "I know."

She lifted her gaze, fire burning in her eyes. "Then I want him dead."

Lorenzo studied her for a long moment.

Then—he handed her a gun.

"Then let's finish this."

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3. A Dangerous Proposition

The next night, Celeste walked into Dante's club.

Alone.

Eyes turned. Whispers spread.

And then—he was there.

Dante leaned back in his chair, smirking. "You finally came home."

She stepped closer, heart pounding. "I never belonged to you."

His smirk faded. "You could have."

She gripped the gun hidden beneath her coat. "No. I couldn't."

Silence.

Then—Dante laughed. "You're here to kill me, aren't you?"

She didn't answer.

Because they both knew the truth.

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4. The War Begins

Before she could move, a door slammed open.

Gunfire erupted.

Lorenzo's men stormed in, weapons drawn.

Dante lunged for his gun—but Celeste was faster.

She raised her weapon—aimed straight at his heart.

This was it.

The moment she had been waiting for.

Dante froze. His dark eyes met hers. "Do it."

Her finger tightened on the trigger.

But then—

A scream.

She turned just in time to see Lorenzo—falling to the ground, blood blooming across his chest.

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5. The Choice That Changed Everything

Panic seized her.

No. No, no, no—

She dropped to her knees beside him. "Lorenzo! Stay with me!"

His breathing was ragged. "Finish this."

Tears blurred her vision. "Not without you."

Dante watched, a cruel smile playing on his lips.

"Looks like you have a choice, Celeste."

Kill him now—and risk losing Lorenzo.

Or save the man she loved—and let Dante walk free.

Her heart pounded.

Her grip tightened.

And in that moment—

She made her decision.

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End of Chapter Twenty-Nine