SCARLET VOWS

Scarlet Vows

A Romance of Love, Betrayal, and Revenge

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1. A Message in the Dark

Celeste sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the severed finger in the box.

The rose beside it was fresh—a deep, almost black shade of red. Whoever had sent this wanted her to know that death was near.

Her pulse was steady, but her mind was racing.

Who was the warning from? Isla? Rafael's enemies? Or was this a test from Rafael himself?

There was only one way to find out.

She picked up her phone and dialed.

The call was answered in seconds.

"I was hoping you'd call," Rafael's voice was smooth. "What took you so long?"

"I received a gift," she said calmly. "Care to explain?"

A pause. Then, "What kind of gift?"

Celeste glanced at the box again. "The kind that comes with a severed finger."

The silence stretched.

Then, Rafael spoke, and this time, his voice was lethal. "Where are you?"

"My apartment."

"Stay there."

The line went dead.

Celeste exhaled. She had expected that reaction.

Now, all she had to do was wait—and see if Rafael was truly on her side.

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2. A Man with a Warning

Fifteen minutes later, a knock sounded at her door.

Celeste opened it to find Luca De Luca—Rafael's cousin and second-in-command.

"You're not who I was expecting," she said coolly.

Luca smirked, stepping inside without an invitation. "Rafael sent me. He's handling some business."

Business.

She knew what that meant. Someone was about to die.

Luca walked over to the box, glanced inside, and let out a low whistle.

"You must've really pissed someone off."

Celeste folded her arms. "Do you know who sent it?"

Luca's expression darkened. "I have an idea. But I also have a message for you."

He turned to face her, his gaze sharp. "If you're smart, Celeste, you'll walk away now. Rafael… he doesn't do love. And people who get close to him?"

He picked up the severed finger, twirling it between his own. "They usually end up just like this."

Celeste met his gaze without flinching. "Then I guess I'll have to make sure I'm the one holding the knife."

Luca let out a soft chuckle. "You're playing a dangerous game, darling."

She smiled. "Good. I hate being bored."

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3. The Devil's Proposition

That night, Celeste was summoned.

The address she received was one of Rafael's private locations—an underground club that only the most powerful men in the city had access to.

She arrived in a long, backless dress, her confidence a weapon in itself.

Inside, the air was thick with smoke and whiskey. Men in dark suits whispered about deals worth millions. Women with dangerous smiles clung to their arms.

And at the very center of it all—Rafael.

He was seated in a private booth, a drink in one hand, watching her like a predator.

Celeste didn't hesitate. She walked straight toward him.

Rafael's eyes darkened as he took in her appearance. "You took your time."

She slid into the seat across from him. "Some things are worth making an entrance for."

A ghost of a smile. Then, "Tell me, Celeste. Do you want to live?"

She tilted her head. "I wasn't aware that was a question."

Rafael leaned in, his voice dropping. "Then listen carefully. The person who sent that warning isn't done. And I need to know—are you strong enough to survive this?"

She met his gaze, unyielding. "Try me."

For the first time, Rafael looked truly amused.

Then, he placed something on the table.

A gun.

"Good," he murmured. "Because I have a job for you."

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4. A Target on Her Back

Celeste took the gun without hesitation.

"Who?" she asked.

Rafael studied her for a moment before speaking. "Santino Russo."

Her breath stilled. Santino Russo—the head of a rival syndicate.

"You want me to kill him?"

"I want you to get close to him."

He leaned forward. "Gain his trust. Find out if he was the one who sent the warning."

Celeste's lips curled. "And if he was?"

Rafael's voice was ice. "Then you put that gun to good use."

A thrill ran down her spine.

She had played dangerous games before. But this? This was different.

This time, the stakes were higher. And if she failed… she wouldn't just lose the game.

She'd lose her life.

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5. A Dangerous Encounter

The following evening, Celeste stepped into a different world.

Santino Russo's private estate was a fortress, filled with armed guards and whispered secrets.

She moved through the crowd effortlessly, her beauty a distraction, her mind focused on the real goal.

Then, she felt a presence behind her.

"You must be new."

She turned.

And found herself staring into the eyes of Santino Russo.

Tall. Powerful. Dangerous.

And smiling at her like he already knew her game.

"What's your name, beautiful?"

Celeste smiled. "Does it matter?"

Santino chuckled. "It does if I plan to keep you."

She kept her expression coy, even as her mind worked fast.

He was testing her.

And she couldn't afford to fail.

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End of Chapter Four