SCARLET VOWS

Scarlet Vows

A Romance of Love, Betrayal, and Revenge

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1. The Line Between Love and War

Celeste lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling.

Rafael's kiss still burned on her lips.

His warning echoed in her head.

"You belong to me."

But did she?

Rafael had saved her once. He had given her power, a new name, and a purpose.

Yet tonight, when his hands were on her, it wasn't just possession.

It was something deeper. Something more dangerous.

Something she might not be able to control.

And that scared her more than anything.

Because Santino Russo was making her question everything.

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2. The Trap is Set

The next day, Celeste received a message.

Unknown Number: Meet me tonight. Same place.

Santino.

She exhaled, gripping the phone.

This was what she wanted.

Get close. Find his weaknesses. Destroy him.

Yet, as she stared at the screen, why did it feel like she was walking into her own trap?

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3. A Man Like No Other

Santino was waiting when she arrived.

The rooftop bar was quiet, overlooking the city lights.

He leaned against the railing, his suit crisp, his presence magnetic.

"I was beginning to think you'd stand me up."

Celeste smirked. "And ruin my reputation? Never."

He chuckled. "You're full of surprises, Celeste."

She tilted her head. "You say that like it's a bad thing."

His gaze darkened. "On the contrary… I like dangerous women."

Her stomach tightened.

Santino was dangerous too.

But not in the way Rafael was.

Rafael was fire—consuming, possessive, unrelenting.

Santino was ice—calculated, patient, the kind of man who could make you love him before you even knew you were falling.

And that made him even more dangerous.

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4. The Shadow in the Dark

Celeste let Santino pour her a drink.

But she could feel it.

Someone was watching.

She glanced around, her instincts prickling.

Then she saw him.

Luca.

Rafael's eyes in the shadows.

Her heart pounded.

If Luca was here, it meant Rafael was watching.

And if Rafael was watching…

She was running out of time.

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5. Betrayal Has a Price

That night, Rafael was waiting for her.

She barely stepped inside her apartment before he grabbed her wrist, slamming the door shut behind her.

His eyes were dark, furious. "What the hell are you doing, Celeste?"

She yanked free. "My job."

His hands curled into fists. "Don't lie to me."

Her pulse pounded. "I'm not."

But she was.

Because when Santino had touched her tonight…

She hadn't wanted to pull away.

Rafael's jaw tightened.

Then, before she could react, he grabbed her—his hands on her face, his lips crashing against hers.

The kiss was rough, desperate. Not just possession.

Punishment.

Celeste gasped against his lips, but she didn't pull away.

Because in that moment, she realized something.

Rafael wasn't just jealous.

He was afraid.

Afraid of losing her.

And that terrified her more than anything.

Because what if she had already lost herself?

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End of Chapter Six