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Once known as the naive and kind-hearted Ava Montague, she was betrayed, framed, and left to die by the very people she trusted most—her fiancé, best friend, and stepmother. But death did not claim her. Instead, a mysterious organization saved her and gave her a new identity: "The Vixen."
With a new face, a new name, and a burning desire for revenge, she returns as Celeste Vauxhall, a woman who plays by no rules but her own. She is no longer the weak, innocent girl she once was—she is now a master manipulator, using charm, intelligence, and deception to dismantle those who wronged her.
But revenge is a double-edged sword. As she gets closer to her targets, she finds herself entangled in a dangerous game of power, love, and deception. And when a mysterious billionaire with secrets of his own enters her life, the lines between vengeance and passion blur. Will she succeed in her mission, or will she lose herself in the very darkness she sought to control?

The Vixen

The moment I stepped inside my apartment, I locked the door and exhaled, trying to shake the weight pressing against my chest.

But I hated feeling watched.

Kai moved through the space like a restless predator, checking the windows, the locks, even the goddamn light fixtures. I didn't stop him. If it gave him peace of mind, fine. But we both knew the truth—if someone powerful enough wanted to get to me, no lock would stop them.

"You saw them too," I said, breaking the silence.

Kai didn't turn around. "Yeah."

He exhaled sharply, raking a hand through his hair. "They weren't just some street thug. Whoever that was, they knew exactly what they were doing."

Kai finally turned to face me, arms crossed. "You think it's Liam?"

I shook my head. "If it were Liam, he wouldn't have been so subtle. He likes making statements. Whoever that was? They wanted me to know they were watching but didn't want to be caught."

Kai didn't like that answer. I could see it in the way his jaw tightened.

"So, what's the plan?" he asked.

I leaned against the counter, crossing my arms. "We wait."

"Whoever they are, they made the first move. Now, we let them make the second."

Kai muttered something under his breath, probably a curse aimed at my recklessness. But he didn't argue. He knew me well enough to understand—I wasn't running.

A knock at the door snapped both of us into action.

Kai pulled a gun from his waistband faster than I could blink, moving into position near the door while I stepped slightly to the side, out of the direct line of fire.

"Celeste, open up. It's me."

Kai didn't lower his gun. "What the hell is he doing here?"

I unlatched the door, just enough to meet Damien's sharp, knowing gaze. He looked calm. Too calm. Which meant this wasn't a social visit.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" I asked coolly.

Damien smirked, but there was no humor in it. "We need to talk."

His eyes darkened. "Your shadow."

And that meant things were about to get much, much worse.

Chapter 21: The Hunter’s Move