Dark Vows 24

Dark Vows 24 Summary

 

In Chapter 24 of “Dark Vows,” the protagonist, Nicole, finds herself in a chaotic situation after a night of questionable decisions. Her friend Lisa confronts her about making out with a stranger, expressing disbelief and concern. Nicole, still nursing a hangover, tries to piece together the events from the previous night, suspecting that the stranger might be connected to threats made against Bruni Santos, her colleague. Lisa encourages her to report this to the police, suggesting that they could create a sketch based on Nicole’s description of the man, which she nervously provides despite feeling conflicted about her attraction to him.

 

As the chapter progresses, Nicole receives a phone call from Amelia Thornton, her new head of department, who reprimands her for missing work. The conversation reveals that Bruni has been transferred to another branch after being hospitalized due to an attack, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding his condition. Nicole’s curiosity about Bruni’s mention of her in a positive light adds another layer of tension, especially as Lisa listens in on the call, hinting at deeper implications regarding her relationship with Bruni and the mysterious stranger.

 

Amidst the confusion, Nicole grapples with her emotions, torn between her attraction to the stranger and the reality of his potential criminal connections. Lisa’s playful teasing contrasts with the seriousness of their situation, as she insists they need to go to the police, especially considering the stranger’s possible involvement in Bruni’s attack. The chapter ends on a note of suspense, with Nicole feeling the weight of the unfolding drama and the potential danger that looms over her life.

 

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**TITLE: Dark Vows 24**

**Chapter 24**

After a moment of silence, she finally speaks, her tone incredulous. “So let me get this straight,” Lisa begins, her eyebrows arching in disbelief. “You allowed a complete stranger to bring you back to your house, and then you ended up making out with him? What on earth is wrong with you?”

“I really don’t know!” I exclaim, rubbing my temples in frustration. The dull throb of my hangover is a relentless reminder of the chaos of last night. I desperately need some aspirin to clear my head.

Though I had debated keeping this to myself, I decide to share my suspicion. “I think he might also be the one who threatened Bruni Santos. He sent me that text, and he could very well be the one breaking into my house.”

Lisa’s eyes spark with interest. “Then we might have a lead! Can you describe him? When we report this to the police, they could get an artist to create a sketch that might match someone in their database. I’m sure he has a criminal record.”

I take a deep breath, trying to piece together my memories. “He’s tall,” I begin, trying to recall every detail. “Broad shoulders. Muscular build. His fingers… well, they were skillful. He seemed pretty strong.”

Skillful fingers? I mentally chastise myself. What does that even mean, and why does it matter?

Lisa narrows her eyes at me, a smirk forming on her lips. “I meant his facial features. I’m sure that’s what the police would need to know.”

“Right, right.” I nod, pushing aside my earlier thoughts. “He has dark hair and deep, dark eyes. His hair is really curly, and I think he has dimples when he smiles.”

That look from Lisa again, a mix of disbelief and teasing.

“Why are you describing him like you actually like him? Most victims would say he had bloodshot eyes that screamed ‘serial killer’ and all that,” she says, crossing her arms and observing me closely.

“Well, I was completely drunk, so what do you expect? My brain probably couldn’t differentiate between normal eyes and those that look like they belong to a serial killer,” I retort, a hint of defensiveness creeping into my voice.

And deep down, I have to admit, his eyes were captivating, not creepy. Not that it matters now—or at all.

“Girl, you’re impossible,” Lisa teases, her tone lightening. “You must have really enjoyed that makeout session.”

“Are you serious? This whole situation is nothing more than an unwarranted and inconvenient sexual advance. I don’t hook up with criminals who might be after my brother. In fact, I don’t hook up with criminals, period,” I clarify, my voice firm.

“So we’re on the same page then,” she grins, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “We’ll file a report and describe him accurately, leaving out any romantic undertones from his description.”

In a playful gesture, I kick her foot, and she responds by sticking her tongue out at me.

Just then, my phone buzzes beside me, making me jump.

**1/3**

**17:30 Wed, Dec 3**

**Chapter 24**

**06**

**69**

Lisa gives me a weary look, reminiscent of a doctor observing a patient who is just beginning to recover but seems intent on removing the IV and plugs that are keeping them stable.

“Hello?” I answer hesitantly, my heart racing. I hadn’t even checked the caller ID. Fear has a way of making you skip those details.

“Nicole Salvatore?” a woman’s voice comes through the line. “This is your new head of department, Amelia Thornton. Why weren’t you at work yesterday? And you’re running late today. I had to check the records for your line, and it seems you didn’t notify anyone about your absence beforehand.”

My jaw drops in shock.

I blink, trying to gather my thoughts. “Um, I, uh, I was sick,” I stammer, my heart pounding.

Lisa watches me with keen interest, her gaze piercing through my facade.

“But I’m feeling much better today! I’m on my way. Traffic is horrendous, and my car is in dire need of a trip to the mechanic. It’s a real struggle out here.” I let out a small, awkward laugh that I hope sounds benign, but it comes out more like a cackle.

“Alright. Since this is your first time, I’ll let it slide with just a warning. I have zero tolerance for truancy. I expect to see you in the office. I’ll be introducing myself to all the staff today at the newsroom before we kick off our activities. Please try to be on time.”

I nod along, though she can’t see me—this Amelia Thornton, my new head of department.

It’s surprising, really. Doesn’t she know I was fired by the previous head? And where is he now?

“Um, what happened to Bruni Santos? Did he get transferred to another branch?” I inquire, my curiosity piqued.

“Yes, he requested a transfer from this branch to the one in New York, and it has been approved. However, unlike me, he might not return to his new branch for quite some time. He’s been hospitalized for recovery. He was attacked and badly beaten, you see.”

Seriously?

“Oh. I’m so sorry to hear that,” I respond, and I can’t help but notice Lisa stifling a laugh. “Liar,” she mouths silently at me.

“He’ll recover,” Amelia assures me.

“Did he mention anything about me?” I press, my curiosity getting the better of me.

“Oh yes.”

Crap.

“He spoke highly of you, saying what a great employee you were under his supervision. He mentioned some promotion you rightly deserve that hasn’t been awarded yet, and that I should look into it. I wanted him to introduce us properly given his glowing commendation of you, but he insisted he would rather not. In fact, he seemed eager to leave our branch altogether.”

Oh. Oh.

“Anyway, Nicole, we’ll have more time to chat when you’re at the office, alright? Bye for now.”

“Un-fucking-believable,” Lisa mutters as I hang up, her voice tinged with disbelief.

And that’s the gist of that conversation.

It’s only when Lisa speaks that I realize the call had been on loudspeaker. She had been listening in intently.

“You think it’s—” Lisa starts, but I hold up a hand to stop her.

“Don’t,” I interrupt firmly. “I’m heading to the office now, and I’ll find out everything. Until then, let’s not jump to conclusions.”

She raises her hands in mock surrender. “Okay, okay. But when you get back, we’re going to the police because believe it or not, it might have been your mysterious visitor from last night who paid Bruni a visit. I don’t know why—maybe it was about firing you or something worse.”

I let out a resigned sigh, hoping she wouldn’t go there.

Lisa bites her pinky nail, so casually as if we’re discussing something as trivial as nail polish. “And if Bruni had hit you again, he might have actually killed him,” she adds, her tone shifting to something more serious.

Holy crap.

Conclusion

 

As the weight of the revelations settles around me, I can’t help but feel a tumult of emotions churning within. The chaotic events of last night now seem like a distant memory, overshadowed by the stark reality of Bruni’s predicament and the potential danger lurking in the shadows. The thrill of that unexpected kiss feels trivial compared to the gravity of the situation. I realize that my life is no longer just about navigating the complexities of my job or my personal relationships; it is now intertwined with a web of threats that I never anticipated. Each heartbeat echoes with the urgency of the moment, reminding me that the choices I make from here on out could have dire consequences—not just for me, but for those I care about.

 

Yet, amid the turmoil, there is a flicker of hope. Lisa’s unwavering support and our shared determination to uncover the truth provide a glimmer of light in this darkening landscape. As I prepare to confront the unknown at the office, I feel a newfound resolve. I will not allow fear to dictate my actions; instead, I will harness it to fuel my pursuit of answers. The past may have thrown me into a spiral of confusion and danger, but I am ready to reclaim my narrative. With each step I take toward the office, I remind myself that I am stronger than I ever realized, and I will face whatever comes next with courage and clarity.

 

What to Expect in Next Chapter?

 

**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**

 

As Nicole heads to the office, a whirlwind of uncertainty looms over her. With her new boss, Amelia Thornton, already stirring the pot with unexpected news about Bruni Santos, the tension is palpable. Will Nicole’s past with Bruni come back to haunt her, or will she find a way to navigate the murky waters of her professional life without getting dragged down by old ghosts? The stakes are higher than ever as she juggles her personal dilemmas with the looming threat of the stranger from last night, whose intentions remain shrouded in mystery.

 

Expect revelations that will send shockwaves through Nicole’s world. As she digs deeper into the circumstances surrounding Bruni’s attack, the connection between her mysterious visitor and the violent incident may unravel in ways she never anticipated. With Lisa at her side, the two will embark on a quest for answers that might lead them into dangerous territory. Will they uncover the truth about the threats against Nicole’s brother and the shadowy figure that seems to be entwined in her life? The next chapter promises to be a thrilling ride filled with unexpected twists, deepening relationships, and the haunting question of trust in a world where danger lurks just around the corner.