Page 71 of Outcast’s Vow

“You know I did it because of Father,” I say. “Come on, girl. You would do anything for your father as well. Don’t deny it.”

Jolie scoffs.

“Okay, maybe I would,” she admits. “But marrying a man is really not my style, even if Dad forced me to. I would put up a fight.”

“I can imagine,” I reply. “I doubt there are many men out there who can match you.”

She grins.

“Damn right.”

I lightly touch the ring on my finger.

“It’s been a crazy couple of weeks,” I say, “that’s for sure.”

“Look, Baptiste is a good man,” Jolie tells me, now serious. “Despite the fact that he doesn’t have a heart. I’ve been around him with my brother long enough to see he’s a good person.”

Him unraveling me. The desire burning in his eyes. The way he tenderly strokes my cheek.

How he said he will protect me forever.

“Yeah, I’m starting to see that myself,” I whisper.

Jolie’s phone rings. She takes one hand off the reins to check the screen.

“Oh, crap.”

“Who is it?” I ask.

“One of my people in London,” she explains with an apologetic grimace. “You don’t mind, do you?”

“Go ahead.”

As she continues to expertly maintain control over her horse, Jolie whips her phone up to her ear.

“Speak to me, Harold.”

Her tone is direct and professional. Blunt, even.

She’s had to be like a shark in her killer world of high-risk finance.

“You still haven’t made that purchase? Why did you come to me? I specifically instructed you this morning to execute the deal. I want you to come to me when we win, not when you’re still hesitant.”

Jolie looks at me and rolls her eyes. It’s incredible she can keep her steed steady with one hand at the same time she conducts serious business across the world with her other hand.

“It’s a good deal. I don’t need to hear excuses. I need action. Make. The. Deal.”

I hear mumbling on the other end of the phone.

“Good,” she bites. “Report back to me when it’s finalized.”

Jolie hangs up, sighing in exasperation.

“All okay?” I ask her. “Remind me never to work for you.”

“I’m trying to get this three-million-dollar deal sorted,” she says. “And yet my minion in London can’t get his ass into gear. Sometimes you have to be a badass bitch to get anything done, especially in this industry when you’re a woman and these grumpy old men try to treat you like a dumb little girl.”

“You’re preaching to the choir, Jolie.”