Page 99 of Outcast’s Vow

I pull my wife’s warm body closer until she fits against me like she was made for my arms. I don’t want to let go.

I fucking can’t.

We lie still. The air is full of indulgence. Time stretches.

Then Sylvie speaks.

“I’m so afraid of what happens when things fall apart.”

She’s quiet, but the words hit me hard. I try to swallow, but my throat is dry.

“How dare you think like that,” I murmur, brushing a loose strand of her blonde hair back behind her ear.

“But what if something happens?” Sylvie asks, her face turned away from me. Her voice has lost all of her poise, and her snark, and her confidence. “Today has been so perfect, but what happens if we lose it? What if we lose us?”

I press my forehead against the back of her neck.

“That won’t happen,” I reply calmly. “Not on my watch.”

“I know what will happen to me if it does happen.”

“And how do you know, Sylvie?”

“It’s preordained, Baptiste. The moment it all ends, Father will take control, as he always does. Sure, I’d fight him, but how can you fight one of the most powerful men in the world? He’ll end up taking everything back. He’ll own me. He’ll put me to work, and he will find me a suitable husband that he can command.”

“I am your husband,” I say. “No one else. You will never fall into that life. You’re so scared of something that’s happened before, but history doesn’t repeat itself like this. Not when I’m involved.”

“You promise?”

Of course, I promise. I never break my vows.

I take in a breath.

“I’d have to be dead and buried before anyone could do anything to you.”

Sylvie nods slowly.

“That’s what I fear.”

I don’t have any words for that. I know that, deep down, she’s right. If something were to happen to me, Elwood would step in. He would take back his daughter. And she’d have no choice. She wouldn’t be able to run or hide or even protest; that’s the dark side of all her family’s wealth and power.

But I can’t let her see my fear. I have to be strong for her.

My wife’s hand squeezes on my chest as if she’s trying to cling to me before fate or death or destiny rips me away. She’s afraid of that dark future, and she has every right to be. It could come true.

“I won’t let that happen,” I say.

But even doubt sinks into my voice, and a darkness lodges itself in my heart.

37

BAPTISTE

“I’m planning to make you both bankrupt tonight,” I grandly announce to my brotherhood, tilting forward in my seat with a maniacal grin dancing on my lips.

Fabien scoffs.

“Fat chance,” he says in his dark way.