Page 152 of Outcast’s Vow

“I’m not planning on running away anytime soon.”

“Really?”

“Before you start, I should thank you for yesterday,” I say. “For advocating for me. That was brave, and it was a risk for you.”

Cromwell laughs again.

“Ah, it’s nothing, Baptiste. I was just calling to say I admire what you did, and that’s why I felt the need to speak out. I have seen a hell of a lot of things in my time as an Elder of the Castaways, but I have never seen such a remarkable display as that. It was honorable. You stood up for your woman, despite the consequences.”

“It was the only thing I could do.”

“Of course it was,” he says, “and I supported you.”

“You did, sir.”

“And maybe one day, I will ask for your support in turn.”

Okay, so this is why Cromwell Auclair is calling me. I knew there’d be more to this chat.

It’s chess, played expertly well. It’s almost as if he knows the Supreme Elder was just at my home.

“Of course, sir. I understand completely.”

There’s another laugh, one that disguises the blade under the pleasant manners.

“I didn’t doubt you for a second, Baptiste. I knew I could count on you.”

The Elders are always wanting to play politics, and they always play dirty. Cromwell is certainly no exception. I should’ve expected this the moment he rose to my defense.

“Goodbye, sir.”

“See you around, Baptiste.”

I throw my phone onto the table beside me. I’m not naïve. That call was an exercise in Cromwell flexing his power. He’s put me in his debt, and that’s dangerous. Refusing him will be impossible. Cromwell Auclair and Elwood Levine... these powerful men want me, for different reasons.

I will need to tell Sylvie before I’m sacrificed as a pawn on the board.

I once – for most of my life, in fact – looked up to the Castaways as being the pinnacle of everything I worked for, but today I can see them for what they truly are. And I don’t intend to get sucked into their petty games again. No longer will I put my ideal of success in their hands.

All that’s important to me is my wife.

And our future together.

60

SYLVIE

I step up to the door and knock.

Mina Tremblay smiles at me when she opens up.

“Good afternoon, Sylvie.”

“Hello, Mina. I’ve got these for you.”

I unfurl the flowers from behind my back dramatically. Baptiste’s mom gasps when she sees them.

“They’re beautiful, Sylvie. Thank you. Come on in. I have the coffee going.”