Page 98 of Outcast’s Return

“All right,” he mutters. “Trust me with this.”

“That’s better.”

“Good.”

I let out a sigh.

“Is it going to work, Fabien?”

His grip around me tightens even more. It’s a momentary twitch of doubt.

“It better work,” he mutters. “Otherwise, we’re both fucked.”

DAY SIX

38

FABIEN

I kiss her forehead as she slowly wakes up, the sunlight from the window hitting her face so perfectly. Jesus, this morning Jolie is more radiant than I have ever seen her. A few hours ago, she was a wreck, and now she’s practically glowing. I smile to myself as she stirs. I guess I can take some credit for the way she looks. I probably look glowing myself, and for good reason. It’s like I’ve been out of focus for my entire life and now I’ve been given glasses.

The world is new and full of possibilities, and it’s all because of this woman I’m kissing.

“Are you ready for today, Angel?”

Jolie snorts. Her eyes flutter open.

“No, I’m not. I can’t even guess what you might have planned. It’s making me so nervous.”

“It’s going to be okay.”

“How can I know that? How can you know that?”

“It will be okay,” I whisper, my voice betraying how unsure I truly am.

“I want to believe that. I really do.”

I look at her.

She looks at me.

I lean toward her, but Jolie, hesitantly, moves away.

Her nerves are still so real.

But then she comes back to me and kisses me. Soft. Tentative.

“Tell me, what have you got brewing, Fabien? Honestly?”

“I’ve got a way to save your pretty ass.”

“Fabien...”

“You’ll either thank me later or kill me. We’ll see.”

Jolie rolls her eyes.

“I’m never going to get the truth out of you, am I?”