Page 107 of Outcast’s Vow

But I take his.

“Come with me,” he says gently. “I’ll take you home. I’ll keep you safe.”

40

SYLVIE

Baptiste doesn’t speak a word until we get back to his – our – penthouse, speeding all the way from the university in his sports car. The engine hums under our feet. The sleekness of the vehicle cuts through the city like a newly sharpened knife through hot butter.

There is a brooding intensity in the way my husband sits behind the wheel and commands his car.

The terror of seeing Ethan again finally kicks in, crashing on me like a wave over rocks. Suddenly and violently. I can barely breathe. My survival instincts kick in. Fight or flight. As I sit in the plush sports car, it’s like I’m drowning.

I see Ethan gloating.

And when we’re back at the penthouse, I stumble through the front door. Panic grips my chest.

Ethan trailed me down. He cornered me. He made me feel so totally and utterly nothing.

Behind me, I hear Baptiste slamming the penthouse door shut and his heavy feet marching up to me.

“Are you okay, Sylvie?”

His voice is dark, low, and powerfully caring.

I start to stammer.

Ethan’s voice echoes in my head. How he is the man my father wants for me. How Baptiste is just a poor boy, and nothing will change that.

“Look at me,” Baptiste commands.

I slowly turn to face him. His eyes glitter with intense compassion.

“Yes?”

My voice is so thin. So weak. So vulnerable. But my husband is the picture of calm. He slowly runs his hands through my hair, pulling my hair back behind my ears. His fingers tenderly stroke my scalp.

“Speak to me. All the color’s drained from your face. Are you okay?”

I nod. Once. Twice.

“Only now that I’m with you, Baptiste.”

He looks at me like I’m the only thing in the entire world that matters to him.

“You’re here, Sylvie. You’re in our home. You’re with me. You’re safe. I’ll protect you.”

“Yeah?”

“I’m here for you.”

I can’t even think straight. I can’t even make a sound.

“I’m sorry I didn’t get there earlier,” he mutters.

And then he kisses me. Softly. His hands are cupping my face.

And I can breathe again.