Page 36 of Outcast’s Vow

“So,” I ask him as the plane takes off, “what exactly do you do, Baptiste?”

He tilts his perfect head to one side, curious.

“You don’t know?”

“Not really. I just heard you were successful.”

He laughs.

“What’s so funny?” I ask.

“Successful is putting it mildly,” he replies.

“Okay, putting your sheer arrogance to one side, answer me. What do you do?”

“I founded a tech company,” Baptiste explains nonchalantly. “We deal primarily with cybersecurity, and I’ve also done a touch of investing in industries that I care about and see potential in. Not as much as Clement, but I have a decent enough portfolio. It’s well diversified.”

“So... essentially you make a lot of money?”

Baptiste shrugs.

“You could put it like that.”

I nod. His fake modesty is so infuriating.

“Your wealth and power might make many women fall into bed with you at the drop of a hat, Baptiste, but it doesn’t impress me.”

“Is that because your daddy is Supreme Elder?”

“Don’t talk about him.”

“Sore subject?”

I let out a scoff.

“No, Castaways talk is always so boring. Please don’t bore me, husband.”

“Tell me, then, what are you actually impressed by, Your Highness?”

I lean back in my armchair.

“Compassion, equality, and freedom. Those three things.”

Baptiste’s eyebrow raises.

“That was a quick response.”

“I know what I value.”

“Good to know,” Baptiste says quietly. Seriously. “Good to know.”

* * *

I’m taken aback by the surprising honeymoon location.

Aspen?

Okay, that is good taste.