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And my woman smiles.

She doesn’t know the power in it.

That smile could make me do anything.

“Yes,” she replies, looping her arm around mine and resting her pretty head against my bicep. “I would like that, Fabien. Very much.”

58

FABIEN

Both Baptiste and Clement tell me the news at the exact same time. My phone lights up with their text messages, their names almost simultaneously.

And the news?

Leopold Anguish has become the new Supreme Elder of the Castaways.

I’m sitting in my car, about to head off to my art gallery. As the news hits me, I put my phone down on the empty seat beside me.

So. That’s it. Leopold has finally got what he wanted.

I’m not surprised he’s done it. He was practically next in line, after all. He desperately wanted that position, and now his main rival is gone. The Masked Killer is gone. No one stands in his way.

But is it even worth it? The man now has power over an Order that has burned to ashes. There’s nothing left after what Cromwell did to it.

But Leopold can rebuild. He can mold the ancient society into his own little fiefdom now. He’ll be dictator for life.

Maybe he’ll make the Order strong again. Maybe he’ll do exactly what Cromwell was dreaming about and use the remnants of the Castaways to become king of the world.

But I don’t give a damn. There are far more important things in my life now.

I shake my head, turn on the ignition, and start to drive.

* * *

It’s a few hours later, when I’m working at my art gallery, when I get the call that I have been expecting.

“Fabien.”

Leopold’s smooth voice practically oozes down my phone when I answer.

“What do you want?”

I won’t ever forget this man deliberately pulled Clement aside and told him about Jolie and me, wanting us to fight. This man thought it would be an easy way to eliminate some of his rivals for the top job.

I'd guessed he’d call, but it’s surprising how quick off the mark he is. He’s been in power for less than a day.

“You’ve heard the news, Mr. Cote?”

“Yes,” I reply with no emotion, “and I guess I should say congratulations. I thought the Castaways were over.”

“Oh, no. We most certainly are not. We are only beginning, Fabien. We’re building the future. And that’s why I’ve called you.”

“Yeah?”

“I want you to be part of that future.”

I sit back in my chair, looking around my art gallery. This is a place I have built on my own. This place is my purpose, not the Castaways.