Page 7 of Outcast’s Vow

Sweat drips down the back of my neck as panic rises in my stomach. I don’t dare move as I wait to see what the hell happens next.

“What the fuck are you doing here, Antoni?” Baptiste, in a deep, low drawl, asks the new arrival.

Ah. Antoni Baran. I know of him.

Unlike Baptiste and me, he is not dressed for survival in a tropical rainforest. Antoni’s expensive European suit is tattered and torn from stomping through mud and dense foliage and roots, his black hair is frazzled, and his eyes are wild. The gun trembles in his hand.

It’s clear he doesn’t have a clue what he’s doing or where he is. He’s either drunk or on a comedown, but that doesn’t shake one fact.

He’s still dangerous.

“I followed you, didn’t I?” the Polish man replies to Baptiste, out of breath. “I saw what you were doing on the plane as we landed. Your eyes set on the prize of all prizes. It was obvious you were going to try to find her. I just had to tail you. It was so easy, especially because your head was just full of her.”

Oh. This explains everything.

Baptiste audibly scoffs.

“You’re joking.”

“You led me straight to her,” Antoni continues. “And I’m not afraid to shoot you to get the trophy, so step out of the way, Baptiste.”

So, Baptiste has been doing the hard work, and Antoni was just secretly tagging along?

I suck in air. Moments ago, I thought I had made it to safety. The sun was sinking over the horizon. Success was within reach. But then, Baptiste appeared. And then Antoni staggered into the clearing.

And everything is ruined.

Still frozen, I now dare take a long look at the man who found me. Baptiste has forest-green eyes. Dirty blond hair slicked back. His jawline is strong, and his cheekbones defined.

He’s certainly rugged. Tough.

A man with determination.

And he’s successfully tracked me down.

I didn’t think anyone would be wise or foolish enough to attempt what Baptiste has done today. It seems he knew exactly what I’d do the moment I escaped the resort lobby. He’s followed me across the island and through the rainforest. Relentless. Determined.

He wants me. So much so that he would do all of this. Just to get me. My heart beats fast at the thought.

Unlike Antoni’s frenzied, stuttering tone, Baptiste is controlled and collected.

“Are you going to shoot me, Antoni? Just for her? Really?”

“I’d do anything to have what I want. Sylvie Levine means everything to men like you and me.”

Even as his words slur, Antoni’s hand squeezes tighter around the gun’s handle.

“I’m nothing like you, Antoni.”

“Her father spoke to me, you know,” the gunman continues. “He sat me down in his fancy office and told me I was a good suitor for his daughter. He said I have the right background. The right family name. Jesus, I thought it would be hard to find her, but you led me straight to her, and for that I thank you. But now, get out of my fucking way.”

Of course Father spoke to Antoni. A wealthy man cut from European nobility? Father would’ve been salivating at the thought of our houses combining.

I steal a glance behind me into the dark rainforest. Yes, I could make a run for it. I could still get out of here and win the Chase.

“Don’t you dare think about it.” Antoni’s words stop me dead in my tracks. He’s staring at me blankly like a man possessed. “If I can’t have you, princess, then Baptiste can’t have you. I’d rather shoot us all than walk away with nothing.”

“Put it down,” I say very quietly. “Please.”