Page 102 of Captive Ruin

But what am I supposed to do now? Alone in a massive house with people I don’t know and a psychopath who could return at any moment?

With no options, I pick at the breakfast, then pull on a pair of ankle boots from among the dozen pairs on offer, and head downstairs.

Linda’s in the kitchen when I get there, but she’s not alone. Another man is sitting at the island, his back to me, wearing a dark suit over a white shirt.

He turns on his seat, assessing me with a quick down-up gaze. “I’m Tony, Miss Anderson.”

“Amelia.” I correct.

He gives me a wry smile. “Got it.”

He’s about my age, hair trimmed short, his suit doing little to hide his lithe frame. Van Wyk is a killer. What does that make men he uses as bodyguards?

And why the hell do I need a bodyguard—let alone two—while I lounge around in this gilded prison?

I ignore him, addressing Linda. “Where do I make a call, please?”

“Who do you need to reach, dear?”

That’s a bit intrusive, but I answer anyway. “My sister. I want to tell her where I am.”

“There’s no need. Lukas has already informed Lucy.”

“He’s done what?” And how the hell does she know my sister’s name?

“You don’t have your phone,” Linda points out reasonably, “and he did mention how important it was to you.”

I stare at her in disbelief. “How did he get her number?” I lift my hand. “On second thought, I don’t want to know.”

“Very practical, dear. Would you like some coffee?”

“I’m still going to call her,” I say, lifting my chin and standing my ground.

Linda gives me a sympathetic look. “Alas, Lukas doesn’t believe it’s safe for you to use phones at this time.”

Who the hell says ‘alas’? And why do I feel like a child, my privileges cut off?

I glare at her, then walk out, fists clenched, before I say something I’ll regret. I can find a phone myself.

Tony follows me like a shadow, but I ignore him. It’s fucking ridiculous having a bodyguard in this house, and I know damn well he isn’t. He’s my warden, and I’m only surprised he wasn’t waiting outside the door to my room.

There’s a dining room, a living room, a second living room, the library with the piano, and none of them have a phone.

I turn on Tony, who’s followed me everywhere I’ve been. “Where do I find a phone?”

“The only phone is in Lukas’s office, but I’ll save you the trouble: it’s locked to his code.”

“Fine. Then give me yours.” I hold out my hand expectantly.

He crosses his arms, biceps straining his suit jacket. “No.”

“Why not?”

He holds my gaze, unflinching before my anger. “You didn’t say the magic word, Princess.”

Fuck.

At first, I glare at him. Then I take a breath, letting it out slowly, and try to remind myself that it’s not his fault. “May I please borrow your phone?”