Page 18 of Captive Ruin

Lucy clutches hers in both hands, gazing into the red wine as it swirls. “Such a mess. I feel so goddamn foolish.” She gives me a quick look. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m grateful, really grateful—I had no idea he was like that—but if all I have to do is be nice to him… for the sake of your work…”

I shake my head. “Not even a concern anymore. It’s all taken care of.” Or it will be, if I can trust Lukas Van Wyk.

But I can’t, that’s the crazy thing. I don’t know him at all. Just a man I met for a wild hour, who fucked me within an inch of my life, then disappeared.

It’s been three days since the gala, and I can’t stop thinking about it. The unnerving confidence of the man. The way he simply took what he wanted, like there was never any doubt. The choices he gave me, the protests he ignored.

The way he made me come.

If there’s one saving grace, it’s that I’ll never have to see him again. A single night, gone in the blink of an eye, only the memories left.

So why am I so certain he’ll do what he said he would?

“I will ensure he never bothers you nor your sister again. You have my word.”

It wasn’t just what he said, it was how he said it. As if he took my disdain as a personal affront.

I shiver at the memory of Van Wyk’s displeasure. Serranto will fare far worse if he ignores that promise. I can’t imagine Van Wyk pinning him to a wall and cutting off his clothes. No, he’d cut something else off instead.

“You ever hear from him again, you tell me right away, okay?” I say.

“Sure…” Lucy sets her wine glass on the coffee table and stands.

I look up at her. “Where are you going?”

“I think I’ll head home, if you don’t mind.”

“Of course not.” I rise too, giving her a hug. “You’re not blaming yourself, are you?”

“…No…”

I pull back to see her face. “That wasn’t convincing.”

“I just can’t help but think what you had to do to get rid of him.” Her eyes search mine, her hand on my arm. “Tell me it didn’t cost you too much? Tell me it hasn’t damaged your job or reputation?”

“It hasn’t damaged my job at all,” I reply. My reputation? Not if Van Wyk keeps his mouth shut, and my gut tells me he will. As for what it cost me… only my pride and dignity.

Lucy nods slowly, apparently satisfied with the mask I’m showing her. “I just felt so… lost, you know?” She waves a hand. “One moment, life’s normal. The next, Mom and Dad are killed, and…” Her eyes turn liquid. “Listen to me go on. It’s not like we’re still living at home. It just… threw me,” she finishes quietly. “They were both so goddamn young.”

“And Dad was such a good driver,” I say.

“I know, right? That’s the irony of it all.” She dashes a sleeve across her eyes and sniffs. “Wrapped in a goddamn Bentley, they should’ve been invincible. It’s just not fair.”

“It’s my fault for letting you shoulder all the burden,” I say, wondering if she would’ve felt less lost if I’d helped her with it. Death certificates. Funeral arrangements. So many people to notify. Dad’s business, the bank, the estate. But Lucy insisted, and I let her.

“That’s not it,” she says firmly. “I was happy to do it.” A long sigh. “Look, I’m going to go, all right?” She offers a tremulous smile. “Don’t feel bad. I really appreciate my big sister standing up for me again.”

“Any time.”

“I’ll repay you, one of these days.”

“No need.”

“Yeah, I know.” She collects her bag, heading for the door. “You never, ever get into trouble. Too goody-two-shoes.”

“As if,” I say playfully, masking hard as I show her out. “See you soon, okay?”

“Yeah.” She squeezes my hand, then walks off toward the elevators.