Page 166 of Captive Ruin

He opens it a second later, and to my surprise he’s not alone.

“Oh, hi.” I’d say more, but her hand is on his arm.

“Amelia, you remember Victoria Callahan.” He disengages from her without looking at me. “I knew you two would like to catch up. Unfortunately, I have to…” He gives her a nod and leaves, closing the door behind himself.

Catch up? Yeah, because I’ve got so much news.

“So glad to see a friendly face,” Vicky says, walking farther in. “How have you been?”

“Fine.” I suppose I should say something else, and she gives me the excuse, looking at my half-empty bottle of wine. “Do you want a glass?”

“Uh… that’s…”

“They’re in the kitchen.” I wave a hand. “Through there.”

“I think I’m okay, thanks.”

“Suit yourself.”

She sits on the sofa opposite me. I should’ve invited her to. I should’ve gotten up. Oh, well.

“Are you here long?” she asks.

“Don’t know.”

Vicky nods thoughtfully. “What are your plans?”

“Don’t have any.”

“I’m sure there’s lots to do around here. What do you like?”

I take a sip of my drink, trying not to be rude. What am I supposed to say? That I’m a prisoner in this billionaire’s mansion?

“We didn’t get to talk much at the ball,” Vicky persists in the face of my silence. “It was nice of you to give me your number; sorry I haven’t called. So busy. I’m sure you have been too?”

She must be joking. “Yeah.”

“You won’t believe who I ran into. A mutual acquaintance of ours.”

I try to feign interest, but she must mean Nat or Anna. “Yeah?”

“Lucy. Your sister.”

That was unexpected, but now I’m on edge. It’s too much of a coincidence. Why would a private investigator know my sister? Is Vicky even who she says she is? Has Van Wyk brought her here for a reason?

“Do you see each other much?” she presses.

“Occasionally.”

Her voice turns sympathetic. “Don’t get on?”

I’ve always got along with Lucy. We’ve always been friends first and sisters second. Except recently, because I’ve pulled back. “We used to.”

“Drift away, huh?” Vicky nods. “I get how that is. We’re just so busy, and…”

“Not busy.” As if.

“Traveling with your husband’s work, right?”