Page 187 of Captive Ruin

“It’s a surprise.”

“Then how am I supposed to know what to wear?”

He gestures to my jeans and strappy top. “That. Come on.” He puts his hand on the small of my back and steers me firmly toward the door.

“Van Wyk—”

“It’s a beautiful day, and you’ve recovered. Time for you to stretch your legs, Little Stray.” He gives my ass a slap to hurry me along. “By the way, my name is Lukas.”

I glare back at him, muttering.

His three-door garage doesn’t just house a Maybach, as it turns out. He drives us in a black Ferrari, and it’s extremely comfortable.

I’m wishing I brought my book, but at least I have Kindle on my phone. But when I pat my pockets, there’s nothing there.

“Something amiss?” he asks.

“I’ve lost my phone.”

“You won’t need it.”

“That’s not the point. I’m going to worry all day if I don’t know where it is.”

“It’ll be at home.”

“Yeah, but…” I look down the side of the seat. Nothing. “Can you do your thing? It might be on my nightstand.”

“What thing?”

“Look at the cameras in my room? See if it’s there?”

He glances sideways at me. “Ironically, no. I turned them all off.”

“You did? Why?” That’s not the right answer. I should be feeling relief, but instead I’m irritated that he can’t check if my phone is there, and frustrated that he’s stopped spying on me.

Damn it, I liked putting on shows for him.

“Because it was wrong,” he says, returning his eyes to the road.

“Like that’s ever stopped you before,” I mutter.

An eyebrow goes up. “Do I detect a note of disappointment?”

“No.” Maybe. I change the subject to something safer. “Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise. You can guess if you want.” He’s far too chirpy for his own good.

I cross my arms and scowl. “I’m not playing your stupid games.”

“I’ll give you a clue,” he says, like I haven’t just blatantly refused. “You’ll either love it or you won’t. Most people know in the first five minutes.”

“I’m not dressed for the opera,” I say scathingly.

He chuckles, a surprisingly genuine sound. “I’ll scratch that one off the list then.”

I look at him suspiciously. “That’s a figure of speech, right? There isn’t really a list, is there?”

“Oh, there’s a list.” The corner of his mouth curls up. “I had time while I was away, and I need to keep you interested.”