Page 68 of Black Castle

“What?” Aiko demands, eyes narrowed.

“Nothing,” she quickly says. “It’s just…he never mentioned that he had any sister, let alone two.”

“I told you, you didn’t know him,” Kenji whispers, leaning in. Irritated, she drives her elbow into his ribs, causing a quiet wince from him.

“This doesn’t make any sense,” Aiko huffs irritatedly, looking beyond troubled.

“When it comes to him, nothing has to make sense to you,” Serrano scoffs. “I thought you knew this already?”

“Still,” Aiko mutters, lifting a spoon into her hand, then drags her plate closer to her. “This is Lucan we are talking about. He is supposed to hate people. How could he have friends?” The word friends sounds foreign on her tongue as she turns to Vivienne with a sneer.

“Sorry, do you have a problem with me or something?” The question is out before Vivienne can stop it. But she’s severely getting irritated by the second. What’s the woman’s problem, anyway?

Aiko turns to look at her, her expression flat. “Are you just catching on? Yes, I have a problem with you.”

“This is so interesting,” Serrano muses, studying Vivienne with mild interest.

“Look, I think you all should start your meal before it gets cold,” Mr. Putin suggests, his smile never faltering. Vivienne doesn’t even realize that he has still been hovering around the table all this while.

“Whatever question anyone has, I’m sure Mr. Raskovic will give you all the answers when he gets back,” Mr. Putin adds.

Vivienne’s gaze drifts to the head of the table where a single plate remains untouched. He is supposed to be here. So where is he?

Her stomach tightens.

Is he avoiding me?

“Is he going to come for dinner at all?” she asks.

“Why?” Aiko is the first to speak, her tone filled with disdain. “Do you need him to feed you?”

Serrano rolls his eyes, his jaw faintly twitching. “Can you not be immature for a second? It might shock you to know, but she’s not the cause of your problems.”

Then he turns to Vivienne, shrugging. “He might not come. He hardly comes down for dinner.”

Her chest tightens. How can he be the one providing all this and he doesn’t eat well?

“Well, is he home right now?” she asks, voice quieter this time.

“Oh my god!” Aiko slams her hands on the table. “Will you just shut up for a second?”

Serrano makes a frustrated sound that echoes through the room.

“Vee,” Kenji whispers. “Just eat, okay?”

“Sergei!” Serrano suddenly calls out to the armed man hovering near the dining room.

“Yes, Captain?!”

“Is the Boss home yet?”

“No, Captain!”

Serrano looks back at her. “Have your questions been answered?”

Vivienne sighs, poking at her food. “Yeah. Thanks.”

The clinging of steel against China ware echoes in the room. But Vivienne doesn’t feel like eating. Not when all she can think about is where Lucan is and why he hasn’t come to see her.

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