My telephone rings from the nightstand, startling me. I don’t wait to find out who it is. I yank open my door and rush toward the elevator, invitation in hand. I’ll play their game. I can fake dead better than anyone. I’ve done it for the past three months.
I think about my mother, and for the first time since she died, the thought of her doesn’t weaken me. It gives me strength. I’m brave. I’m courageous. I’m—
Sick.
Because when the elevator doors slide open, Kenneth is standing there, waiting for me.
Chapter 18
I see you’re dressed for the party,” Kenneth says, folding his hands over his chest. I glance sideways at him, his short arms and pudgy fingers. The normally pleasant face that now represents oppression and torture. “I must say you are a vision in red, Miss Casella,” he adds politely. “It was a good choice.”
I scoff, and roll my eyes to the ceiling, not willing to accept his compliment with grace. “I’m not scared of you,” I lie. “You can’t hurt me.”
Kenneth glances at my invitation and then lifts his chin, murmuring out a “Hm . . .” that manages to be both condescending and menacing at the same time.
The elevator is painfully slow, to the point that it stops moving. Sweat gathers at my temples, but I try to stay calm. From what I’ve already learned, I’m guessing this is Kenneth’s doing. His manipulation. I turn to him again, the taste of disgust thick on my tongue.
“We’re leaving,” I say, folding my arms over my chest in an attempt to look stern. I’d rather have armor. “You can’t keep us here.”
“I’m merely the concierge, Miss Casella,” Kenneth says. “I have no authority over whether you remain at the Ruby.” He runs his gaze over me, weighing out his words. “My guess is the decision will be up to you. How eager are you to get to your grandmother’s house?” His lips twitch with a smile, and he turns to face the elevator doors like my fight to survive bores him.
“How do you know about my grandmother’s house?” I ask, although I’ve already guessed the answer.
“Your father has been very forthcoming with his problems,” Kenneth replies. “It’s therapeutic for him, you see. He’s lost and overwhelmed. Luckily for him, unruly children tend to behave in the Ruby. He begged me to let you stay longer.” He glances over with an amused expression. “Perhaps he likes you better this way.”
I swallow down the comment, unable to argue the truth in it. But what Kenneth doesn’t know is that I’ve already seen my choice. I woke up cold and alone on the side of the road and came back for my family. The fact that he’s unaware must give me an advantage somehow.
“Does my father know what you are?” I ask bitterly. “What you really are?”
Kenneth lifts one of his hands in a Who knows? motion. “Your father is quite deft at denial. I suspect he needed someone to talk to, and I was more than happy to fill the role. He’s enjoying the freedom the Ruby provides, the respite from his grief. I do believe he’s forgotten all about your mother’s tragic death. All about your tantrums and parties. All about his pitiful life beyond these doors,” he snarls, and straightens his posture. “Your father will never leave the Hotel Ruby, Miss Casella,” he says. “You should probably begin to accept that.”
I step back, and the fabric of my dress makes a swishing sound against my legs. Kenneth’s threat only succeeds in solidifying my bravery. “You’re not keeping him,” I say, pointing my finger in Kenneth’s face. In my other hand the invitation crumples in my fist. “No matter what he’s done, he’s my father. And I’m getting him and my brother out of here. You won’t stop me. You can’t.” I have the vague sense that I’m full of shit, but I’m too angry to stop now. “I’m going to walk into your precious party and grab them both. And then you’ll never see us again.”
Fueled by my rage, I step closer to him, closer than I’d ever normally want to be. “We’re leaving, Kenneth. And I’ll burn this place to the ground if you try to stop me.”
Kenneth’s eyes widen, and I can see the hatred seep out. His arms fall to his sides, and he lowers his chin slowly, his mouth puckered and turning white. He’s terrifying.
“You should be careful of the things you threaten, Miss Casella.” He hisses out my name, and I step back. “Your friends will be very sorry that you’d make such a callous claim.”
I furrow my brow, about to ask him what he’s talking about, but the elevator bell dings for the lobby. Without another word, Kenneth walks promptly through the doors and disappears into the crowd moving toward the party.
What did he mean about my friends? Is he going to hurt Lourdes again? Elias? I start to walk out, when Catherine appears at the elevator entrance. At first she looks dumbfounded by my appearance, but then she spins inside and presses the button for the basement.