Hotel Ruby by Suzanne Young Read Free Book Online

awful.”
    â€œA bit of both, I think.”
    â€œI hope you never have to be that kind to me.”
    We reach the deserted front desk, and I flash Elias an apologetic smile. “Don’t think I’ll be here long enoughfor us to reach any official status, so you should be safe,” I tell him.
    Elias turns, resting his back against the counter so he can look out over the lobby. “I’m not afraid of commitment,” he says.
    â€œI am.”
    â€œGoddamn, you’re interesting.” Elias peeks sideways at me, a wry smile on his lips. “Let me steal you away for a little bit. Give you that tour.”
    I’m seriously considering his offer when the door to the back office opens and Kenneth walks out. He smiles brightly, like he’s pleased to find us waiting. Elias glances back but doesn’t acknowledge him. Kenneth doesn’t miss a beat, though.
    â€œMr. Lange,” he says, nodding to Elias. “Ah, Miss Casella. You’re still here. What can we do for you?”
    This is actually way more awkward than I considered. I take a step away from Elias and pull the postcard from my back pocket. “I was looking to mail this?” I say in a hushed voice. I slide the card across the counter, and Kenneth stares down without touching it. When he doesn’t respond, I clear my voice to sound steadier. “I don’t have any stamps,” I say. “I thought maybe—”
    â€œI’ll take care of it right away,” Kenneth says, folding his hands in front of him. He doesn’t go on, he doesn’t check the address. I wait a long moment, but his face is a portrait of pleasantness. I thank him and turn to Elias, wideningmy eyes to let him know the concierge is being weird.
    Elias’s lips hint at a smile, but he straightens them and nods to Kenneth politely before taking my hand to lead me away. When we’re across the lobby, his fingers slide from mine, the sensation sending chills over my skin. We both look back to where Kenneth is standing. He watches us, but then the concierge picks up the postcard and disappears into the back room.
    â€œOkay,” I start, “what is the deal with that guy?”
    Elias groans like he has no idea where to begin and really doesn’t care to. “You already told me you wouldn’t be here long enough to send me a very polite rejection,” he says. “So you shouldn’t spend your time guessing the intentions of the concierge. What you should do”—he holds out his hand—“is come with me.”
    â€œAnd where are you going?” I ask with mock suspicion.
    He laughs and lowers his hand. “To hell, probably. But first I was thinking of sneaking you around the Ruby. Kenneth will hate it.”
    â€œI thought we weren’t going to spend our time worrying about him.”
    â€œI’ll do the worrying for us both,” Elias says. “Kenneth’s only concern is making sure the Ruby runs properly. He also likes to check in to make sure I’m not getting into trouble.” Elias purses his lips. “I always seem to find it, though.”
    â€œYou should try exhibiting some self-control.”
    â€œWhere’s the fun in that?”
    Getting into trouble with Elias sounds like an interesting way to spend my Wednesday afternoon. But I don’t really understand why he’s at the Ruby. Does he live in a hotel?
    â€œWhat exactly do you do here, Elias?” I ask with a laugh. “Unless you’re Eloise, I highly doubt—”
    He takes my hand again to tug me forward. “Later,” he says with a mischievous smile. “Because right now I have a completely inspired idea, but”—he glances back at the desk to check for Kenneth—“we don’t want the concierge to see us.”
    â€œSounds like you’re looking for trouble again.”
    â€œIndeed,” Elias says. We walk into the hallway, and I crane