I spin around. It’s the Secretary. But I’m not supposed to know that, since we’ve never been introduced. I step forward and reach out to shake his hand. “Hello, sir. Are you Raine’s father? Mr. Branson?”
“Yes, Secretary Branson. Nice to have you join the group.”
“I understand you recommended me. Thank you.”
“Shane LeGru can make poor choices but he’s a young man with potential. He comes from good lines. Possibly a good match for Raine—when the time comes. There are so few. And I was pleased to see your generous display with him. You might be a good influence on him and the others.” His brows rise. “Tell me, Locke. Will you be a good influence?”
It’s more of a threat than a question. I swallow. I hate this guy already. I hate everything about him. His patronizing attitude. His disingenuous smile. His weak handshake. His condescending voice. His ego. He owns the world, or thinks he does. But mostly I hate that he stole away Raine and told her she was trash.
I smile. I learned from the best, Dr. Gatsbro and Kara. I smile and I make it genuine, because I’m going to crush this guy. Crush him with everything I’ve got.
“I hope I might be able to share a few things with the others, sir, but I’m sure I’ll learn far more from them.”
“Good attitude, boy. Observe and learn. It’s gotten me far.” He glances at the time on an antique clock on the mantel and frowns—exactly seven o’clock—the appointed time of the meeting. I knew from the files that he was a stickler for punctuality and I made sure I wasn’t a minute late. “I apologize for Raine’s tardiness,” he says. “It’s unacceptable. She should be here to greet her guests. Hap tells me she’s having a clothing issue, which is still no excuse. I assure you it won’t happen again.”
As we’re speaking, more guests arrive, Vina, Ian, Shane LeGru along with his father, whom I expected to come, and finally Cece. Introductions are made, and we make small talk as Dorian serves refreshments. The Secretary is clearly becoming more impatient with Raine’s absence. Just as he’s whispering something to Dorian, Raine rushes into the room, stopping conversation.
“Sorry for being late.” She briefly glances at the Secretary but then avoids his gaze—for good reason. He’s not taking this well. I watch his hand tighten around the glass he’s holding, wondering if he’ll break it.
Her hair is loose and pleasantly unkempt like she’s been out in a breeze. She wears a thin lavender-flowered shift that barely covers the top of her thighs. One sleeve dips off her shoulder
. Her lavender sandals are light-years from the sturdy black loafers she usually wears in public.
She’s radiant. And now that I know who she really is, it’s as if I’m seeing her for the first time all over again. Rebecca, I want to say. Your real name is Rebecca. I stare at her lips, so much like Miesha’s. That means the rest is Karden. Every time the Secretary looks at her he must see Karden too. I wonder how that makes him feel? If Karden is alive, does he throw that up in his face? That he’s raising Karden’s daughter? What kind of torture has he put Karden through? Something much worse than my centuries of silence?
“Pardon us, please,” he says and he grabs Raine by the elbow and briskly pulls her into the foyer. The others instantly resume conversation, almost on cue, like they know not to interfere with the Secretary and his daughter.
I only have a side view of both of them, but I can still read every word.
Would you mind explaining?
I’m sorry, Father. I had my clothes laid out for the evening but—
But what?
I spilled tea all over them. And my others are—
Then you’ll wear the wet ones. Go change. You look like a whore.
But, Father—
Are you speaking back to me?
She lowers her eyes. No, sir.
He yanks her back by her elbow as she turns to walk away. There will be consequences for this, Raine. And pull your hair back before I cut it off myself.
I force my clenched fist to open and relax as he returns to the group and smiles. “The teen years. So trying. You understand, don’t you, LeGru?”
LeGru’s lips pull back in a skeletal smile that makes my skin crawl and he agrees heartily with the Secretary. Big surprise.
“Continue on,” the Secretary says to the rest of us. “Mr. LeGru and I have business to discuss in my study. Dorian will get you anything else you need and Raine will return shortly.”
Everyone in the group responds with thank-yous and the groveling replies that the Secretary expects as the two of them walk away and disappear down a long hallway.
I feel sick. I know why Raine did it. She did it for me. She didn’t want me to see her in the drab institutional getup that the Secretary insists she wear, especially now that I’ve seen the other side of her.
“Excuse me,” I say to the others. “I need to use the facilities.”