Hearing this spirit mention being able to kill, wasn’t something Ten heard very often. “Which is where Kurt comes in. You get him to do your dirty work, and what? Sit back and watch?”
“There’s no greater joy than watching bitches suffer. It’s even better when I’m the cause of their misery. You wouldn’t believe how many dumb women believe coming on vacation tothis place will cure everything wrong in their worthless lives. Husband fucking another woman? Let’s go on vacation! Mother-in-law moving in? Let’s go on vacation! People who got fired, are in trouble with the law, or feeling too stressed out, they all come here looking for a magic bullet to make everything better. The only bullet they need is one between the eyes.”
“Okay, got it. Leave Lainie alone. Anything else?” Ten asked, impatiently.
“I would watch that attitude if I were you. Kurt would be more than willing to kill you and that brat instead of Lainie. Maybe that handsome husband. Or maybe that little boy of yours. Your friends and their kids. The rest of the people staying at the hotel. It would be so easy to turn on the gas and make Kurt light a match. One word from me and they’realldead.”
Ten stood silently. Anything he said to dispute the spirit’s ability to make his dark wish come true was just going to make the spirit angrier. Ten believed that Kurt was completely under this spirit’s thrall and that he’d do whatever was asked of him. “What’s his reward in all of this?”
“What?” the ghost asked, annoyance creeping into his voice.
“It’s obvious you’re a psychopath. You get off on hurting people. I would imagine that the only thing that excites you more is the control you have over Kurt. From all accounts, he was a great guy before he came to Hurricane Point. Now he’s a monster.”
More laughter from the spirit.
“So, I’ll ask again, what does Kurt get out of this? Did you promise him money? Fame? All the women he could screw?”
“You’re such a moron. Kurt getsnothing. He walks away with his life. Do not doubt for one second that if I gave the command, he’d hurt himself for me. Not just hurt, but-”
“Enough!” Ten snapped, not wanting to hear any more of the ghost’s diabolical abilities. “You asked me to stay away from Lainie and I’ll do that exact thing, but I need your word that you leave my family and my friends alone.”
“It’s cute that you think, I’ll bend to your will. Know this, one false move and you’ll pay.” The ghost laughed. “Wait, no, yourdaughterwill pay. There are worse things than physical harm. I could get inside her mind and break it.”
Ten wanted to laugh. He didn’t believe for a moment that the ghost could do anything of the kind. He had the ability to somehow hypnotize Kurt into doing his will, but Ten had no doubt that Kurt was still there, fighting against this possession. He was even more convinced that this spirit couldn’t touch Everly. He was obviously scared of her abilities, that was why he’d seemingly had his bullseye on her. The ghost was a bully and the best way to deal with him, for now, was to give him what he wanted. “I said I’d stay away from Lainie, now get the hell out!”
The beep from the hotel door key being inserted startled Tennyson. He wondered how much of that conversation Everly had heard.
“Who were you yelling at?” Ronan asked, ushering Jude and Fitz into the room.
“I’m not sure.” Ten shook his head. “It was a male spirit that wouldn’t identify himself. I couldn’t see him. He warned me to leave Lainie alone and that the people I love would be in danger if I didn’t.”
Everly wrapped her arms around Tennyson. “We didn’t have such a good morning either.”
“What happened?” Ten asked.
“Kurt was arguing with Lainie in the Taproom’s kitchen and he slapped her. She begged us not to call the police, but we did anyway. After what you said last night about something worse coming, I didn’t want Kurt here with Lainie if we could help it.” Ronan sighed and took a seat on the sofa.
“God forgive me, but you did the right thing.” Ten stood up and shook out his hands. They felt numb. His entire body did. “The spirit told me that he’s the one controlling Kurt and that he’ll hurt anyone the spirit commands. The ghost mentioned turning on the gas and lighting a match.”
“There’s more,” Ronan said.
“There’s more,” Ten agreed. “He threatened all of us. One of us in particular.” If he lived to be a hundred, Ten would never forget the way his heart stopped beating when the spirit threatened Everly.
“The spirit said he could break my mind, but I’m stronger than he knows,” Everly said.
“Did you hear all of what the spirit said?” Ten asked, praying that Everly hadn’t.
“I did, but there’s something you don’t know,” Everly said with her usual grin.
“What’s that?” Ten asked, not knowing if his daughter was being brave or had a way to combat the spirit and his threats.
“He’s scared of me.” Everly grinned.
“Scared of you?” Jude asked. “How do you know?”
“I’ve felt him around since we got here. It takes a lot of energy for him to keep himself invisible to me. I could feel hate and anger, but I didn’t know where it was coming from at first. I figured it out this morning when I saw Kurt grab Lainie’s hair and shove her. It wasn’t Kurt. It was this other spirit. He hates me, but I won’t let him win.”
“Neither will we, honey.” Ten wrapped Everly in his arms and held her tight. He wanted to pack their bags and get the hell out of this place, but knew Ronan and Everly would want to stay and fight.
