Page 16 of The Caged Girl

“What do you mean, Russian roulette? And why does a girl die at the end of each guest’s stay? The fridge? Stocking it with what?”

Karina stood and brushed her hands down the tulle skirt. “Demi, this is all a fantasy for them and for him.” She pointed at a framed image I would have otherwise missed.

Alister Ivory.

“The men who come to La Gabbia are invited because they are pre-screened. They are the richest men—the ones who own, control, and are used to having everything their way. Their marriages are in shambles, yet they need it for an image. So, La Gabbia was built on the false notion that couples come here and find solace. These men all know what it really is. They know they get to descend into the darkness, doing anything and everything they’ve ever wanted to. Things you’d be too embarrassed to say out loud. They want to feel powerful and masculine. They are gifted a nightingale. We are here to serve and obey and to make their fantasies come to life. But at the end…Alister has them do one thing that seals the fact that he is the most powerful man in the world. He controls everyone, including all these men.”

“Showtime, ladies!”

One by one, the girls all stopped in front of the massive image of Alister Ivory, bowing their head and clasping their hands together.

He is their god.

Karina looked at me as a straggling tear fell down her cheek. “I’m only here again because my previous client couldn’t do it.”

“Do what?” My legs shook as I stood and watched how void of any emotion, they all were.

“He couldn’t kill me. So, they killed him. Then they hung him upside down on stage and let him bleed out as a warning to the other guests. Kill or be killed.”

CHAPTERELEVEN

One by one,we stood in meticulous lines. Everyone looked the exact same, with neatly pinned hair and black tulle dresses paired with black heels. I didn’t understand. There was no white anywhere like the top floors of the resort or at the Ivory house I was accustomed to. This was absolute darkness. I always thought I’d never be able to look at white the same way—that I’d be ruined and scared. But here I was, surrounded by darkness, and I realized there was more to hide here. There was more to fear here.

“Let’s go, nightingales.” Carlo straightened his shoulders and looked grim. As each girl walked past him, he tapped their shoulder.

Karina glanced back at me once more. “I hope the bullet doesn’t land on you.” She walked out the door, and I stood next to Carlo. I was the last girl.

“You’re in cage eight after the show.” He tapped my shoulder, and as I put one foot in front of the other, Carlo’s cold hand gripped my arm.

“Demi, they know who you are and what you’ve done to their family. I… It was nice knowing you.” Carlo’s brows knitted together as he sighed. My entire plan had always been to figure out what was here on this private island. I thought it was a place of solace for Bradley and me to finally start living. My heart ached every time I thought about him. I loved him. Maybe I still did. Knowing he was here after we both tried to kill each other in some way made me feel safer. It felt like we were both supposed to live and had a purpose.

The tulle was itchy on my legs as I stepped forward and left the dressing room. We were all ushered into seats in front of the stage where the empty cage sat. My heart began racing as I noticed the rest of the girls legs shook in fear. Suddenly, the screen behind the cage turned on and began showing black-and-white images of women in aprons, serving men. I looked behind us and my eyes widened. The male resort guests were trickling into the movie theater-styled seating with popcorn buckets in their hands. “Hey, what is this?” I looked at the girl beside me, wishing I was sitting next to Karina or someone I had already spoken to.

The girl looked at me with zero emotion and smiled. “Euphoria,” she whispered.

“What does that mean?” I hated this. I hated feeling like I was the mouse when I had sworn I’d be the cat this time.

Alister Ivory took the stage and stood in front of the cage. He brushed his fingers against it. Oh no, I couldn’t afford for him to see me. He’d have me killed. Glancing side to side, I dug my nails into the fishnet tights. I had on significantly more makeup and my hair was black. Alister had only known me as the blonde, bare-faced Demi in all white.

“Gentlemen, you have been meticulously selected to join us at La Gabbia’s Euphoria collection. This aspect of our all-inclusive resort is built on the belief that men must have an outlet. This program has been devised and revised for over a century, composed of the three Rs.

Rage

Release

Relaxation

“You see, in today’s day and age, men and women have become equals—too much of equals. It’s disruptive to the balance of our world. Women have always been created to be our submissive while men are dominants. The basis of human origin is sex. Sex is what men need to thrive and show status. As a strong believer in marriage, I do think the two don’t always run parallel to one another. Marriage is a bond between a couple that depicts more of an emotional care versus physical. It’s unfortunate, but true.” Peeking over my shoulder, I watch the men eat their popcorn and nod in agreement.

Meanwhile, all I wanted to do was run on stage and knee Alister in his crotch, so he’d never feel pleasure again. How could he love and appreciate marriage so much, but he was a perpetual bachelor?

“This program was designed for the men who build our society into the habitable, adaptable, and advanced civilization. Without the powerful, intelligent, and talented men, this world would be nothing. I know you don’t feel appreciated or desired after a long day of work. I know your wives nag you and taunt your masculinity. The laws that are put into place are toxic. You should be able to release your inner rage and urges in peace.”

Alister paused and looked in my direction. I dropped my eyes quickly and hoped under my breath that he didn’t see me.

Clearing his throat, he continued, “You see, my friends, ultimately when we allow a woman to have the privilege of being our wife, they alter and change who they are. They feel cherished and loved. They begin to stop taking care of themselves and us. Here at La Gabbia-Euphoria, I have built a program where you can release the natural urges all men have.”

“Tonight, we won’t have our usual performance. My star-performer is not feeling well enough to go into her cage.” Alister pointed behind him.

---