Page 25 of The Caged Girl

“Where are these girls even coming from?” I knew for a fact that Ian was trafficking girls through the man who my parents had sold my sister and I to. But this…this seemed far more detailed, far more complicated.

“These girls are addicts.” The door behind us slid open and I turned around to face a gorgeous woman with long black hair and a black lace gown. “I’m Marisha. Alister has asked me to make sure you head to Mrs. Rothschild immediately before returning to Euphoria.”

I looked at Kandi and Taylor. “What are you going to do with her?”

Marisha tapped her foot impatiently as I stood there, waiting for an explanation.

The silence taunted me.

“Did you know that Marilyn Monroe’s corpse went missing for ten hours?” Marisha stared at me as my forehead crinkled with confusion.

“No. I…I don’t really know much about her in general, let alone facts about her death.” I knew the agitation was clear in my tone, and I swore I could smell death circulating around me.

“A group of men…wealthy men were said to have taken their turn with her.” Marisha opened her hand to me.

Looking at her palm, I shrugged. “They raped her dead body?” Placing my hand in hers, she wiggled her free hand at Taylor and Kandi, who were whispering and working on curling the dead girl’s hair.

I watched the door shut behind us as Marisha glided and stood out against all the white.

She smiled at me. “You really do look just like her.”

“My sister was here, wasn’t she?” I fought the violent rage in my body where I dreamt of killing everyone, one by one, until they told me what had happened to her.

“I guess you could say that.” Marisha quickly turned before swiping her badge.

“I thought only white was allowed up here?” I tugged at the white dress I was wearing.

“You’re right, Demi. I’m just your shadow, and shadows are usually dark, aren’t they?”

“Marisha, I’m begging you to tell me about my sister.”

“I thought you’d want me to finish the story about Marilyn Monroe so you could better understand this business?”

I nodded, knowing no one would tell me about Layla. I hated even picturing my sister’s face because the last image I had of her branded into my mind was when she pleaded with me to end her life with the rust-tinged knife after our trafficker had brutally beaten and attacked her.

“There’s a large group of wealthy men who have fantasies, Demi. Disturbing to some, but empowering to others. They are untouchable in the world, and having their fantasies come true is how Alister Ivory has made billions of dollars. Do you know how much money men will pay to be able to have judgment-free sex with…”

“A corpse?” I swallowed and fought back the nausea that was coursing through me.

Marisha sucked in a breath as we walked out into the lobby. “Yes. Now go, Demi. I must leave.” Marisha turned away as I followed her line of vision.

It was Sage Rothschild, Declan’s wife. I had just seen her husband beat and rape a dead woman. Averting my gaze, she filled the space between us with her white caftan flying behind her.

“Demi! Where the hell have you been?” Sage tilted my head up.

“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Rothschild… I was assigned to help out.”

“You sneaky little bitch. You did it!” Sage let out a laugh before crossing her arms. “You got to the bottom floor where the men go and play, didn’t you?” She was truly beautiful. Her face was glowing and her shiny blonde hair sat in perfect waves.

“Why did you and Declan decide to come here?” I looked around nervously. There were more couples checking in.

“Demi, is everything okay? Is Declan okay?” Sage tilted her head and looked at me with immense concern.

“Mrs. Rothschild…” I began as my heart pounded against my chest. This woman had a family with the man I saw down there. I saw a normal, everyday kind of guy turn into a monster.

“Demi.” A cold hand snaked around my back. Turning around, my lips parted as I looked into his eyes. Bradley.

“How…” My voice cracked as tears filled my eyes. “I knew it was…” I began, but he cleared his throat.

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