Page 27 of The Caged Girl

“Declan and I may see each other tonight,” Sage said excitedly. “They said some of the husbands may not be there to keep things exciting. Plus, these masks are just darling!” She lifted her exquisite bedazzled white mask that matched her stunning ivory gown.

“I think this whole all-white concept is quite soothing.” Sage smiled at me through the mirror as she applied the signature nude lipstick all the female guests received in their welcome bags.

“Mm-hmm…” I nodded as I zipped the back of her gown and took a step back.

“I’m sorry.” Sage turned slowly and leaned her backside against the vanity.

“About?” I asked cautiously.

“I shouldn’t have been such a nosy bitch and had you hunt down and spy on the men. Whatever you saw was probably just men, well…being men.” She shrugged.

“Sage, I need to know how you both found out about La Gabbia and why you chose to come here.” I was nervous. She was already agitated with me, and she could easily snap and report me.

Sighing, she walked past me and went to the sitting area of her suite. It overlooked the ocean but had the glass between the cream boucle chairs. I knew she didn’t want to go out and mess up her hair.

“Sit with me, Demi. For once, I’m an hour early.” She patted the empty spot beside her.

“I was the daughter of a criminal. I never knew what wealth and love were like. My mom died from a drug overdose when I was young, and everything was a blur after that. I craved this life…one where you’re not fighting for your next meal. I was married and had a sex addiction that ultimately tore my family to shreds in many ways. I had always been attracted to men that pretended to love me but just hurt me instead. When I met Declan, I knew everything would change. But he wanted a baby more than anything. He chose me and knew I didn’t have a uterus. It was part of…recovery for me.”

Sage turned to me as the sun shone brightly in the clear, blue skies.

“I can’t give him a child of his own, and Declan was upset but he chose to marry me because he thought I was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Declan was worried because he wants our child to be perfect. He wants him to have blue eyes, blonde hair, and light skin, of course.”

I looked over at her. “So, your surrogate is here?”

Sage patted my hand. “You really are the new girl around this resort, aren’t you? They ought to improve your training, but perhaps that’s why they keep every department of the resort separated.”

We both looked back at the crystal-clear water. It was strange being so secluded on a private island where there weren’t laws or regulations. I thought I was in the Bahamas, but it turns out Ivory Island, surrounded by deep ocean waters, is its own piece on earth where there is quite literally no escape. La Gabbia had its own in-house hospital, security, and everything a human could need. Alister even had his own food and drink supplier, so he never had to go through a single person. He was the king of it all.

“I believe it’s time for you to take me down to the masquerade ball.” Sage tapped me.

I stood and nodded. “Yes, it is. I’m sorry I don’t know much about anything around here. I promise to research and know exactly how to best serve you tomorrow when you go to…”

“See my baby!” She clapped excitedly as I shuddered.

I couldn’t get the image of her husband raping a dead woman out of my head, or how he strangled me before almost doing the same to me. That man was going to be the father of an innocent child?

But I pushed through and forced myself to do what I always did when surrounded by the chaos the Ivory family created, and that was to pretend I was okay with it all.

* * *

The ballroom was all white with fairy lights and fresh peonies decorating the entire room. Every single woman was wearing a white ballgown that resembled a wedding gown, and suddenly, I realized this was staged to look like a wedding day.

It wasn’t a masquerade ball, it was…a vow renewal celebration?

“Ladies, please take your seats as soon as possible.” I looked at the stage and saw Jamie, one of the doves I’d met earlier.

“Come sit with me, Demi.” Sage waved over.

I shook my head because I watched the other girls line up on the side of the ballroom with their hands folded in front of them. “I will check on you soon, Mrs. Rothschild.” I moved out of the way for the other wives to sit down.

The lights dimmed as I took my place between Marcie and another girl. “I’m Lacey.” She smiled and wiggled her fingers at me.

“Shh…” Marcie shook her head at us as the room went completely dark and there were hushed whispers all around.

“Ladies, we truly hope you’re all enjoying Ivory Island and La Gabbia resort. When my uncle created this resort on his private island, he had one thing in mind and that was family. Making sure families stayed together, and those who wanted to become a family with children could do so privately.”

Everything became pitch-black, but I’d always recognize his voice. It was Bradley speaking.

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