Page 55 of The Caged Girl

“Why can’t we just call the police? There has to be someone,” I whimpered as he scrubbed my arms and body.

“Demi, the most successful people in life know two things: everyone has a price tag, and everyone has something or someone to lose. When you know the answer to those things, then you hold the power to destroy them. Alister Ivory knows that and more. He has the police trembling in their boots if they get on his bad side. He owns this island, so who would come? Some of the guests here are federal agents and police officers.”

“So, what am I supposed to do, Bradley? How can I save these girls and my sister?” I sank deeper into the water until it brimmed my chin.

“You know what you’re supposed to do. You’re supposed to realize Layla sacrificed her life for yours. You’re supposed to realize that this is it, Demi…for all of us. There’s no saving the nightingales, the doves, the caged girls, the favorite girls; there’s no saving me or you. This is our reality. The sooner you accept it and stop acting like some one-woman army, then you will live your life and let all of us live, too. Because if you don’t, Demi…he will slaughter her and me and air us to dry out the way he does to the rest of them.” Bradley began draining the tub and turned the water back on.

“Some people have to learn to accept that there will be no light in their life and that they simply need to adapt to living in the dark. That’s us.” Lifting the attachment, he washed me off.

“I don’t understand what Layla did for me. She led me to the Ivory estate in Charlotte. She ruined my life…” I removed the sunglasses and blinked repeatedly.

“Do you remember Trent?” Bradley filled the tub with clean water and continued to rinse me off.

My chest tightened at the mention of his name. “Of course, I remember the monster who turned Layla and me into caged girls before we ever met an Ivory.” Trent was the man my parents trafficked us to. He kept us in a closet in an apartment in Nashville, where the music from the bar below radiated so loudly, no one could hear us screaming. He’d rape, beat, and attack my sister. He’d withhold food and force Layla to do unspeakable things to save me.

“Trent is an Ivory—was an Ivory. He’s Alister’s cousin’s son.”

My lips parted as I felt sick to my stomach.

“Demi, you just don’t understand how much this family is interconnected; they’re everywhere. You can run, but you will never be able to hide. Look at what happened to us in the ocean. You tried to kill me, and then we were found by Ivory employees. Every boat, car, plane, train, everything that an Ivory touches is tracked. There is no way out.”

“But what does this have to do with Layla?”

“There’s two positions that an Ivory cannot fill and must be filled by women the men will marry or reproduce with.” He paused as I covered my breasts with my arms. Now that I could think somewhat clearly, I felt embarrassed to be on display in front of the man who took my virginity—and who I’d just seen have sex with my sister.

“What are the two positions?”

“The favorite girl and the caged girl.” He brushed his hand through his hair. “The favorite girl marries the son—in your case, it was Conrad. You were supposed to be the perfect wife and take over the family business. The caged girl is sent here to Alister’s private island, where they reproduce as back up inventory for wealthy couples. The caged girl is also the girl who sets an example for the nightingales, the doves, and any other woman who steps foot within these walls of what happens if you don’t obey.” Bradley took a deep breath.

“Trent told Layla that being selected as the main caged girl was basically being dead while living. It’s hell, Demi. You don’t understand how much Layla’s gone through. She was in sensory deprivation, both light and dark. Then she’s had…”

“She had what?” I asked while tears streamed down my cheeks.

“Demi, you’re healthier and genetically better than her, according to the medical records we have on you both. Trent told Layla that you were going to be sent here, but she refused. So, she set everything up for you to get away. She wanted you to kill her, so she’d never have to be the caged girl, but Trent found her in time. He saved her to send her here and make his money.”

“She wants you to be the favorite girl because that means you get to rule beside him. You get to live a life of luxury.”

I looked at the soapsuds in the bath. This wasn’t survivors’ guilt, this was just…living guilt. Guilt that I was alive, and Layla had done all this in order for me to, what? Get the better position in the Ivory family?

I turned and looked at Bradley. “Why us?”

“Conrad, Alister, and Ian saw you both from the binder of girls that have been trafficked. Everyone blurred together. Many became the prisoners or caged girls that you saw, and others are here in the morgue for…other purposes. But you and Layla had something the Ivory’s craved. You both spoke to them from the pages. You reminded them of their mother, who was loving but also the most loyal woman in the Ivory family.”

I let out a dry laugh. “We are living the American dream, aren’t we?” I wiped away the tears from my face. “What do I do now? How can I help my sister the way she helped me?”

“Just be Alister Ivory’s favorite girl and an amazing wife, Demi.”

“Why should I do that?” I shook my head.

“Because Layla is pregnant.”

My eyes met his in shock. Sadness washed over his face. “There’s a client…Mrs. Rothschild. That’s why she came in to see us. She wants a mixed child with excellent genetic makeup. Nearly perfect.”

“But I just saw you together in bed. How is she already pregnant?” I sniffled.

“Demi, we’ve been together for a while now. We are nothing more than breeders for Alister, but we are also married. The only way Alister will let us both live somewhat peacefully is if you keep him happy.” Bradley held my hand in his.

“We’ve been through a lifetime together, and yet, we never got our chance. I want you to know everything I did was to keep you safe, to keep us safe. When we got here, Alister forced me to marry Layla. He wanted you to see me with her and know there was no chance for us. Alister is obsessed with power, wealth, proving himself worthy, and most of all, well…you.” Bradley pressed his lips against my hand.

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