Page 6 of The Caged Girl

“I’m sorry, you must have me mistaken with someone else,” he said as he pulled me away from the couple.

“Brad…”

Declan cleared his throat behind me, but my body was trembling with fear. Should I scream? Run? What…

“Demi, we can have a chat later, but I must get our valued guests, Mr. and Mrs. Rothschild’s, luggage to their room.”

My head was light, and I could see little specks in my vision as my hands went cold.

Bradley smirked at me before rolling the designer luggage away.

“Demi, I hope you aren’t making our wonderful guests linger in the front of the resort?” Alister Ivory appeared in a three-piece suit, his eyes low and dark as he looked at me.

He brushed his hand across my face before using his index finger to tilt my chin upward. “Demi?” His voice shifted from threatening to concerned.

“Bradley,” I whispered and lifted my eyes to meet Alister’s. His dark brows knitted together as he looked at me with an expression I had hardly seen someone show toward me.

Worry. Alister Ivory was worried about me.

“Mr. and Mrs. Rothschild, I’ll have another one of my precious doves assist you. My Demi is a bit new to the job and will be right back to serving you as soon as she takes a moment to recuperate.” Alister laced his fingers with mine and led me away just before snapping his fingers three times toward Jamie, who immediately lifted a phone to call whom I assumed was my replacement.

I felt as if I were walking through a tunnel. As soon as we turned down a few hallways, Alister led me into an elevator that was painted all black, except for the gold trimming and buttons.

Looking up at the ceiling, I saw it was mirrored and Alister’s eyes caught mine.

“Bradley,” I repeated, as if it were the only word I knew.

“That was not my nephew, Bradley Ivory, Demi.” Alister adjusted the gold rings that he always wore. I didn’t think I’d ever paid attention to the many tattoos that covered his hands.

He was such a stark contrast to Dr. Ian Ivory, who was obsessed with the color white. Here I was, already seeing black and white splattered throughout. It had to mean something…

“Yes, it was.” I stared down at the white-padded shoes I had on my feet. Why did Alister want some of the girls in white when, clearly, he favored black and dark tones?

“Bradley Ivory was my brother’s bastard. He died with you in the middle of the ocean.”

My head turned to Alister as the elevator stopped and the doors opened. I tilted my head in confusion. “Died…with me?”

Alister took my hand and tugged me out of the elevator.

Cornering me against the wall, he stared at my lips. Brushing his thumb against them, he leaned in close, and I pushed my head further into the wall.

His minty breath blew against my mouth. “My brother’s precious little bird died there in the ocean, but was reincarnated as my perfect raven.” My breathing stilled as he leaned in close enough for our lips to almost touch, but he didn’t kiss me.

“Don’t you dare think about touching me,” I murmured, looking straight into his dark eyes.

A devious smile grew on his face as he lifted his hand and wrapped it around my neck. Instantly, I grabbed his hand and tried to pry it off, to no avail. Choking, I tried to plead with him as the smile stayed on his face and he tightened his grip.

Digging my nails into his hands, tears streamed down my face.

“Don’t you dare think about speaking to me like that, Demi. I will cut you up into pieces, fry you, and serve you as an appetizer to our guests. Do you understand me, my beautiful little raven? They do love a good piece of brown meat.”

Nodding, he released his grip and cracked his neck from side to side as I doubled over and gasped for air.

Drool dribbled out of my mouth as my eyes burned, but I didn’t dare look up at him.

“When you’re ready, you can join me in the library.” His shiny black dress shoes clicked against the all-black marble flooring as my back slid against the wall and I sank downward. Sucking in breaths of air, I lifted my head when I knew he’d turned away. This was a penthouse in the resort. Breathtaking panoramic views of the crystal-clear ocean was all around me, but the rest of the house was decorated in nothing but black with gold accents.

“Demi…don’t keep me waiting,” Alister crooned out. Pressing my palms against the cold floors, I forced myself up and began walking.

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