Page 75 of The Caged Girl

Alister’s eyes darkened. “Kidnapped? My raven, you don’t understand. They weren’t kidnapped; many of them were sold by their own parents, much like you and Layla. However, I distribute them to happy, wealthy homes…”

“The children I found in Miami and the rest of them… Are you planning on taking them all?”

Alister tossed his head back and laughed. “As much as I am the best all-inclusive resort with many services, there are a few others that do offer a few similar ones. No one has the Euphoria program, of course. No one has the white and dark therapies or intricacies I do…”

He was proving himself to be the best. There had to be other resorts that were selling children and trafficking women.

“So, no, those children are spoken for. Ask for something else.”

“Let Bradley and Layla go.”

Alister’s breathing grew crass as he scratched his head and rolled his sleeves. “Look, my beautiful raven…”

More tattoos had been added to his forearm. My entire face covered a massive part, and then I was surrounded by a dove, a raven, and a nightingale.

“I love you, but no.” Alister poured whiskey into his glass. “Choose one person.”

I flinched. “You’ll let one go?”

He lifted the glass to his lips and sipped the caramel liquid. “Yes. If you promise me to do what I tell you tonight.”

“I promise,” I whispered.

“Who will it be? Layla or Bradley?”

My hands were shaking as I looked at Alister. “Bradley.”

His forehead creased, and I continued, “Layla is pregnant with the Rothschilds’ baby. We need her to be here and fulfill her duty. I don’t want La Gabbia to lose money over a silly personal connection.”

“I choose Bradley to leave. I’m honestly sick of having him lurking around. It’s uncomfortable for me.”

Alister started at me intently with amusement. “My loyal wife. Your wish is my command.”

He tossed the rest of his whiskey back and then grabbed my hand. “Let’s start our evening, shall we?”

* * *

Alister had me put on a winter coat before we went down. “Where are we going?” I asked.

“A buffet of sorts.” Stepping inside, I stood in the middle of the black-and-white-checkered floors. There were rows and rows of drawers in alternating colors: white and black. A ladder was put off to the side. The scent of formaldehyde and bleach floated around us, and the frigid temperature let me know we were inside the morgue.

An in-house morgue at the lavish La Gabbia resort.

“Choose our girl, Dem.” Alister nudged me. “And then Bradley will taste his freedom.”

“Choose her for what?” I sniffled.

“Each has a tag with her face, race, name, weight, height…”

I looked up at him. “Alister, choose her for what?”

“To spend a night in our bed. I have fantasies, too, Demi. It’s unfair that all of these men come to my resort and make their desires come true, but now, as my wife, and all that I do for you, like let you breathe and survive…well, it means you must repay me.”

I walked toward one wall. My eyes stung with tears as I saw the images from the hallways.

“Oh no…” I said quietly so he wouldn’t hear. Brushing my fingers against them, I saw all the girls I had met here. Karina, Taylor, Sarah, Jamie, Anu… “Alister, they were amazing at their jobs. They were my…”

“It’s a liability to have the same girls know all our business, Demi. They serve while alive, and then they will serve a new purpose.”

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