Page 9 of The Caged Girl

My hand tightened around the glass as the ice melted from the warmth of my palm. “Alister…”

“You’re the first and only woman who has dared to call me by my name.” He drew his finger against my collarbone.

I rolled my shoulders back. “I’m not taking my clothes off.”

Gripping my wrist aggressively, he pulled me toward the fireplace. “Look up there. Do you see it?”

I followed his finger to the strangely crafted painting. It was textured and red. Squinting, I couldn’t understand what I was looking at.

“The lips of women who spoke back to me. Luckily, our in-house florist knew just how to preserve and dry them after I sliced them off their pretty little faces.” Alister sighed and crossed his arms.

I felt my throat close as he dropped his eyes back to mine. “I’d like to start work today.”

Taking my hand, he placed it on his crotch, and I could feel him becoming aroused. “Then who will tend to this and my other needs?”

I tugged my hand away and knew that I had to tread carefully with defiance.

The lips on the wall had my stomach tumble, even though my former boss had decorated with bones. Something about the way Alister had probably raped and kissed those same lips before ripping them off those innocent girls’ faces had my eyes watering. I knew those lips trembled in fear as he stole their lives away from them.

“Mr. Ivory, I kindly request that you allow me to do the job I was assigned to do here. As you know, I’ve always just wanted a place to live and a job. I know there are new guests checking in today, and I’d hate to upset the other…girls by disappearing and having fun.” I smiled.

Alister’s eyebrow lifted as he cupped my face. “My brother and nephews were right about you. You are worthy enough to be the favorite girl.” He tucked a straggling piece of hair behind my ear before snapping his fingers.

“Yes, sir?” I was startled by the woman in a flowy white gown.

“Take Demi to meet with the couple she’s been assigned to.” Alister waved me away.

Turning over my shoulder, I mustered the confidence to ask. “What are the black dresses for?” Referring to the cart he had a woman roll in, filled with various dresses.

Alister grinned. “You’ll see soon, my raven. So very soon. Off you go with my dear Sarah.” All these women looked so similar, I couldn’t tell if they were different girls or the same, and Alister was simply changing their name.

The woman beside me guided me out. She didn’t blink, her lips were thin with nude lipstick streaked across. Her hair was slicked back in a perfect blonde ballerina bun.

I silently followed her into the elevator.

“He’s not a bad man,” Sarah whispered with her fingers laced together.

I looked at her reflection through the glass in the elevator.

Letting out a small laugh, I grabbed her arm and took her by surprise. “You silly little girl… Don’t you know all men are bad.”

The elevator doors slid open, and we both stepped out. The resort was truly beautiful. It was pristine in every way. “Come quickly.” Sarah picked up her pace, but as I tried to do the same, I tripped over something. Not something…rather, someone.

“Oh my god.” It was Taylor from the orientation. She was on her hands and knees, sweeping with a hand-sized broom and tiny dustpan.

Tiny specks of sand were in it. Was she seriously being told to sweep sand?

“Sorry,” I mumbled and patted her shoulder.

Her eyes shot opened as she looked at me. “No, you’re not. You don’t even recognize me. You left us behind to die.” Her voice was raspy as she stared at me.

“Wh—” Memories of the caged girls from the Ivory estate flooded me. No, there was no way. She wasn’t there. Those girls… Those girls were meant to become brides.

“You left us all behind.” Multiple voices echoed around me as I was surrounded by a sea of white and green eyes.

“No, please no!” I screamed and slapped my hands against my ears.

A moment later, I felt a sharp sting against my cheek. “Shut your mouth.” It was my roommate, Marcie. She was standing there, staring at me with agitation.

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