Page 18

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

We were mostly silent the rest of the time. I helped curl Sage’s blonde hair as she did her makeup. She decided to reject the offer to have Kandi come in and do it for her, preferring it just be the two of us. I had to bite back the looming questions about Sage going shopping for a baby. Had I heard her wrong? Why did she lie to me about having children that lived with her already, and what did she mean that her uterus was stolen from her? She seemed like a genuine woman. But then again, when had I ever found someone who was truly the person they portrayed themselves to be?

“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.

“Why is everything dark? They even turned the small lights off.” I hated this feeling of terror while everyone else was blissful.

“Shh…” Marcie elbowed me.

“You see, here at La Gabbia, we believe that the bond between a husband and wife remains sacred and holy at home; but while here, we can explore and experience things that may be causing rifts. When your husbands were invited to attend our Euphoria program, we didn’t force them to bring you, their doting wives—they chose to.”

There was joyful chatter in the darkness as the women must have been so thrilled that their husbands wanted them to join them.

I rolled my eyes as I pressed my back against the wall. “I know many of you are here hoping you can go to our Life Center and meet your newest family member. Others are here to remember why you’re worthy of love.

“But ultimately, we are here to celebrate it all, and tonight, before we begin our ball to celebrate each of you, we have our very own special vow renewal between one of our couples that leaves in the morning after they have completed our sacred program.

“Of course, none of this is possible without the dedication of our team members, who we lovingly call our nightingales and our doves.” My eyes slammed shut as lights flashed above our heads.

The women all clapped for us, and Marcie whispered, “Curtsy!”

The lights cut off and a screen flashed behind Bradley, who I could now see clearly. He was wearing a fitted, three-piece cream tuxedo, and he smiled straight at me, although I knew there was no way he could see me.

“Now for our nightingales.” There were black-and-white images flashing behind him on the projector of young women wearing black tulle dresses, their long legs dipped into black heels. Their faces were void of any emotion and their hair was neatly pinned back.

“These ladies have been serving your husbands and are fully trained in working through the stresses a man can endure.”

There was light chatter amongst the wives, but nothing rage filled.

“You were told to sign an NDA to protect this safe haven we have established, and in exchange, you go home with a husband who is happy to be yours. Some of you will go home with a new family member, while others will join the waitlist. I hope each of you has been enjoying the full pampering and service you deserve.”

There was a spotlight on stage and the screen shifted to an image of a young couple. “This is Kim and Todd. They were married for eight years before Todd began showing signs of interest in his secretary. An emotional affair is far more daunting than a physical one, as many of you know.” Bradley paused and brushed his hand across his clean-shaven face.

“They’ve always wanted a child together, but Kim didn’t want to sacrifice her beautiful body, especially after Todd’s indiscretion. On the verge of divorce, Todd was informed about La Gabbia and had selected to attend our Euphoria program with a special invite to visit the Life Center with his wife. Today, they’ve completed their stay with us, and I’m so thrilled to help them renew their vows before they go to the Life Center.” Bradley took a step back as more lights flicked on.

A man and woman made their way to the stage wearing wedding attire. Kim was clutching a bouquet made of peonies, causing an innate response of anxiety to course through my body. But that wasn’t what had my heart pounding. It was Todd. His eyes were desolate as he walked across the stage to meet his wife in the middle. Kim was clearly giddy with excitement as she saw her husband and looked into his eyes while opening her free hand to him.

He looked down at it before glancing at Bradley. His eyes were tinged red, and I could see a bruise across his neck. Bradley’s jaw ticked as he shook his head slightly at Todd, who immediately straightened his shoulders and dropped his hand to Kim’s. I knew he had done something, just as Declan did and was doing. I knew he probably raped a corpse or innocent young woman. He probably made her do all the sick things he dreamt about doing to his wife.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the vision of God to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony. Marriage had been protected through the ages for the stability, trust, and holiness it brings to an individual, a family, and our world as one community. Once we join them in marriage, they are becoming a new family, and raising a life after is of utmost importance. We know we cannot simply gain a life without sacrifice, right, Todd?” Bradley paused and smiled at the tense groom.

Nodding too many times, Todd immediately looked at his wife’s hand—though he hadn’t once looked into her eyes.

I didn’t listen to the rest of the absolute trash Bradley was spewing. “You may kiss your bride.” Bradley was beaming as Kim leaned in, but Todd stood there, staring at her hand.

“They made me chop it off,” he whispered, but they were wearing microphones for all of us to hear their vows.

Kim squinted and leaned forward. “What did you say, honey?” She glanced at Bradley.

“They made me chop her hand off. She bled out slowly, Kim. So slowly and painfully. Then they said she’d be used for men who preferred an imperfect body. The room… They make you…” He started to weep, and Bradley immediately snapped his fingers. Two men dressed in all white suits raced up the stage to drag him away.

“Wait! Where are you taking him?” Kim shouted as she chased after her husband. There were gasps and gossip coursing through the other women, but every single one of us doves stayed quiet, as if we all knew what was coming. But just like the crowd, all of us were left in nothing more than the dark.