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CHAPTER NINETEEN

Alister was asleep next to me. I missed my room with Marcie. There was no discussion of me moving into his home, but suddenly, my small bag of belongings was neatly lined on the bathroom counter. A custom robe hung in the closet with my name on it, and even the slippers by the bed—which were my size—sat neatly on the floor.

I wondered where Bradley was and if he was okay? I needed to go back down to the lair that held the girls. I needed to understand how to help them.

My heart was racing as I laid next to Alister and waited to be sure he was asleep.

Sliding out of the bed, I tiptoed out of his bedroom and walked into the living room. The balcony doors were open, so I made my way and looked outside. I welcomed the warm breeze as I hugged myself tightly. The sound of the ocean crashing made me realize I had never gone down to the coast. After being saved from the ocean, I never thought to go back to it—not that I’d been allowed to leave these walls in the time I’ve been here.

I could have spent hours outside, soaking up the salty air and the silence that was only laced with the waves of the ocean.

But instead, I turned back into the penthouse and looked around cautiously before grabbing one of the cards from a bowl I’d seen. Alister had a stack of black metal cards I had seen him swipe to enter where he was keeping the girls.

I was wearing a lace, black nightie, but I knew it was too risky to look for anything more. I didn’t have much time.

Sliding into the elevator, I held my breath and was thankful for everything in this pit of hell being as silent as possible. Swiping the card, I hit the bottom floor button and watched as the penthouse disappeared behind the door.

Not even a minute later, it opened to the dark hallway. I could smell death in the air and feel the pain behind the doors. Slamming my hands against my ears, I sucked in a breath of air.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” I whimpered, seeing my sister’s bloodied face and then the girls I’d left behind at the Ivory estate when I fled and saved myself.

Taking deep breaths, I wiped away the tears streaming down my face.

Looking down at the card in my hand, my fingers shook as I took a few steps down and waved the card against the scanner.

The small red light turned green, and the door slid open.

A small rattle echoed against the floor.

Taking a few steps in, the door slid shut behind me. I could tell this wasn’t the main entrance to the floor. Flinging around, I panicked but then…

“Please…I miss my mom.”

Her voice was so meek, but I couldn’t see anything—it was completely dark. Putting my hand out against the wall, I kept walking forward.

“Ow!” she cried out as I jerked back and dropped down. Blinking repeatedly, I looked forward and then, she smiled.

I flew back and gasped as her teeth stood out against the otherwise pitch-black space.

“You’re not Marisha,” she rasped. I remembered Marisha—the woman with the long, dark hair in the black gown.

“No…no, I’m not.”

She wouldn’t stop smiling. I pushed back a bit and suddenly, she began crawling toward me. I could see the outline of her body move through the room.

“Who are you?” I closed my eyes as the fear felt like too much to handle.

“Please stop.” I felt a cold hand brushing against my face as I held my breath.

She traced my face with her bony fingers. “Name?” she asked, her voice regressing to almost a child-like one.

“Demi,” I replied. I could feel her breath on my face as she traced my face with her fingers.

“You’re so beautiful, Demi,” she whispered.

“How long have you been in here?” I shook as I felt the floor around me. It was warm and wet.

“Sorry, I couldn’t hold it.” She pulled her hands away and moved from me.

She peed. Squinting, I wiped my hands on my nightie, cringing as the pungent urine stung my nose and soaked my feet.

“What’s your name?” I stood and placed my hand against the wall.

“Caged girl number three,” she answered, and I could hear her moving around.

It was too dark and cold.

“Do they ever turn a light on?” I asked as I took a few steps backward, beginning to feel claustrophobic and anxious.

“I haven’t seen lights in months. I can’t wait to be a nightingale. I’ve heard there’s light when you serve the gentlemen.”

“I’m going to help you get out. Just tell me what your name is?” I asked again as my heart began to race. I needed to get out.

“Caged girl number three.” She laughed quietly. “Demi, I don’t want to get out. I want to stay here and serve. For the first time ever, I’m feeling peace. I used to jam needles into my arm, Demi…Demi…Demi.” Fear started to pool in my stomach as I pressed the keycard against the wall, but it wouldn’t open. Her footsteps grew closer as I panicked.

“Heroin?” I asked as I turned and ran my fingers against the wall in a panic.

“Mmm…yes.” She sighed and her cold fingers wrapped around my shoulders.

“I’ll be back.”

“Don’t leave me, Demi…Demi…” She pretended that her voice was echoing as she changed the tone. She began smelling my hair, inhaling loudly.

“Please stop.” I slammed my palms against the door until finally, the door slid open.

Stumbling out, I fell to the ground as the door quickly shut behind me. The small lantern that was lit was completely out, and I couldn’t see anything.

I pushed myself off the ground and leaned against the wall and began walking. Alister had brainwashed these girls the same way Ian had.

But the difference was, in some sick and twisted way, Ian Ivory created submissive brides. Alister Ivory was creating submissive sex workers, who were ultimately killed.

I think that was what scared me the most, knowing what I could see on the surface was so little compared to all the layers underneath.