Page 34

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

“As my wife, you are free to roam the grounds of La Gabbia.” I sat in the lace robe and sipped the piping hot cappuccino. The skin around my neck was raw and light bruises were already appearing.

I stared at the ocean in front of us. “Does everyone get an ocean-front balcony?” I asked, realizing that I was choked to near death as I consummated my marriage, and now, I was wondering about the varied views from the balconies of the resort.

Alister looked at me. “Every room has an ocean-front or ocean view; however, some come and request our…” he paused and smiled, “VIP floor.” I kept my eyes on the waves. “You should drink some peony tea today.”

“What is that?” I looked over and saw a woman with a small white steaming cup that I had seen before.

“This is Sarah; she will be your right-hand woman from this day forward. She’s here to help you navigate anything and everything you need.” Sarah was blonde with green eyes; she was wearing a short white dress with nude lipstick. Her icy, emotionless stare sent chills up my spine.

“Here you are, Mrs. Ivory.” Sarah handed me the cup of tea as I looked at Alister.

“It aids with fertility.” He smiled, and his eyes dropped to my abdomen as I took the tea.

“Are fresh peonies used to make the tea?” I asked calmly.

Alister nodded. “From our own garden here with top-quality soil. Sarah can take you there whenever you’d like. I find it very tranquil, and sometimes you can hear…well, the cries.”

“The cries?” I took a sip of the tea, closing my eyes, knowing the soil these peonies grew on came from pain and grew from death.

“Demi, I have business to handle today, so please feel free to enjoy a massage, pampering, and more. If you find yourself lonely, Sarah is here to fill in your day. I don’t want you to have to work right now, my love, but soon, I’ll need you to come with me to…help restock inventory.”

“Restock inventory?” I questioned as Alister stood and Sarah immediately bowed her head and dropped to her knees.

“It’s easier when a beautiful woman is there. They are more trusting.” He winked before leaning down and kissing my forehead. “Bye, darling, I’ll see you tonight.”

He turned away and I stared at Sarah, who remained on her knees. “You can stand up…” I whispered as soon as I saw him leave.

She nodded and slowly stood. “Would you like me to reserve your private session for the spa, Mrs. Ivory?”

I put the tea down and stood. “Actually, I’d like you to go back to your room and stay there. I’m going to lay down and nap a bit. I’ll call when I want to do something.” I forced a smile and yawn while stretching my arms over my head.

Sarah looked nervous but quickly picked up my teacup. “Mrs. Ivory, I just thought I could create the perfect day for you, and Mr. Ivory was very intent on me staying with you for the entirety of the day.” She backed away as I pushed past her and walked to the bedroom. My palms began to sweat when I saw the bed we shared last night and how I went unconscious after Alister choked me. He knew exactly how much pressure could leave me unconscious versus how much would kill me.

“Sarah, I am tired and do not want to be watched while I sleep. As you can imagine, last night was very…busy with my new husband, and I’d prefer to be rejuvenated when he sees me. Do you think he’d appreciate a grumpy wife just because you pushed me to go out?” I peeled my robe off and pulled the blankets back as Sarah quickly raced around and fluffed my pillow.

She began tucking me into the bed and stood back without any emotion. “I understand, ma’am. Please page me when you’re awake.” She tapped her nails against the small pager before turning away.

Closing my eyes, I pretended to fall asleep and waited for her to leave. I laid there, thinking of everything La Gabbia encompassed and what Alister had said. Was he right in saying that this was essentially a place where people could safely live out their fantasies and then go on to be normal, productive humans? Why was I convincing myself in his favor?

I got out of bed and made my way to the closet. Walking inside, the lights turned on immediately.

I sucked in a breath as I stopped in the middle. Every single outfit was all white. The platform shoes that made no sound were all lined up neatly in one section. Dresses, slacks, blouses, and then as I made my way forward, I stared down at the oversized island in the middle. All-white dog collars, in different styles, were displayed neatly. “Oh no,” I breathed out as I lifted one and read the engraved tag.

Demi Ivory . Placing it down, I knew I didn’t have much time before the day would end back into a night with Alister. Who knew how much time I had here or alive, given who these people were.

I turned the corner and the lights turned on again. Looking down, I noticed the floor had gone from white marble to black marble. The clothes and everything were identical, except now, they were all black.

I glanced at the oversized mirror and quickly peeled off my clothing before turning back and selecting a white dress. White felt safe to me.

Grabbing white lace gloves, I tugged them over my hands before brushing my hair and pinning it into a neat low bun. Quickly making my way to the elevator, I stumbled back as soon as the doors opened.

“Bradley.” I gasped at his bruised eye and swollen lip.

“Mrs. Ivory.” He glanced up in the corner of the ceiling. “I was asked by Uncle Alister to come and bring you with me today. He said there is an urgent need for an inventory restock and we need to take care of it today for our buyer.”

“I don’t understand.” I shook my head as he nodded for me to go into the elevator with him.

“You will soon enough.” We were silent the quick rest of the way up. I knew there was a high chance the elevator, and everywhere we went, had cameras.

The doors opened, but I didn’t recognize the floor we were on considering Alister resided in the penthouse. Opening a second door, I squinted as soon as the bright sunlight hit my eyes.

We were on the roof of La Gabbia. My lips parted as the wind blew my hair and I immediately held my dress down. The one-hundred-eighty-degree views of the clear ocean was surreal. But I couldn’t take it all in with the loud echo. Turning, I saw Bradley near a helicopter. “We have to go, Mrs. Ivory!” he shouted over the blades of the helicopter chopping through the warm air.

“Bradley,” I said, but knew he couldn’t hear me. “Let’s run away.”

He held his arm out and helped me get on as I looked at him with confusion. Handing me headphones, he slid his on before waving me to a small seat. The pilot was wearing all white and didn’t look back at us.

I buckled my seatbelt. “Demi, listen to me, what we are about to do is something you have to promise not to stray from. If we don’t successfully do this, then Alister will kill Layla, me, and many of the other girls.”

I adjusted my headphones and looked at him pleadingly. “What are we doing, Bradley? Let’s?—”

“There’s no running from this life, Dem.” He shook his head sadly. A single tear rolled down my cheek as soon as he said the words I already knew. “I’m sorry,” he added as I looked forward so I wouldn’t sob.

“Sorry for what?” I rolled my shoulders back and sniffled, feigning confidence.

Bradley put his hand over mine. “I’m sorry that most girls get to live out their dreams and you will only get to live out your nightmares.” I closed my eyes as his words pierced through my heart.

“How is she?” I asked as I wiped tears from my face.

“Nauseated, but unbothered for the most part. She’s good at dissociating and listening.”

“If Layla and I had any emotion about all this, then we’d never stay alive.” Bradley and Layla were literally like dogs being forced to breed babies and give them up. I looked out the window and at the ocean below. If I ran away once off this helicopter, I could start over. I could be someone else.

“He will find you. An Ivory never loses its property.” I looked at Bradley and touched the small mouthpiece.

“I’m not property.” I clenched my jaw and closed my eyes, letting my head fall against the headrest.

People condone lying. But sometimes the greatest survival skill is to lie just enough where you believe it and the lie becomes your truth. I knew I belonged to the Ivory family, and in order to keep Bradley, Layla, and the rest of the innocent girls alive, I had to stay. I was just another piece in Alister Ivory’s game.