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CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

Bradley did show up. Of course, he did. I released a long breath and stood in front of him. “You just can’t stay away,” I mustered up the courage to say with my hands up as he grew closer to me, even though I just wanted him to wrap his arms around me.

Bradley opened his palm to me. “Let’s go home, Demi.”

“Home?” I laughed dryly as I looked at his hand.

“We can make one together, finally.”

Nodding, I licked my lips and smiled. “Home,” I repeated the simple word that meant nothing to me. How could it? I’d never had one. I had given up all hope for one. You can’t possibly miss something that you’ve never had but some reason I did. I missed the idea of a place so happy and welcoming that I’d never want to leave it.

“Alister offered me the private plane to go back to Miami. Ditch the boat and come with me.” I took his hand and led him to the plane.

“You look beautiful, Demi. I know he gave you a week, but I think we can make it out there on our own. I’ve already set up the fake IDs, the spot in Mexico, and money has been moved. We are going to leave this life once and for all.” Bradley looked around nervously. I was scared too, thinking Alister would appear at any moment, or a camera was watching us. I had to keep moving.

“What about Layla and the baby?” I questioned.

Sadness grew across his face as he looked to the floor. “If there is one thing Alister won’t let go of is his original captive. His caged girl. The sale of our baby will seal his future in custom-pro?—”

I flinched. “Don’t say products. Don’t refer to your child as a product.”

“How else can I survive knowing my own flesh and blood will be sold…the same way his or her mother and aunt were. Demi, sometimes disassociating from it all is the only way we can survive.”

I brushed my hands against the white lace dress and tugged out the oversized white hat, placing it on my head before sliding my sunglasses on.

Bradley smiled as he watched me adjust it. “Your favorite hat.”

“I forgot one thing, but I’ll be right back.” I gave Bradley a quick hug before climbing down the steps and hiding in the shadows.

The suitcases were being lifted onto the plane and the pilot who I had paid off with the help of Sage Rothschild agreed to keep Bradley hidden in the cockpit in case Alister boarded to see me.

I stood and looked at La Gabbia. From the outside, it truly was a gorgeous all-inclusive resort. It looked like the perfect escape, the perfect getaway. A stunning all-white exterior that was hugged by palm trees. But inside of it was where every nightmare was made true, even though most guests thought their dreams would be the ones granted. The wealthy were bored, and this luxury resort was their playground.

Goodbye, La Gabbia as we knew it. I had some revisions in mind.

* * *

brADLEY

Demi was quiet as the plane took off. The oversized hat she always loved was covering her face, along with the sunglasses. She looked beautiful in the white lace dress, and it felt symbolic to where our story began. For the first time in my life, I’m not scared to forever leave the Ivory name behind, and it was all because of her. Demi has always fought to escape and survive. She’s always wanted to live a life of her own choices. And because of her, we’d both get to. I let her have her time, but once we were long gone from Ivory Island and the plane was soaring through the clouds, I squeezed her hand.

“I’m glad we didn’t take the boat; a plane always has room for Jack and Rose,” I said playfully before tugging her hat off.

My lips parted as she turned to me and, even with her sunglasses on, I knew it wasn’t her.

“Layla…” My voice cracked as she slid her sunglasses off. Tears flooded down her face as she cried for Demi.

“I’m sorry, Bradley, but she convinced me to take her spot. She said if I didn’t, she’d kill herself. She did it for us and the baby,” she rushed out as if I wouldn’t give her time to explain.

I sank my head back and closed my eyes in a state of shock as tears rolled down my own face. Reaching over, I held her hand in mine.

“Demi…” I shook my head. She could have saved herself but instead, she sacrificed her life to save the three of ours.

Layla and I sat in our seats, crying silently. “He can track you…the baby…”

I felt panicked but she shook her head and lifted a small metal microchip. “Demi outsmarted everyone and gave me hers; she has mine. Alister said it was a rule that once a caged girl was chosen, she could never leave. The caged girl was the Ivory’s property and losing her was a sign of failure. After rejection from his own brother and dad his entire life, he would have never let me go. I’m so sorry, Bradley, but I took her offer because…” She looked down at her stomach and I nodded.

“I know, I know…” I breathed out.

“It just hurts too much.”

Alister was going to kill her and now, there was nothing any of us could do to save her.