“I’m sorry about Bradley. I didn’t know, sister. I didn’t know. I just obeyed Alister’s demands, and Bradley…” Layla looked to the floor.
“He’s a good man.”
“A baby…” My hand brushed against my sister’s stomach. “Do you love Bradley?” I asked her, knowing we didn’t have much time left.
She offered a small smile. “I’ve only ever loved one person in my life, and that person has always been you. But with Bradley, I felt safe, and I suppose that feeling safe with someone is its own kind of love. I just didn’t know you and Bradley had a love story of your own, so sister, I promise you this child will go to its rightful family, and I’ll beg Mr. Ivory to seek a different man to breed with.”
The way my sister was speaking crushed my soul. She had been brainwashed. “I don’t love Bradley.” I forced myself to say. “Layla, I need you to lay down and turn around for me and trust me.” She looked at me curiously as I guided her to her small cot. Laying my tote bag out, I tugged the bottle of alcohol, a small sewing kit, and a knife.
She jerked away in fear. “Demilion!”
I covered her mouth and begged her to trust me. “Please, Layla. It’ll hurt for only a moment.” After a few minutes of pleading and explaining to her why I had to do this, she sobbed and held me in her arms, trying to change my mind.
I slid the blade carefully into my sister’s shoulder blade, right under the matching raven tattoo. She began bleeding, and I calmly grabbed the gauze and dug around as she cried out in pain, but bit down on the makeshift gag I had stuffed into her mouth.
There it was. The fucking microchip that was what dogs have inserted into them. Stitching her wound up messily, I prayed she’d have a chance to be seen by a real doctor, but at least now we weren’t two animals. We were two human beings.
“I love you.” I held her in my arms and handed her the rest of the items in the bag.
Looking down into it, she pressed her forehead against mine. “I hope to see you soon.”
Shaking my head, I knew I’d never get to see her again. This was it. I was going to be free.
CHAPTERFORTY-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.
