Page 37 of Caging Liberty

Naomi bumps shoulders with me. “At least fornow. We can’t get out of here if you’re locked in the basement, stupid.”

Fair point.

I consider it for a moment, then peek at the women again to make sure they aren’t listening. “Have you gotten any information that could be useful?”

Naomi shrugs. “Depends on what you mean by ‘useful.’ So far, all I’ve gathered is that this is a private island of rich people. We’re basically in a whorehouse right now, but if you call it that, they’ll get pissed.”

“Who’s ‘they?’”

Naomi nods to the three women. “All of them. I’m telling you, they’re brainwashed. Some of them came on their own, but even the ones who didn’t look at Sawyer like some kind of saving grace. One girl, Gina, literally told me the story of how he ‘saved her.’” Naomi rolls her eyes, but then her face goes serious. “I’m really glad you’re okay. I thought for sure the gunfire last night had to do with you.”

Blood flows into my cheeks, and I shift on the bed. “I’m not so sure it didn’t.”

She leans closer to me. “What do you mean?”

I glance around before responding. “Do you know a man named Mr. A?”

“Sure, I’ve met about four of them,” Naomi deadpans. “I’m pretty sure the ‘A’ is just the first letter of the dude’s name. You’re going to have to be more specific.”

“Tan guy, chestnut hair. Has a slight European accent. Spanish maybe.”

Naomi’s face stays blank as she waits for more.

“Oh, and he’s always in a suit. I think he’s a regular at the manor.”

Naomi shrugs. “I don’t know if I’ve seen him. Why? What does he have to do with last night?”

A knock sounds on the door, and I jump. Both our gazes move to the entryway just as the door opens and Sawyer steps into the room.

Naomi faces me and leans in to whisper in my ear. “I’ll see what I can find out.”

I nod before she pulls away and faces Sawyer.

“Morning, ladies,” he says, a kind smile on his face. I suspect it’s fake, but he’s a great actor.

“Good morning!” Lily exclaims. Two others follow her lead, and the women who were trying to sleep quickly sit up and fling the covers off themselves.

He scans the room until he finds me. His eyes flicker with something that looks like annoyance, and his smile falls when he sees Naomi next to me.

“Ivy, could you please come with me?”

I remain still until Naomi elbows me, and then I begrudgingly climb off the bed and walk to Sawyer, glancing over my shoulder at Naomi as I do. She eyes me with a clear ‘don’t be an idiot’ look.

She’s right. I’ve been handling this situation all wrong. When we were both in the cellar and Naomi started begging to be let upstairs, promising to be good, I tried to pity her, but what I really felt was disgust. It seemed like it took little for her to give up the fight. I’d thought she walked right into the lion’s den along with Anna.

But really, she’s the smart one. She’s been up here gathering what information she could about where we are and the workings of this place, and she’s right, I can’t help if I’m trapped in the basement.

I need to play along. That’s the only way I’ll figure out how to get off this island. All I really need is access to a phone, but who knows how long that’ll take?

As soon as I get my chance, I’ll take it. Until then, the best thing to do is lay low.

I resist the urge to scowl as I make it to Sawyer and peer up at him. I try not to flinch as he slings an arm over my shoulders and turns me to face the other women.

“In case you haven’t already been introduced, ladies, this is Ivy. She’s had some difficulty adjusting to our lifestyle, so it’d be kind of you all to make her feel welcome.”

“Welcome, Ivy.” Lily waves, beaming at Sawyer. I want to puke.

I force a small smile directed at Lily. “Thanks.”