Page 78 of The Favorite Girl

“You don’t look so bad yourself. I like the hair. And the color,” I pointed out.

“Ivory weddings are the only weddings that color is permitted. And the Davenports aren’t obsessed with all-white, so I got my hair back. Let me help you put your shoes on.” Walking toward the closet, he tugged the Nike’s out.

“Bradley, I can’t wear those.”

“They won’t be able to see them. Besides, tonight you’re going to need them.” He sank to the ground in front of me and lifted my foot up.

“Why will I need them tonight?” I whispered as I watched him slide my sneakers on with care.

“Because we’re going to run.” He slid the other shoe on and looked up at me. Then tugging a gorgeous, vintage-looking locket out of his pocket, he clasped it around my neck.

“What is this?” I asked, looking at the gold necklace.

“Don’t open it. If anything goes wrong with our plan tonight and you can’t take it anymore, it’s the only solution I have for you.”

“I don’t understand?” I rubbed at the locket.

“It’s a pill. It’ll be painless. But you cannot take it unless things become worse than death.” His voice shook as he said the words.

“You just have to promise me you’ll do whatever they ask of you. Don’t fight it today, Dem. I promise to get you out of here.”

“A car will pick you up after Conrad falls asleep. You’ll give him a glass of whiskey that will be laced. The whiskey is a tradition after…” Bradley clenched his eyes shut for a moment and I knew he didn’t want to say the rest.

“After Conrad falls asleep, a car will be waiting for you and will bring you to Charleston. When you get out and you see water and the big rocks, you’ll know you’re safe. I’ll have the boat and we’ll leave. Forever.” Bradley slowly stood and cupped my elbows. “If you’ll have me.”

“Bradley, you’re not joking, right?” I rubbed my lips together.

“No, Dem, we’re going to get out from here. I promise you.”

“What about Daisy?” I shook my head, knowing they’d go after her.

“She’s happy with Davenport. I can’t do anything else for her. She’s… she’s basically a living corpse. But, Dem, we have a chance to get out of this. We have a chance to finally live.”

“I love you, Demi.” He tilted my chin up and softly brushed his lips against mine. His soft scent of sandalwood and citrus woke something in my soul as I kissed him back.

I can feel.

“I love you too, Bradley.”

“Will you run away with me?” He smiled, and for a moment, I couldn’t help but grab his face and press my forehead against his.

His contacts were out, and his light brown eyes were filling with tears.

“I do, Bradley,” I whispered.

All I had to do was go and marry Conrad Ivory first. Lifting the locket between my fingers, I thought how Bradley knew if he couldn’t get me out, then death would be better than a life here.

CHAPTER

FORTY-SIX

I clutched the bridal bouquet of peonies and realized the perfume Mrs. Ivory had sprayed on me was from this garden. These flowers they forced me to hold as per tradition were all grown over the dead bodies of the girls who didn’t make the cut…

My stomach tumbled as I slowly walked down the cobblestone path and the soft music surrounded everyone. Two rows of guests were there—Bradley, Ian, Daphne, other random people I’d never seen, and then… Raina. I looked at her as she smiled at me. Did she not realize this was completely absurd?

Did she not think to call for help even though they paid her to help them?

Where were Jax and Kai?

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