Page 39 of Fall

"Yeah, you okay?" Izzy asks, and we go silent.

"My waters just went, and I need a section. I can’t have this baby naturally after what happened with Jake–” Maisy says in a nervous tone, and we all quickly get up. Someone turns the lights on as I help Maisy up, and Allie is on her other side. Maisy’s leggings are soaked, and so is the sofa.

“Any contractions?” Allie asks Maisy, who shakes her head.

“Only one little one, nothing serious and nothing like how quick they came on last time,” she says, holding her side.

"In my car, and you call Seb," Allie tells Izzy, who nods. She rings his phone several times as we get Maisy into the car.

“Is he coming?” Maisy asks Allie as she goes to shut the door.

“He will be there,” I tell her gently, and she nods.

"He isn’t answering, I bet he can’t hear it over the music of The Cage," Izzy says once Allie shuts the door.

There is only one thing we can do; one of us needs to get to The Cage.

"Okay, I will drive there. Does anyone have the directions?" I ask, and they all look at each other.

“I will drive Maisy to the hospital, and you get Seb there now. No matter what," Allie says, and we all nod at her as she goes and gets into the car.

We watch her drive off before Emilia says, "I know how to get there but can’t drive as I’ve had a drink."

"Then I will drive. Izzy will stay and look after the kids," I say, and Izzy nods her agreement. I know she doesn’t want to go near The Cage, and I don’t blame her.

I look down at my leggings and long, red top and have no idea what the dress code is for The Cage. I look at Emilia in her black hoodie and black jeans, knowing that it can’t be too dressy.

"I need to grab my jacket," I say, heading into the house. I find my leather jacket, pull it on, and grab my keys.

Izzy walks past me, still trying to call one of the guys, and I hope she gets through to one of them in time. She stops and grabs my arm to stop me from walking away.

“I will keep ringing, but Harley won’t be happy to see you there. Be careful,” Izzy tells me, letting go.

I don’t have to say anything to her as I turn and walk toward the car.

"How do you know how to get there?" I ask Emilia as she gets into Harley’s spare Range Rover. The car is perfect and new, making me think it isn’t a spare like Harley said it was when he let me borrow it.

"My dad, he works there and so does the rest of my family. It’s a long story, but I’ve always known about The Cage," she says quietly.

“What do they do there?” I ask.

“Jobs for Arthur mainly, and even I work for him from time to time.”

“What do you do for Arthur?” I ask her, hoping it’s nothing to do with the brothers because I would never be able to forgive her if it was.

“Dancing, I pole dance for his clients sometimes. My mother does it, too, and it’s something I don’t have much of a choice in,” she tells me, her hands tightening on her seats.

"Do the brothers know that?" I ask, wondering if they know Emilia is close to The Cage.

"No . . . Well, Luke does, but I would like it if you didn't say anything to the others," she tells me.

"I’m your friend, I’m not saying a word," I comment, and she smiles at me.

I pull the car out of their long drive and listen to Emilia’s directions to The Cage. I’m surprised that it isn’t that far away from town; it’s in the middle of a deserted road. The empty road pulls out into a packed carpark and a massive warehouse sits the back of it.

"This doesn’t look like The Cage," I say, commenting on how I expected it to be different.

"Make no mistake, Tilly, this place is as rough as it looks, and I need to be honest with you, you need to be quiet in there and let me speak," she tells me.

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