Page 47 of His to Bedevil

Sighing, I shake my head. “I have plenty of boring books and movies to entertain me,” I mutter. If I’m lucky, the ennui will suffocate me.

He frowns for a second then steps back into the doorway. “I’ll be back to check on you later.” I nod and let him close the door behind him.

Changing out of my swimsuit and changing my tampon, I throw on some workout clothes and crawl into bed with the heating pad and a heavy sigh. At least this is the comfiest bed I have ever laid in. The luxurious mattress, fluffy pillows, and warm comforter all put together make me feel like I’m lying in a cloud. When I close my eyes, I can pretend that I am, and that I’m floating far away from this enormity of a nightmare.

Later that evening, I have dinner downstairs with Lucas and Benita, and she informs me that she has someone flying in tomorrow with wedding gowns for me to try on. I tell her that I trust her with the rest of the decisions for the wedding if she doesn’t mind making them. She’s more than happy to do so, she and Juanita.

Lucas walks me back up to my room when I’m ready to call it a night. “I have a question,” I turn and ask Lucas, standing just inside the bedroom. “I’m sure with the size of the estate and with your and your brother’s impressive physique that you have a gym here.”

He grins and nods his head. “We have a training facility here, yes.”

“A training facility?” I ask, raising my eyebrows.

“Yes, for all the guards to train in.”

“Huh.” I cross my arms and look away in deep thought. “Well, can I possibly work out there tomorrow?” I ask, looking at him again.

He shrugs his shoulders. “I don’t see why not.”

I smile up at him. “Awesome. I’ll be ready after breakfast.”

He smiles back. “I’m looking forward to seeing what you got,chaparita.”Shorty.

I roll my eyes because it’s not like I haven’t heard that one before. He chuckles and tells me good night.

Climbing into bed that night, I can’t help but notice how empty it feels. How am I already used to Alejo being in bed with me at night? It’s been, like, a week, right? I actually have no idea how long it’s been. When I was being held in that cold and empty room, it was too easy to lose track of time. No windows and no clocks. Then when Alejo brought me inside his home and into his bedroom, I was in and out of it for a while. All I know is that it’s been over a month now since Alejo captured me. And in that short time, Alejo decided that he wants to make me his wife and keep me for however long he wants me.

And at this rate, he will become an integral part of my life.

Irma

I’m just finishing up my breakfast when Lucas comes in. I don’t even care that he didn’t knock as I jump to my feet, all too eager to get a workout in today. Not only do I enjoy working out, but it’s necessary. It’s how I keep my body looking the way it does, and also, it’s important that I stay strong. Whether I am in here or out there, my life is in danger no matter which way you look at it. And I cannot sit in this room any longer without climbing the walls.

“Ready,chaparita?” I nod my head and stroll out of the room with him hot on my heels. “The training facility is just under a kilometer from here. We could take an ATV,” he explains.

“Or we could get some cardio in.” I beam up at him, and he cracks a smile.

“Don’t get any bright ideas,chapara. I know I may look like I’d be slow because of my size, but I’m fast. Faster thanyou.” He points a finger at me in chastisement.

I raise a challenging brow at him. “How do you know?”

“You want to find out?”

I nod my head, grinning. “You’re on,asere.”Buddy.I’m feeling full of energy today and so ready to spread my wings.

Lucas chuckles and shakes his head at me, but as soon as we reach the stairs, he puts on his stony mask again. Once we hit the flat ground outside, I begin stretching while Lucas puts a finger up to his earpiece, and I hear him informing whoever is listening to stand down. I guess if he didn’t, they might think I’m making a break for it.Not yet…

“Ready?” he asks me, then points in a direction. “About a kilometer in that direction. Just follow me,” he teases, making me roll my eyes. “I’ll even give you a head start,chapara.”

“That would be a big mistake on your part. We go on three.” It’s been over a month since I’ve done anything physical, but I’m feeling pretty good right now. Well rested and energetic, closer to my old self.

I stand in a running stance, and he counts down from three. As soon as he says one, we’re both off. I pump my arms and legs as hard as possible, and my hair is flying behind me. The way my heart begins pounding and the fact that I don’t see Lucas at all is invigorating. I see a path begin, heading into some trees, and figure it’s where we’re headed. My feet hitting the ground even harder, I pick up some more speed, and I’m grinning from ear to ear. He honestly thought he could beat me. I may not have long legs for bigger strides, but I sure can move them quickly.

Just then, I see movement in the corner of my eye. Lucas catching up and quickly making it in front of me. He runs as if the speed he’s going is totally effortless and requires little exertion. Every stride for him is like three for me. He throws me an unctuous grin over his shoulder and manages to put even more distance between us. So, I pump my legs even faster, but it’s not getting me any closer to him.Dammit, the huge fuckerisreally fast.

It doesn’t make me give up though. I continue to push myself to run harder and go faster, and moments later I get to our destination shortly after Lucas does. He stands there hardly out of breath with his arms crossed, waiting for me wearing a smug grin. When I come to a stop, I bend over with my hands on my knees and try to catch my breath.Fuck, I’m already so out of shape.

“In my defense,” I say between deep breaths, “I’m a little rusty. You may not have been there to witness my demise, but I was stuck in a dungeon for weeks and starved half to death.” I plant my hands on my hips. “I’m still recovering.”

---