Page 58 of His to Bedevil

Irma

Hours before the wedding…

Sitting here in the room where I’ll be getting ready for the wedding, I’m being pampered left and right. Hair, nails, makeup. Benita has been floating in and out of the room to check on me. She’s been making last minute preparations and overseeing everything to make sure it all goes smoothly.

There’re a few women in here with me now when there’s a knock at the door. “Come in!” I call out.

Alejandro steps into the room, and the women stop what they’re doing. Alejo only looks at me, and his gaze turns fervent. There’s no denying the sexual tension between us. It burns more and more with every encounter, with every stare. “I need a moment alone with my bride,” he states, never taking his eyes off of me.

The women immediately stand to their feet and exit the room, but I don’t miss the way they all check out Alejo on their way out. They tense in fear, but they stare in infatuation.

I’m watching him through the reflection of the mirror I’m sitting in front of as he closes in on me. My hair is curled but hasn’t been done up yet, and my face is still mostly free of makeup. It’s still hours before the wedding, so my nails were being done first.

Standing right behind me, he stares right back at me in the mirror. “I have something for you,mi amor.”

I lift an eyebrow and reach for my glass of champagne. “Oh, yeah? Well, just so you know, I didn’t get you anything. Since I can’t leave the estate or have access to the internet, it’s kind of hard to go shopping for a gift,” I say, just trying to rib him.

The corner of his mouth lifts a little as he takes something out of his pocket. “I don’t need gifts from you, my love. You’re everything I could ask for.” My heart flutters, and my sex heats. His words really hit me where I can feel them.

As he lifts whatever it is he pulled out of his pocket, I notice it’s a small box. He pops it open, and whatever is inside practically blinds me. Twisting around in my chair, I get a closer look. It’s a ring. An engagement ring, and it is the biggest diamond I had ever seen. Bigger than any diamond I have stolen, and I’ve stolen some pretty hefty ones.

“May I?” he asks, causing me to glance up at him through wide eyes. I nod silently, and he plucks the ring from the box. I’m too stunned to move, so he lifts up my left hand and slips the ring onto my ring finger, and I hear him sigh in relief. “It fits,” he murmurs, and studies it on my finger for a moment before letting go of my hand.

I stare at the ring and admire its beauty. The band is rose gold and covered in diamonds. The solitaire ring is an oval cut, and it glimmers and sparkles with every small movement my hand makes. “It’s beautiful,” I whisper.

“It’s eight carats. I hope you like it. I had it especially made for you,” he says in a low voice, and when I look at him, I can see that he’s waiting for my confirmation that I do like it.

“I love it, Alejo. Thank you so much.”

His eyes light up, pleased to know that I approve of the ring. Taking my chin in his fingers, he tilts my head back. “Anything for you, my love. I’ll see you at the altar.”

And just like cold water has been thrown on me, I blink away the silly fantasy I keep finding myself in and nod. “I’ll see you there,” I clip. Not like I really have a choice in the matter.

Leaning down, he kisses me softly on the lips, pulling away before I can even respond. Then he turns and leaves the room. Taking a tiny piece of my heart with him.

The women pampering me all gush over the ring and tell me how lucky I am. That Alejandro and even Lucas are both well sought after, and anyone would give their left tit to be in my shoes.Yeah, well, tellhimthat.He could easily find a more willing bride.

I’m pretty much all ready to go and just pacing the room, guzzling some champagne. All that’s left to do is attach my veil. I’m alone, and it’s not a good idea. I feel antsy and want to jump out of a window and run as far away as possible. The anticipation is killing me.

I’m doing this for Matches. To save his life.

I hear the door click shut and spin around. I see a beautiful woman sauntering into the room as if she has every right to. She’s tall and thin with slight curves. Her hair is long and blonde, elegantly curled down past her perky breasts. Her gown is black and glittery, hugging every curve. When I glance at her face, she’s assessing me just as I was her.

“Um, hello. Who are you?” I ask, already not liking the vibe she’s giving me.

“So, this is who Alejandro has decided to marry,” she says in a saccharine tone with her nose turned up.

Crossing my arms defensively, I thin my lips. “Again, I ask, who the hell are you?”

“I’m Ivanka Petrofski. An old friend of Alejandro’s.” She begins circling me like a shark, and I was right not to like her right away. I drop my arms and fist my hands at my sides, scathing and fierce. “You know, he didn’t mention a fiancée on his last visit to Russia.”

Now that she’s talking more, I can hear her slight accent. “It happened shortly after he got back. And why is it your business anyway?”

She stops in front of me, eyes like ice, head canted to one side. “I’m just very curious. How did you get him to do it? Who are you?”

Is this chick for real?

I frown up at her. Even in my four-inch stilettos, the woman still towers over me. “I’m just a woman who Alejandro set his sights on.”

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