Page 44 of Game of Revenge

He walked to me and caressed my face. I pulled away. I could not stand him right now.

“We will talk more about this when I come back. I promise,” he said before he darted out of the room.

I ran back to my room, dropped the ring on my nightstand, and got in bed immediately. I had to sleep. I had to sleep to stop feeling the indescribable pain that was threatening to tear me apart.

Chapter 19

I had barely shut my eyes all night. I couldn’t stop thinking about Alejandro.

I wasn’t completely sure that trusting the words of a kidnapper about not being a murderer was the right approach. But at the same time, I couldn’t fathom that this man would have it in him to take someone’s life. At least not without reason.

There was a certain permanence to an act like that, both in terms of the life taken and the life of the killer going forward. What I saw was a man in pain, mourning the loss of someone dear to him, not an assassin. If the life of others didn't mean anything to him, I was not so sure I would still be alive. He also didn’t have a good reason to lie to me. I was at his mercy, after all.

But he still was the man who’d had a group of people drug me and take me from my home. How could I want a man like this?

I still couldn’t help also wanting him with every single fiber of my being. Alejandro had taken possession of my body, and I was realizing that the man was dangerously close to taking possession of my heart. This frightened me to my core. I couldn’t have that. I just couldn’t. To allow oneself to feel this invincible, infinite pull to another was the beginning of death in my head. That was when one stopped being self-sufficient. This dependence on another being's life, mood, and affection was my worst nightmare, and wouldn’t end well. It couldn’t.

I told myself to be practical. How would a relationship with someone like that even work? What would he want from me? Some wife who would just have to deal with his lifestyle?

I reminded myself not to confuse a few passionate moments for a lifetime commitment. That was not what I wanted—ever. And why would someone like Alejandro ever want such a thing? He was the untamed, tall, dark, and handsome criminal who could have any woman his heart desired.

I was his captive. We had nothing in common other than the fact that certain circumstances had forced us under one roof for an indeterminate amount of time.

Dolores finally got me out of my misery with a very strong cup of coffee and some fruits for me to nibble on. I chose to sit in the sun, trying to strengthen my resolutions and feel less miserable. As I looked toward the hot tub, all the memories I was trying to ignore flooded me with burning desire and need. I could feel his hands, caressing and possessing my body, melting me into submission.

No. I wasn’t going down this route again. It was time for a good, cold shower.

After my shower, I opted for a comfortable pair of light-blue jeans with a simple white shirt. I decided to wear a pair of beige, lace-free, Ultra-Flex Skechers that Dolores had added to my ever-growing collection.

I had a lot to think about. I had been playing with the engagement ring for a while. Many women would have felt so happy to have a man like George, to have a ring like the one I was holding around their finger. But that ring didn't quite fit me. Not anymore, I concluded while putting it on my finger. It never really quite fit me, if I was being honest. But I forced myself to keep it on, a symbol of that life I should have been looking forward to going back to.

In the afternoon, I asked Dolores if it was okay for me to go walk a bit by the pool, and she said yes. I felt a lot stronger, and the doctor was very happy to see how I was doing when he visited earlier in the morning.

Before I embarked on my walk, I decided to eat my lunch out on the balcony. As I opened the door, I could hear voices coming from the pool area. I peeked a bit to see what was going on and saw a woman talking to a man.

Her back was turned to me, but her frame looked like Karina. The man seemed annoyed and was pacing. Finally, he stopped in front of Karina and kissed her on the lips. Karina did not reject him. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck. Who was this man? He was tall and very built. He was definitely wearing some sort of police uniform.

Paying closer attention, I saw a nameplate I couldn’t read, a badge, a radio, and a gun at his waist. This man was a cop—perhaps an undercover cop but definitely a law enforcement agent. Karina looked behind them, making sure they were alone, and grabbed the officer’s arm as they walked away. I made sure I was out of sight, and when they left, I went to sit down at the desk.

What the hell had I just seen? Was the cop looking for me, trying to rescue me? Why was he talking to Karina?

Clearly, he was something to her by the way they kissed. I doubted he was here to help me. If only Alejandro would trust me with more information, I would perhaps have a better idea of how to interpret what I had just seen. I wasn't sure if I should even tell him. I didn't know what he would do to Karina if he found out. Why would Karina try to help me in the first place? To get rid of me, perhaps?

So many questions with no good answer. When Dolores came to take me for a walk, I told her that I felt a little bad and changed my mind.

“Do you want me to call the doctor?”

“No, no. I’m just still a little tired, but nothing to worry about,” I reassured her.

I waited a few seconds before continuing.

“Dolores, what do you know about Karina?”

“Karina?” said Dolores with slight disgust. “She works for Don Alejandro.”

“You don’t seem to like her,” I pushed.

“No. She doesn’t know her place,” Dolores said with contempt.