Page 48 of His to Bedevil
He gives me a tiny smirk. “I know,chapara. Don’t think I feel sorry for you though. Let’s go.”
I dramatically roll my eyes and follow him into the building. It’s exactly what it sounded like. It’s a training facility for their foot soldiers. “So, what would you like to do first?”
I shrug my shoulders as I look around in amazement. The men all give me their scrutiny then quickly mind themselves and look away. “I guess I’ll start with some free weights.”
He nods and directs us over to where there’s actual exercise equipment. When we approach the wall of mirrors where there’s a rack of free weights, I notice every man in there stops what he’s doing and clears the room without a word. Right now, I’m a little thankful for it. I don’t need an audience while I work out. Especially because I barely weigh a hundred pounds now soaking wet.
I pick up some fifteen-pounders to start out with. After the way I felt from the run here, I obviously need to take it easy. “I’ll be over there.” Lucas gestures his head toward what looks like a boxing ring, where two men are already sparring. “Will you be okay on your own?”
I nod my head but keep watching the guys in the ring. “Yeah, thanks.”
Turning my gaze back to the mirror, I watch the guys fighting in the reflection as I do my workout. I can’t help but wish I were in the ring sparring with someone. I’ve taken boxing and martial arts since I was fifteen years old, shortly after I ran away from the last foster home. I lived on the streets and became quick at mastering the art of pickpocketing. With the extra money, I would take classes, and sometimes I would even sneak my way into them without paying. There’s nothing like knowing how to defend yourself with your bare hands. Especially for someone my size, it’s easy for men to overpower me with their strength alone. So, I need to be furtive and well trained.
Once I’ve worked up a pretty good sweat, my curiosity gets the better of me when Lucas steps into the ring. He gets in and faces two other men, and I have to see this up close. I head over to the other room and stand there to watch from several yards away. With my arms crossed and my mind open to observe and obtain any new information I can, I witness the two men try to take down Lucas. It’s like two flies trying to take down a tiger.
It’s amazing to watch Lucas fight. For his size, he somehow moves with such grace and anticipation. So agile on his feet and sprightly. This is obviously just for fun for all of them because no one tries to land any brutal blows. They still land a few hits, and there’s some bloodshed, but Lucas definitely holds back as if he’s toying with them. Luring them in so his strike won’t be predicted so easily.
It’s disappointing when the trap never goes off, and they all call it quits when his two components can barely stand on their feet. Lucas is grinning, but it’s not the warm grin he’s shown me before. It’s a menacing one. One I would imagine a tiger has when he proves that he is the top predator of the forest.
His eyes shift over to me, and he raises his eyebrows. “You want to get up here,chaparita?”
I gnaw on my bottom lip for a moment then nod my head before my brain catches up. “With you?” I ask as I approach the ring.
He offers a hand to help me inside. “You want to fight me,nenita?”Little girl.
I’ll show you a little girl all right. “You or anyone really.” I stand with my hands on my hips and my feet shoulder-width apart.
“I’m afraid I’ll be the only one to accept your challenge. Everyone was told that if a hair is harmed on your pretty little head or if a finger is laid on you, they’re dead.” His deep voice is loud enough for those close to hear.
“Then I guess I’m stuck with you,” I concede. I was really hoping I could face someone at least a little less challenging, but it won’t be completely laughable, since he already underestimates me. He may have heard what happened on the day I was caught, but he wasn’t there to actually witness it.
“I’ll spar with her.” I hear a male voice behind me, and when I turn to see who it is, I realize it’s Diego.
Diego approaches the ring with smooth confidence and hops up. Grinning, he steps in front of me. He’s just about six feet tall, and right away I know I can take him. I already kind of did. “I don’t think so,papa,” Lucas says, stepping forward. “You don’t want to get your pretty little face messed up.”
Lucas receives a scowl from him in response. “You think I can’t take her?” Diego asks in disbelief.
Lucas shakes his head. “I mean by Alejo. If he finds out you sparred with Irma, he’ll mess you up.”
Diego faces me again and sizes me up. I take a moment to do the same. He’s definitely fit and also very handsome. But not as much as Alejo.Dammit, why do I keep comparing everyone to Alejandro now?
“I’ll take it very easy on her.” He smirks, and I give him my most devious grin.
“I can’t promise you the same,” I reply. “You do remember what happened to you last time?”
He chuckles and shakes his head. “I know better now.”
“But now I won’t be outnumbered. And I was more trying to escape, not kick your ass.” I smirk.
He chuckles again. “You going to kick my ass,chapara?” I keep the same smirk on my face and nod my head. He shrugs. “Okay, let’s see what you got,mami.”
We go to opposite sides of the ring and stretch. Bouncing up and down on the balls of my feet, I shake out my hands and roll my head on my shoulders. It probably isn’t the smartest thing to do to take on a challenge like this when I’m still not completely recovered, but the invitation was too enticing to pass up.
When Lucas steps out of the ring, he tells us to go for it. I don’t even hesitate as I stride toward Diego and fake a right hook. Predictably, he dodges it, and his chin takes the left uppercut I had coming. His eyes widen in shock when his head snaps back. I hear men laughing and jeering in the background. Already thoroughly entertained.
Holding my fists out in front of me, I narrow my eyes at him. Hardly giving him any time to recover from the shock, I go to punch him again, but this time he’s very aware that I might actually know what I’m doing, and he dodges my next two blows. But he doesn’t anticipate my roundhouse kick to his face. He manages to dodge it at the last second, so my foot just grazes his cheek. It’s enough to know he needs to be more alert with me. Grinning, he stands in a defensive stance and rocks foot to foot. Loosening up more.
“Okay,mami.” He smiles and bounces up and down, shaking it out.
