I wipe where he touched and shiver, then pull to a stop to catch my breath. “That was mean!” Making a show of a very real whole-body shudder, I pretend that’s because of his snake joke, but I hate when he places his hands on me.
It’s all about twisting the truth, and he believes me by the grin on his face.
“You do not like snakes?”
“Nobody likes snakes.”
“This is not true.”
“Well, it’s true for me.” I’m sure those will be words I regret someday.
I should know better than to give him any ammunition to use against me. If I don’t watch out, or he ever gets tired of me, I might just find myself chained inside a snake pit.
Benefield’s presence increases my stress. I come out here, not because I enjoy running. I’m not a runner, or a jogger. I come out here to escape the oppressiveness of The Retreat. Instead of releasing stress, he builds upon it.
Since he appears to be able to run and talk at the same time, I use that to my advantage.
“Tell me about your country.”
“What do you want to know?”
“Anything. I don’t know anything about my new home.” His stride falters, but he recovers quickly.
New home? The thought makes me want to gag.
“There’s not much to know.”
“Does it all look like this? Valleys and jungles?”
“Colombia is a mountainous country. You’ve heard of the Andes?”
“They’re here?” I glance away from him.
Benefield goes on to describe his country in great detail while the miles pile behind us. I learn all about the Andes, the coastal lowlands and the central highlands.
We’re in the central highlands, surrounded by lush rainforests, which sucks. If I ever escape, I’ll have to find my way through dense jungle.
He says most of the people live in the mountainous west, which means there will be very few nearby who can help a runaway. No doubt, most of those people work for Benefield, and will be more likely to return me for a reward than help me escape.
As for my knowledge about Colombia, the geography lesson is good. All I know is what I see. The Retreat lies in a valley with steep hills all around. Impassable jungle sprawls over those hills. There’s one main road in and one road out. I’ve yet to explore the entire perimeter, but I’m slowly changing out my runs to see as much as I can.
As for the ten-foot wall, it only covers the front of the estate. Massive, and intimidating, it comprises less than a fraction of the entire perimeter. Not that the boundary doesn’t continue. Instead of a wall with guard towers at the top, ten-foot electrified fences with video surveillance take over the job of keeping unwelcome people out and the guests inside.
Sweat beads on my brow, and I blink away the salt as it drips into my eyes. Hot and sweltering, steam rises off the ground from the morning rains. I’ve grown used to the humidity and draw in the thick air, taking in the wonderful scents of the outdoors.
The running path I picked today is one of the ATV paths through the jungle. I keep my step light, my pace comfortable, and my eyes alert.
Although Tomas is with me today, I’m checking out a part of the grounds I haven’t visited before. My shoes splash in puddles along the dirt path. Muddy water covers the backs of my legs as my arms pump and my chest expands with the illusion of freedom on every breath.
The jungle thickens around me, forming a canopy overhead, which blocks most of the light. Sunbeams shine through the thick foliage where tiny bugs flit and dance together. The squawk of a macaw sounds in the distance, answered by the hollering of monkeys in the hills. The chirping of birds and the happy croaking of frogs round out the symphony.
My attention fixes on the road ahead, eyes alert for any snakes which might cross the dirt trail ahead of me. Although, as the branches hang lower, they’re more likely to be slithering through the trees.
Somedays, I feel invigorated, as if there’s a chance of escape. Other days, like today, defeat surrounds me. There’s no way I’m getting out of this hellhole. Not for the first time, I wish for a guardian angel—someone who will rescue me.
I thought to charm the guards, using my beauty to my advantage, but to the guards, Benefield is Boss. They speak his name with reverence, almost as if they worship his power and status. They’re not going to help me.
When I use his more familiar, first name, the men look at me with confusion. They don’t understand it, but they respect that my status is not the same as the other girls.
While it turns my stomach to speak his name, I use it to my advantage. Some way, somehow, there must be a way to escape. I devote every waking minute to discovering my way out of this hellhole.
Speaking of Hell, each day, I’m presented with a schedule. Mornings are mine to do as I please. I spend them scouting the grounds, going on runs beyond the second set of walls. When not running myself ragged, I retreat to the spa, or the palatial pool, where I show off my good behavior to the guards.
They ogle me, which is what Benefield wants. He loves parading me in front of his men, touching me as much as possible while they obsess over what they can’t have. He likes it even more when I reach out to touch him. I find that vile and disgusting, but there’s no way around it.
My wardrobe is nothing I would normally wear. While all the important bits are covered up, I’ve never worn such revealing clothing in my life.
And I’m no prude.
I have a nice body, blessed by my mother’s genetics and my father’s roguish good looks. In the past, I liked to show it off. Now that I’m forced to do so, I find myself in the odd position of feeling incredibly shy, almost demure.
The guards don’t understand why Benefield allows such leniency with me, but they respect it. They admire me, but they’re not dumb enough to trust me.
I will find no allies among them.
So, if not them, who else? The guests?
Doubtful. Those leeches are here for one thing, and one thing only. No way are they going to help free a slave. That’s all they’ll think when they see me.
Honestly, that’s all I am. I’m a glorified slave to a monster.
This day can’t get any worse.
“My dearest Evie, I have news.” Tomas chugs along beside me as our run comes to an end.
“Yes?” Light and pleasant with my reply, I brace for whatever he wants to say.
“We’re having a special auction this month. Our guests begin arriving in three days. I want you to help me greet them.”
I practically trip over my own feet.
“Of course, it would be my pleasure.”
My heart races as we stop at the guard shack. I hold out my hand as the guard removes the tracking device from my wrist. With a smile to Tomas, I take his arm and reenter the gates of hell.
“Whatever you need…” My smile lifts all the way to my eyes because I’ve learned how to lie. “I’ll be right by your side.”
“I’m counting on it.” He leans over and kisses my cheek, then leads me back inside his hideous domain. “I have developed a great fondness for you over these past few weeks.”
I lower my gaze as if overwhelmed, but I’m really fighting the urge to claw out his eyes. “As have I.”
I can’t stand the woman I’ve become, and I hate the man beside me. But this is my life—for now.