“Jessa is more than enough backup,” Braxton said. My limbs warmed at his compliment. The Compasses spent so much time protecting me that I often wondered if they knew how well I could fight. I was trained, I could be a weapon. I just never needed to, because of my four-guard-men.
Scar-face stared at me for an extra beat before giving a nod. “Jessa, now I realize why your scent is so familiar. You remind me of my jailer … and I have such fond memories of Jonathon Lebron.”
Ah shit. Our flying under the radar had not lasted long.
“Your father is on more than one list in here, wolf princess,” he said as he stood. “I’ll be seeing you.”
He walked away. I wasn’t sure if he realized that he’d just lost our staring, dominance contest. Being a vampire, he probably didn’t care.
His threats had my heart beating a little rapidly, but panic didn’t settle fully into my limbs. No point inviting worry yet. If things were going to go to shit I’d deal with it at the time.
“Worried?” I tilted my head to see Braxton.
He grimaced before throwing down the last of the ass-food that had been on his plate. I couldn’t believe he’d managed to eat any of it.
“We’ll see,” he muttered as we dumped our trays and left the eating area.
He led me to the section of room that we’d walked past but I hadn’t explored, a gym and pool combo filled with many muscle-bound inmates.
“I need to work off some steam,” Braxton said.
I could see that he did.
I had a sudden thought. “Can you touch your dragon?” He didn’t seem to be suffering as badly as me.
He cocked one brow in my direction, before winking. Holy effing eff. Was he for real? I might have to beat the information out of him later when he couldn’t escape me.
“Can I swim?” I asked, sure he would say no, since he wanted me glued to his side. But he wasn’t the only one who needed to work off some steam.
“Sure. I’ll keep an eye on you from over here.”
That’s what I really loved about Braxton, he understood when to hover and when I needed space. It was hard for dominant men to ever give up their control, and Braxton rarely did, but on occasion he did with me. I left him on one of the weight machines and strolled the ten meters to the pool.
There weren’t many swimming in the crystal clear water. I decided to just go for gold, clothes and all. It was hot enough that the thin cotton would dry in no time. I dived in and powered down one of the lanes. I could hold my breath for a long time, so it was many minutes before I emerged and started to slice through the water. My limbs welcomed the strain. Exercise was a daily part of my life and I needed the release to calm the wolf and demon inside.
I almost swallowed half the pool when a sudden realization smashed into me. My demon. Was it still in there or did the security measures limit it also? I sent my energy down, passing my caged wolf who I knew was unhappy, even though I couldn’t feel her, and into that little dark space which I kept locked down. The demon rose and … well, rubbed against me like a kitty, although there was no way any feline could feel this dark.
I’m here, it seemed to whisper at me. For the first time I was relieved about this. Although I couldn’t shake the fear that if I freed the energy I’d never be able to lock it down again. But if it came down to Braxton’s life, I would not hesitate. Not for one fucking second.
I continued to swim, only breaking off as a dark shadow emerged beneath me. My heart skipped a few beats, then I recognized the massive shape. It was Braxton. I’d swum with him enough times to know what was about to hit me. I stopped swimming, throwing myself backwards and scooting in backstroke the way I’d just come. I had to get out of the water or he was going to … a hand grabbed my ankle, halting my frantic kicking motions.
Damn. Too slow.
Braxton’s arms came around me and he lifted me full bodily into the air. I went high, crashing back down and sinking close to the base of the pool. I was in fighting mode as I dived for him, my momentum enough to dunk him beneath the water. His face was close to mine and it felt as if his lips brushed my hairline. But before I could kick out to free myself, an alarm started to sound. It was loud, long, and easily able to penetrate the water.
I gasped in a few deep breaths when my head broke the surface. I narrowed my eyes on Braxton as he rose next to me. He looked as sexy as sin, all wet, clothes clinging to his hard muscles. Damn him. The dimples flashing in my direction. It was enough to undo any woman. Luckily I was immune to the Compass charms. Swear.
“Time to head back to our cell,” he said to me, his hand finding mine in the water.