Breaking Free (14 page)

Jamie felt
oddly nervous stepping into her gym with Devlin. She had only briefly mentioned it the night before. She turned around with a crooked smile. “So, this is it.”

He nodded as h
is eyes drifted over the place and then swept back to the parkour set up. “What’s that?”

“Ever hear of
parkour or freerunning?” she asked doubtfully. He’d been locked up for twenty years. It was a relatively new sport, and not well known.

He shook his head, but curiosity shone back at her. “I take it you know how?”

“I do.” She grinned. “I could show you. We have some time before anyone arrives.”

“Then show me,” his smile was wicked
.

She left her purse and keys
on the counter, then she turned to wink back at Devlin before running for the ramp. She only had a few hours on the course the day she set it up with Preston and Leon.

He gasped as she jumped to the balance beam, running across and then flipping over the wall. She kept going, weaving across the course, jumping, flipping, and
vaulting over obstacles. She had always loved the freedom of movement.

Jaime
heard someone enter, and caught a glimpse of Leon strolling in. He chuckled as she started back to where Devlin stood with his mouth open.

* * * *

Devlin was amazed by the way Jamie moved so naturally over the equipment. She was graceful, and strong, and it made him want to learn.

Then someone entered the building and he couldn’t tear his eyes away until a deep voice shattered the moment. “She’s brilliant at that, isn’t she?”

Devlin turned to be met with a grin on the man’s face. His dark eyes were like onyx, ebony skin a shocking contrast to his bright white teeth.

He held out his hand. “I’m Leon.”

Grasping his hand, Devlin shook it. “Devlin. Sorry. We weren’t expecting anyone just yet.”

Leon shrugged.
“I was still in town, and wanted to check to see if Jamie needed any more help.”

There was nothing threatening about the friendly smile on the man’s face. He didn’t even look at Jamie with anything more than friendly affection. And yet, Devlin was ready shove him out the door and take Jamie right there on the floor.

“I can help her with whatever she needs,” Devlin practically growled.

Leon’s brow arched as he looked to Jamie with a
knowing smile. “You mated? A druid?”

Jamie nodded, trying to hide her humor. “Don’t worry, Dev. Leon and I are only friends and have been for years. He’s the one who got me into
freerunning. Besides, I don’t think I could compare to his current fling.”

Leon chuckled, holding his hands up in surrender. “I am not making a move on your woman. Jamie would kick my ass for trying but like she said, I’m presently involved with someone.”

Devlin nodded, taking a slow breath. “Sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”

Jamie slung her arm around
Devlin. “I kind of like it.” She leaned her head on his shoulder and looked up at him. “It’s part of being mated though. Just remember, no one is prying me away from you, Dream-man.”

“You two are adorable. Now, I hear this one,” he looked to Devlin, “needs
some training. I thought maybe I could help.”

Devlin sighed. “
Desperately. I’m good at healing, and that’s about it.”

Jamie stepped back, her eyes narrowed. “Not true. There are many things you’re good at
, including warding. Everyone can benefit from instruction and practice.”

“As usual, she’s right,” Leon added. “I’m told I’m a good
coach.”

“Almost as good as Fallon
,” Jamie amended with a wink.

“Still think she can train me?” Devlin asked, the doubt creeping back on his face.

“I’m positive she can. She’ll also have help. You’ll have people to spar with. She’ll want to push you and see what you can do.”

While Leon wandered away to inspect the equipment,
Devlin nodded, turning to take in the space. “I can see why you chose this location. Lots of room. Lots of left-over energy.” He could see power accumulated on every surface. The building felt alive.

When he turned back, he found
Jamie standing there with her head cocked to the side, and a goofy smile on her face.

“What?” he asked in a whispered breath.

A slow smile spread on her lips. “I like watching you.”

Shaking his head, he laughed softly. “Why? I probably look ridiculous staring at nothing.”

She shook her head. “Not at all. You’re incredibly sexy. All engrossed in what I can’t see, but obviously you’re learning your surroundings and what you can use. I don’t think you are as different from Fallon as you assume.”

“In all the ways that count,” he answered.

“Oh no, you aren’t. You think first of everyone else. That’s exactly like your sister. You look pretty similar. You are full of passion, even if it isn’t immediately obvious. You ooze power the same way, though it feels different. You really are more alike than you think.”

“I hope you’re right. I want to be.”

“Dev, you already are,” Fallon answered from the door.

He turned, his eyes wide and blushed. “I didn’t realize you were there.”

She smiled. “Don’t worry. We just got here. We’re going to be busy a good portion of the day.”

“I don’t know how long they’ll wait to show back up,” Devlin
answered.

Hayden threw down a bag as he
took a look at the sparring mats, whose perimeter was marked with padded rails. “My guess, tonight, tomorrow at the latest. I’ve confirmed DeMarco is back in the States. I’m not sure exactly where he is, but he won’t wait forever. Sounds like he’s falling apart. Literally.”

“He started the slow decay around the time Fallon nearly killed him.”
Devlin gave her a look.

“I reflected most of his own curse back at him. I couldn’t avoid all of it,” she answered gruffly as she twisted her hair up into a knot.

“You infused it with your own magic. It became stronger, more potent. There is a trace of the old magic, but it’s more now.” Devlin pointed to the necklace he gave her the night before. “That medallion will prevent him from casting it on you again. I did the same for everyone’s jewelry, but I want you to know he can’t use the same curse.”

Her hand drifted over her stomach as Brody came up behind her to wrap an arm around her waist and kiss her cheek.

He smiled at Devlin. “I appreciate that. Fallon told me enough about what happened that I don’t want to see her go through it again.”

“Thank you, Dev
.” Fallon grinned. “Come on, let’s train.”

Slater stepped in
and lifted his hand in a wave. “Hey everyone.” He directed his attention to Jamie. “Your sister would appreciate it if you’d take a ride with her. She’d like to talk.”

She looked to Devlin. “You okay without me for a bit?”

As much as he wanted to argue, he nodded. “Sure thing,” he squeezed her hand

S
he tiptoed up to brush a kiss over his lips before trotting out the door.

* * * *

Jamie hated to leave Devlin. He looked increasingly nervous as people continued to show up. She wasn’t looking forward to this conversation. Jess hadn’t called, and she couldn’t tell if her sister accepted her new mate or was devising a plan to get rid of him.

With Jess, it could go either way.

She took her time walking to the truck. Jess’ face was pinched in concern.

Yup, this is going to be a fun.
Everything about this reminded her of all the times Jess warned her away from whatever man she was seeing in the past. Jess’ anxiety was too familiar.

Tempted to turn around, she pushed on and opened the door.
Her voice was quiet but firm. “If you’re going to tell me I shouldn’t trust Devlin I’m going back inside and you can kiss my ass.”

Jess let out a frustrated sigh and growled
, “Get in. We need to talk.”

Jamie rolled her eyes and climbed in next to her sister. “I’m serious Jess. I don’t want to hear any shit about Dev.”

“I have questions.” The words were clipped.

“Fuck. I don’t want to do this. Just ask so I can go back in.”

“Do you love him?”

“Yes.”

This time the words were gentle. “Really, Jamie. Do you love him?”

Jamie frowned
, but nodded. “All the way through, more solid than anyone or anything that has come before, Jess. He’s not like the rest. He’s not out for himself. Hell, he was going to leave me behind to protect me. At least we convinced him staying was safer for everyone involved.”

“Okay,” Jess answered, resigned. She fired up the truck and pulled away. “Look.
What’s coming isn’t going to be easy. If you didn’t love him, I would say kick him to the curb.” She sighed and pulled out of the parking lot. “You can’t blame me for worrying when he came from the Dales.”

“What did you see?”

“Things will work out. That’s all you need to know.”

Jamie
hated the non-answer, but she had to accept it. Jess wasn’t going to budge.

“No more yelling at me that I shouldn’t
be with him?” Jamie asked softly.

“You love him?” she asked again.

“Yes! How many times do I have to say it?”

“Okay, okay.” Jess let out her breath and drove back to her
place. “What is it about him?”

Jamie’s whole face lit up as she looked away. She felt warmth flood through her. The same feeling she had every time he was near. “When he’s not trying to leave me for my own good, he makes me smile. He says the sweetest things, and means them. He wants to make me happy, and he does when he smiles at me. What he feels for me is real, pure, and so much better than anyone ever felt for me. He’s it, he’s the one.”

Jess reached over and squeezed her hand. “If he fucks up, Preston and I are going to kick his ass.”

Jamie giggled. “I don’t think Fallon would like that. She doesn’t want to lose him any
more than I do. And they really do act like brother and sister. They have that connection, stronger maybe because of the whole Dreamwalker thing.”

“I still think that’
s weird as fuck, but he lights you up. I’ve never seen you smile like that for anyone.”

“Told you. He’s the one.”

“Good. It’s about time you found your man.”

“You got that right, and I couldn’t be happier.”

Jess grinned. “I’m going to make us lunch and you can tell me all the awesome things he does.” Jess winked.

* * * *

Preston walked into Jamie’s gym and was disappointed when he didn’t see Jamie herself. She was the only reason he was there. He didn’t want to see her lose her mate. Even if he was from the Dales. Jamie and Fallon both pointed out one really big fact. The chances of him being there by choice were fucking slim to no-way-in-hell.

Jamie would have been able to tell. With her sense of emotion,
she had a bullshit-meter better than a werewolf’s normal sense of smell. There were ways to fake the truth or even a lie. And after what Devlin did for Erik, it was getting hard to hate the guy. He even stood up to Hayden and that earned him a huge chunk of respect.

Scanning over to the sparring ring, he
found Devlin with a look of defeat on his face as Brody held him in a headlock.

Fallon
was barking out directions, but it didn’t seem to be doing a damned bit of good. Preston was an hour late, and they all were frustrated.

He grinned. “My turn. I have
an idea.”

“What’s that?” Fallon snapped.

“He’s not a fighter by nature. We need to give him something to fight over.”

Fallon’s gaze swept to Preston, her eyes narrowed. “You do one thing I disagree with and I’ll put a scar
on your other thigh. You go too far, and you’ll lose your balls.”

Devlin
shot Preston a glare.
Now we’re getting somewhere.

“No
ne of these guys could help me. What makes you think you’ll do any better?” Devlin dared.

Brody released
Devlin, taking a step back with a cocked brow.

Preston glanced at Fallon. “
Give me fifteen minutes without interruption, and if he doesn’t make some improvement, you can have my balls.”

Fallon crossed her arms over her chest, a scowl on her face, but she nodded, and leaned against the wall. “It better work. I see that look on your face.”

He gave her a nod of acknowledgement and stepped toward Devlin with a smirk. “I do love the way Jamie tastes.”