Page 48 of Jackson

“A court appointed one.”

I could tell he was just barely containing his rage. And while a man getting upset or aggravated around me normally had me wanting to run for the hills, with Jackson it was the complete opposite.

I felt safe. His anger was directed toward those who had hurt me, those he’d protect me against if it came down to it. He let his anger be the fuel that kept me shielded from the danger.

“It’s okay,” I said, nuzzling my cheek against his chest. “I only have another three years.”

“That’s three years too long, Ayen. You shouldn’t have any at all.”

While I agreed, the state had its own opinions. Once I was up in front of a parole board, I’d lament about how sorry I was until they agreed to let me go. I would say just about anything to them if they wanted me to, as long as it got me the fuck out of SAC.

“Have you tried appealing?” His fingers worked their way back through my hair.

“No. My lawyer didn’t feel like there was a point with my sentence being less than a decade.”

“I’m getting someone to see you. I know a lawyer.”

“It’s okay, Jax. I’m all right.” Well, as good as I could get, I guess. I was on a unit with non-violent offenders, so most of the time, the worst things that were fought about were people being too noisy or inconsiderate while others were trying to sleep.

“I don’t want you going back there, Ayen.”

Unfortunately, I would have to.

Eventually, this program would end and I would be shipped on a bus back behind the tall, barbed wire walls of SAC until the rest of my three years were finally up.

Did I want that to happen?

Absolutely not, but that was the reality I was facing. Getting worked up about things I couldn’t change would only waste precious energy I didn’t have.

“I know it sucks.”

He let out a slow breath, his chest deflating with the motion.

Guilt began to brew in me, fear that he was mad at me starting to take root. There was a point in time where I didn’t want to care about other people’s opinion of me, and had been determined to come here with that same mindset to practice.

How funny that I’d failed so spectacularly at it.

He didn’t need to feel sorry for me, or like he had to do something in order to prove to me that he cared. Him simply being here and not treating me like I was a psychopath was enough of a heroic act for me. I didn’t need him going out and avenging my honor or something equally as stupid that would land him in serious trouble.

“Jax?”

“Yes, sweetheart.”

Ugh, I’d never get enough of the pet names and endearments. They sounded perfect falling from his mouth.

“Stay with me tonight? I usually wake up before the sun comes up. I’ll help you leave before headcount starts.”

“I’ll do you one better.” He lifted his hips up off the bed, just enough to retrieve his phone from his pocket. He quickly unlocked it and set an alarm, tossing it onto the bed near the wall. “Now, we can both sleep.”

I smiled and relaxed into him, letting my eyes fall closed while the sound of his heart beating under my ear lulled me to sleep.

CHAPTER 19

Jackson

LeavingAyen to head to my own cabin after spending the night sleeping with him was its own special brand of torture.

I’d woken up before my alarm had gone off, just for the specific purpose of being able to watch him sleep. He was so peaceful with his head lying on my chest and the gentle noises of him breathing deeply cutting into the silence inside of the cabin.

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