Page 123 of Coerced

“As you know, I am the wrong person for advice on cherishing, but I can tell you one truth I’ve learned about dealing with girls in the past few months.”

“Oh, no. Can younot?”

I cringed to think of what he might say. The kid’s brain-to-mouth filter was either broken or had been removed entirely, and there was no such thing as subtlety in his world.

I stopped for a second. How hard would it be to explainthatconcept to him?

“It’s useless to fight against puppy dog eyes.”

“What?”

“That’s what I’ve learned. Don’t bother to fight against puppy dog eyes. They win every time.” He shook his head. “Every. Effing. Time.”

I snorted with laughter. While we were hiking, I’d seen Gemma give him big ole doe eyes a couple of times. Jax had ribbed him about how easily he’d caved to her, but he’d only shrugged with an unabashed smile and did whatever she wanted.

I tried to imagine Mira making puppy dog eyes, but could only see her getting in my face with a hot glare.

She has a spine of steel. She’d break before she begged.

“And I have a tip for you,” he continued in a secretive voice and I rolled my eyes. “When she cries, you gotta hold her. Even if it slimes up your shirt and takes a long time, you gotta man up and do it. Especially if you’re the reason she’s crying. You’ll get tons of bonus points for it.”

I burst out laughing.

“What’s funny?” His brows came together in an angry frown.

I held up my hand in peace.

“It’s a great tip. Uh, look, Idohave experience with dating. I don’t need any help with this part. Thanks, anyway, buddy.”

“But you said—”

“I was thinking out loud.” I could be patient now that I knew he wasn’t mocking me. “I just met her. I don’t know anything about her, except she’s brave. And strong. And interesting. And has beautiful eyes.”

I shut my mouth with a snap, my teeth clacking together.

You’re saying too much.Stop being an idiot!

“Rome, I hate to tell you this.” His grin was wicked. “But you’re in trouble.”

#

Mira

I heard talking outside the door. Wondering what was taking the guys so long, I went over and pulled the door open. I didn’t know what had put the looks on their faces, or why they were simply standing at the threshold.

Boys are so weird.

I took George from Kerry, ushered them in, and closed the door behind them.

“Thanks.”

Kerry nodded, then followed Rome over to the table by the window. Rome pulled out his phone and began walking him through a map of the journey to the gulag. Looking at their bent heads, one dark and the other light, I felt I understood them pretty well.

Rome was an old-fashioned knight, steady and virtuous and wholesome. Kerry was a firestorm, full of fury and fight and ferocity. I had to agree with Gigi, who had warned me last night that he was dangerous at the best of times and doubly so now that his girlfriend was missing.

When I’d asked about Gemma, Gigi had described her as little and kind, quiet and gentle, and it was easy to see the two were best friends.

Little and kind, quiet and gentle,I thought bitterly as I rooted around in my toolbox.All the things I’m not.I’m too tall, too strong, and too rough around the edges. Boys only like dainty dolls. They never look at anyone like me.

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