Page 125 of Coerced

I turned my head very slowly to find Rome squatted next to me, his huge hand on my shoulder. Kerry stood behind him, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand.

“Don’t worry about it.” Feeling raw, I ducked my head. “He was a horrid creature. Thank you for banishing him.”

“You’re welcome.” He spoke with all the solemnity of a funeral director and my lips twitched a little. “And don’t call it a him. That makes it human in your mind. A devil is an it.”

I nodded.

Rome squeezed my shoulder once, then herded Kerry back over to the table.

They’re kind.In their rough, warrior way. Gigi and Travis are, too, and John must be, although he’s been too out of it to tell. Maybe I can make friends here. I’d like a friend again. If they can find something worthwhile in me to befriend.

The boys went back to strategizing and I tuned them out to concentrate. It would have been quicker and less draining if I’d had more tools, but, after a few more minutes of intense labor, I felt I’d made an acceptable cuirass. A little tweaking to fit, some smoothing, and it would be more than acceptable.

I stood and walked over to them.

“Okay, Kerry, let’s gear you up.”

I grabbed his elbow and, next thing I knew, I was flying through the air.

33. Being an Idiot

Mira

My shoulder hit the wall with a dull thump before gravity pulled me to the floor. My other shoulder bore the brunt of that impact, although my hip caught a good hit, too. I lay between the bed and the wall, the carpet rough against my cheek, and wondered what had happened.

“I killed her! I killed her!”

“She’s tough.” Rome’s dry voice was getting closer. “I’m sure she survived a little thing like that.”

Kerry broke into cursing. I knew I should get up and reassure him, but the floor wasn’t moving as much as the rest of the room was, so I stayed where I was.

Then Rome was there. His mouth a thin line, he knelt next to me and ran his hands over my head, neck, back and shoulders. I knew he was checking for breaks, but that didn’t stop the shivers that raced up my spine at his gentle touch.

“I am … confused.” I blinked up at him, feeling like an owl.

He snorted.

“Not surprised.” He leaned back on his haunches. “Kerry can’t stand physical contact. When someone touches him, it triggers his hindbrain to attack. He’s working on it, but it’s slow going. I assumed Gigi had caught you up to speed. I apologize for the oversight. Are you okay?”

I processed everything he said before I answered.

“Yeah. Let me get up.”

He stood with a hiss that made me think he was in pain, then held out his hand.

“Here. I’ll help.”

“Kerry said you were injured. And I’m fine. I can do it myself, Sir Serious.”

I gathered my feet under me and stood, but I staggered and his hand latched onto my elbow, steadying me.

“Thanks.” I shook my head, trying to clear it.

“You’re going to have a bruise.” He touched his fingers to his left cheekbone. “Right here.”

“I’ll have more than one,” I assured him with a snarky smile.

“Better talk to him.” He tilted his head in Kerry’s direction. “He’s panicking.”

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