Page 32 of Coerced

I knew the depth of her loyalty, and she was not capable of betraying a trust.

Someone or something threatening her, though? That woke my tiger uprealquick.

“It’s notherI’m worried about!” I snarled, then lowered my voice. “If he tries something—”

“Nothing can happen with all of us here. And she can take care of herself when the odds aren’t stacked against her. Be patient. He’ll be gone soon enough.”

It wasn’t that I wanted to suffocate Gemma or control who she talked with or befriended, but I’d seen her bloody and hurt once before because of a boy, and once was enough to make me swear it would never happen again.

Still, Jax was right, so I closed my eyes and worked to tamp down the fury. After a minute or two, when I was able to blank my face, I turned around and tuned back as Spin pointed out the locations of the sightings and worst damage and where he’d first caught the scent of something Diabolical. Travis’ eyes drank in the map and Maddy was paying close attention, too, so I figured we’d be okay.

I had just begun to relax a little, confident that my girl was safe, when Spin chose to do something stupid.

“It’s pretty cold around here, especially at night. It’s a good thing you’re a big group.” He threw his arm around Gemma’s shoulders. “I wish I’d had a sweetheart like you to snuggle up with out there.”

“I’m not comfortable with you doing that.” She squirmed, trying to get out from under his arm. “Please don’t.”

As soon as I heard her protest, I zeroed in on Spin like a cobra watching a mouse.

Give her time to deal with it herself, I told myself, but my hands started to shake.

“Breathe,” Jax murmured. “Slow and steady. In one, two, three, four. And out one, two, three, four.”

I tried to do it like we practiced, but each exhale let a little power slip from between my lips like a shower of cinders.

“And here I was going to ask you to walk me out to the plane.” Spin pulled her even closer.

“Stop it.” She pushed against his chest.

The blue cinders fell thicker, and the growl built up again as I kept my eyes fixed on Spin.

“Not a good idea.” John tried to help. “You’re making Kerry mad.”

“Andthatis not conducive to your continued breathing.” Travis looked from Spin to me and back again with wide eyes.

“You’re spoken for?” Spin sighed. “Ah, well. I guess it wasn’t meant to be, sweetheart. A kiss before we part.”

“No!”

This time, she pushed against him, but he ignored her, turned her in his arms, dipped her, and lowered his face toward hers.

Yeah. That’s not gonna happen.

A gout of flame shot out of my mouth. Jax swore and tried to grab my arm, but I was already in motion. I grabbed Spin by the throat and pulled him off her, then choke-slammed him into the wall.

“She. Said. No.”

Spin’s eyes started to bug out and his fingers pulled uselessly at my hand. After a few more seconds, I released him and he fell to the floor, coughing and spluttering.

And Gemma dropped to her knees beside him.

I willneverunderstand this part of her.He was abusing her seconds ago and she’s still willing to help him.

Spin waved her away and she whirled on me, her green eyes spitting.

“You can’t hurt people because you’re jealous!”

“He didn’t let go when you told him to!” I roared.

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