Page 85 of Coerced

“You’re not lying to make me feel better, are you?” I narrowed my eyes at her.

“No. She was upset. It shocked her because you haven’t done anything like that in a long time, but you did not physically hurt her.”

That was a relief, and I let out a heavy breath.

“All right, fearless leader. What should I bring back from the diner?”

“Anything.” I shrugged. “And a lot of it.”

#

Deciding to get clean while I waited for food, I stripped down and stepped into the shower, groaning as the hot spray pounded on my tight muscles. I musta pulled or torn one in my back during the fight with the succubus because it burned white hot. I closed my eyes and let the water wash away the mud and the blood and the sweat, but it couldn’t calm me.

I knew nothing would do that untilshewas safe again.

I scrubbed down fast, then got out, dried off, and wrapped the towel around my waist. Leaving the steamed-up bathroom, I grabbed a comb and caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, my eyes finding the thick scar above my hip bone.

She had seen that one a few months back while healing one of Argaud’s attacks. And she’d smoothed her thumb over it just a few nights ago when we kissed in her tent—

Something cracked.

I looked down to see I’d snapped the comb in half and the plastic was melting in my shaking, power-coated hands.

Calm down! And breathe. Yeah, that seems important. Breathing, I mean. So yeah. In for a count of four …

#

Rome

A sharp, sudden noise woke me and my eyes were drawn to the blue glow that was Kerry’s back, then further to his reflection in the mirror. Outlined with power, he stared down at his hands, each of which held half of a comb, and his shoulders were rigid.

He was fighting against losing it.

I had no idea how I could help him. Or what I would do if - when - that happened.

The best thing would be to point him toward an enemy and let him self-detonate while I shepherded everyone else to safety.

But he was breathing in that deliberate pattern he used to calm down, so I figured we were all safe enough for the moment. My eyes dipped to the scars criss-crossing his skin. The tats on his arms hid any scars there, but the rest of his skin was ruined by deep grooves, sandpaper-textured patches, and splash-shaped burn marks.

How is he still alive?Both pity and admiration filled me.It’s amazing how far he’s come in so short a time.

When Clem had called to offer me this assignment, he’d given me a little background on each of Kerry’s team members as well as a rundown on the kid himself, which took up most of the conversation. The old man mentioned Kerry had been a walking skeleton when they’d first found him.

Now, lean muscle rolled under Kerry’s skin as he finger-combed his hair. I bet he’d nearly doubled his weight, and not one ounce of it was fat.

He’s tough in more than just body,but he’s lost without Gemma. Even worse, I think he’s convinced himself to give her up. Oh, not because she showed a lack of faith in him, but because he feels he’s not good enough for her.Jeez, I am no couples counselor! I wish Chance were here. He’s good at this touchy-feely stuff.

I closed my eyes and rolled over, and immediately regretted it as fire tore along my side.

And if he were here, he could fix my everloving ribs, too!

#

Kerry

After we finished a very late lunch and cleared away the trash, I asked Gigi to wind tape around Rome’s ribs, then check John’s head wound. It was still oozing, so she wrapped it up again and dosed him with two tablets from the bottle she’d bought from the motel’s tiny convenience store. By then, he was out on his feet and I asked her to take him back to his room.

After they’d left, I noticed Travis fidgeting and took it as a bad sign.

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