Page 88 of Coerced

“That’s not the issue.” I raised my face and met his eyes. “I’m worried what he’lldoto rescue us. He will take any risk, even if it costs his life, to find us.”

“He’ll call the wardens in on this.” Spin crossed his arms over his chest. “He has to. This is too big for a newbie team’s first mission.”

“Ha! He won’t call Clem or go back to the Sanctuary. Not Kerry Harker.” Jax half-smiled. “Not as long as he believes there’s a traitor among the wardens. And Gemma’s being modest when she says rescueus. Even as angry and upset as he was, she’s all he’ll focus on.”

I blushed as everyone looked at me, but it was the truth and I knew it. Frowning, I sat up and away from Jax, then wrapped my arms around myself.

“A lot of times, we say we’ll do anything to make something happen, but we mean anything within reason. I might say I’ll do anything to get him to forgive me, but I wouldn’t murder someone because I have a moral compass. Kerry doesn’t, and he does not play. To him, anything means just that. If he has to beg, he’ll beg. If he has to lie, he’ll lie. Cheat. Steal. Kill. Torture. Betray. Sacrifice. Whatever it takes, he’ll do it. Whatever the cost, he’ll pay it.”

“Yeah, this is the dude who can’t understand mercy and thinks being kind shows weakness.” Jax half-smiled. “Good thing he’s on our side.”

No one spoke for a moment.

“Rome’s with him,” Chance said at last. “He has a practical nature and a lot of common sense. While he’s not at Kerry’s level of power, he’s had more training.”

“Yeah, Rome’s all logical and crap.” Spin grinned. “He’ll keep the others out of trouble.”

“Travis will help, too.” Maddy knelt in front of me and touched my knee. “He feels like he still owes Kerry a favor and he wants to make good on that, but he also genuinely likes Kerry.”

“Did you know, that day with the gargoyle in the Repository, Kerry let John teleport him?” Tara smiled at me. “It blew John’s mind. He was honored that Kerry trusted him enough to let him touch him, especially when he was wounded.”

If he could hear them now,I thought with a bittersweet pang,he’d understand they like him for who he is, taint and all. And it has nothing to do with pity.

“That’s ‘The Care and Feeding of Kerry Harker Rule Number Three.’ ” Jax laughed, apparently wanting to lighten the mood. “Number two is, Don’t touch him. Period. Number three is, Especially don’t touch him when he’s mad or hurt.”

“What’s rule number one?” Chance asked.

“Oh, his warden came up with that one last fall.” I smiled faintly. “Chessie Catt told me. It’s something like, ‘Pretend he’s a tiger. Respond accordingly.’ Only I can’t say it in Hank’s snarky voice.”

“Works in all situations, too.” Maddy grinned. “From someone cutting him in the lunch line to a succubus challenging him with monstrosities.”

“Oh, I think the time Todd Weaver cut him in the lunch line was far more terrifying than those monstrosities.” Jax tilted his head and his eyes twinkled with good humor.

“You said Hank’s his warden.” Spin looked down at me. “Is it HankBishop?”

“Yes,” I said. “Do you know him?”

“Know him? There’s not a guide alive today who doesn’t know Hank Bishop!” he said with a smile, as if it were a pleasant surprise. “I know Clem told us not to contact the Sanctuary because of a leak, but there is no way it’s Hank.Noway. When we escape, we need to call him pronto. He’s probably worried out of his mind about Kerry, unless Clem’s been updating him.”

“I think all of Clem’s priorities have changed now.” Jax gave us all a meaningful look. “I’m not blaming him, but I don’t think he’s too concerned about reporting to our wardens.”

“Or the Council,” Tara added.

“Did you say Chessie Catt?” Chance asked.

“Yes. Do you know her?” Tissue-less, I wiped my nose on my sleeve.

“No, I don’t know, but Kerry mentioned her on watch. I’d like to meet her, especially after he showed me the nightmare ward she made him.”

“He showed you?”Jax and I blurted out at the same time.

Chance leaned away a bit and gave us a startled look. That was all it took. We both started to giggle.

Then the others broke up and began to look around our prison.

“Have faith, Tomato, and don’t borrow trouble.” Jax helped me to my feet. “We have enough to worry about right here.”

“Okay. I’ll try.”

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