Page 65 of Coerced

I sighed in relief as his power engulfed us in an orange cloud.

“Quit being a Neanderthal, Kerry,” he scolded. “No one’s going to hurt her, okay? And Rome, Kerry needs a lot of personal space, so move back, please. Yeah, that’s good. Thanks.”

Kerry relaxed. A fraction.

“We don’t know you and you don’t know us,” Jax continued, “but you two snarling at each other like grizzlies the whole time isn’t going to work, so let’s set up some ground rules. For our part, some of us are pretty damaged. Possessed, enthralled, abused, well, let’s just say we have issues. So if you three could keep your physical distance until we get used to you, that would be appreciated. What do you need from us in return?”

“I won’t tolerate any threat to Spin or Chance,” Rome snapped. “Even if Spin does deserve it half the time. We lost a team member last year. I will not lose another, and especially not to friendly fire.”

“Understood, and I’m sorry,” Jax said. “That must have been rough.”

“It’s not helping that the taint stirs up his killing vibe.” Spin sounded like he was grinning, which was probably not wise at the moment. Then again, it was Spin. “He’s not used to letting anything wearingEau de Diaboliqueexist for long.”

“Makes sense for a warrior. Travis,” Jax pointed to him, “has some, too, from being enthralled, but Kerry says it’s nearly gone now. By the way, my name’s Jax. I’m a wrangler. Obviously.”

Tuning out the rest of the introductions, I unwrapped myself from Kerry’s back and slid around to his front. He didn’t try to block me this time, even though Rome was still only a few feet away, and I took that as a good sign.

Humming softly, I framed his glowering face with my hands and tilted it toward mine. It took a few seconds for his eyes to swivel down, and I waited a few more until I could tell he was actually seeing me. Within a minute, he was calm enough to talk.

“Neanderthal?” he murmured.

“Caveman.”

“Caveman?”

“Yes.” I ran my eyes over him in pretend-assessment. “You know, you probably would’ve been a great caveman. Hunt, kill, make fire, eat, carry woman off to cave. Repeat next day.”

He blinked, his eyes solemn, and I was afraid the humor would pass him by. Then a huge grin spread across his face, making the tightness in my chest evaporate like dew in the sun.

“I definitely like the ‘carry woman off to cave’ part.” His eyes sparkled with mischief.

Suspicious, I took a step back, but wasn’t quick enough. He threw me over his shoulder and started walking. Stunned, I hung down his back and scrambled to find something to hold on to. The ground was alongway away.

“Don’t you dare drop me!” I warned him.

The arm that was locked above my knees tightened a little.

“Don’t worry, angel. I ain’t gonna drop you.”

“Where are you going, Kerry?” Gigi called out.

“Caveman find cave,” he called back.

“Check for bears first, caveman!” There was no mistaking the laughter in Tara’s voice.

Oh, dear.

“We’re at a hotel, and we call cavesroomsnow!” Travis chimed in, curse him.

“Yeah, caveman, get a room!” Spin hollered.

“You know they’ll torment you about this, right?” I sighed.

He shrugged his other shoulder.

“Doesn’t matter. I got you where I want you. Well, sorta. I can’t kiss you like this, but I have other things to entertain me.” He patted my bottom with his free hand.

“Kerry Harker!” My face burned.

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