Page 46 of King

Amara took his hand. “Thanks to you and Slade, he is doing better.”

“Well, you should thank yourself also.” He said, looking at her closely. Too closely for King’s liking, but he remained silent to see where this was going. He had a feeling it was going in the direction that was going to piss King off.

Amara shifted uncomfortably, her gaze dropping as she cleared her throat. “I was, um, just talking to the funeral home. Joey… he lost his father.” Her voice wavered slightly.

The doctor’s expression softened into a frown, shaking his head. “I heard,” he said quietly. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you,” Amara murmured. “Do you have any idea when Joey can be released? I need to give the funeral home a date.”

The doctor hesitated for a moment, then sighed. “As long as Dr. Buchanan clears him, he can go home,” he said, though there was a note of reluctance in his voice. “He’ll need a follow-up with an orthopedist, but if you don’t have one in mind, I’d be happy to see him at my office.” His gaze flickered toward the room before settling back on her.

“Oh, okay,” Amara said, surprised.

“Dr. Buchanan is his physician, so as long as his blood count is good, no fever or anything like that, I’m sure he can be released.” The doctor glanced at King and then back at Amara. “I’d like to get another set of x-rays before he’s discharged to ensure everything is healing properly. But he’ll need to stay off that leg for at least six weeks, no weight on it at all unless he heals faster than expected.”

“I’ll have to get him some crutches,” Amara said absently, but King watched the doctor and knew what was coming.

“Ms. Travin, I know Dr. Buchanan spoke to you about Joey’s healing,” he said, his tone laced with barely contained curiosity. “In all my years in orthopedics, I’ve never seen anything like it. It defies everything we understand about recovery.” He hesitated, then added, “My superiors have instructed me to keep this within the hospital, and I intend to respect that. But I’d like the opportunity to speak with you more about what I witnessed… possibly even study?—”

Amara shook her head sharply, cutting him off. “I’m sorry, but my focus right now is on Joey.”

The doctor’s brows furrowed, his voice quickening with urgency. “I don’t think you understand the potential of this. You could change lives. You couldsavelives.”

Before Amara could respond, King stepped in, his presence a solid, unwavering force beside her. “We appreciate everything you’ve done for Joey’s surgery and care, but that’s as far as this goes.” His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.

The doctor sighed, disappointment clear in his posture. “Yes, of course,” he said, nodding. “I had to give it a shot."

Amara exhaled, ready to end the conversation, but she hesitated just as King began to lead her away. Turning back, she locked eyes with the doctor. “I didn’t say no,” she said quietly. “I’m just saying…not right now.Joey comes first. This is all new to me, and I need time to understand it myself before I can even think about anything else.”

The doctor studied her for a moment, then nodded. “Thank you for at least considering it,” he said sincerely. “If Joey has any issues, my direct number will be on his paperwork.”

As he walked away, Amara exhaled slowly. King’s gaze lingered on her, and his voice had softened. “You okay?”

“I’m trying to be," she replied, frowning. “But I don’t think I’m doing a very good job. When he approached me, I was ready to run. I don’t like jumping at every shadow; that’s not who I am.”

Kane passed them with a purposeful stride, his voice low. “She’s here. I’ll be back.”

Amara’s frown deepened as she watched him disappear down the hallway. “Who’s here?” she asked, turning to King.

“The woman who brought Joey to the ER,” King said, frowning. “I’m not sure this is a good idea,” he admitted, looking at her.

Amara swallowed hard. “We need to know,” Amara replied, not sounding sure herself. “Maybe she can tell us who did this.”

King exhaled sharply, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he shifted slightly, positioning himself between her and the approaching footsteps echoing down the hall. Protective. Always.

Kane walkedto the main entrance of the hospital, his eyes scanning the area, and spotted her right away. He noticed she wore a pissed-off look on her face as she glared at him. He stopped in front of her.

“You think next time you could give me a little more of a heads up?” Her eyes narrowed as she looked at him.

“Probably not,” Kane answered, his tone dry as he took in the woman standing in front of him.

She was small...reallysmall. The top of her head barely reached his chest, but the way she glared up at him made it clear she didn’t care about their size difference. There was fire in her stance, a quiet defiance that told him she wasn’t easily intimidated.

She wore simple blue jeans, a black shirt, and a worn jean jacket, nothing flashy. Nothing that made her stand out. But it wasn’t her clothes that caught his attention...it was her eyes.

Her dark hair was pulled into a messy ponytail, stray strands falling loose to frame her face. Her bangs barely brushed againstthe thick, dark lashes that framed the bluest eyes he’d ever seen. It wasn’t just their color; it was how they held his gaze, unflinching, filled with something he couldn’t quite name.

Kane didn’t like mysteries. And this woman? She was definitely a mystery.

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