Page 48 of King

“I thought so,” she murmured with a slight shrug, her attention shifting back to the elevator doors.

Kane, however, kept watching her, his laughter fading into something more thoughtful. There was something different about this woman. Something he hadn’t quite put his finger on yet. But hell…he was looking forward to figuring it out.

The elevator dinged as the doors slid open. It was now time to hear her story. He had called in Adam to ensure they would know if she was lying. Tonight, they would have answers.

CHAPTER 23

“Ithink I’m going to wait until we talk to Slade before I mention anything to Joey about going home.” Amara frowned, watching Joey stir as he slowly woke up. “I still need to get Lee’s house in order before he can go there.”

“About that…” King said, his tone was casual but firm enough to capture her attention. “You and Joey will be staying with me.”

Amara’s head snapped toward him, her brows drawing together. “What?”

“My place is big enough,” King continued as if it was already decided. “I’ve got a solid security system in place, and I had Duncan add a few extra enhancements. You’ll both be safe there.”

“King, you’ve already done so much,” Amara said, shaking her head. “I can’t ask you to open your home like that. Plus, Joey’s stuff… his PlayStation, his clothes?—”

“What are you guys talking about?” Joey’s groggy voice cut through their conversation, drawing their attention.

Amara hesitated, unsure how to approach the topic, but King didn’t miss a beat. Stepping closer to the bed, he met Joey’s half-lidded gaze. “When you’re released, how would you like to stay at my place for a while?”

Joey blinked a few times, still processing. Then, a huge grin stretched across his face. “Hell yeah, I would!”

King glanced at Amara, his expression smug, eyebrows raised in silent victory.

“You play dirty.” Amara narrowed her eyes at him, but the slight grin betraying her annoyance only widened his smirk.

“Yes, ma’am, I do.” King winked, and just like that, her heart somersaulted in her chest.

Holy crap.

Her stomach flipped and flopped like it had a mind of its own, all from a damn wink. And then, as if the moment had never happened, King’s entire demeanor shifted. The playful teasing vanished, his features hardening into sharp focus as his eyes flicked toward the door as he moved that way.

Amara barely had time to recover from the effect he had on her before Joey, who had been watching the exchange with barely concealed amusement, wiggled his eyebrows. “Oh yeah, you’re totally into him.”

“Shut it.” Amara pointed at him in warning before quickly turning toward the door as it swung open. Steve and Adam walked in and started talking to King in hushed tones.

“I’m hungry,” Joey grumbled, shifting uncomfortably in the bed. “But hospital food sucks.”

“That’s because it’s good for you,” Amara snorted, grabbing the laminated menu off the bed tray. “How about a ham and cheese sandwich?”

Joey made a dramatic gagging sound. “How about aBig Mac, large fries, and a chocolate shake?”

Amara shot him a narrowed glance before looking at the menu again. “How about some vegetable soup and grilled cheese?”

“I’d rather eat a hot turd,” Joey shot back, his expression dead serious.

“Gross,” Amara grimaced, tossing the menu back on the tray. She sighed, rubbing a hand over her face. “Honestly, I can’t even argue. I’m starving, and nothing on this menu sounds remotely appetizing.”

“The food here that bad?” Steve asked, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. He shot Joey a sympathetic look. “Last time I had hospital food, it tasted like straight-up ass.”

“Can we not talk about turds and ass while discussing food?” Amara groaned, throwing her hands up. “I’d really like to keep what little appetite I have left, thank you very much.”

“Girls,” Steve teased with a smirk.

“Yeah,” Joey chuckled, then outright laughed when Amara raised her fist at him.

“Knuckle sandwich is also on the menu, punk,” she warned.

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