Page 78 of King

Her head jerked up at his words, and sure enough, the room had emptied except for a few Warriors lingering nearby, their sharp eyes flicking between her and the door.

She glanced at the casket, her heart aching at the sight. “We still have the service, Joey.”

“Ah, I don’t think they’d start without us.” He called over his shoulder. “And it’s exactly what Dad would do, and you know it.”

Amara opened her mouth to argue, but Steve cut in with an easy shrug. “He’s got a point. I sure as hell don’t want to miss this.” He turned and followed Joey. “I’ve seen King in action, and this is going to be fucking awesome. This will make an awesome TikTok.”

“Shit.” She cursed, stepping to follow them, only to be stopped by the preacher’s disapproving stare.

“Are we ready to begin the service, Ms. Tarvin?” His tone was stiff as he glared at Steve, then turned his judgy eyes on her. She guessed he’d seen her punching skills firsthand.

Amara didn’t even hesitate. “Hold that thought.” She brushed past him, walking toward the exit where Kane stood, smirking like the devil himself.

“Nice punch,” he said, holding the door open for her.

“Thanks.” Amara stepped outside and came to an abrupt stop. King had Bud by the throat. And Bud was dangling off the ground like a rag doll.

Her stomach clenched. “Oh, hell.”

Kane stepped beside her, his arms crossing over his chest. “Who is that guy?”

“My ex.” Her voice was flat, but her eyes stayed on King. The fury radiating off him was a living, breathing thing. Kane let out a low whistle. “He’s not going to… kill him, is he?” she asked, suddenly unsure how far this was going to go.

Kane didn’t even blink. “Probably.”

That made her snap her gaze away from King and onto him. “What?”

He just jerked his chin toward the gathered crowd. “I mean… seems like everyone’s on King’s side.”

As if to prove his point, a voice shouted from the crowd.

“Beat his ass! That’s exactly what Lee would want! I was there the night Lee beat the shit out of this guy for stalking Amara. Looks like he didn’t learn his lesson.”

Her breath caught as she recognized the voice. Zachary Taylor, an old friend of Lee’s, was practically bouncing in excitement. A few others voiced their support. The Warriors stood around with amused looks on their faces. Even Sloan was eyeing Bud with a disapproving glare.

“Dad would’ve loved this,” Joey mused beside her, his grin stretching wide. “Bet he’s smiling down on us right now.”

Amara rolled her eyes, but a reluctant chuckle slipped past her lips. Only Lee would have found joy in a good old-fashioned ass-kicking at his own funeral.

She turned back just in time to see King lower Bud, his grip loosening just enough that Bud gasped for breath. King was saying something low, something she couldn’t hear over the growing noise of the crowd. Amara scanned the gathered faces. Smiles. Everywhere. Lee must have told everyone he knew about Bud. And not a single damn person looked sympathetic toward him.

Her lips curved into a slow, rueful smile as she shook her head. Her life had been turned upside down, so why should this shock her? She lifted her gaze to the sky, exhaling softly. Joeywas right. Lee was definitely up there somewhere, watching this mess unfold with a beer in hand and a shit-eating grin on his face.

CHAPTER 33

King’s rage was burning hot and untamed beneath his skin. The only thing keeping him from snapping this bastard’s neck was Sloan’s warning not to kill him. But God, it was tempting.

Bud’s throat was firm beneath his grip, his pulse hammering wildly against King’s palm. Holding him like this, watching the panic in his eyes, felt so fucking good. Too good.

When he’d first heard about this piece of shit stalking Amara, he had imagined this exact moment, his hand around the bastard’s throat, squeezing until all the fear Bud had put into her was turned back on him. And now, it was fucking reality.

Bud’s face had gone from red to an unhealthy shade of gray, his mouth opening and closing as he fought for air. King let him struggle for another second, just long enough for the lesson to sink in, before lowering him and loosening his grip just enough that Bud could suck in a ragged breath.

Leaning close, King let his voice drop to something dark and lethal. “It would take nothing for me to kill you right now.”He said it slow and deliberate, making sure the bastard felt the weight of each word as well as see the gleam of his sharp fangs. “But out of respect for Joey and Amara, I won’t. Not today. Not at Lee’s funeral.”

Bud let out a shaky, almost gulping sound, his throat working desperately as if that might make the moment faster. But King wasn’t done.

He tilted his head slightly, his black eyes boring into Bud’s wide, terrified eyes. “But if I ever see you near either of them again…” His fingers flexed, tightening just enough to make Bud stiffen, his breath coming in short, frantic gasps. “I will kill you. Slowly. In the most painful way possible.”

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