Page 80 of King

To disrespect Lee like that? To disrespect Amara and Joey? Even though he never really thought highly of Lee, he was Joey’s father and deserved respect especially on this day. It had sent his rage soaring. And the fact that Joey had just mentioned Bud last night—only for the asshole to show up today—yeah, that had been bad fucking luck on Bud’s part. King actually smirked at the thought.

A soft movement against his hand pulled him back. His gaze dropped to where Amara’s thumb was moving back and forth over his skin in a slow, absentminded motion as if she was trying to comfort him. The realization made his chest tighten. She was the one grieving, yet here she was, offering him silent reassurance.

His eyes flicked to her other hand, which clutched a tissue she used to wipe her tears. He wished he could take her pain away,make it vanish with just a touch, but grief didn’t work that way. All he could do was be here—for her. For Joey.

When the service ended, they lingered, waiting for the crowd to clear so Amara and Joey could have one last moment with Lee. King stood back, giving them space, his arms crossed as his gaze swept the room, always watching.

Sid approached, his voice low. “I made a bunch of food. Bring them over to the compound for a little while.”

King nodded. “I will.” He met Sid’s eyes and added, “Thanks, brother. I appreciate this.”

“No problem,” Sid replied, clapping him on the shoulder before walking toward where Lana, Tessa, and Pam were waiting.

King’s gaze shifted back to Amara. She and Joey stood by the casket, heads bowed, grief heavy in the air around them.

King had never given a damn about being anything to anyone. But standing there, watching the woman who held his heart, beside the kid who had just lost his father…he knew one thing for damn sure. He was going to protect them. Both of them had become the best part of his life.

CHAPTER 34

Amara sat at the long table, surrounded by laughter and warm conversation. The women around her, Mates of the Warriors, welcomed her as if she had always belonged. She was trying her best to keep everyone straight, but there were so many of them, and each had their own unique energy. They were strong, confident, and fiercely protective of their men. She admired them.

She had met most of them before, back when Joey was in the hospital, but at the time, her mind had been in too much of a haze to truly absorb anything. Now, sitting among them, she felt something she hadn’t felt in a long time...a sense of belonging.

“So, you and King, huh?” Nicole, Damon’s Mate, teased, a knowing grin stretching across her face.

Amara’s head snapped up, her cheeks instantly heating. “What? Oh, ah...” God, she sounded like a total idiot.

Nicole smirked with a laugh. “Mmhmm. She’s got it bad girls.”

Beside her, Tessa laughed. “Oh yeah, she does.”

Amara groaned, dropping her face into her hands. Oh, my God.

Lana, who had been sitting across from her, leaned in. “Warriors have a way to make us speechless.” She grinned wiggling her eyebrows. “And King is very handsome.”

Her eyes found him across the room, standing near Joey, Sid, and a few of the other men. He must have felt her gaze because, without hesitation, he turned his head, locked eyes with her, and winked.

Amara’s stomach flipped as she quickly dropped her gaze to the table. She was sure the heat in her cheeks had gone from a light blush to a full-blown inferno.

“Are all the Warriors so...” Amara couldn’t think of the word that would relay what she wanted to say, but the response she got before she even finished told her that the Mates knew precisely what she was talking about.

“Yes!” They all said simultaneously and began to laugh.

“I didn’t even finish.” Amara chuckled, feeling normal for the first time in a long time.

“Honey, you didn’t have to,” Caroline said with a huge grin. “They are all the above.”

“Joey thinks the world of King,” she added feeling comfortable with the women. “That’s all he talked about before I even met him. He actually talked about a lot of you.”

That made them all pause, their teasing smiles softening into something more heartfelt.

“It meant so much to him when you all came to his recitals.” Amara smiled, genuinely grateful for these people. “He neverreally had much of a family outside of Lee and me, but you all… you showed up for him. That means everything.”

Lana reached across the table and squeezed her hand. “That’s what family does, Amara. And whether you realize it or not, you’re one of us now.”

The words hit Amara harder than she expected, emotion swelling in her throat.

For so long, it had just been her, Lee, and Joey against the world. But now? Sitting here, surrounded by these women who had taken her in without hesitation, who had been there for Joey when she had been in hiding…she could never repay their kindness.

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