Page 83 of King

Joey’s lips parted, something shifting in his gaze. “I’m not.” He took another step closer. “Jared told me what was happening. Have to say, it’s pretty fucking weird hearing your voice come out of a woman.”

Lana snorted. “You should be on this side of things.” She shook her head before looking Joey up and down. “And watch your language, boy. Who did this to you?” She motioned toward his cast.

Joey hesitated.

King answered for him. “Was hoping you could tell us that.”

“You need to speed this up,” Caroline interjected, her voice tight with worry. “The longer he stays in Lana, the more danger she’s in.”

The words sent a shiver down Amara’s spine. As much as she had ached to hear Lee’s voice again, she didn’t want to endanger Lana.

Lana pushed up to her feet and walked toward Joey, stopping in front of him.

Amara barely breathed.

“Son,” Lee’s voice thickened, raw with emotion. “I’m sorry for everything. I tried to be a good dad, but I know I failed you in so many ways.” He swallowed hard, his hands clenching. “Just know...I’m proud of the man you’re becoming.”

Joey’s face crumpled. His crutches clattered to the floor as he launched forward, crashing into Lana. Sid caught Lana before she could stumble back, his grip firm and protective. Lana lifted her gaze to King, her eyes flashing with fierce determination.

“Find who did this to my son,” she said, Lee’s voice a sharp edge of pain and fury. “Make them pay.”

“You have my word,” King vowed, his hold tightening around Amara. She sank into his warmth, taking in the silent exchange between King and Kane.

Lana noticed, a soft, knowing smile flickering across her lips. Relief. “You and my sister, huh?” Lana said with a chuckle and a shake of her head. “Didn’t see that coming.” Then she turnedher attention back to Joey, gently pulling him away just enough to look him in the eye.

“Never forget me,” she whispered. “I love you, son.”

Joey’s jaw trembled. “I won’t,” he said, voice breaking. “I love you, too.”

Caroline’s sharp cry shattered the moment. Lana’s body went limp, taking Joey down with her.

“No!” Amara lunged forward, heart hammering as Sid barely caught Lana’s head before it hit the floor.

King pushed past her to lift Joey, pulling him out of the way as Amara knelt and wrapped an arm around him. Her gaze locked onto Lana, who lay motionless and silent.

Sid was hovering, his whole body tense. “Slade!” he barked, panic seeping into his usually controlled voice. His hand trembled as he cupped Lana’s cheek. “Damn it, Lana.”

“Just give her a minute,” Caroline said quickly, kneeling beside them. Her own face was pale, worried. “She didn’t know this was coming. It might take a second for her to come back.”

Amara felt Joey shaking in her arms. She held him tighter, pressing her forehead to his temple.

“Did that really just happen?” Joey’s voice was rough, almost like he couldn’t believe it himself. “Was my dad’s voice coming out of her?”

Amara pulled back, meeting his gaze. Tears blurred her vision. “Yeah,” she whispered, her throat tight. “That really just happened.”

Joey let out a shaky breath, nodding. “Holy shit.”

King helped him up, steadying him before grabbing the fallen crutches and handing them over. Then he reached for Amara, his touch solid, grounding. She let him pull her to her feet, her legs still feeling unsteady beneath her.

A small, relieved gasp had them all turning back to Lana. Slade had his hands on her, checking her over, his face lined with worry. Finally, her eyes fluttered open.

She blinked up at them from the floor, her expression twisting in irritation. “God, I hate when they do that.”

Amara’s breath hitched, relief rushing through her so fast her knees almost buckled.

Lana’s eyes shifted to her and Joey. “I’m sorry there was no warning.”

“You hate that?” Sid growled, pulling her up and into his arms. “How the fuck do you think I feel? Not to mention hearing a male voice coming from the lips that I kiss every day.”

---