Page 35 of King

Outside, the men’s voices grew louder and sharper.

“Girls!” Doc called, sounding much less amused.

“Not funny anymore, Littles!” Kade’s voice followed.

Ella gulped, eyes darting to Remi and Harper, but they were grinning like they had no regrets.

Then she heardhisvoice.

“Ella.”

Her stomach flipped.

“I’m going to count to three,” King warned, his deep voice laced with authority. “If you don’t come out by three, Little girl, you’re going to be in trouble.”

Ella’s breath caught, her heart hammering against her ribs.

Harper giggled quietly. “Oh,thisis gonna be interesting.”

Remi giggled. “Told you this was a great idea.”

Ella’s whole body tingled as King started counting.

“One.”

She squeezed her hands into fists, fighting the urge to leap up and obey him.

“Two.”

Harper whispered, “You sure about this?”

No.Absolutely not.

“Three.”

Ella clenched her eyes shut, bracing for whatever was coming.

The silence stretched for a second before heavy footsteps moved toward them. Then, suddenly?—

“There you are,” King’s stern voice said.

Ella’s eyes flew open to find King, Doc, and Kade standing over them, their arms crossed and their expressions firm.

“Up.Now,” Kade ordered, his gaze fixed on Remi.

Doc shook his head at Harper, sighing. “Youneverlearn, do you, baby girl?”

Harper giggled, utterly unrepentant.

Ella, on the other hand, swallowed hard as King’s intense gaze locked onto hers.

“You’ve got some nerve, dollface,” he rumbled. “Get inside.”

Her stomach flipped as she scrambled to her feet, suddenly wondering if she really hadthought this through.

FOURTEEN

KING

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