Chapter 13
CHAPTER 13
A s they walked away from the morgue, King felt the shift in the air before he saw them. His instincts kicked in, his hand tightening around Amara’s arm as he slowed his pace.
“Stay close,” he murmured, his voice low and edged with steel.
Amara frowned, her golden eye darting around the darkened parking lot. “What’s wrong?”
“Company.” King’s tone was clipped, his gaze fixed ahead as six men stepped out from the shadows, their faces hidden beneath hoodies and their hands balled into fists. They spread out, forming a loose semicircle that blocked their path to the bike.
Amara’s breath hitched, and she instinctively moved closer to King. “Who are they?” she whispered.
King didn’t answer. Instead, he stepped slightly in front of her, shielding her with his body as his eyes scanned the group. They weren’t random thugs—their movements had a purpose and a cold, calculated intent in their eyes.
One of the men stepped forward, his grin sinister. “King, isn’t it?” he drawled, his voice unfamiliar to King. Obviously, the fuckers had done their research.
King’s jaw tightened, his posture coiled like a spring. “If you know me, then you know this isn’t going to end well for you.”
The man chuckled, his companions joining in. “You’ve got a reputation, sure. But six against one? Even you can’t pull off those odds.”
King smirked, his fangs glinting in the dim light. “Betting is bad for your health.”
The man laughed. “I’ll make you a deal. Give us the girl, and we’ll let you go.”
“Yeah,” King’s smile turned deadly. “Not going to happen.”
“Listen, this isn’t personal, so there’s no need to make it that way.” The man said, crossing his arms. “We were hired to find the girl, which we did. Now, we need to take her in and get paid. Amara, sweetheart, you'll come with us if you don’t want us to hurt this man.”
“I take it real fucking personal,” King answered, looking at each one of them. “I will tell you this. After I beat every single one of your asses, the VC Warriors are going to take you in, and you will tell us who hired you. So, understand this...you will not be getting paid tonight. And if you call her sweetheart again, I will knock your teeth down your fucking throat.” King pointed at the man just to make sure they all knew exactly who he was talking to.
The man laughed, shaking his head as if King’s words amused him. “You talk a big game, but you’re outnumbered six to one. You sure about this, tough guy?”
“You already bragged about your numbers, remember? And I can count, dumbass.” King’s smirk widened, his fangs glinting dangerously under the dim streetlights. “If you think the numbers are in your favor, you’re about to have a really bad night.”
Amara’s breath hitched behind him, and King’s posture shifted slightly to shield her. The man who had spoken stepped forward, cracking his knuckles with a smirk. “Suit yourself.” The man gave a nod to the other at his left.
The first guy charged, a crowbar swinging through the air with vicious intent. King dodged effortlessly, twisting to the side and grabbing the man’s arm mid-swing. With a sharp twist, the man screamed as the crowbar clattered to the ground. King drove his elbow into the guy’s face, shattering his nose and sending him sprawling to the pavement.
“First mistake,” King growled, his voice like gravel. “Rushing your opponent.”
Two more came at him, one with a knife and the other with bare fists. The knife-wielder lunged, aiming for King’s ribs, but King caught his wrist mid-thrust. With a flick of his hand, the knife flew from the man’s grasp and skidded across the parking lot. King followed up with a knee to the stomach, doubling the man over, before landing a clean uppercut that knocked him out cold.
The other swung wildly, landing a hit on King’s shoulder. It was like punching a brick wall as King didn’t move but instead turned toward him with a dark grin. “Second mistake. Thinking that would hurt me.”
He grabbed the man by his hoodie, yanked him forward, and headbutted him before tossing him to the side.
“Three down,” King muttered, his eyes shifting to the remaining three. “Figured I’d help with the count since you seem so concerned with the numbers.”
One of them pulled out a chain, swinging it in a threatening arc. The leader, still standing smugly at the back, crossed his arms. “Last chance, King. Hand over the girl, and we’ll let you walk.”
King cracked his neck, his grin feral. “I like my chances, so I’ll have to pass.”
The chain-wielder struck, aiming for King’s head. King ducked, grabbed the chain mid-swing, and yanked hard, pulling the man off balance. Before the guy could recover, King delivered a brutal kick to his chest, sending him flying into a car and setting off the alarm.
The last man hesitated, his confidence visibly shaken. He glanced at the leader, who barked, “Don’t just stand there! Take him down!”
With a roar, the man charged, but King sidestepped easily and spun, back-fisting the man in the temple, knocking him out instantly.
Now, only the leader remained.
King turned to him, his expression calm but deadly. “Let’s see...six minus five leaves one.”
The leader hesitated, his bravado faltering. “You’re crazy,” he muttered, taking a step back.
King stepped forward, his presence suffocating. “Crazy? No. I’m fucking pissed.”
The leader made a desperate move, pulling a knife from his waistband and lunging at King. With lightning speed, King caught his wrist and twisted, forcing the knife from his hand. In the same motion, King delivered a sharp jab to his jaw, followed by a brutal knee to the stomach. The leader dropped to his knees, gasping for air.
King leaned down, grabbing the man by the collar and yanking him close. “Who sent you?” His voice was low, venomous.
“Fuck you!” The man spat blood just as King delivered a knockout blow to the side of his head. He knew the asshole wasn’t going to talk now.
“No, fuck you, bitch.” King growled, dropping the guy, then looked up when he heard a motorcycle in the distance. Turning, he rushed toward Amara, who was staring at him wide-eyed. Pushing her behind him again, he focused on another possible threat. Relief flooded him when he saw Ronan, Sid, Adam, and Steve flying toward them.
“Are you okay?” Amara’s voice trembled with awe as she gazed up at King. Her golden eye reflected the dim light, and her voice cracked slightly. “Your eyes… they’re so black.”
“That happens when I’m really angry.” King tilted her chin up gently, forcing her to meet his gaze. “But I should be asking you if you’re okay.”
“I’m fine,” she replied, though her expression betrayed confusion. “I’m not the one who just fought six guys.”
“Holy shit, King.” Sid’s voice boomed as he stepped over one of the unconscious bodies littering the scene. His eyes scanned the carnage, his mouth curling into a grin. “You couldn’t have waited two more minutes. I would have loved to have seen this.”
“Seen it,” Ronan chuckled, looking around impressed. “I would have loved to have joined in.”
King exhaled sharply, his adrenaline still coursing through his veins, though his fangs had retracted. His gaze shifted to Amara, who was holding herself together impressively well despite the chaos. Around them, the fallen men groaned and stirred slightly. The fight might’ve been over, but King’s instincts remained on high alert.
“Well,” King said, his tone level but edged with irritation, “I’m glad you were in the area.”
“We weren’t in the area,” Steve piped up, grinning. “You can thank Daniel for us being here.”
“Daniel called me asking if I could read you and find out where you were, that you needed help.” Adam grinned, looking around at the bodies, some were now moving and moaning. “Which turns out to not be true.”
“Well, however it happened, I’m glad you guys showed up,” King said, then gave Adam a narrowed look. “Just don’t make it a habit of reading me.”
“Noted.” Adam raised his hands in mock surrender, smirking.
The mood lightened as the Warriors stepped closer to introduce themselves to Amara. Adam was the first to extend his hand. “I’m Adam,” he said warmly. “And I’m sorry for your loss, ma’am.”
“Thank you,” Amara replied, shaking his hand. “Call me Amara. I’m not old enough to be a ma’am.”
“I’m Steve,” He shook her hand. “Joey is a good egg and one hell of a dancer.”
“Jesus,” Sid nudged Steve out of the way, taking Amara’s hand. “I’m Sid. I don’t know what the hell Steve is talking about, but Joey is going to be fine. He’s a tough kid, a fighter.”
“Do you know what a good egg means?” Steve asked Amara, who just nodded yes. “See, she knows. Joey is a good dude, a good egg. Not like you, who I would consider to be a rotten egg.”
“Steve, I’m going to scramble your damn egg if you don’t shut the fuck up about eggs,” Sid growled, giving him a sideways glare as he passed.
“I’m trying to expand my vocabulary, asshole,” Steve growled back, pushing one of the men back to the ground, who was trying to stumble to his feet.
“Oh, and egg is the word of the day?” Sid snorted, shaking his head.
“Maybe,” Steve said after a long pause. “How about dickhead. I’ll even use it in a sentence like I did with egg. Sid is a big fucking dickhead.”
King chuckled at Steve. Damn, the fucking kid said some off-the-wall shit. His eyes moved to Amara, who watched Sid and Steve arguing back and forth. Her eyes were wide, and there was a massive grin on her face just as Ronan walked up.
Ronan approached last, tipping his hat slightly. “I’m Ronan,” he said in his deep, southern drawl. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”
Amara smiled as she shook his hand. “The ma’am thing comes naturally, doesn’t it?”
“As naturally as my boots and this hat,” Ronan replied with a wink. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you,” she said softly, her voice tinged with gratitude.
King broke the moment, nudging one of the downed men with his boot. “This guy’s the mouthpiece,” he said to Ronan. “Got a van coming to pick them up?”
Sid checked his phone. “Yeah, Jax is on his way. Should be here any minute.”
“Good,” King said, his attention shifting to Amara. “I’m getting her out of here. You got any food cooked at the compound?”
“I will as soon as I get these assholes put away,” Sid answered, then chuckled. “Damn King, do you ever stop eating?”
“No,” King replied seriously. He had a healthy appetite, and Sid cooked like a fucking boss. “But Slade needs Amara to eat good tonight. She has to give blood for Joey’s surgery tomorrow.”
“Yeah, bring her to the compound.” Sid nodded just as Jax pulled up with the van. “I’ll fix something up real quick.”
“Thanks, appreciate it,” King said, returning to Amara and taking her hand. “Come on, let’s get out of here.” King got on the bike and then looked at Amara, who just stood there staring at him.
“Do you think we can go back to Joey’s?” Amara asked with such hope he hated to say no, but it wasn’t safe for her there.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Amara.” King shook his head.
“But my bag is there, and I really need to shower and change clothes.” She said with such pleading in her eyes he knew he couldn’t say no. “I’ll be quick, I promise.”
King sighed with a nod. “Get on,”
“Thank you,” she said as she climbed on. “And King, you lied.”
“About what?” King turned his head toward her.
“These guys aren’t assholes like you said.” Amara grinned, putting her arms around him. “They’re very nice.”
“Eh, they’re okay,” King said, then laughed, shaking his head. Pulling out, he stopped by Sid. “Hey, you think you, Ronan, and Jax can handle these guys. Amara wants to go back to Joey’s house to get her things. I’d feel better with backup.”
“Yeah, we got it,” Sid said, then yelled at Adam and Steve to follow King.
Nodding, King waited until Sid informed Steve and Adam of the plan.
“Are you going to stay awake this time, or do you need to ride up front?” King called out over the noise of the engine.
“I wasn’t sleeping!” Amara spoke loudly over the noise of Steve and Adam starting their bikes.
King shook his head, smiling as they pulled onto the road, Steve and Adam flanking them. His grin quickly faded as he scanned their surroundings, every nerve on edge. He had no intention of letting anyone get close to Amara again, not on his watch.