Page 82 of Mayhem's Hero

Reaper rose up on one knee. "Now that we have everyone here, I want to saysomething."

The entire room fell silent. Reaper reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black velvet box. "Caroline, I know I've already asked you to marry me, but I never made it official." He pried open a small box, and the light in the room glinted on the cluster of diamondsinside.

Caroline gasped and pressed a trembling hand over her lips. King shifted, uncomfortable with the surge of emotion in theroom.

Reaper, either unaware or uncaring, continued, his gaze focused only on Caroline. "Caroline, I vow to protect you and our child with my life. I love you and I will love you even into death." Reaper pulled the ring from the box, and slipped it on Caroline's hand. Then he placed his palm on her stomach in a protectivegesture.

"I love you too," Caroline whisperedback.

The room erupted in applause and congratulations, and even King had to smile. He didn't believe in love or any of that nonsense, but Caroline and Reaper were meant to be. The connection between them was undeniable and he was happy that his team leader had found that small glimmer ofhappiness.

Hicks got to his feet and lifted his glass. "I vow to protect you and the child with my lifealso."

Diggs quickly followed suit, as didJuarez.

All the women stared at him expectantly, the look of expectation on their faces making him as uncomfortable as if he had a gun stuck in his back. King fought the urge to scratch his eye patch. "Hell, I do too. Don't know why you need to hear me say so. Thought it wasobvious."

Tears welled in Caroline's bright blue eyes and slipped down her pale cheeks. “Thankyou.”

King shoved his hands in his pockets. Shit. He’d made her cry. Reaper gave him a look that could scorch iron and pulled Caroline into his arms.This was why he didn’t doemotions.

He didn’t need to be in here any longer – he knew his place. And that sure as hell wasn’t in this lovefest.

King turned to walk from the room. He’d wasted enough time already, it was time to start hunting Rainier and Dawson. They’d already taken enough from him, he had no intention of allowing them to takemore.

And despite the fact King would never feel comfortable surrounded by friends, hanging out and talking, he’d rot in hell before he allowed anyone to harm any person in thisroom.

Diggs called out from his seat, “King, where are yougoing?”

King didn’t turn around when he answered. “Tohunt.”

TheEnd