Free All the King's Men: The Beginning by Donya Lynne Page A

of help from all the king's men would help to put Micah back together again if Jackson took off.
    He walked Sev out and returned to his office to find that the rest of his team had shown up for their meeting. Even Micah. Surprise, surprise.
    "Glad to see you tonight, Micah." He took his seat behind his desk. Micah hadn't attended a team meeting for a week. "I was beginning to think we'd lost you."
    Micah sighed and slouched in his chair, legs stretched out in front of him, his fingers laced over his stomach as if he wanted to be anywhere else but there. "Can the bullshit, Tris." Then Micah's brow crinkled as his gaze slid up to meet Tristan's. As the two exchanged glances, Micah's eyes narrowed and his scowl deepened as he shifted and straightened in his seat. He looked like a jungle cat getting ready to pounce. Shit. What had Micah just picked up from his mind?
    "Josie's pregnant?" The words left Micah's lips with an air of disbelief and something else. Loathing, maybe.
    Tristan hadn't told the team, yet. He had planned to do that tonight. "Well, shit, Micah. Thanks for ruining my announcement."
    Micah simply looked away, frowning. No apology. No congratulations. No nothing. Just apathy. Tristan understood Micah's reasons for his lack of interest. It had to be hell to desire something that badly and not get it, only to be reminded repeatedly—as others mated and had children—that he would always be left wanting. To hear that Josie was pregnant had to feel like a knife to Micah's gut. The added torment was that Micah obviously wouldn't have any children of his own with Jackson, even if they stayed together, which was looking more and more like they wouldn't. So, yeah, Tristan's good news had likely ripped open old wounds that had never fully healed, and on top of everything going on with Jackson, hearing that Josie was pregnant probably sat as well on Micah's stomach as spoiled meat.
    Off to the side, Trace watched Micah closely, as if he was aware of and concerned about Micah's inner turmoil. The rest of the team ignored Micah and offered their congratulations over the good news.
    "How did that happen?" Malek asked, smiling.
    Tristan shrugged. "I don't know. I guess I just got lucky."
    Micah rolled his head around to glare at him. "Yeah. Lucky you."
    Micah's anger and resentment were understandable. But just because Tristan understood Micah's pain didn't mean he had to quell his own excitement. And damn if he would let Micah steal his thunder on this, especially under the circumstances. For decades, Tristan had thought Josie would never have his baby, so he had every goddamn right to be happy and excited about the little miracle happening in his life right now. Screw Micah.
    "Yeah, Tris," Ari said. "You're a lucky bastard. Not many males can say they're a dad when they haven't actually mated." He paused. "I hope I'm not that lucky. I don't need any rugrats running around."
    Micah spit out a harsh laugh, shot Ari a glare, and then looked away.
    "What?" Ari frowned at Micah.
    "You're such an ass," Micah said. "You need to mate a female to produce rugrats , dumbass."
    "What the fuck?" Ari said. "Where the hell did that come from? I'm perfectly aware of where children come from, asshole."
    Io growled and sat forward. "Shut the fuck up, Micah. You're the dumbass around here."
    Micah flipped Io off. "Don't worry, Io. I won't try to kiss your boyfriend ." He glanced at Ari out of the corner of his eye as Ari's mouth fell open.
    Io jumped out of his chair and jabbed a finger at Micah. "Fuck you, motherfucker! I don't go that way and you know it!"
    "Mmm, you're turning me on, Io." Micah grabbed his crotch and blew Io a kiss then looked back at Ari. "That make you jealous, Ari? Me talking to your boyfriend like that? Blowing him kisses?" He chuckled…actually chuckled like he was in on some private joke.
    Rage exploded as both Io and Ari went after Micah. Trace leaped from the wall and shoved Io back as Malek pulled Micah