Page 101 of King of Rage

Elias immediately pushed his chair back. He had barely gotten halfway to his feet when Lucius's phone rang. Every head at the table turned toward him.

Maverick stopped and pointed at him.

“Don't tell me you've secretly gotten married too, and that's your wife calling.”

Lucius frowned at him.

“Shut up.”

He picked up the phone and answered without bothering to explain himself. The music in the club made it difficult to hear, so he switched the call to speaker.

“Mr. Frost.” Nial's voice came through clearly enough. “Ms. Stella Benson has returned to Manhattan. Just as you instructed, I've been keeping an eye on her.”

The faint amusement that had been lingering on his face disappeared, and his fingers tightened around the glass in his hand. He set it down, his attention suddenly fixed on the phone.

“When did she come back?”

His voice was sharper than it had been a moment earlier.

“Last night. She's currently at a restaurant on Ninth Avenue, meeting with several business partners.”

Lucius's eyes narrowed slightly.

“Send me the address.”

He ended the call and slipped his phone back into his pocket.

The men looked at one another before Elias slowly turned his attention toward Lucius, one eyebrow raised.

“Who is Stella?”

“No one,” Lucius answered nonchalantly.

He leaned back in his chair and reached for his drink again, deliberately avoiding their curious looks.

“You're not going?” Cassian asked.

Lucius took a slow sip before setting the glass down.

“No. I have nothing to do with her anymore. Nial must have forgotten.”

Cassian stared at him in disbelief.

Lucius ignored him. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his car keys, tossing them impatiently from one hand to the other. His movements had become restless, and the slight tension in his jaw gave away the thoughts he was trying to hide.

Only a few seconds passed before he suddenly pushed himself to his feet.

“Where are you going, then?” Cassian asked.

Lucius reached behind the chair and grabbed his jacket, slipping one arm into the sleeve before pulling the other into place.

“Nowhere. Just for a walk.”

Elias's mouth curved into a knowing grin.

“Since when do you take walks right after leaving a club?”

Lucius paused as he adjusted his jacket and gave Elias a displeased look.