Page 46 of King of Rage

Shaking her head at the absurdity of the situation, she pushed herself off the bed and began getting ready to leave.

A short while later, a car pulled up in front of the luxurious club.

Triston was behind the wheel. Since Shane had an important operation at the hospital the following day, Stella hadn’t wanted to disturb him in the middle of the night. Instead, she had called Triston and asked him to take her to the club.

The moment she stepped out of the car, the imposing entrance of Phantom rose before her. Its discreet security and elegant façade reflected the exclusivity of the establishment.

Stella had been to Phantom before, so this wasn’t her first visit. The club catered to the country’s wealthiest and most influential people, offering complete privacy alongside the finest entertainment and luxury money could buy. Entry was reserved for a select few, and every detail, from the guarded entrance to the muted elegance of the interior, reinforced that exclusivity.

With Triston beside her, Stella entered the club.

Chapter 8 Take Me With You

Music pulsed through the darkness, its deep rhythm vibrating faintly beneath their feet. Dim, warm lighting illuminated the corridors, casting a soft glow over the luxurious surroundings and guiding them toward the private rooms. The atmosphere was intimate and discreet, designed to ensure that the guests could enjoy themselves without unwanted interruptions.

Stella checked the address that had been sent to her phone and followed it toward the designated room. When she reached the door, she opened it and stepped inside.

Lucius was sprawled across one of the luxurious leather couches, his head resting against the cushions. His suit jacket had been discarded, leaving him in a crisp white shirt with the top buttons undone. His sleeves were rolled up to his forearms, revealing the strong lines of his wrists, while his expensive watch glinted beneath the subdued lighting.

Even drunk, he retained an imposing presence. His broad shoulders filled the couch, and his long legs stretched out before him. Yet the control he usually carried in every movement had disappeared, replaced by a careless looseness Stella had rarely, if ever, seen in him.

The moment he noticed her, he lifted his head.

His heavy-lidded eyes settled on her, and something shifted across his face. Despite the alcohol clouding his judgment, his attention sharpened, as though the rest of the room had suddenly ceased to exist.

Stella’s gaze moved past him, and she realized that he wasn’t alone.

Two handsome men and a gorgeous woman occupied the room. The men were dressed in expensive suits and tailored shirts, their relaxed postures and discreet accessories reflecting the same privileged world Lucius belonged to.

The woman, however, looked vaguely familiar.

Before Stella could place her, the woman’s expression suddenly changed.

A moment earlier, she had been standing with one hand on her waist, glaring at Lucius with an unmistakably irritated look on her face. But the moment her gaze landed on Stella, her entire expression transformed. Her irritation vanished, replaced by a bright, delighted smile.

“Oh my God! Is that you?”

She rushed toward Stella and didn’t stop until she was standing directly in front of her.

Triston moved to Stella’s side without saying a word, his attention shifting between her and the unfamiliar woman.

Up close, the woman was even more beautiful, yet there was something strangely familiar about her. Her long blonde hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders, framing a delicate face and bright eyes. She smiled warmly at Stella as though they had known each other for years.

“Did you forget me?” the woman asked with a playful smile. “I’m Juliet.”

Stella continued to stare at her, searching her memory.

Juliet quickly filled in the missing pieces. “We met a while ago, when I fell down the stairs. You helped me get inside this club because I was trying to get to that asshole ex-boyfriend of mine. I fell down the stairs, and you even helped me get to the hospital. Do you remember?”

Recognition suddenly flashed across Stella’s face.

“Yes!” she exclaimed, her expression brightening. “I’m so happy to see you. How have you been? Don’t tell me you’re still with that guy?”

“Hell, no.” Juliet laughed. “I dumped him ages ago and married the best man in the whole entire world.”

She wrapped her arms around Stella and pulled her into a warm hug.

When she finally pulled away, she glanced over Stella’s shoulder at Lucius before turning back to her with a knowing smile.