Page 84 of King of Rage

Her eyes snapped back to his.

He didn't look away.

“I'll ask you again if I have to. I'll ask you tomorrow, and the day after that.”

His voice was low and steady.

“Can I be your husband?”

Her breath caught.

“Let's talk about this later.”

Lucius studied her for a long moment. Then he gave a small nod.

“Fine. But don't think I'm letting it go.”

Stella looked at him.

“I've waited four years for you. I can wait a little longer.”

Her chest tightened as a troubling thought surfaced.

‘The Lucius I lived with for three years was never this kind or gentle. He was always cold and calculating, keeping his distance. I thought that was all there was to him. But now after we have broken up, I never expected him to be this tender with me. Could it be that he really is in love with me?”

She immediately dismissed the idea.

‘How could that be possible? Our relationship began as nothing more than an arrangement without any emotional involvement. Even when we broke up, he didn’t spare me a single glance when I packed my things and moved out of his house. He had walked away so coldly, as though I were nothing more than a broken piece of furniture he was throwing out.’

Before she could dwell on it any longer, Lucius leaned closer. His hand rose to her face, his fingers brushing against her cheek as he moved in to kiss her.

But before his lips could reach hers, her phone began to ring.

Stella glanced at the screen and answered immediately.

“Hello?”

Triston’s tense, hurried voice came through the phone. “Shane was attacked last night at your apartment. He’s in the hospital now, but he’s safe. Aunt Darla was at your mom’s house, so she wasn’t there when the attack happened.”

Panic flashed across Stella’s face.

“I’ll be there soon,” she said quickly. “Send me the address.”

She ended the call and scrambled out of bed, but Lucius caught her by the arm before she could take another step.

“What’s going on?” he demanded, his gaze narrowing as he studied her sudden change in expression.

“I need to go to the hospital.” She glanced at him while reaching for her dress. “Shane was attacked again last night at my apartment.”

She quickly pulled on her clothes and hurried toward the door, but Lucius tightened his grip on her arm.

“I’m going with you. Wait a damn second.”

“You don’t have to—”

“I said I’m going with you,” he cut in, his voice leaving no room for argument. His dark gaze held hers. “You’re not going there alone.”

Stella let out an exasperated huff but didn’t argue. Folding her arms across her chest, she watched him get dressed. To her surprise, Lucius was ready and out the door far sooner than she had expected.