Page 103 of King of Rage

Stella laughed. “I've been talking to people.”

“I know.”

His gaze moved over her face.

“You've been talking to everyone except me.”

“You've been surrounded by others all night.”

“They're not you.”

Before Stella could answer, a familiar argument broke out nearby.

She turned toward the sound and saw Juliet standing beside Cassian, one hand resting on her hip while she pointed accusingly at him.

“I still can't believe you said that.”

Cassian looked completely unbothered.

“I said you were wrong.”

“You said I was always wrong.”

“I said you're usually wrong.”

Juliet stared at him.

“That's worse.”

Cassian laughed as she shoved his shoulder.

Lucius glanced toward them, then looked back at Stella.

“Should we save him?”

Stella smiled.

They walked toward the group together, Lucius's hand remaining at Stella's waist as they joined the others.

“What did you do this time?” Stella asked Cassian.

“Nothing,” Cassian said immediately.

Juliet scoffed.

“He has a very interesting definition of nothing.”

The others laughed.

Within moments, the conversation had grown into the usual chaos. Xavier made a comment that dragged Maverick into the argument, Maverick took Cassian's side simply because he enjoyed irritating Juliet, and soon everyone was talking at once.

Stella stood beside Lucius, laughing as she watched them.

For a moment, everything felt perfect.

Then the music stopped.

Not gradually.