Page 36 of King of Rage

“Of course.” The employee immediately nodded and took the coffee mug from her.

Stella rounded the counter and grabbed Triston’s hand.

“Come with me.”

Without waiting for an argument, she pulled him toward the single table at the end of the café, away from most of the customers.

The moment they reached it, Triston looked down at her, his brows drawn together.

“What’s going on with you?”

Stella released his hand and turned to face him.

“What are you talking about?”

Her impatient tone only seemed to irritate him further.

Triston planted both hands on his waist, his fingers hooking near his belt as he stared down at her. At six foot four, he towered over Stella, his height and muscular build making him appear even larger when he stood so close to her.

If Triston hadn't been her cousin, Stella might have found his imposing presence intimidating. But she had grown up with him, and his size had never been enough to scare her.

She simply crossed her arms, meeting his irritated stare with one of her own.

“Are you going to say something, or are you going to keep staring at me like you want to eat me alive and throw my bones to the dogs?”

Triston exhaled sharply through his nose, his patience visibly thinning.

“I heard a rumor, and I want to know if it’s true.”

Stella’s expression changed immediately.

Her eyes widened.

“A rumor?”

The question came out in a single breath.

“Is it true that you’ve gotten together with Lucius?”

Stella’s mouth immediately clamped shut.

Her lips pressed into a tight line as her brows drew together. She turned her face away and let out a long, frustrated breath.

“Oh my God. Is there anything that stays secret around here?”

Triston's expression hardened.

Before she could say anything else, he reached out and gently but firmly caught her face in one hand, turning her back toward him so she couldn't avoid his gaze.

“Stop talking to yourself.”

His eyes held hers, his voice low and impatient.

“You know I was going to find out eventually. Nothing stays secret, and now everyone knows. I want to know what the fuck is going on.”

His fingers remained against her jaw as his expression grew more serious.

“Why are you back with him?”