Page 51 of King of Rage

That was why she instinctively stepped farther away.

Lucius remained where he was, his broad shoulders rising and falling as he looked at her with a dazed expression. His normally sharp features were softened by the alcohol, but there was still something commanding in the way his dark eyes remained fixed on her.

Then he stepped toward her again.

“Stella,” he called, his voice rough and low.

She immediately stepped back again, creating more distance between them.

Stella stared at him in confusion.

Catherine was right there. If Catherine was the woman he was supposed to marry, then why was he still calling her name? Why was he still coming toward her? Why was he kissing her instead of Catherine?

The questions ran through her mind as she let out a quiet breath and looked away from him.

She turned to leave the room.

Lucius moved after her immediately.

Before she could get far, his arms wrapped around her from behind, his broad chest pressing against her back as he held her close.

“Don’t leave me here alone,” he said, his voice low and tired. “I want to go with you.”

Stella stiffened and immediately tried to free herself from his arms.

“Lucius, let go of me,” she insisted.

He refused to release her.

“I’m going to go wherever you are going,” he insisted, his voice carrying the stubborn certainty of a man accustomed to getting what he wanted. “Take me with you.”

Catherine was furious.

“How can you do this to me?” she demanded, her voice rising. “I told you we are about to get married, and you still kissed him?! Stop kissing him. He doesn’t like it. You are—”

Her words tumbled out in anger, but despite her fury, she still did not dare step closer to Lucius.

Stella continued struggling against Lucius’s hold.

“Let go of me,” she insisted again.

But Lucius’s arms remained securely around her.

“No,” he said again. “Take me with you.”

Finally, Stella realized she had no choice.

She turned around, reached for his hand, and took it in hers.

“Fine!” she said sharply.

Then she started toward the door.

Lucius followed immediately, his fingers closing firmly around Stella’s hand as he fell into step beside her. There was a relief in his expression, as though the only thing that mattered to him now was getting out of the club with her.

He guided her toward the exit, keeping her close at his side.

Triston followed a few steps behind them, glancing back once before finally leaving the room as well.