Page 52 of King of Rage

Catherine remained where she was.

Her face burned with anger as she watched Lucius walk away with Stella, but her shouting had already become meaningless. Lucius didn't even look back.

The doors closed behind them, cutting off the noise from inside and leaving Catherine standing in the room, furious and humiliated.

Triston led them toward the car. He opened the door for Stella first, then waited for Lucius to get in before walking around to the driver's side.

The drive to Stella's apartment was quiet. Lucius remained beside her, his hand still holding hers as though he had no intention of letting go anytime soon.

When they finally arrived, Triston drove them directly to the apartment building and pulled up near the entrance.

Before getting out of the car, Stella turned toward Triston.

“You should go home now. I’ll handle it from here.”

Triston frowned, his eyes briefly shifting toward Lucius before returning to her. “Are you sure?”

Stella nodded. “You have a shoot tomorrow. Go get some rest.”

Triston hesitated for a moment before finally sighing and nodding. “All right.”

Stella opened the door and stepped out, with Lucius following immediately after her. She glanced back once at Triston before turning toward the building, Lucius falling into step beside her.

Triston stayed in the car, watching the two of them walk through the entrance together. Only after the doors closed behind them did he start the engine and pull away from the curb, disappearing into the night.

Lucius stayed close to Stella as they stepped into the elevator, still heavily drunk and seemingly unwilling to let her out of his reach.

One arm was wrapped firmly around her waist while his other hand remained hooked around her arm. He rested his head against the top of hers, his body leaning into her.

Stella shifted beneath his weight, trying to free one arm.

“Lucius,” she murmured, glancing up at him. “Let me go for a second.”

Instead of listening, he tightened his hold and pulled her closer, nuzzling his face against her hair near her ear.

Stella sighed.

He clearly had no intention of cooperating. The longer they stood there, the more stubbornly he clung to her, making it nearly impossible for her to move.

When the elevator finally reached her floor, Stella managed to guide him out. He stayed pressed against her side as they made their way down the hallway, his arm never leaving her waist.

By the time they reached her apartment, Stella had almost given up trying to make him let go.

She unlocked the door and pushed it open. The apartment was dark and quiet. She reached for the light switch, then paused. Her gaze moved toward the hallway.

“Shane?” she called softly.

Chapter 9 Maybe We Can Just Move On

There was no answer.

She glanced toward the bedrooms. Both doors were closed, and the apartment remained completely silent. Shane and Aunt Darla were probably asleep.

Satisfied that she wouldn't disturb anyone, Stella stepped inside and quietly closed the door behind her.

Lucius followed her in.

The moment the door clicked shut, she turned around.