Page 60 of King of Rage

Lucius took one step at a time, his movements unhurried and almost deliberate, as though he wanted to make sure he was noticed.

Stella's frustration mounted.

She grabbed his arm again and tugged him forward.

“What are you doing?” she whispered. “Come on.”

Lucius merely looked down at her with a composed, almost amused expression. There was something maddeningly confident about the way he carried himself, as though the entire apartment belonged to him and he had no reason to sneak out of it.

He took another leisurely step.

Stella glared at him.

It was almost as if he wanted Shane to catch him.

Then she saw Shane standing in the living room.

He was facing the window, looking outside as he spoke to someone on the phone. Thankfully, his back was toward them. Darla was also busy setting up the table, completely unaware of what was happening behind her.

She had a chance to get Lucius out before either of them noticed. She just needed him to cooperate. But the damn man wasn't making any attempt to move.

She tightened her grip around his arm and tugged him again.

“Lucius.”

He finally glanced at her, his expression calm and completely unapologetic.

Then, with deliberate ease, he took another slow step forward, as though he had all the time in the world.

Stella nearly lost her patience.

“Come on,” she whispered again, trying to pull him toward the exit as quickly as she could.

But Lucius simply walked at his own pace, perfectly composed, while Stella silently begged him to stop making this more difficult than it already was.

Stella grabbed him by the arm and pushed him toward the door.

“Go. Leave. Hurry up,” she whispered, giving him another shove.

She tried to turn away and head toward the living room, but Lucius caught her by the wrist and pulled her back against him.

“Lucius—”

Before she could finish, he leaned down and stole a kiss from her mouth.

Stella struggled against him, pushing at his chest, but Lucius didn't seem the least bit concerned. He held her close, his mouth lingering against hers as though he had all the time in the world.

Meanwhile, Stella was convinced she was about to lose her mind.

Her eyes darted anxiously toward the living room, her entire body tense with panic.

“Lucius, you have to go,” she whispered urgently against his mouth.

He finally pulled back, but before she could say anything else, Stella seized the opportunity and pushed him through the doorway.

“Now leave!”

She gave him one final shove and immediately turned around.