Page 73 of King of Rage

Lucius said nothing.

His thoughts had already returned to Stella.

He remembered the fury in her eyes whenever he interfered in her life, the way she had made it clear that she didn't want him making decisions for her. She had been angry enough when he stepped into her business and started helping her. If he now went behind her back and started investigating Shane, she would see it as another attempt to control her.

And Lucius refused to give her another reason to push him away.

For four years, he had believed Stella had chosen another man. Now he knew that wasn't true. For the first time, there was a chance that he hadn't lost her after all.

He wasn't going to destroy that chance by forcing his way into her life.

His gaze lifted to Xavier.

“No. Drop it.”

Xavier's brows drew together. “What?”

“I said drop it.”

“Why?” Xavier stared at him. “You finally find out Stella was never married to Shane, and now you don't want to know what the hell is going on?”

Maverick's brows lifted slightly, while Cassian remained silent, watching Lucius with a knowing look.

Lucius brought the glass to his lips and took another slow drink. He held it there for a moment, his gaze lowered, as though weighing the decision in his mind. When he finally looked up, the amusement that had briefly appeared on his face was gone.

“If Stella wants me to know what happened, she’ll tell me herself. She isn’t married to Shane, and Silas isn’t trying to hurt her. That’s all I needed to know.”

He lowered the glass to the table and rested his fingers against it, his thumb moving absently along the rim.

“I’ll give her time to tell me the rest when she’s ready. Until then, I don’t want you digging into her life anymore. She wouldn’t like it.”

His gaze dropped for a moment, and his jaw tightened.

“I've already given her enough reasons to be angry with me.”

For a few seconds, no one spoke.

Xavier stared at him as if he were waiting for the punchline.

“Are you fucking serious?”

Lucius's eyes lifted to meet his.

There was no hesitation in them.

He rose from his chair, straightening the front of his jacket before slipping one hand into his pocket. He looked around the table, his expression calm.

“I'm serious. Leave it alone.”

Xavier opened his mouth, but Lucius cut him off with a look.

“I don't want you digging into Stella's life anymore.”

He turned and started toward the entrance.

“Where the hell are you going?” Xavier called after him.

Lucius slowed and glanced over his shoulder. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.