Page 79 of King of Rage

“Stella—”

“It’s alright, Shane. I’m fine, I promise.”

He studied her for a moment, clearly reluctant to leave her alone with Lucius. But when he saw the quiet insistence in her eyes, he finally gave in. Without another word, he turned and walked out of the restaurant.

The instant he disappeared from sight, Lucius reached for Stella, closed his hand around hers, and pulled her toward the exit.

“Lucius, what are you doing?”

“Getting you the fuck out of here.”

Nial was waiting beside the car. The moment he saw them approaching, he straightened and hurried toward them.

“Sir, are you all right? I heard strange sounds coming from inside.”

“I’m fine, Nial.”

Lucius’s response was clipped. Without slowing down, he continued toward the car, taking Stella with him. When Nial moved to open the door, Lucius snatched the keys from his hand.

“Go home.”

“Sir—”

“Now!”

Nial immediately stepped back.

Lucius opened the passenger door and guided Stella inside, easing her into the seat with a touch that was gentle but firm. He shut the door, rounded the front of the car, and slid behind the wheel.

A moment later, the car tore away from the restaurant.

Lucius drove in silence, his hands wrapped tightly around the steering wheel as the city lights blurred past the windows and gradually disappeared behind them. He kept driving until he reached a secluded area, far from the traffic and the noise of the city. Only then did he bring the car to a stop.

He got out first.

Stella followed, watching him closely as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a cigarette. He lit it, took a long drag, and held the smoke in his lungs for a moment before turning toward her.

“You left me to be with someone surrounded by fucking murderous goons?” he asked, his voice laced with bitter sarcasm. “Is Shane really that fucking good that you were ready to die for him?”

Stella frowned as smoke drifted toward her.

“Stop smoking. It makes me suffocate.”

Lucius glanced down at the cigarette between his fingers. For a moment, he said nothing. Then, without arguing, he lowered his hand and crushed it beneath his shoe.

The tension in his expression eased slightly as he looked back at her. He stepped closer, moved behind her, and slipped his arms around her waist, drawing her against his chest.

His chin settled near her shoulder, and when he spoke again, his voice was low and quiet.

“I’m sorry.”

Stella remained still in his arms, her body tense against him.

“Our breakup a year ago was entirely my fault,” he murmured, his voice soft against her ear. “Please forgive me.”

Stella stayed in his arms for a moment, her expression tightening as his words settled over her. Then she pulled away and turned to face him, putting some distance between them.

“You don’t need to apologize. I knew exactly what I was getting into. I chose to get involved with a man who wanted nothing more than sex.”