Page 83 of King of Rage

More rounds followed—fast, rough, almost reckless. By the end of it, her body collapsed against him, chest heaving, skin burning.

She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t move, could barely form a thought. And still, Lucius held her—his arms wrapped around her back, one hand gently brushing along the curve of her thigh as if she weren’t already shaking from exhaustion.

Then he took her home. She rested in his arms as he carried her upstairs, her clothes disheveled. But once they reached the bedroom, he took them off her body too, taking her again as if he couldn’t bear to separate his skin from hers.

Over and over, he molded her body into the position he desired. Licking, biting, and fucking. The night wrapped around them, filled with breathless gasps and sultry moans that faded into the darkness.

***

“Do you really think I have time to play these stupid games with the bunch of fucking fools you have as your business partners?” he growled. “You upset my girlfriend, and you expect me to not lose my fucking mind?”

Stella woke up in bed, naked beneath the sheets. The cool air brushed against her bare skin, and she instinctively gathered the covers around herself, pulling them closer to her body.

Her sleep had been disturbed by the sound of Lucius talking on the phone. Blinking against the dim light, she turned toward the noise and found him standing near the large bedroom window.

He stood by the window wearing nothing but his trousers, his broad, muscular back exposed as he stared out at the glittering city below. The faint light spilling through the windows traced the hard lines of his shoulders and back, making his imposing frame seem even more intimidating.

His voice was quiet but edged with restrained anger. The room was so silent that she could hear every word clearly.

“Let me make this fucking clear, Jenkins. I have nothing to do with Catherine Winters. My investment is in Licius. In Stella. That's it. I want Licius and everything else you've fucked up transferred back into Stella's name by tomorrow.”

His tone remained calm.

“If it isn't done within twenty four hours, I'll bury you so deep your own family won't know where to find you.”

Stella stared at him, stunned.

The moment the call ended, she pushed the sheets aside and climbed out of bed. Lucius turned at the movement, and the severity in his expression immediately softened when he saw her. He crossed the room, reached for her face, and brushed his fingers over her cheek.

“You all right?”

Stella pushed his hand away.

“Licius is mine, Lucius. You have nothing to do with it. You don't get to decide what happens to my company.”

He looked at her without flinching.

“I know.”

“Then why are you interfering?” Her voice dropped. “Why are you doing all this for me?”

“Because it's yours.”

He said it as though there were nothing more to discuss.

“You built it. You made it successful. I'm not going to watch someone take it from you.”

She fell silent.

Lucius stepped closer.

“Don't confuse that with me wanting control over your life. I don't.” His voice hardened slightly. “But if someone comes after what's yours, I'll deal with them. That's my decision.”

Stella lowered her gaze, troubled by his words and by the certainty with which he said them.

Lucius watched her for a moment before his expression shifted.

“Did you forget what I asked you last night?”