Page 87 of King of Rage

“Lucius—”

“Do you really think I’m that kind of man?” he demanded. “You didn’t even question me. You didn’t confront me. You didn’t give me a chance to explain. You just broke up with me and disappeared.”

Stella lowered her eyes, her lips parting, but Lucius was too consumed by his anger to let her speak.

“And then you got yourself a new boyfriend because you were angry with me?” he continued, his gaze snapping toward Shane. “That’s what you did?”

His accusation made Stella flinch.

Lucius abruptly turned toward Nial, who was standing at the door, and his expression became vicious.

“Get that Catherine Winters the fuck out of this city!” He roared. “Take every fucking deal her company has lined up. I don’t give a fuck what it costs. Destroy her business. I never want to see that goddamn woman smile again.”

Nial’s immediately straightened and nodded.

“Yes, Mr. Frost.”

He hurried out of the room at once.

For a moment, silence settled over the room.

Shane and Stella exchanged a look. Shane then rubbed a hand over his forehead, as though he were already regretting the conversation that was about to follow.

“Mr. Frost,” he began, drawing his attention back to him. “I’m not Stella’s boyfriend.”

Lucius’s glare sharpened.

He turned toward Shane and took a threatening step forward. “So you were just using her to sleep with her?” His voice dropped into a dangerous growl. “You fucking asshole—”

His fist shot up, but before he could swing, Stella grabbed his arm and pulled it back with both hands.

“For God’s sake, Lucius, listen first!” she snapped. “Why do you get angry so easily?”

Lucius’s nostrils flared as he glared at Shane, but he allowed Stella to hold him back.

Shane let out a long, weary breath and rubbed a hand over his forehead. Lucius’s temper was becoming exhausting, and he was beginning to regret getting involved in the argument.

“Stella and I were never in a relationship,” he said, lowering his hand and meeting Lucius’s furious stare. “We’re friends. That’s all.”

Lucius looked at him as though he had just said something utterly ridiculous.

“You’ve been living under the same roof as her for over a fucking year,” he shot back. “And you expect me to believe you never developed feelings for her?”

His gaze shifted briefly to Stella before returning to Shane, his disbelief deepening.

“Have you even looked at her?” he demanded, gesturing toward her with an incredulous sweep of his hand. “Who the fuck wouldn’t fall in love with her?”

“Lucius,” Stella warned, her eyes widening as she stepped toward him.

But he barely acknowledged her.

“No, seriously.” He pointed at Shane, his brows drawn tightly together. “You lived with her for more than a year. You shared a fucking home with her, and you’re standing there telling me you never once caught feelings for her?!”

“I didn’t,” Shane snapped, his patience finally wearing thin.

Lucius opened his mouth to argue again, but Shane cut him off before he could say another word.

“Because I have a boyfriend!” he growled.