Page 99 of King of Rage

His jaw was tight, his eyes dark.

“I’m afraid you’ve left me again,” he said.

His voice was low, but there was unmistakable fear beneath it.

“I almost called Nial and had him block the entire city to find you. I wouldn’t have let you disappear on me again.”

Stella stared at him, completely bewildered.

“What is going on?”

Lucius finally loosened his hold enough to look into her eyes, but one hand remained firmly around her waist.

“What was that call about?”

“What call?”

“The call about your flight to London.” His gaze sharpened. “Are you leaving?”

For a moment, Stella simply stared at him.

Then realization dawned.

“Oh.”

She glanced toward the phone still in his hand.

“I forgot to cancel my flight to London. I booked it months ago.”

Lucius continued watching her, his expression guarded.

“I’ll call my friend and tell him my plans have been canceled,” she added quickly. “I think it’s just a misunderstanding.”

She reached up and touched his arm, trying to ease the tension in him.

“Besides, you and I can go to London together if I want to go there for business in the future, right?”

Lucius’s expression softened almost immediately.

“Of course! I’ll take you whenever you want.” His answer came without hesitation. “I’ll book the flight myself. Cancel this one.”

He paused, his eyes searching hers.

“I don’t want you to go alone.”

The vulnerability in his voice softened Stella's expression.

“All right,” she said with a small smile.

Relief washed over his face.

The next moment, Lucius swept her into his arms.

Stella let out a surprised laugh as he carried her toward the couch, his mood changing so quickly that she could hardly keep up with him.

He sat down and settled her comfortably in his lap, one arm wrapping securely around her waist.

A satisfied smile lingered on his face, as though the fear that had gripped him moments earlier had already disappeared.