Page 24 of King of Rage

She pushed herself up slightly, her gaze moving from the bed to the furniture around the room as she tried to piece together how she had ended up there.

“What the hell am I doing here?” she whispered. “I was working at the café. What happened afterwards?”

She searched her memory, but there was nothing.

The last thing she remembered was being at the café and suddenly feeling dizzy. Her vision had blurred, her body had weakened, and then everything had gone completely dark.

She couldn't remember anything after that.

Stella rubbed her temple and took a careful breath before slowly pushing herself upright. Her body still felt heavy, and there was a faint weakness in her limbs, but she didn't want to stay there any longer.

She glanced toward Lucius.

He was asleep in the chair beside the bed, his head tilted slightly forward and his arms folded across his chest.

Stella quietly moved the covers aside and began slipping out of the bed, careful not to make a sound. She placed one foot on the floor, then the other, intending to leave without waking him.

But the moment she shifted her weight, the mattress moved beneath her.

The bed creaked.

Lucius’s eyes opened instantly. His gaze locked onto her.

“What the hell are you doing? Where are you going?”

Stella froze for a moment before turning toward him.

“I’m getting some water.”

Lucius immediately rose from the chair. He stepped toward her and placed an arm around her shoulders, stopping her from taking another step.

Without saying a word, Lucius reached for the glass of water on the bedside table and held it out to her.

“Here.”

Stella glanced at the glass before looking at him. She didn't like the way he was watching her, as though he didn't trust her not to make a dash for the door.

And, considering that was exactly what she had been planning to do the moment he stopped paying attention, she couldn't entirely blame him.

Still, she took the glass from his hand and raised it to her lips. After drinking a few small sips, she lowered it and handed it back to him.

“I’ll leave now,” she said.

She turned and began easing herself out of the bed again, but Lucius caught her before she could get away.

He caught her around the waist, pulling her back onto the mattress. Then he climbed into bed beside her, wrapped an arm around her waist, and drew her against him.

“What’s going on?” he asked, his voice low. “Why are you trying to run away from me?”

He shifted closer, placing one hand on either side of her as he leaned over her. His body crowded hers, leaving barely any space between them. The intimidating closeness made Stella stiffen.

For a moment, she simply stared at him.

Then she hardened her expression, refusing to let him see how unsettled his proximity made her.

“What am I doing here?” she demanded. “I shouldn’t even be here, should I? I was at work, and the last thing I remember is being at the café. What happened?”

Lucius’s gaze moved over her face.