Page 42 of King of Rage

“No one is going to come between us ever again.”

Nial returned a few minutes later, adjusting the cuff of his jacket as he approached.

“I’ve already arranged for Frost Group to invest in Licius,” he reported. “The investment will give them the financial support and resources they need to expand much faster. We’ve also managed to bring their board members over to our side.”

He glanced briefly toward Lucius before continuing.

“Mr. Frost, they were initially hesitant because so many people have invested in the company, and the final decision-makers are connected to Miss Gibson. But I convinced them to accept our offer. The terms are favorable, and most of them were more than willing to agree. Everything is almost finalized.”

Nial’s voice held a note of satisfaction.

Lucius barely reacted.

His attention had already drifted elsewhere.

He remembered how excited Stella had been the day she told him that her restaurant had won a national competition. She had rushed into his office with a smile bright enough to transform her entire face, thrown her arms around him, and jumped into his embrace.

Then she had kissed him.

It had been sudden and breathless, filled with so much genuine happiness that he had barely had time to react before her body pressed against his.

For one brief, humiliating moment, Lucius Frost, a grown man who could command an entire boardroom with a single look, had been completely overwhelmed by a woman’s kiss.

He had quickly set her back on her feet and moved her aside before she could notice the unmistakable effect she had on him.

“Congratulations,” he had murmured in a strained voice.

Then he had walked away far more quickly than necessary, unwilling to let her see how thoroughly she had managed to unravel his composure.

He had felt like a teenager who had suddenly forgotten how to control his own desires.

It wasn’t that he was easily affected. Lucius had never been a man who lost control. He had spent his entire life mastering his emotions, his reactions, and every situation placed in front of him.

But Stella had always been his one exception.

She could undo him with a smile. A touch. A single kiss.

And she didn’t even realize the power she had over him.

Lucius lowered his gaze, his fingers tightening around the cigarette between them.

“Why did you leave me four years ago?”

His jaw clenched as he stared at the glowing tip of the cigarette, his expression growing harder.

“I have an even bigger empire now, Stella. I could give you everything you’ve ever wanted. I could even turn your business into something far greater than you ever imagined.”

He paused, his eyes darkening as he looked into the distance.

“Back then, maybe there was something you thought I couldn’t provide.”

His voice dropped.

“But now?”

He turned his gaze back to her.

“I have everything.”