Page 45 of The Rancher's Vengeful Heart

Someone gasped behind them, and Tassy's eyes widened as she realized Stella had heard what Lucius said.

Oh dear.

She turned to her friend with a nervous smile. "So, um..." Her voice faltered, her mind suddenly flooded with memories of the past. What if Lucius was even worse than Xylan? What if he also looked down—

"You must be Stella," Lucius said smoothly, his tone effortlessly charming as he extended his hand. "My wife has told me all about you. I understand you've been friends since high school."

Tassy could only watch in a daze as her normally aloof husband charmed the socks off Stella, who was usually not that easy to impress.

"I hope you'll join us for dinner this weekend, and I'll make sure to send a car."

Stella was flustered at having the red carpet rolled out for her. "Oh, but—"

"You're my wife's closest friend," Lucius interrupted gently but firmly. "Your safety is my priority as well." His gaze dropped deliberately to the healing cut on Stella's cheek, and it was then the two women realized what had prompted Lucius to make his offer.

Tassy found herself blinking back tears when her husband also insisted that Stella save the number of his security chief.

"Day or night," he added, his voice dropping to ensure only the two women could hear. "No questions asked."

Tassy couldn't believe how different Lucius was from Xylan. Her ex had known Stella foryears, but not once had he cared to ask why Tassy's friend occasionally sported ill-concealed bruises on her face. In fact, the less he had to do with Stella, the better for Xylan, who didn't want to be seen being friends with someone who cleaned for a living.

And yet her husband, on the other hand...

Lucius had known Stella for all of five minutes, but he had known exactly what Tassy's friend needed and offered it without hesitation.

Why was this husband of hers so perfect?

What had she ever done to deserve him?

By the time they parted ways with Stella, Tassy's heart was bursting with joy and gratitude, and she turned to her husband as soon as they were inside his car. Her adoring gaze lifted to his, and that was when she saw it.

Uh...oh.

Was it just her imagination or did he suddenly look like he was about to give her a beating?

"So..." Her husband's tone was pleasant. Who knew a pleasant tone could sound so... menacing? "I understand keeping our marriage a secret from other people, but when you also chose not to tell your best friend..."

I'm dead.

"Did you think I'd be the type to let you hide me away?"

Tassy started speaking very, very quickly. "I didn't mean to hide you! I just couldn't find the right time—"

Oh no.

Her voice trailed off when she realized where Lucius was staring.

"You're not wearing your wedding ring either."

"So, um, about that—"

Her voice faltered when he pushed a button that had the privacy partition sliding up behind Jacob.

Oh no.

Lucius reached for her waist to pull her close...before slowly guiding her head down...so she would have enough time to understand what he was asking of her.

"You've been a very bad girl, wife."

---