Chapter Five
Sabrina
I flag down another taxi and hop in, asking the driver to take me to a specific address that my sister had mentioned before. I didn't have time to call Roger for help. I needed to get away from Declan as quickly as possible. Panicking might not be the smartest option right now, but my mind is spinning out of control.
Why does Declan affect me so deeply? Maybe I do know why, but I'm not ready to admit it yet.
The driver drops me off exactly where I wanted to go, and I give the driver a generous tip before dashing up the steps of the unfamiliar house in front of me. As I reach for the doorbell, I wonder if they'll think I'm crazy. But I remind myself to be brave and just do it.
So, I press the doorbell.
A few moments later, the door opens to reveal a handsome guy with a welcoming grin. "Hey, Sabrina, come on in. Diana and Pippa are in the living room. We're all excited to get to know you. Follow me."
Derek Hahn is a fellow American, but his wife Diana is a British billionaire. As I walk into the house, I suddenly realize who Pippa is. Diana's brother passed away years ago, leaving his daughter under Diana's care, and later she adopted the girl. So, Pippa is both Diana's daughter and her niece. It's all rather complicated.
We enter what seems to be a sitting room or something of that sort. Most Americans don't have fancy names for their rooms, at least not anyone I know. Diana and Pippy are sitting on a luxurious sofa, smiling as they see me.
Pippa hurries over to me and wraps her arms around my waist in a firm hug. "I'm so happy to finally meet you, Sabrina. We've been hearing all about you and Tabitha. Can't wait to see her at the wedding. I already know Spencer and his brother Kendall."
"I'm happy to meet you too, Pippa. Spencer mentioned that you're the smartest young lady in all of England."
The girl blushes, then she dashes back to Diana.
Derek motions toward a high-back chair. "Why don't you have a seat, Sabrina?"
"Thank you." I sink into the comfortable chair Derek pointed out for me. It has plush cushioning that feels wonderful. "But please call me Bree. That's what my friends and family call me, and I'm sure we'll become good friends."
Derek takes a seat beside the two women in his life, casually draping an arm over the back of the sofa. The sound of a baby crying echoes from elsewhere in the house.
Diana turns toward her daughter. "Pippa, dear, would you be a love and look after your little sister for me?"
The teenager rolls her eyes. "What you mean is 'Pippa, get lost so the adults can talk in private.' Right?"
"Exactly," Derek chimes in with a wink. "Go on, kiddo."
Pippa obediently makes her way down the hall. As she disappears from sight, she calls out, "But I'm not a child!"
"Yes, you are," both Derek and Diana shout in response.
Sitting opposite two strangers, I can't help feeling slightly uncomfortable. They seem like nice people, and I'm sure we'll become friends eventually. But right now, it feels like there's a pebble in my chair, though I realize there isn't one. A minute ago, I confidently declared that we would all be great friends. Now, I'm not so sure.
Derek moves closer to his wife, and they both aim pleasant smiles at me. "Can I do something for you, Bree? A desperate phone call, asking for urgent help, is my kind of problem."
I raise my brows. "What exactly is your specialty?"
"I'm a bodyguard. In fact, I own the company---H&M Protective Services. The 'M' stands for Marshall, who used to be my boss before he retired and sold the business to me."
I sit up straighter, leaning forward. "You're a bodyguard? That's terrific. Can you protect me from a rude jerk who's been harassing me?"
"Absolutely. That falls right inside my wheelhouse."
My shoulders slump. "That sounds perfect, but I doubt I can afford your services."
Diana aims a motherly smile at me. "Don't worry, love. There will be no charge. If Spencer Halfenaked recommended you, that's all we need to know."
"Oh. That's great." Do I sound like a moron or what? Sheesh.
Derek studies me for a moment. "Tell us about the jerk who's been following you around."
"He's been trailing me since---Well, that part doesn't matter." I almost let it slip about my wild night with Declan. Being stalked is exhausting. "This guy seems to have connections everywhere, and they're all willing to help him harass me. He even convinced a hotel clerk to give him my room number and a taxi driver to tell him that I went to Trafalgar Square. That's how he found me again."
"Do you know the stalker's name?"
"Yes, unfortunately. He goes by Declan Wilde, but who knows if that's his real name."
Diana shifts in her seat, suddenly looking at me as if I've just revealed that I was abducted by aliens. "Did you say Declan Wilde?"
"Yes."
Diana and Derek exchange puzzled glances, then she cautiously asks, "Are you absolutely certain that was his name?"
"I'm positive. He told me so himself."
She stares at me with disbelief for a moment before relaxing back into her chair. "I'm sorry, love, but that can't be right. Sir Declan Wilde is one of England's most esteemed philanthropists as well as a successful businessman. He was awarded a KCB---Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire."
"A what?" I can't believe what I'm hearing. Declan is evil. "That creep is no knight in shining armor."
"Knight of the Order of the British Empire is a ceremonial title."
Derek's brows furrow as he glances at his wife. "Baby, I think there must be something else going on here. Sir Declan must have a reason for his actions. But I trust Bree's account. Why don't I pay Sir Declan a visit myself? Then I can decide if any further action needs to be taken."
I perk up. "You would do that for me?"
"Of course I would. If it turns out Declan has a secret life as a stalker, I'll expose him so hard he won't know what hit him."
Diana smiles lovingly at her husband. "My love, you are the sweetest man in the world."
He leans in close and whispers, "Don't go spreading that rumor around. I have a reputation to maintain."
She playfully pats his cheek. "No need to worry. Bree won't tell a soul. Will you, pet?"
"Nope. My lips are sealed. But I'm still in shock about that jack---I mean, Sir Declan's behavior." Every time Diana uses the word pet, I feel weird about it. Why? Because Declan also likes to call me that, though with very different intentions.
Derek jumps out of his seat. "You lovely ladies can stay here. I'll go have a chat with Declan."
I leap up too. "I'm coming with you."
"No, Bree, that's not a good idea."
"But he's been stalking me. And what if he uses hypnosis on you? He's the devil."
Derek is desperately trying not to burst into laughter, and I can't blame him. Even I think I sound like a lunatic. But Derek is too kind to say so.
Instead, he places a comforting hand on my shoulder and gives me an empathetic smile. "I get that you're upset by Declan's behavior. But if you can trust me, we'll get this all sorted out, I promise. Does that sound good?"
"Yes, thank you. I swear I'm not normally like this."
As he leads me away, he tells Diana, "We won't be long, baby. Don't worry."
"I never worry, Derek. You know that."
He winks at her. "Sorry. I almost forgot you're tough as nails."
In the hallway, Derek shrugs into a jacket that looks designer to me. I bet his wife bought that for him. Derek doesn't strike me as the type to splurge on high-end fashion. Instead of leading me through the front entrance, he steers me toward the back of the house and out into the crowded parking lot behind it. The London neighborhood features upscale houses packed closely together. Despite the tight quarters, it's undeniably beautiful here.
Derek uses his key fob to unlock the passenger door of his luxury car. Then he offers me his hand to help me inside.
Sir Declan never offered to do that for me, but then again, I ran away before he had the chance to be chivalrous. Not that I believe for even a nanosecond that he would've done that.
As we ride in style in a super-expensive Jaguar sedan, I take in the scenery as we leave central London behind and pass through opulent neighborhoods where the richest people in London live. I crane my neck to get a glimpse of the lavish mansions and extravagant cars as we zoom down the streets.
"Where are we headed?" I ask, sinking back into my seat.
"Straight to Declan's flat in Knightsbridge," Derek replies, glancing at me out of the corner of his eye. "A flat is what they call an apartment here."
"Yeah, I know. Spencer told me all about England and his British friends."
Derek deftly navigates around a corner, using only one hand. "I heard they might throw a wild party for Tabitha and Spencer's wedding."
"Tabby and Spence would rather keep it simple."
Derek turns onto a narrow street. "We're almost there. Are you ready to face Declan?"
"I don't want a confrontation. I just want him to stop stalking me."
"Understood."
Luckily, Derek finds a parking spot near Declan's apartment building, so we won't have far to walk. I'm worn out from arguing with that jerk. The building itself is stunning, a mix of modern and traditional design. We climb a few steps to reach the entrance, then ride an elevator---a lift, as Brits call it---to get up to Declan's fancy bachelor pad. Derek presses the doorbell.
Seconds later, the door swings open, and Declan greets me with a smirk. "Now who's stalking whom, darling? I imagine you brought your mate as a witness to my alleged depravity."
"Careful," Derek warns, his gaze flinty. "You don't want to tick off a bodyguard. Sabrina is under my protection until I determine whether or not you can be trusted. My wife knows you and vouches for your character, but I need to see the proof for myself."
Declan's brows shoot up. "Your wife? Who the bloody hell are you?"
"I'm Derek Hahn. Diana Sangster is my wife, though she goes by Diana Hahn these days."
"Oh. Well, that explains a few things. Diana has been a strong supporter of my charitable endeavors, but I didn't know she had finally tied the knot."
I can't resist jumping into the conversation. "How could you not know that Diana got married? I thought she was famous in London."
Declan studies me with interest. "Sorry, I don't keep up with gossip these days. Lost my appetite for it." He shoots a quick glance at Derek, then smirks again. "Will your bodyguard be following you around permanently? Or is this strictly a 'let the bodyguard try to frighten Declan' sort of visit?"
"I can't imagine you would ever be afraid."
His eyes widen briefly. Then he crosses his arms over his chest and releases a heavy sigh. "I promise not to stalk, bother, or otherwise annoy Sabrina Remington unless she does so first. Now, may we have a private conversation without a chaperone? I will allow you to restrain me if that will make you feel better."
I can't tell if he's serious or if he's mocking me. But for some strange reason, I want to talk to Declan alone. So, I turn to Derek and say, "Thank you for all your help. I can handle Declan on my own now."
Derek nods crisply, then gives Declan's hand a strong shake. My bodyguard warns him not to make me cry, or else he'll come back just to beat up Sir Declan. Derek turns to leave the apartment, and the door clicks shut behind him.
Now I am alone with the jackass.
I allow my gaze to wander over his entire body, though I know I shouldn't. He might get the wrong idea if he notices me checking him out. My appraisal begins at his feet as I take in his fancy leather shoes and crisp white socks. Slowly, my attention travels upwards. I admire his designer clothes that he seems to always wear. His pants tightly hug his thighs, which I know are strong and powerful thanks to our liaison last night. Then my gaze move on to his muscular biceps and broad shoulders.
Damn, he's hot.
Every time we'd met, he'd left the top two buttons of his shirt undone, no matter what he was wearing. The glimpse of dark hair poking out reminds me of last night when I was kissing and nuzzling his chest. He smelled so good that I wanted more. But Declan is an alpha male, for sure, and he took command of our sexual encounters.
Our first "shag," as Brits would call it, had been wild, frenetic, and incredible. But the other times we got it on last night were...something else. Hot, yes, but also sweet and slow.
"Are you done ogling me, pet? If you keep licking your lips that way, I might have to fuck you right here on the floor."