Page 35 of Stephan

“But I—”

Jess put her hand up. “I’m not saying youhave to fall in love with him. Just give him a chance and get toknow him.”

I hated it but was she right. I knew it deepdown in the gut I needed to stop being so stupid and basically abrat to him. “Fine. I—”

“Jade, honey, there is a lovely young boynamed Derick at the door saying he’s here to drive you home,”Jess’s mum yelled.

I was surprised Derick came and not Stephan.Easing off the bed, I grabbed Jess and dragged her to the frontdoor. Derick stood at the small apartment door grinning down atJess’s mum. I could tell he’d been charming her. Her mother’scheeks were bright red and she had a huge smile on her face.

“Hi, Derick. I would ask how you found me,but I have a feeling I know.” I remembered the phone salesassistant telling me my new phone had a GPS tracking system.

“He turned the tracker on.” Derick confirmedwhat I was thinking.

“Ishein the car?” I knew I didn’thave to say who. Derick would know who I was talking about.

Derick’s gaze turned my way and he gave me awicked smirk, his brown eyes lighting up with amusement. “Mybrother does have some brain cells, he knew sitting in a car for anhour and half ride home with you wouldn’t be very smart. He wantsyou extra calm.”

“I expected as much.” I hugged Jess andturned to Mrs. Stren. “Thanks so much for picking me up and havingme here.”

Mrs. Stren hugged me. “You’re always welcome,Jade.” Lapping up the love, I was reluctant to ease away.

Closing my eyes, I squeezed Mrs. Stren, who’dbeen more of a mother to me than my own. “Thank you.” I pulled awayand went over to Derick before I changed my mind and begged Mrs.Stren to take me in.

Derick’s arm slid around my waist and I wassurprised by his affection. “Come on, sis. Let’s go. We have adecent size drive for this time of night.”

We walked down the hall and at the end nearthe stairs, I saw a man I was sure I’d seen about a couple oftimes. He was tall, about six-one, bulky, like he worked out a lot.He had rust-brown hair with silver streaks and green eyes thatseemed to notice everything.

“I know Stephan told me to stay back but Ihave a bad feeling.”

“Who are you?” I stared at the man.

“I’m Brand.”

“Hi, Brand. Are you related to Derick?”

“Nope.”

What did he mean nope? Who was he then? Theyall walked down the stairs, Brand first. He gazed around everywherelike someone or something was about to pop out and kill them. Ididn’t know Brand but I’d grown up around here. It may look a badlike a bad neighborhood but no one had been killed while I livedthere.

“Brand, it’s fine. No one is going to jumpout at us. I’ve lived in this neighborhood all my life.”

“That may be, princess, but I’m getting a badfeeling. I always listen to my gut.”

Princess? Why on Earth would Brand call methat? “My name is Jade. I am anything but a princess.”

Brand halted at the doors leading outside.“To this family, you’re a princess. They will treat you likeone.”

I narrowed my gaze on Brand, how did he knowthis? Why did he think this? “I don’—”

“Quiet,” Brand said. “I need you to listenand do everything I say. Derick knows the drill. He was trained assoon as he could walk to know what to do when we are on alert. Youhaven’t. You follow behind me. If I say down you get down. If Itell you to do anything you do it without argument.”

Okay, this guy was freaking me out. I lookedto Derick but he seemed calm like this happened all the time. “Whatthe hell is going on, Derick?”

“Just follow Brand and I promise I’ll explainlater.”

I stared at Derick. I was unsure, and Iwanted explanations. “Fine, but you better explain what the hell isgoing on.”

“Let’s go, princess.” Brand opened the doorand moved out of the building and I followed.

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