Chapter 2

Hannah

I was contemplating whether I could get away with hiding in the bathroom when a stocky man in a rumpled suit stumbled into the space my friends had vacated.

"Well, hello, beautiful," he slurred, bracing himself against the table. His tie hung loose around his neck, and a flush of alcohol painted his cheeks. "You sitting here all alone?"

"My friends are dancing," I replied curtly, edging away as he slid into the booth beside me.

He leaned closer, his breath reeking of whiskey. "Lucky me. How much?"

I blinked, not comprehending. "Excuse me?"

"Your rate, sweetheart." His eyes traveled down to my neckline and lingered there. "For the whole night. I've got a suite upstairs."

My brain finally caught up with his implication, and disgust washed over me. "I'm not—"

"Two grand? Three?" He placed his hand on my thigh, his fingers digging into the slit of the dress. "You're premium merchandise, baby. Those tits alone are worth—"

"Remove your hand before I break it." The voice was deep and commanding, coming from directly behind us.

The drunk man turned, scowling. "Mind your own business, pal. I saw her first."

I looked up to see the mysterious stranger from earlier standing over our booth. Up close, he was even more breathtaking. Tall with broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist, he exuded an aura of controlled power that seemed to fill the entire space around us. His jaw was sharp enough to cut glass, and his dark, penetrating eyes never left the drunk man's face.

"The lady isn't for sale," he said, his voice deep and commanding, each word precise and measured. "Apologize and leave."

The drunk man stood up unsteadily, puffing out his chest. "Who the fuck do you think—"

He never finished the sentence. In one fluid motion, the stranger grabbed the drunk's wrist, twisted it behind his back, and pressed him face-first against the table. It happened so quickly that I barely registered the movement, like watching a panther strike.

"I dislike repeating myself," the stranger said quietly, increasing the pressure on the man's arm. "Apologize to the lady."

The drunk man's face contorted in pain. "Sorry! Jesus, I'm sorry! I thought—"

"What you thought doesn't matter." The stranger released him with a slight push. "Now leave."

The drunk man straightened his jacket with as much dignity as he could muster, shot me a resentful glare, and stumbled away toward the bar.

The entire pub had gone eerily quiet. I could feel dozens of eyes on us, watching the scene unfold, but no one stepped forward. The stranger commanded respect or fear, which kept everyone at bay.

He turned to me, and when our eyes met, a jolt of electricity shot through my body. Something primal stirred inside me, a heat that had nothing to do with embarrassment and everything to do with the way his dark gaze seemed to see right through me.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice softer now but no less intense.

I swallowed hard, trying to find my voice. "Yes. Thank you."

He inclined his head slightly. "No woman should be spoken to that way."

His eyes held mine, and for a moment, something passed between us, a current of recognition as if we had known each other in another life. My skin tingled where his gaze wandered, and I became acutely aware of how exposed I felt in this dress. The thought of his hands on me instead of the drunk's made my breath catch.

The spell broke when Emma's voice cut through the tension.

"Hannah! Oh my god, what happened?" She rushed over, followed by Sofia and the others. "We saw that creep talking to you, and then this whole..." She gestured vaguely at the stranger, clearly unsure how to categorize what she'd just witnessed.

The stranger stepped back, creating space for my friends to crowd around me. The pub's ambient noise gradually returned to normal as the spectacle ended.

"Are you okay?" Sofia asked, squeezing my hand.

"I'm fine," I assured her. "Just some drunk who couldn't take a hint."

Valentina eyed the stranger appreciatively. "And who's your knight in shining armor?"

I realized with a flush of embarrassment that I hadn't even asked his name. Before I could speak, he addressed the group.

"I should be going. My associates are waiting." His eyes returned to mine. "Would you like a ride home? My car is outside."

Five pairs of eyes swiveled to me, waiting for my response. The offer was tempting, more tempting than it should have been. My body screamed yes while my brain frantically waved red flags.

"That's very kind," I said, "but I'm celebrating my friend's birthday. I should stay."

He nodded, accepting my decision without argument. "Of course."

"Thank you again," I added quickly, not wanting him to leave just yet. "For stepping in."

"It was my pleasure." The corner of his mouth lifted in a hint of a smile that sent another wave of heat through me.

He turned to leave, and I felt a stab of regret. I should have asked his name and said something more meaningful than a simple thank you.

"Wait—" I started, but he was already moving through the crowd with the same effortless grace he'd displayed earlier.

"Holy shit," Emma whispered as he disappeared. "Who was that?"

"I have no idea," I admitted, still staring at the spot where he'd vanished.

"He was looking at you like he wanted to eat you alive," Nora said with a grin. "In the good way."

Andrew cleared his throat. "So, are we going back to dancing or what?"

"Yes!" Sofia declared. "It's still my birthday, and I demand more dancing!"

As we made our way back to the dance floor, I couldn't help glancing around, hoping for another glimpse of the stranger. My body still hummed with awareness, and I knew I would be replaying that moment, the intensity in his eyes and the controlled power in his movements for days to come.

"Earth to Hannah," Emma nudged me. "You're missing Sofia's birthday dance circle."

I forced a smile. "Sorry. Just... processing."

"I bet," she smirked. "That guy was sex on legs. You should have taken the ride offer."

"And end up chopped into pieces? No thanks."

"Some risks might be worth taking," she winked.

I laughed and joined the circle around Sofia, but my mind kept wandering back to those dark eyes and what might have happened if I'd said yes.