Beastly: Sequel to "Mr. Perfect"

Chapter 26: Glass Boxes and Suspects

🌸Faith (P.O.V.)🌸

Max's chest rose and fell fast as he stared Evan down, jaw tight, fists still balled.

Then, finally, his voice cut through the silence.

"I...I am not afraid of you," he said.

Evan leaned closer, tilting his head, smirk sharp. 

"Oh? Then walk out," he said. "If you're not scared of me, walk out."

Max swallowed hard.

Slowly, he lifted his foot, as if he were about to take a step toward the door.

"Go on," Evan taunted, taking a single step closer.

Max froze, jaw still tight, fists trembling slightly.

"I—" Max started, voice low and shaking.

"Don't talk," Evan interrupted, leaning just enough to assert dominance without touching him. "Walk or sit. Your choice—but if you try to leave? You will regret it."

The room felt smaller, the air still thick with anticipation.

Lauren let out a nervous squeak, getting our attention.

I saw Brittany lean forward, a sharp glare locked on Evan, while Cassidy groaned, locking her arms tighter.

Mary rubbed her temples, eyes darting between the two, and Liliana's hands were clenched in her lap, silent but tense.

Max's fist unclenched, then clenched again. His face was red, heat rising in waves.

"You think you can control everyone, huh?" he spat, stepping just a fraction closer to Evan. "You think you have power over every person in this world, huh?"

Evan smirked unwaveringly, like he was daring Max to try.

"Try me," he said calmly. "I dare you. One step out that door and see what happens."

I sighed heavily, realizing what Evan was doing.

I don't understand why Max gets so riled up. Whenever he acts like this, Evan gets a thrill out of it. The longer he reacts this way, the more Evan will instigate it.

Max's chest heaved, fists tight. 

"I'm not scared of you, Evan Owens!" he exclaimed. "Do you hear me? You think you can control and intimidate everybody, but not me! I won't be intimidated!"

Evan continued to look at him, letting him stew in his frustration.

I pressed my palms to my face, shaking my head in disbelief.

Max attempted to push Evan out of his way, but Jake and Mason lunged between them.

"Enough!" Jake exclaimed, holding his arms out.

Max shoved Mason roughly to the side, his fist still trembling.

"I can leave if I want to!" he snapped. "Evan Owens cannot force me to stay here!"

Evan scoffed, rolling his eyes like Max's defiance was nothing more than an annoying fly buzzing in his face.

"Evan, what's going on?" Jake asked. "Why are you trying to keep everyone—"

"I don't give a crap about what's going on!" Max cut in. "I won't let him tell me what I can and can't do!"

Mason stepped closer to Max, trying to calm him. 

"Settle down, man," he said. "Relax. There has to be a reason why Ev is saying all this, so relax—"

"Don't tell me to relax, Mason!" Max said.