The Handsome Devil

Chapter 26 - Party time

This one is a bit longer, hope you won't mind.

. . .

For the next few days, Deya tried to ignore everyone as much as possible. It proved to be no issue with Max, as he seemingly employed the same tactic, however, the rest of Bulldogs were a different story.

Apparently, James didn't hesitate to tell everyone about the peculiar situation he found her in with Max, and it immediately became a hot subject of their jokes and teasing. Many times they got so out of hand that she had to bite herself from saying anything. The only thing stopping her was knowing that it would probably only make matters worse.

The first few times she desperately looked to Max, half expecting him to end their nonsense. However, his dispassionate expression told her exactly how indifferent it made him feel, and she hated that it stang a little.

The glances finally stopped about the third day. What did she even expect? That he'll step in like the knight in shining armour he is? Pathetic.

That's exactly why she had to stay away from him. Despite everything, her mind refused to accept him for the monster he is. Moreover, it seemed that it pressed this idea into her head. The idea that Max had a soft spot for her, that maybe he cared. It were moments like this, when he disappointed her once again, that made her sober up.

"Coming to the party tonight?" James's elbow poked her gently, breaking her out of her thoughts.

"Party?" She repeated while tilting her head, cursing herself afterwards when she realised she broke her silence. Five days of progress lost.

"Yeah, were you not listening at all?" He was obviously amused by that, but the girl just shrugged.

"Anyway, some of the other Bulldogs are coming over tonight." He continued after a while. "You should join us."

"Other Bulldogs?!" The girl blurted out in awe, ignoring his invitation completely.

"You didn't think we could run everything with five people only, did you?" The girl's head bowed in embarrassment. To be completely honest, she haven't given it much thought. What does she even know about their business? With Max's secretiveness, definitely not much.

"Whatever. I'm not coming." She replied coldly, ignoring his amused stare. What did he expect? That she'll be all excited over the opportunity to mingle with other criminals and murderers?

She could see him opening his mouth, certainly ready to start convincing her. However, instead, the words came from her other side.

"You're coming."

Max.

His voice was toneless as ever and it was obvious it wasn't an offer. It was an order, one that left no room for discussion as his deadly glare would suggest.

"Whatever." She hissed in annoyance. Right now, her mind was occupied with too many unanswered questions to even consider starting an argument with him.

First of all, how many Bulldogs are there? And how comes she haven't met any of them yet? But it wasn't hard to guess the answer to the latter. Max. Since he kidnapped her, he made sure to isolate her from others as much as possible. If it wasn't for her disastrous monthiversary party and the four missions, she wouldn't have seen the outdoor world for more than two months.

But why, all of a sudden, does he force her to meet them? And, more importantly, was he listening to my conversation with James? He must have. How else would he enter the discussion so smoothly?