The Handsome Devil

Chapter 40 - And she's gone

The sound of Patrick's heavy footsteps as he descended the stairs could be heard all over the house. He couldn't remember the last time something got him so up in arms as the conversation with Deya.

Why does she think so low of us?

It pained him that she doesn't see how much they care about her.

How much I do.

While he considered her a liability when they took her in, things slowly changed and he came to accept her as a sister.

Expressing or talking about feelings has never been easy for him even while Don was still alive. That, however, didn't mean he's not trying.

Then why it seems 'trying' doesn't count?

The more he replayed the conversation in his head, the more his fury shifted to another target.

Max.

Despite Deya's best efforts to hide it, it was obvious his ignorance is tearing her apart, and it has been this way for a while.

With newly found determination in his step, Patrick strode towards the game room and pushed the door open, his eyes immediately locking with his victim.

What kind of brother would I be to not intervene?

He was sitting at the bar with Dylan, both uncharacteristically quiet, and it instantly stroke Patrick as odd.

"I need to talk to you" He hoped that Dylan will get the cue and give them some privacy. After all, disrespect in front of others was the devil's sore spot.

"What's it about?" Max gave him a tired look and the boxer cursed under his breath.

"The girl"

The devil's eyes closed briefly before he replied. "Then fuck off"

As if a switch was pressed, Patrick felt his blood pressure rise to threatening values. No wonder she thinks so low of us.

Dylan appeared disinterested in taking anyone's side, and in wobbly moves stood up from the bar stool and limped out of the situation.

"She's not alright, Max" The desperation in the giant's voice was heartbreaking.

If only the devil had a heart.

"And what does it have to do with me?" He inquired bitterly while pouring himself a drink, but Patrick furiously knocked it out of his hand before he had a chance to take a sip.

"Everything. It has everything to do with you" His eyes burned with animosity. "You caused it"

Without hesitation, Max sprang up from his seat and threw a punch at the giant, one he didn't manage to dodge.

"You don't think I fucking know it!" The devil shouted at the top of his lungs before swinging his fist again.

This time, Patrick caught his wrist and painfully twisted it. "Then act like it! Bloody hell!"

He elbowed his face before pushing him away to create a distance.

"What am I supposed to do, you idiot?" Max cried out while figuring out whether his nose is or isn't broken.

"I don't know, let me think" The boxer mimicked a pensive pose before shooting him murderous look. "What about having a drink while she's upstairs alone, punching the shit out of the wall"

Max jumped up as if ready for another attack but he stopped mid-movement as the words sank in.

"Punching... a wall?"