The Handsome Devil

Chapter 54 - A Failure

Upon entering the car, Victoria found herself face to face with Samael, unable to believe how glad she was to see the moody butch again.

However, just as the thought to jump into his embrace in seek of comfort crossed her mind, she stopped to get the dreaded question out of the way first.

"Where's.. the boss?" In the very last second, she stopped herself from using his real name.

That sure wouldn't help my situation right now.

"Home.. Waiting for you" The bodyguard replied, and it was then that she fully took in his unusually exhausted appearance.

Is it THAT bad?

"He's pretty pissed" Samael went on after a pause, not bothering to look into her eyes.

"He's pissed? Well wait till I give him a piece of my mind" Victoria couldn't believe they could somehow find a way to blame this whole mess on her.

"Yeah, I wouldn't do that" Samael commented bitterly and shot her a warning look.

"Why?" Her hands flew in the air frustratedly. Why should she let them walk all over her? "First he chases me around like some bitch in heat, and then when Max makes a surprise appearance, he just leaves me there to fend for myself."

"We didn't expect him to be there" She noticed the muscles on his jaw tighten few times before he continued. "You might not agree with the emergency plan, but it was the best we could do in the short time"

"But isn't it your job to know these things? Or, I don't know... At least consider it might happen?" She couldn't stop focusing on the fact the mission was supposed to test her ability to bait Max, yet, no one accounted for the fact he might actually show up. "Seems like you haven't done your research"

The remark obviously hit a sore spot, and Samael reacted by punching the empty seat next to him.

"I may agree with you that the mission was ill prepared.." His husky voice eventually admitted in undertone, as if afraid Connor might hear them. "Boss shouldn't have rushed it and the fact he let his emotions get the best of him and called off your back up is shitty"

Victoria gave him a small sad smile. It felt nice having someone on her side, then again, she sensed it's not all the bodyguard has on his heart. "But?"

"But I've known him for years.." He exclaimed with raised eyebrows, emphasizing the last word. "Logic doesn't fly with him when it comes to the Bulldogs"

So the whole thing has lasted for years. No surprise he's on edge all the time.

Victoria instantly though about Max. Was, perhaps, Connor having the same effect on him? Could it explain some of the devil's mood swings and fits of animosity?

But where did it start?

"Just make sure not to pour more oil into the fire" Samael cut her thoughts short and gave her an insistent look, which she acknowledged by faint nod.

"What even happened between the two?" She couldn't help but address the huge question mark. It was obviously something big. But what exactly?

"It's not my place to say" The man dismissed her abruptly before falling into silence.

For the rest of the ride, they were both pensively looking out of the window, each occupied by their own hardships.

"The wire" Samael blurted out right before they entered the mansion, and Victoria's eyes widened at his extended hand.

"Oh" She could feel blush creep to her cheeks as she considered possible excuses.

"What do you mean 'oh'?" His expression quickly changed to one of panic.