Secrets Intertwined

XIX

"Leader Maxwell," greeted Tamani shaking his hand, "Thank you for joining us."

"Thank you for having us," replied Maxwell. With cropped blonde hair and crystal blue eyes, he had the typical dream boy look paired along with his lean muscular build.

Aislyn and Galen stood just outside of the building, peering through the window and eavesdropping on the conversation. Holding back a yawn, Aislyn turned to Galen and asked in a quiet voice, "Do I look okay?"

Ignoring her questions, Galen said, "Are you sure you're up to this? You need to rest."

Shaking her head, Aislyn cracked her knuckles and stretched out her back. "I'm good for now," She whispered back.

Shuffling in an awkward crouched-over position, she poked her head around the door to see the six Community Leaders sat around the dining room table. From her position, she could see that Tamani and Maxwell were deep in conversation with the latter facing away from her.

Glancing over her shoulder, she looked back at Galen gesturing with her hand for him to stay where he was. Dropping silently to her hands and knees, Aislyn waited for Maxwell to start talking before she began to crawl slowly over to his chair without making a noise, a skill she had honed with her years of training and working. She reached his set and crouched behind him, peeking over her shoulder at Galen who gave her a thumbs up.

Jumping up from her hidden position, in one fluid movement, she firmly grasped the back of Maxwell's head and slammed it down, with all her force, into the hard wooden table.

A loud crack reverberated through the room and everyone jumped to their feet in alarm and shock. With an almighty growl, Maxwell span around with his hand covering his broken nose whilst blood dripped from his fingers, eyes searching for his assailant.

"Ais! What the hell do you think you're doing?" Yelled her brother.

Aislyn, ignoring him, took several steps back, threw open her arms, and gleefully shouted, "Maxy."

Choking on his surprise, Maxwell snarled, "Bitch. What the fuck are you doing here?"

"This is my Community. And, well... I missed you," she replied jutting out her bottom lip.

Maxwell took a threatening step towards her and spat out blood next to her feet, "You broke my fucking nose!"

Aislyn dropped her sweet girl act and yanked her glove off her right hand and held it up to his face.

"Payback for ruining my hand, you bastard."

Logan gasped and stepped forward, "What did he do to it, Ais?"

Letting out a humourless laugh, Aislyn glared at Maxwell and said, "He got hold of a hammer and a nail."

Wiping his nose with the sleeve of his top, smearing blood across his face, Maxwell leant forward and got right into her face, "The best thing I've ever done."

Aislyn took a step back and backhanded Maxwell around the face with her glove before pulling it on. "Oops."

Flipping her hair over her shoulder, again hitting Maxwell in the nose, Aislyn went to one of the empty seats and threw herself down.

"Now," she said, propping her feet up on the table, "from my understanding the Skylar Community and the Bane Community want an alliance. Am I correct?" Without waiting for a response, she continued, "Maxy, you will adhere to Tamani's requests and fuck right off. Okay! I think we're done here!"

Placing her feet back on the floor, she braced her hands on her knees and pushed herself to her feet.

"What makes you think I'll do anything you tell me to?" Asked Maxwell, disdain prevalent in his voice.