The Handsome Devil

Chapter 71 - Friends and Foes

"Thank god. It IS you" Dylan's voice reached her from the direction of her bed, and she blinked few times to help her eyes adjust to the bright light.

"It is you? Seriously?" She growled angrily. "You scared the shit out of me"

"I'm sorry" Her vision cleared just enough to see his guilty expression, and it made her stop and take a deep breath before she takes her frustration with Max out on him.

"What are you doing here?" Her voice came out much calmer as she started to stand up, but registering the worry in his eyes made her stop mid-movement and sit back down.  After all, the last time this happened, Cole got shot.

Please, not again.

"We need to talk" Dylan spoke in husky voice as he nervously ran his fingers through his hair, and the girl suppressed a relieved sigh.

Not an emergency, then..

"Can't we leave it for tomorrow?" His seriousness took her off guard. However, she was also well aware of how heavy her eyelids became, and there seemed to be enough talking done for the day.

"I've overheard your argument with Max" His eyes wandered around the room aimlessly as if he couldn't bear facing her for the conversation to come. Or was it out of shame for spying on them?

"So?" She couldn't stop the defensiveness from her voice and watched his lips part a few times.

"Look, if you're worried about me, don't bother--" She tried again, being promptly interrupted.

"I agree with you" He blurted out while staring at the tips of his shoes, and the girl's brow furrowed.

"Agree with me?" She repeated with suspicion and a dash of curiousity, and stood up to finally cut the distance between them.

"Yes" He cleared his throat sensing her frame towering over him but still didn't raise his head. "I agree that the Bulldogs aren't in position to refuse potential leads"

It was at this point that she finally sat down, her head spinning under the weight of his words.

"Why are you telling me this?" Her head shook in disbelief. After all, it was unlikely he came just to pat her on the shoulder for her observational skills.

"Deys," His bright blue orbs looked into hers anxiously, and she felt her heartbeat accelerate. "I know I can't give you what Max can, but.."

Her mouth nearly dropped open, but Dylan seemed oblivious to that and stretched the pause even longer.

"We really need your help" He concluded finally, and the girl nearly laughed out loud.

He can't promise me a spot on the mission. Of course.

"I know you never asked to be one of us and that you owe us nothing. I just--"

She gently touched his forearm to stop him from blabbering, and her lips curved into a small smile. "I'll be glad to help"

"Are you sure?" He blurted out as if he couldn't phantom how easy it was to convince her.

"As sure as one can be" She returned and her smile got even wider.

After all, the whole purpose of the 'deal' was to convince Max he should let her help them take Connor down, and to do so without giving out Hunter.

Well, only half of that worked out.

But the opportunity to rub it in Max's face should their little conspiration turn fruitful was tempting. Plus, contributing somehow beats being excluded.