Roswell Fanatics

I was going to reply to each and everyone who left feedback, but the board was swiped. Someone, thankfully, pruned my thread and left me all my feedback on my email, so I will get to it and hopefully I can reply later. I just wanted to leave the next chapter here in case I can't get on for the next few days. I'm just, as always, amazed and humbled by how many people like this fic.

In this part, you'll kind of see a bi-polar Max, lol. He's struggling and I hope I conveyed that in this part. Enjoy!

Oh, and my sister isn't going to read this, but I'd like to thank her anyway for betaing it for me. And to Laura, burningchaos, my number one beta who's a joy to work AND talk to.

Chapter #9

It was an hour an a half later that Liz decided to re-enter the party, after having put Georgie to sleep. She was once again dumbfounded that there was no one (except occasionally her Nonna, that is) to tuck her in at night. Although she wasn’t exactly sure why she was dumbfounded—no one had ever tucked her in, either. With the exception of Alex and his occasional forehead kisses, she’d always been away from home to have ever experienced a normal childhood. And she saw so much of herself in Georgie—and Liz wouldn’t let Georgie turn into the girl Liz had turned into, cold and unreachable, and always having her guard up.

The party was still full, even more cheerful if that was possible. On one corner, was what Liz had deemed the bohemian philosophers. They were playing chess, and having drinks, and discussing at length art and literature masterpieces. The goatee man Liz had met was in that circle. In fact, he was in the center of it and chatting idly at the tall, chubby man with a glass of bourbon. He was sitting down on a leather chair and cautiously determining his next move.

On the other hand were the ladies. Beautiful, of all ages and different contextures. Some were dancing with their significant others to the strums of an Italian song, others were giggling and gossiping loudly, some of the remarks towards Liz herself. They were of course, conspiring against her in Italian, making sure Liz had no idea what they were talking about—Max had told them she was American.

She had lived her entire life skipping from one boarding school to the next, learning languages along the way, including French, German, and Italian. Elizabeth would not, however, tell them of this little talent of hers. Instead, she’d walk by them amusingly, listening to them trash her as if she had no idea what they were saying. She quirked an eyebrow and smiled at them with feign innocence, raising her glass in mock salute and moving through the crowds that wouldn’t make eye contact with her.

The final circle was Liz’s favorite. The musicians. They had all obviously had too much to drunk, and were already swaying in an unbalancing fashion and slurring the words to the songs they were singing, but they were having the best time of all. Sitting down on a beautiful chaise was an eccentric man holding a sitar, his eyes closed as he strummed and sang in tenor. Next to the man, still lying in the chaise, was a white-furred small Persian cat. The thought was so unusual it brought a smile to Liz’s face.

They all seemed to sense her presence, and turned around. The songs ended, and the smiles fell, and all were standing there unsure of what to do next—their all adored their Max, had seen him grow up, were aware of his intents yet… she seemed so harmless.

The sitar playing man, however, seemed to know just what to do. “Mrs. Muciolli!”

Liz raised an eyebrow as she listened to his voice. “You’re American,” she stated.

“Of course I am. And I’m fabulous to boot,” he smiled at her conspiratorially. “And my, my, aren’t you just beautiful.”

She laughed in appreciation, extending her hand. “Elizabeth Regina Evans.”

“Ah, dea regina! Surely you are. My name is Dante.”

“Dante…”

“Just Dante.”

His quirky hand movements and feminine gestures elicited another laugh from Liz. “All right. Pleasure to meet you, Dante.”

Dante was smiling at her warmly, a hand above his chin as it stroked the big sapphire ring he had on. He finally shook his head, offering his arm as they walked around the room. “He must be wrong about you.”

Liz tilted her head just slightly. “What do you mean?”

Dante shook his head, a knowing smile on his face. “All in due time, il mio regina.”

Liz stiffened as they passed by a hoard of women, who all stopped to stare at her, and the minute she finished passing by, continued their snarky comments. God, when would this night be over?

Dante scoffed. “Do you see the loudest one of them all? In an awful, sea weed green dress?”

Liz nodded, still perturbed.

“Fashion, meet disaster,” he whispered.

That was all it took. She giggled softly, clamping a hand over her mouth.

“And the one with the god awful yellow sarong. See her?”

She nodded once again, dutifully.

“Botox. Lots and lots of botox and lipo,” he confided in a gossiping manner. “Her husband’s the bald man that’s speaking with the very young lady in the corner. Doesn’t that look a bit suspicious?”

“One would think,” Liz smirked.

“They’ve been having a not-so-secret affair. Everyone in this room knows it, except Alessia, of course. The poor sarong-wearing woman wouldn’t want to know even if it hit her in the head—she’s the evilest of all. The way to knock her down a peg or two is to make her self-conscious. Her shirt is more expensive then my house, I’ll say.”

Another stifled giggle.

“And thank the heavens that pesky little tramp didn’t show up here! The nerve she would have had if she did,” Dante sneered distastefully.

“Who are you talking about?”

“Adriana. Oh, you’ll meet her soon enough. She’s the puppy that will not let go of your husband’s leg. She’ll pee on it as long as she gets his attention.”

Liz grimaced. Another bimbo she’d have to take on?

“Why didn’t she come, then if she lacks so much pride?”

“I figure she got pissy that makes didn’t inform her of his nuptials,” Dante murmured, the champagne tickling his mouth as it met his lips. He turned to her with a shrug. “She’s the hellion of the town. Always making trouble, and I want you to be careful of her. She’s quite taken with Max, and I’m sure she has to be scorned he got married to someone that wasn’t her.”

“Max was dating her at the time?” Liz asked curiously.

“Not so much dating,” Dante intoned. “But they were friendly.”

“Ah. Seems he gets around,” Liz replied wryly.

Their raucous laughter was short-lived. Max was walking towards them, and she stiffened once again. She couldn’t help the involuntary defense mechanism she utilized every time he was near her, but she’d grown apprehensive of him the minute she’d met him, and his attitude proved she had reason to believe so. Max Evans was nothing but a ruthless bastard.

“Mind if I cut in?” Max asked the two of them with a smirk.

“I don’t want to dance with you,” she hissed angrily.

“Now, is that the way to speak to the love of your life?” Max asked with a wide, charming grin.

“Don’t flatter yourself,” she spat out angrily. It would have made more impact, but the punch line came too late and her voice came out shakier than she intended.

Dante straightened, looking indignant as he bowed at Liz and kissed her hand. Later he turned to Max, and after a small ‘hmff’ he walked away to his cat.

“You know, darling bride of mine, it came to my attention that you used the private phone just this morning,” Max answered, grabbing her by the back and leading her to the gazebo outside of the party. She tried to ignore everyone’s stares as she subtlety moved away from him once they were out of sight from everyone.

She sighed with irritation.

“You were calling your family,” he guessed accurately.

She grumbled something incoherent in response.

“Well? What did they say?”

She remained silent, unmoving, trying hard not to let the tears form in her eyes as she stared reverently at the petals of the flowers dispersed from the bud in the gazebo. That’s how I feel, Liz thought to herself. Like I shattered, like all my life I’ve been falling and all I’m left with is broken pieces. Like something inside of me isn’t working anymore. Something that I can’t fix—that I couldn’t fix, long they sold me to Max. Long before I realized that I was all alone in this world.

She wiped away her tears angrily and she looked at him. “You know what? You don’t have to stay here. And you don’t have to pretend like you give a damn. Just… just go.”

“I saw you with Georgie,” he commented softly, unsettling her by the way he was looking at her. He was regarding her so intently, staring at her as if he’d get some answer by doing so.

“Yeah… she’s a wonderful kid.”

“She seems to have taken a liking to you.”

She smiled genuinely. “I like her too. We have a lot of things in common.”

“What she told you… about Isabel… it’s not quite like that. It’s more complicated, in ways she can never know.”

Liz shrugged. “There’s no reason for a mother to neglect her child.”

She bit her lip and continued speaking, and she wasn’t sure why. Maybe it was because this quiet, thoughtful Max was so un-Max-like she needed to say this while she could. “You know, I remember when I was really young, everyone would always used to say I was such a touchy feely person!” she started. She wasn’t hearing things when she heard Max’s soft chuckle.

“No, really,” Liz insisted. “Everyone I ever knew, I’d always just open my arms so they’d hug me and twirl me around. I guess I liked feeling like I was flying, or maybe I just liked feeling safe, protected in someone else’s embrace, maybe both. Every time Alex would wake me up in the morning, I’d open my arms and run straight into him. I still don’t know how I didn’t suffocate his lankly little body. I’d just… I’d hug him hard, want to make sure he was real and wasn’t going away, you know?”

Max nodded, languidly tracing his finger up and down her arm, his eyes staring into hers intensely, hanging on to her every word, noticing every gesture she made, noticing how her eyes sparkled when she talked about her brother. “Everyone else would hug me back. Alex says it was because I was a hard person saying no to. But my mom… she’d always just walk by me,” she whispered sadly, a tear sliding down her cheek. “And I was such a stubborn little thing, because every time she was in a room I’d go up to her and open my arms and she’d just… she’d always just pass me by.”


Max lightly wiped away her tear with his thumb. He stared at her, with so many emotions in his beautiful hazel eyes.

“And when I needed her most—her and dad,” she continued, her voice breaking, “they just… gave me up. The only reason I was ever under my mom’s radar was dad, and now even he doesn’t care either. I became just… a burden. She said so once, you know. She was angry and ranting. And she asked me why I had to be such a heavy weight on her shoulder, her never-ending, painful splinter. What kind of mother says that to her own child?” she whispered fiercely, angrily wiping away her tears. “She made me feel like it was my fault I was born.”

His hand was lingering in her soft hair before he tucked it under her ear. His thumb was playing with the outline of her jaw, her soft, sweet lips Almost against his will he neared her, until his lips softly brushed hers, the taste of salty tears and soft flesh he’d come to recognize mingling with his own. He drew her closer because he needed this, to comfort her, to comfort himself—he needed here despite everything he felt against it.

He pulled back, as Liz had expected him to.

And Max felt like hitting himself. What was he doing? He couldn’t be kissing this woman he hated so much, this woman he was so intent on destroying. He couldn’t feel bad for her childhood, couldn’t be compelled by her tears. He had to remain ice. No way could he deter. Max Evans never yielded.

“It’s also come to my attention that we haven’t discussed your previous love life… the relationship you were in once you married me,” he began, his entire demeanor changing as he swiftly moved away from her and began pacing.

Liz backed away, aware of his change. He wasn’t going to crumble. She knew she’d almost gotten to him, and instead of finally giving in, he’d just hardened his resolve to hate her. And she wasn’t sure why but now she had to be on guard.

“None of your business.”

“What was his name, Bruce, I think?”

“You leave him alone,” Liz threteaned.

Max smiled with amusement. “Surely you can’t mean that much to each other if he let you get married, cara mia.”

“He loves me,” Liz hissed at him, “and when he finds out I’m here against my will you better make damn sure he’s going to come looking for me.”

“Yes, because you know exactly how to manipulate a man to make him to what you want, right?” Max asked spitefully.

She stared at him blankly. “You have no idea who I am!”

“I know plenty!” Max hollered angrily, his voice so cutting, so angry it almost knocked her to the ground. It was amazing, how quickly he changed gears and how perfectly he played them. He hated her, and by having feelings for her he hated himself more, and he used this anger, he used this poison to spew it towards Liz, because he had no idea who else to take it out on. “I know how you work, and I know what you do to the men you claim to care about. He won’t come for you.”

“Like hell he won’t!” Liz screeched. “He’s not like you, Max. He’s decent, he’s good, and he loves me.”

Max smiled at her felinely. She’d just given him an opening to hurt her where it hurts most. “He’ll put you up in a pedestal like everyone else does, with the exception of me, of course. And you’re going to disappoint him. He’ll see behind that pretty face lies something far more ugly than he could have ever imagined. He’ll see that side of you that isn’t good, that’s vindictive and hurtful and it kills. He’ll see that you don’t always bleed sugar and he’ll walk away,” Max taunted, encircling her like a tiger wanting to devour its prey.

Her hand raised itself to strike on his cheek and for a moment he flinched, backing away almost automatically. She stared at the angry mark she left on him, but more importantly she was interested in his reaction. In that split second of a moment he wasn’t the cool, confident, arrogant Max. He’d almost reverted back a little boy who was fearing his life.

He grabbed at his face, massaging it slightly with his heel and stared at her venomously.

“You’re an animal,” she cried out, the pain slicing her away to nothing. She was broken inside, and there was nothing more. He moved forward and she backed away. “Don’t touch me!” she burst. “I don’t want you even in the same room with me. You hurt me purposefully, and for what?! Why? Why are you so mean, and heartless? You know what, don’t answer that. I don’t care. You’re inhumane, Max. I don’t know you, and I never want to.”

He was incapable of understanding anything, incapable of seeing things in any other way that isn’t his own.


She tried to gain her composure, tried to gain her control back. “Why… why are you doing this to me?” she choked out, the tears finding their way back to her eyes.

Max didn’t answer her for a minute, just turned around and stared at… nothing.

His message was cryptic, and it wasn’t really an answer. But it gave Liz more insight to Max then she’d ever had before: “I know heartache and vengeance in a way you shall never understand, Elizabeth.”

She wiped at the tears in her eyes. “I know you believe that,” she whispered, “but it isn’t true.”

~*~

il mia regina: my queen
cara mia: beloved, sweetheart

begonia9580 I agree, this part was intense. Writing it FELT intense. Thanks for reviewing!

frenchkiss70 I’m sorry, I do realize how hard it might have been to read, and it was kind of hard for me to write but necessary. Max is going to run hot and cold with Liz and there’s never going to be middle ground, but always extreme. He’s an intense being who’s projecting his hatred of himself AND Liz TO Liz, does that make sense? And she’s definitely evoking feelings in him… I hope you see that in this part. Adriana will most definitely stir the pot up.

FSUMSW94 Yeah, I feel bad for Liz too, lol. Liz’s mother was definitely a bitch to her, and it shows Liz’s strong spirit how she didn’t let that break her. Thanks for always reviewing! I love reading your thoughts!

g7silvers I love reading your posts. Because you get exactly all that I’m trying to convey. I really do appreciate how you can see both sides and love both of them and see how much they’re hurting. Max is definitely tearing himself apart in side. In the few chapters that are coming you will see his inner battle. Thanks for always reviewing!

Jason’s Lover He definitely is split in two, isn’t he? Kind of annoying but I love writing him this way. Thanks for checking in!

WomanofMystery I love your name, have I told you that already? And yes, Liz and Georgie will definitely be allies in the dark Evans/Muciolli household. I love Dante too! He came to me and I’ve found him to be one of my favorites to write! He’ll always be on Liz’s corner—think of him as a gay Kyle, if you will.

Natz I’m so glad you like it. Hope you keep reading!

DreamerHeart Aw, I’m sorry you don’t like him… can’t blame you. And it’s definitely wrong what he’s doing to Liz cuz she’s blameless. The readers and I know that, but Max doesn’t. And what he’ll do when he finds out… well, all I can say is he WILL pay in the worst way possible.

vlad Thank you! I’m honored! They are perfect for each other, aren’t they? And slowly they’ll start to come together until they’re strong.

roswellluver Max needs and loves and breathes control, lol. He’s the control king.

MilesToGo99 Picturing it almost broke my heart too. Nancy’s just mean to Liz and I wanted her to share something with Max first, in reasons that will later be explored in this chapter. They are both hurting so deeply, both for so many different reasons. And thank YOU for reading!

Angel Eyes All I can say is Max won’t really ask Liz what he thinks she’s guilty for. In his mind, she’ll pay worse being in the dark about it.

purpleant I love Dante too! He’s unconventional and pushes the envelope in Porto Encantata. He and Liz will definitely shake things up a bit.

marteloise Dante and Liz will be joined at the hip, I think. Liz wanted to hug everyone, to me, showed how much she needs contact with people. She craves love even if she doesn’t admit it, just like Max.

Emz80m Yup, Max’s an asswhole. Max won’t confront Liz because in his mind, the perfect vengeance is the one Liz doesn’t see coming. She doesn’t know why he hates her, and for him that works because he can do whatever he wants without her acknowledging the why. It keeps her on her toes. I’m glad you’re liking it—don’t give up on Max yet!

foreverdreamer15 Max is just such a troubled soul, and Liz is such a strong one. They’re both similar in a lot of ways and just won’t see it. He’ll definitely start doubting her ‘evil ploys’ right about now… but he wont’ give up on revenge just yet…

Thank you all for your thoughts! It helps me mold the chapters as they come! I’m so glad you’re still sticking with this story. Hope you enjoy this next part… if you’re a dreamer, I think you will.



Chapter #10

Despite her best intent not to, Liz had fallen hopelessly in love with the Muciolli villa. She loved the acres and acres of beautiful green and rich land that spilled in front of her room through the balcony window. She loved the forest and the gardens that adorned the entrance of the mansion. She loved seeing the beautiful horses being ridden through the fields; she loved the crispy sun that fell across her face… it brought her peace every time she opened her eyes.

It had become a ritual of hers, opening her eyes and getting dressed as languidly and slowly as possible. And as much as she tried not to, she always had to inadvertently pass through the outdoor pool. She had no idea why it was so soothing to watch Max swim. And for the life of her she’d never understand how he could be so disciplined and determined. Every morning he’d always swim an hour. Every morning he’d wake up at five to do so. Rosa would prepare him his ‘breakfast of champions’ and he’d be off to work. She wasn’t sure where that was, seeing as how no one really answered her questions and she was not about to ask Georgie, was she?

Comforting herself with the sounds around her, Liz’s eyes widened only slightly with the sight that awaited her. Yes, Max was in the pool. He was, however, accompanied by Georgie. She was trying to dunk him and he was trying to tickle her as she splashed around, her hysterical giggles echoing throughout the house.

It brought an involuntary smile to her face. Maybe because he was certain no one was watching them, but the boyish grin he was sporting and the carefree appearance seemed so foreign to her, so different to the cruel animal she had witnessed yesterday. It was possible that someone as sweet and innocent as Georgie could bring out the best in anyone, including Max. But could he even have anything good inside of him? Was he capable of feeling anything except hate and self-service?

“He looks different, doesn’t he?”

Liz was accustomed to Nonna surprising her in the mornings. Liz had chalked it up to the kindred spirit she felt within her—Nonna was lonely and in need of company much as Liz was. She turned to face the wise sage and nodded slightly, pursing her lips to refrain from saying anything too awful. After all, Max was her grandson, and from what she could tell, Nonna had a huge soft spot for him.

“He’s been through so much,” Nonna whispered softly. “I’m not sure he’s told you.”

“How can you not see what the two of us have?” Liz wondered in a tortured voice. She felt the air around her enveloping her into its game. Her heart was racing and her breath was coming out in stiff, short stanzas and she was sure if she didn't control her voice she would surely fracture in pieces.

“I see more then I should,” Nonna confessed. “I’m not blind to Max’s rage, Liz. Nor am I oblivious to the farce that is your marriage. But all you see is his hate. And I know, and I’ve lived, the reasons he carries it.”

Max was a tortured soul, and Liz could tell. The chip on his shoulder, the eternal wounded gaze that had allured Liz to him in the first place, the movement of his lips that did not utter a sound, and his eyes that said more then he ever could. He was confused, and angry, and hollow, and yes, terrified. She didn’t know why she knew this, she just did. And it angered him even more that she saw through him so easily, and this she was sure of.

Nonna gulped, swallowing a sob down her throat. “I wasn’t there for it,” she whispered softly, almost to herself. She focused her eyes on the petals of the orchids, her index finger tracing the beautiful color lightly, a tear falling on the bud as she finally met Liz’s eyes. “The reason I carry such a soft spot for Max is because he used to remind me so much of his grandfather, Lorenzo. Tempestuous, and stubborn. Willful, and many ways… tragic. They had the Italian temper down to an art form, and there wasn’t a book of poetry they weren’t familiar with. Tender romantics, yet… strong, silent brooders. They rest in the silence and never the wound. Max wasn’t always like this, Eliza, you must understand this. He was once a boy so sweet that angels wept. Once a teenager so noble and thoughtful one had to second look to see if it was true. He was my beautiful nipote, but too much was tainted.”

Liz bit her lip, reveled in the silence and Nonna’s quiet anger, before turning to her with wide eyes. “What happened?” she whispered.

Nonna smiled sadly, looking over to Max, who was carrying Georgie in his shoulders. “Life happened, and it staggered him.” She moved back inside, and picked up a picture of Max and another boy near his age. Each were on a horse, and Liz noticed Max was beaming and smiling, his arm around the other boy’s shoulders—Liz figured it was Max’s brother that had died recently. He was young and innocent… and nothing like the Max she knew. “That was Max’s horse, Brado. My daughter, Max’s mother, bought it for him when Max was seven years old. He loved racing, he was fearless in that sense. The faster, the higher the hurdles, the better. Max’s father—he was American, Hank was his name—hated the damn thing. Ate too much of the grass, he said. One day he was angry at Max, a petty reason, I’m sure. And just to teach Max a lesson…” Nonna’s voice trailed as her voice choked, “he shot Brado in front of Max.”

Liz’s hand found its way to her mouth in horror. “Was…” Liz gulped back the violent repulse that was churning in her stomach, “was he abusive to Max?”

“I didn’t know,” Nonna continued frantically, her hands nervously rattling as her voice continued changing timbres, “I just didn’t know and Diana… Diana was too frightened to come to me. She lived in Boston, was making a life for herself, felt I was too far away and… and my husband was no longer with us to protect them, I don’t know why but she… she never told me.”

Liz put her hands on top of Nonna’s, hugging her softly. “I… I didn’t know,” Liz whispered, her mind going back to just last night when she’d struck Max, the small second he’d let her see fear and the instinctive manner in which he’d backed away. She’d found it curious, his response. He was usually so confident and arrogant… a small part of her had wondered if he’d strike her back and instead he’d almost cowered to a corner. She hadn’t understood then… and now it all seemed to piece together.

“He was hateful, and vindictive, and scornful… he would leave Isabel alone, thank the heavens but my Massimo… he’d just always take it out on him. Michael—Max’s brother—Hank was sometimes just as spiteful, but he’d also had a soft spot for him. He saw in Michael a future, much like Hank. Max was so different from him. Max wasn’t physically intimidating—not back then. He was a dreamer, idealistic and… and so mild and soft-spoken, Eliza, you would never believe they were the same person. But life… life hardened him. He lost Michael, lost his… his mother…”

“Diana… your daughter. What—what happened to her?”

Nonna wiped the tears off of her face as she looked distant and far away, a monstrous reverie she couldn’t snap out of. “She couldn’t take it,” Nonna continued, crushing the orchid, unaware of the thorn pricking her finger. “He drove her—drove her kids mad and she… she wanted to escape from it. I don’t… I don’t think she realized what she was doing but… she ended her life, Eliza. Max… Max and Michael, they found her.”

By this, both women were soaking with tears.

“I’m so sorry, Nonnina, I’m sorry,” Liz repeated, closing her eyes as she hugged the woman tighter to her.

“No… it’s alright. I – I have to remember. Memories of my Dianita are all I have,” Nonna explained, turning to Liz. “Which is why I wish you and Max would just let go. Let go of what you feel, Liz. I see so much of myself in you. You have this mechanism of yours, to put on this façade, this person that doesn’t want to feel too much or live too much, and pardons too little. It is easier to keep things inside because that way we do not have to deal with what scars us in life. But it is no way to live. Tragedy won’t let you escape.”

Nonna straightened her back and stood up. “You’re both lonely, you’re both so desperately in need of family and maybe… maybe you need to be on each other’s corners… I’m sorry… I need to be alone for a while,” she whispered softly, letting the flower fall to the ground as she walked slowly away from Liz.

“Aunt Lizbeth! Aunt Lizbeth!” Georgie called, climbing out of the pool and running drenched towards her. Liz’s eyes met Max’s. He was resting his face on his hands, which were holding on to the ledge of the pool as he remained away from them, but close enough to see them.

“Hey, Georgie!”

“Will you go riding with me today?” Georgie asked shyly.

Liz frowned. “Sure. But why aren’t you in school?”

Georgie sighed. “I don’t go to school. Mom has a special tutor come give me classes every day. She was sick so she couldn’t today. That’s why I joined Uncle Max in the pool,” she explained, the final part of her sentence bringing a genuine smile on the beautiful girl’s face.

“Okay, but you need to get out of that wet bathing suit or you’re going to catch a cold. Go take a shower and we’ll go riding later,” Liz promised.

Georgie rolled her eyes, but with a smile nonetheless. “Yes, Liz.”

“And we’ll ask your mom and Nonna to come join us.”

Georgie made a face. “I don’t want anyone else to join us!”

“Not even your grandma?”

“Well… I don’t talk to her much. She stays in her room a lot. And… so do I.”

Liz sighed, trying to ignore Georgie’s tugging of her sleeve. “Maybe you should try. You know, your great-grandma is your mother’s grandma. I’m sure she could tell you all sorts of stories about when Isabel and Uncle Max were kids.”

Georgie seemed to consider this. “Well, she is nice.”

Liz grinned. “She’s very nice. You just have to give people a shot.”

Georgie returned Liz’s grin. “So why don’t you give Uncle Max a shot?”

“Uh… it’s a little more complicated then that, Georgie.”

“You married him.”

“Well… yes.”

“And married people are supposed to love each other.”

“Technically… sure.”

“But you and Uncle Max don’t even talk to each other. You’re almost never in the same room and eat at different times and make sure to ignore each other when you are in the same room.”

Liz sighed. “Georgie, it’s complicated.”

“I like Uncle Max the best,” Georgie confided. “He’s the only one that I can bully into playing Magic the Gathering with me.”

Liz frowned. “The what?”

Georgie grinned, taking the curly wet hair out of her face. “A game you have to remind me to teach you.” She paused and then had a mischievous grin on her face. “And maybe you, me, and Uncle Max can all play together.”

Liz rolled her eyes at Georgie’s blatant plan and nudged the girl towards her room. “Go take a shower, missy.”

Georgie laughed and ran through the stairs.

By the time Liz looked back towards Max, he was already drying his hair with his towel, attempting to scurry the water out of his ears.

“Were you always this good with kids?” he asked curiously

“Nope. Hated them before.”

“What happened?”

“Georgie did. It’s kind of hard not to like her.”

Liz slipped the sunglasses to the top of her head as she sat down on the lounge chairs, opening the newspapers and ignoring Max, who seemed to be intent on having a conversation with her.

“I come in peace,” he finally said after clearing his throat.

She gave him a look and continued reading the newspaper, grabbing a piece of toast that was lying on a plate in the table near her.

Max sighed with irritation. “I know what you’re doing.”

She continued reading, crossed her legs, very interested in the ad section… or so she seemed. Why she’d want to read about mechanics Max wasn’t sure.

“What I’m going to say involves an apology.”

Liz rolled her eyes, standing up. “This’ll be lovely.”

“I’m normally an ass with you,” he began.

She opened her mouth in mock disbelief. “No!”

Max sighed. “I guess I deserve that,” he admitted uncomfortably. She could tell he’d never apologized for anything in his life, if this was his way of ‘apologizing.’

She was about to walk away when something grabbed her attention. Nearing him, her hand sought out his forehead, as the tips of her fingers traced the scar that was almost invisibly set near the left corner of his temple.

Liz felt him stiffen, and immediately Nonna’s words came back to her. He was beautiful… but too much has tainted him. Life has hardened him… he was abusive…

He stepped back, his eyes wild, deer-caught-in-the-headlights look in him. He cleared his throat again, trying to gain composure. “I was out of line yesterday,” he admitted. “I… I didn’t mean to be that cruel.”

“Yeah you did,” she whispered, her eyes still focused on his forehead before locking on to his own.

“Yeah, yeah I did,” he confessed.

“Why?” she murmured, inching closer to him, trickles of water splashing on to her face as she regarded him silently.

He opened his mouth, and she could see it. He was about to admit to her his reason for ‘hating’ her. Instead he shook his head. “Look, I’m sorry, all right? I apologized, will you accept it?”

Realizing she wasn’t going to get anywhere with him by pushing him too hard, she pursed her lips and grinned. Her hands fell on his chest, as she shoved him lightly. He was caught off guard, and fell back into the pool.

“Hey! I thought that was a pretty decent apology!” he scoffed once his head was out of the water. He looked indignant, and disbelieving.

Liz shrugged. “It was.”

“Are you going to accept it?”

She shrugged again. “I’ll take it into consideration.”

He smiled. Not a smirk, not a cocky I’m-all-that grin, but a smile. “Care to join me?”

She wrinkled her noise in Georgie-like fashion. “Not at the moment, no.”

He was quicker, however. He dashed towards her, grabbed her by the ankle and pulled her towards him as she fell—clothes and all—into the pool. All that was heard was her squeal of surprise, and half-hearted anger. Neither of them saw Nonna resting her head on her window, watching them with a small smile dancing on her lips.

“That’s not fair!” she pouted, splashing him.

He laughed. “Now we’re even.”

“I just had my hair done, Evans.”

“How shall you ever go on.”

She eyed him critically. “Are you making fun of me?”

“Just a little bit.”

Once again, she sought out to inch closer to him. And, as always, he stiffened and tried to back away. Shaking her head slightly, she put her hand on his cheek and stared into his golden-blazed eyes. He’d always been the one to initiate the only kisses they’d ever shared, and it was usually to keep her off balance. This time, she was going to show him he wasn’t the only one that could keep him on his toes.

“Liz…” his voice trailed unsurely. He was saying something, but his eyes were saying another. Liz felt it, knew it—he wanted her, and for some reason she still wasn’t aware of, he denied himself.

“Let go, Max,” she whispered, her lips a breath away from his.

“Liz,” he repeated, a little gruffer.

“Let go… Max,” she repeated, closing the gap between them. She could see he was frozen to his core, so he didn’t move. And she finally understood, all in one. The reason Max Evans never let anyone get too close.

If he did let anyone close, they would see. They’d see every fractured emotion he contained within himself, the small boy that still lived inside and hid away scared and alone. And he didn’t want anyone to see, so the more unreachable he became. Cold, and yes, cruel. His lips were so soft, however. And his hands encircled her waist ever so gently, and something literally ached inside of her as he hesitantly opened his mouth to her. He felt loss and need, despair and longing, hate and love, all in one.

Her hands locked themselves around his neck as she reveled in the sweetness of his taste and the tenderness of his tongue. She took her time to soothe her mouth with his, to familiarize herself with the only part of him that was never cold.

She felt him surrender the minute his hand lost themselves in her wet hair, the other encircling her waist below her shirt. Their tongues danced not for dominance, nor power. For once, it wasn’t about who was quicker, who was stronger, who ended up with the last word. It was a gentle meeting of two battered souls that desperately needed each other, in a seamless place inside of them they still didn’t know and still hadn’t found.

It was then and there that Liz decided.

She’d crumble Max Evans’ walls. No matter what.

FSUMSW94 Thank you! I’m so glad you liked it. I really tried giving Max the back story I thought fit with his actions. I said in the beginning he’d be a tortured soul and through this story I’m trying to show that. It’s a miracle I wrote this so quickly but here it is! The more feedback I get, the more I want to write things as quickly as possible!

Jason’s Lover I told you not to lose hope! They’ll definitely go through every angst trick in the book possible, but in the end, I assure you I plan a dreamer ending.

stargrl678 I hope you don’t hate me too much for saying this but… I’m evil… so things won’t be straightened out for a while. But keep on reading! Hope you like it.

g7silvers Yeah, I like writing for Georgie&Liz. Liz however, while she IS kind and she IS helping Max FOR Max, a small part of her needs to help him because, no matter how hard she tries to deny it, she feels something for him too. She sees something in him worth saving, and she needs to help him. Max just can’t rattle himself out of the trance he’s in every time Liz nears him, which is why he tries so hard to back away. Once she’s in his zone… he’s a goner.

vlad I’m glad you all seem satisfied with the backstory. Thanks for replying!

Emz80m Ding ding, we have a winner! Georgie’s definitely Max’s soft spot. And every time Max sees Georgie so loving with Liz, he can’t help wondering if there’s something that he’s missing. I’m glad you’re liking it!

Becca1974… he’s not going to find out for some time, I’m sorry. But there will be good AND bad meanwhile. I like making you suffer and then rewarding, the last two chapters are proof of it!

Angel Eyes A determined Liz can’t bode well for Max’s plans, lol. She’s definitely going to give it her all.

MilesToGo99 Yes, Max and Michael’s father was cruel AND physically abusive to them, which is awfully, but in many ways shaped the manner with which they face the world. He has a lot of weight on his shoulders, and his past is going to keep on burdening him for a while, unless he lets Liz in.

roswellluver Glad you liked it!

purpleant Thanks! Once Liz makes up her mind it’s hard for someone to stop her!

rigel Oh, wow. You got EXACTLY what I was trying to portray. In Max’s mind, he HAS the right sister. How would you guys want him to treat Eleanor? I definitely think he’s even being TOO mild because of his feelings for her. Thanks for checking in, and I’m glad you caught that!

nitpick23 I think with Max the problem is he doesn’t really think when Liz is around, and often times can’t. He’s set on being cruel to her and when he’s finally in front of her he just CAN’T. He just can’t control himself around her and while he hates it he’s sometimes helpless in fighting it.

frenchkiss70 I don’t hate Max either, in fact, I love him more then ever. He’s just so troubled, so messed up. He thinks he’s doing the right thing, the just thing, but he can’t help the other feelings he wasn’t counting on. His guilt after finding out will definitely come into play. Thanks for always replying! You’re a sweetheart!

Caelan Gosh, I’m blushing now. First of all, while I don’t normally reply to your thread, I’m always, always reading Convergence because it ROCKS. So seeing you like my fic, even the tiniest bit, is a huge compliment. Thank you so much and I’m glad you liked those lines. They really will define Max and Liz, and in a way they were two brutal, battered souls that need a lot of healing. And I’m glad I am serving my purpose, because I WANT you to be conflicted about Max, want to yank him around one day and hug him the next, lol.

begonia9508 Thank you! And yeah, Max’s childhood was definitely brutal. You’ll see more, some in flashbacks and some by Max’s words himself. He has to deal with it—his mother’s suicide, his father’s abandonment and abuse… this is really a difficult journey for him, one he can’t go alone on.

Okay, so I’m updating fairly quickly and it’s all because of your wonderful feedback. You all thank me for writing, and I’m stumped for the sentiment, because I should be thanking YOU for reading. Seeing all these detailed, and wonderful replies is the engine that definitely gives me muse, makes me want to please you. So hopefully you’ll like this next part, and I hope I don’t let anyone down with it.

Chapter #11

“Rise and shine Elizabeth Evans!”

Liz peered one eye open to see who deigned to wake her up so early on a Sunday morning, and was met with a bob of short blonde curls and pale, pale blue eyes that were moving around the room. It was Tessa—Tess—pacing quickly from one side to the other, her short stature making it difficult for her to reach the high curtains. She was relentless, however, and Liz groaned once the rays of the sun hit her blindingly on the face.

“Isn’t it a beautiful day?” Tess chirped on cheerfully.

“Who wakes up at this hour?” Liz muttered to herself. “It’s unnatural.”

“It’s healthy,” Tess corrected with a bright smile. “And we have a long day ahead of us.”

Liz frowned, rubbing her eyes with tiresome movements as she finally sat up straight, her eyes peering back to the blonde. “What do you mean, long?”

“You sure as well don’t want to stay here all day, do you? I know lovely shopping centers that will take up a lot of our morning, and then we can go to lunch.”

Liz turned to her, surprised. “You’re serious?”

Tess bobbed her head up and down. “Yup. Why?”

Liz rolled her eyes. “I would’ve figured Max instructed you to be cruel.”

Tess waved her hand in the air as she opened the closet doors and her eyes gleamed approvingly at Liz’s wardrobe. “Oh, that. Well, of course he did. And I told him exactly where to stick it – where the sun don’t shine. Max and I have a simple and honest friendship. He was my first friend, my first kiss, and now he’s like my brother. I think I’m the only female in this entire town that doesn’t fawn all over him. He likes that of course, except when I disagree about certain stuff.”

“So you don’t think I’m Satan’s child?” Liz smirked grimly.

Tess laughed. “Of course I don’t. I make up my own mind about people, and there’s nothing Max can say that will influence my final answer.”

“He… he really didn’t tell you why he hates me so much?”

Tess bit her lip. “Sorry there, doll. Can’t help you there. Whatever his reasons they’re surely tight-lipped. He isn’t talking and even if you don’t know Max, you can tell he’s very stubborn, no?”

Liz rolled her eyes. “One might think he’s a King.”

Tess giggled. “I guess in a certain way he is. Everyone’s just so used to following what he says and honestly, he’s a very good boss. Everyone here adores him.”

“I can tell,” was Liz’s clipped reply.

“Don’t you worry about those old broads that are giving you a bad time,” Tess answered, her eyes sparkling. “I’ll show them when they mess with one of mine.”

~*~

“My life isn’t very exciting. I’ve almost always lived here. My parents weren’t ever really around and I always grew up with Max’s family. I was baby-sitting for my nephew and friends of my nephews when it hit me how much I really loved children. So I’m a fourth-grade teacher and I have a loving son whom I would give my life for. He’s staying with my grandmother for the weekend but you guys have to meet him. The father I’d rather quite forget. A deadbeat who left me when he found out about me being pregnant,” Tess explained.

As she, Liz, and Dante passed through window shopping stores, she continued telling them both the story of her life. She didn’t mind being the one that had to make up the conversation. She loved talking as much as it was. Between Tess and Dante, Liz had the conversation already made up for her. And Dante could not go anywhere without his cat, Duchess. So it was the four of them shopping, actually.

“Wow, I can’t imagine you being a mom,” Liz smiled. “How old is he?”

“Only the most adorable three year old little boy you’ll see in your life,” Tess grinned.

She rummaged through her purse until she finally showed Liz a picture.

“His name’s Zan,” Tess grinned proudly.

“Oh my gosh, he’s the cutest thing ever!” Liz answered sincerely.

“Isn’t he, though?” Tess breathed, beaming like the proud mother she was.

Both Liz and Tess stopped when they heard Dante squeal.

“Oh. My. God. Liz, this is you. You must try this on,” Dante urged, grabbing Liz by the arm and moving her back to a store, pointing with a trembling finger at the gorgeous, long bourbon red dress.

Liz laughed. “Dante—”

He put a hand in front of Liz’s face. “No excuses. This dress is you. You are the dress. Communicate, share, love.”

Tess was giggling and Liz chuckled heartily as Dante dragged the two women into the store, his cat Duchess not far behind.

Liz smiled at the woman that was near the cashier. “Excuse me?”

Dante gasped once the woman turned around, but Liz chose to ignore his antics.

She cleared her throat, but the ladies went on in their jobs as if she weren’t there.

“Excuse me,” Liz said rather loudly again, faintly noticing Danny’s merciless amusement at their complete neglect, “In case you still treasure your jobs very dearly I demand of you to treat the customers with the respect that is implied.”

The thin one, with the pointy, snobby nose sporting an unhidden contemptuous sneer, finally raised her eyes. “Good evening, Mrs. Muciolli,” she added icily.

Liz rolled her eyes. “Nice to see you too.”

“How is your husband, by the way?” she asked with a sly smile.

By this, Dante was choking, holding and shaking Duchess in the air as he tried giving Liz a ‘warning.’

“Adriana, leave her alone,” Tess interrupted, her tone wasn’t up for discussion.

“Hello, Tessa. How are you?” Adriana grinned, her eyes never leaving Liz as she looked at the brunette up and down before sneering once again.

“I’m fine, just thank you. We’d love to see the red dress you have in the display window.”

“Sorry, no can do,” Adriana apologized insincerely.

Tess’ eyes narrowed. “Why not?”

Adriana smiled. “Well, if it’s for Mrs. Muciolli, then it’s not up for sale.”

Liz glared at the woman. “I beg your pardon?”

“Voi poca fica,” Adriana muttered, shaking her head nastily.

Tess was about to jump in Liz’s defense but she was amply surprised.
Liz grabbed Adriana’s arm and shoved it back to her. “Se desiderate mai insultarli ancora, faccialo alla mia faccia.” (If you’re going to insult me, please do so to my face.)

Adriana’s eyes widened extremely. “You…”

Liz rolled her eyes. “Yes, yes. I speak perfect Italian, I have since I’m twelve. I also speak French and German, in case you want to insult me in those languages as well. Can we move on now? Next time you decide to throw around names, have the guts to do it in my face, and be sure I won’t back down. You want a fight? You’ll get one.”

Many of the passerby’s looked on amused, highly surprised, and quite impressed. Even the ladies that worked with Adriana were sniggering silently.

Adriana straightened, arching her eyebrow. “You’ll regret this.”

“You’re the one who’s going to be sorry, Adriana,” Tess threatened, grabbing Liz’s elbow. “You’ll be losing plenty of customers, I assure you.”

“Real guts there, Adriana!” Liz yelled after her as Dante carried her out of the store.

“Breathe Dante, breathe,” Tess instructed, patting the man on the back as he tried to do as he was told.

“She’s a barracuda,” Liz muttered. “God, I hate this!”

“Hate what?” Dante asked between breaths.

“This. This petty excuse for a life! God…”

“What would make you happy?” Tess asked softly.

Liz turned to her, perplexed—no one had ever asked her that question, no one had ever cared enough to do so. “I want to yell at the top of my lungs. I want… I don’t want to feel suffocated. I want to be free. I want to breathe again. I want to live and love and learn and make mistakes if I want to. I’m tired of living up to perfect standards at home. I don’t want to feel so sad today. I want to let go of the things that hurt, I want Max to stop being so cruel and start being human, the person I know he is inside. I want… I want simple. I want things to be easier,” Liz whispered.

“Things can be easy—if you let them.”

Liz shook her head, eyes misted with unshed tears. “You’re wrong, Dante. It’s not easy. It’s not easy at all,” she remarked.

“The most treasured things in life aren’t the easiest,” Dante reminded her, petting his cat. “The point about life it you have to realize one thing. Life’s all about the moments. Time passes by fast, but you have to go through the motions and feel things slowly, like there isn’t a tomorrow. And let’s face it, we never know if there will be a tomorrow. Go after what you want, life’s too short to waste.”

“You make it sound so simple.”

Tess noticed her tone was wistful. “That’s because it is, Liz.”

“You just said life wasn’t easy.”

“But it’s simple,” he answered. “Not easy. But simple. We complicate ourselves a lot of the time, and the answers are lying right before us. Sometimes the simplest things in life are the ones we refuse to see, and the hardest ones that we have to get because we miss.”

Liz’s eyes watered as she looked away from Tess and Dante. “Max… Max said something to me the other day. He said that… that if someone gets too close to me they’ll I have this ugly… ugly emotion inside and that they’ll walk away.”

“That’s because Max is an ass,” Tess muttered angrily.

“He was right, though,” Liz whispered. “It’s the reason everyone has left me behind. My mom, my dad, everyone.” She turned to Dante and Tess with troubled eyes. “Do you… do you see it?”

“See what?” Tess asked, confused.

“It’s… it’s always been hard to admit my fault. I don’t like seeing them, so I pretend they’re just not there. Acting like something doesn’t exist… it can’t hurt you. I’m a difficult person. My mother has always said that. She says I never listen, and everything has to go my way. And that… that’s true, you know… there’s something inside of me, something that’s not good, that just pushes people away,” Liz whispered.

“I tried so many times to get into trouble in boarding school, so they’d let me go and I just had to come home. They’d just… just move me somewhere farther. I try being friendly, I try so hard to be loving, I’m eager to help, I’m eager to listen. But then, deep inside, where no one can see, there’s this part of me that’s governed by resentment, and hurt. It’s something… something that I am something that’s horrible and ruined and fatal, that will turn people away if they get too close. Because I don’t know what I do wrong. I never know what I do wrong to mess things up. I mean, I hurt people. When someone does something to me that stings…. I find something that will sting them more. My mom… my mom says I do that,” Liz explained, her voice so soft.

She took a tender, endless breath as water kept pouring from her eyes. Something inside of her snapped at that moment, the well was open and there was nothing she could do to stop it from pouring.

“I’m unforgiving,” Liz continued out of the blue. “I can’t forgive people that hurt me. I’m broody, I’m bitchy, I’m sullen, and in the end, all I am is a spoiled brat. And maybe that’s why no one will love me the way I want to be loved. Because of this side of me that… that can contaminate the people around me. Because of that side… that side of me that’s wrong. And I can’t run away from it. No matter what, I can’t. Maybe that’s why I don’t let people get too close. If they do, they’ll see that side of me. They’ll feel it. And I can’t hide it, you know. Because I’m not even sure what it is. It’s just a part of me that’s ugly, that’s horrible… just like Max said. For once… he was right,” Liz ended.

And Dante and Tess stood there speechless, only wishing there was something they could do.


~*~

His first sexual experience had been at the age of seventeen. The woman had actually been twenty-four. It would have been frowned upon, no one would have understood—but they did. His soul was much older, much wearier, and he was ready to experience in his young years what not many people would understand. And physically, he’d looked older then he really was anyway. She’d been a woman of many talents that had enslaved him hopelessly. He fell stupidly in lust, like any boy. He knew what she did, had never expected to have her just for himself. She had dealt with her life the way she could. She was the owner of her body, she chose her nights. Max did not regret those six months where he basked in her experience until he soothed his own. A year and she’d taught him all he needed to know. She, a nameless girl for a year, had given him all that he had needed physically.

Max had been ingenious, however. Because she’d had many, many others. Not of his age. He’d been her special one, she’d said. And a part of him, the part that possessed, had raged. Max wanted to be the only owner of her bed, of her body, her heart, while never giving his own. He often wondered about that attractive redhead that had made him a man. He’d always be curious about the gypsy’s name. He had learned, however, not to feel special—much to her words. Because she’d give love, she’d give her body to anyone who wanted it. He was glad it hadn’t hurt that much, he’d never let himself care any deeper other then flesh.

What was it exactly, then, about Liz Parker that drove him absolutely mad? She wasn’t a flimsy bimbo like Adriana, which had, admittedly, been what he’d always looked for. Though not his type, blondes like Adriana were safe. And Liz was definitely not experienced as the redheaded gypsy. Nor was she submissive or slavered to his charms like every other countless girl he’d had at the tip of his fingers. She was arguably, however, the most beautiful of them all. She walked into a room and demanded your attention. You had to stop doing whatever it was you were doing, and prepare to be taken your breath away by the beauty you’d behold. It was rare, and devastatingly gorgeous. It wasn’t for nothing, the men of the town called her the Dea Regina, The Goddess Queen. Men were charmed by her—some swore her beauty was that of deity, explaining her name. They went on smiling and doting on her, despite Max’s protests to treat her like the filth of their shoe—they were loyal to a fault to Max. They would die for their master and yet, couldn’t bring themselves to be hateful to her. The only one who seemed to pay attention to Max was Mateo, his horseman, and that wasn’t saying much.

Women were another deal, however. Women could be so petty and vindictive and vicious. Liz couldn’t walk into a room without their heads turning in distaste and the whispering to commence. Adriana and her friends had made it their duty to make her life miserable, and they were succeeding.

It was supposed to make him happier. It was supposed to satisfy the pores in his skin that lived for that moment of justice where he had Liz to his knees in misery. Only, he didn’t feel avenged, and certainly not content at her treatment. Why, exactly, did Max feel like demanding respect from them? She was a liar, a hypocrite, a murderer. How could Max ever let that go? What kind of brother would it make him if he fell enslaved to her beauty and pardoned all the pain he’d experienced ensuing Mike’s violent death?

And of course, her little theatric display yesterday did not help matters a bit. Sure, he’d teased her with a few kisses and had been downright cruel to her. Did that give her the right to straddle him in the pool, arouse him unbearably as he never had been his entire life and leave him to a cold, cold shower? Never had Max imagined she’d play games of her own. It only furthered to prove she wasn’t the innocent butterfly she gave herself to be. Behind the pristine face lived a temptress. She’d tempted his brother, made him leave his entire family. Max would make sure, in Maria’s honor, he’d make this right. He could not, would not let himself fall just because he wanted her. Badly.

A scream brought him out of his thoughts. A scream that sounded very much like Liz’s. He bolted out of his office, noticed that Tomasso and Dante were right behind him. He climbed the stairs quickly, and when he opened the door his heart dropped. Liz was lying on the floor, grabbing at her ankle, and not twenty feet away from her a lethal snake hissing its way through the bed rest.

“Liz… listen, don’t move,” Max said quietly, barely making any noise as he grabbed at his pistol, moving towards her.

“Max…” she whimpered, “it bit me. Max…”

“Sweetheart, just don’t move,” he repeated, closing one eye, and making the shot. It was a clean and perfect shot, and a loud, ugly piercing hiss invaded the room as the snake was wounded. Tomasso ran over to the snake and threw it back out the window. Max immediately ran over to Liz, who was already breaking out in a cold sweat. He cupped her face in his hands. “Liz? I need you to stay awake. Liz? Liz! I need you to look at me… you need to look at me,” he pleaded, trying to ignore the frantic panic, the cold worry seeping his veins. She felt so cold, and whimpered so painfully.

“We won’t get to a hospital in time, Signore Massimiliano.” (Sir Maximilian).

Liz’s eyes widened with fear as she continued crying softly. “What does that mean?!” she demanded.

Dante covered his face as he shrieked dramatically. “Oy vey!”

Max bit his life, cradling her as he lifted her in his arms easily. “Liz, we have to… we have to cut that piece of skin, all right?”

Her eyes widened in fear. “No. Please, Max, no. You can’t hate me that much please don’t hurt me like that!”

“No, that’s not it,” he reassured gently, soothing the hair back over her ear. “I need to suck on the venom out of your system, and to get there I need to… I need to do it. Trust me, okay?”

She bit her lip. “It really… it really hurts, Max,” she sobbed softly.

“I know,” he soothed, closing his eyes. “Dante, get me a bowl of water. Tomasso… get me my pocket knife.”

“Si, padrone.” (Yes, boss).

“No, Max, please,” she begged, grabbing at his hands frantically. “Please, I can’t see blood. I go crazy. Please, please.”

“It’ll be okay. I promise,” he vowed, grabbing her hand. He tried calming his nerves but it wasn’t helping. “Tomasso, goddamn it! FRETTA! RAPIDAMENTE!” (Quickly! Now!)

They quickly reappeared at the door. Max sighed once again, his hands trembling as he grabbed the knife. “Dante, grab Liz’s hand. Don’t let go no matter how hard she presses,” Max whispered, edging closer to the leg.

“Please, Max. You can’t hate me this much, please Max.”

He closed his eyes. “Sono così spiacente, Liz.” (I’m really sorry, Liz).
“AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!”

A piercing scream inundated the room—one from Dante and one from Liz. Max immediately moved to suck the spot on her leg, before spitting it to the bowl near the table. He repeated this three or four times, before gargling the water and spitting it out again as well. “I think I got enough out of her,” he whispered gratefully, more to himself then Tomasso. He turned to Liz, who was whimpering, holding her hands in her face as she buried them in Dante’s shoulder.

He grabbed them away from her eyes, holding them in his. “It’s over.”

She sniffled, stopped sobbing for a moment. “I-I-It is?” she hiccupped.

Max smiled, nodding, tucking the strands of hair that troubled her face. “Yeah. We just have to get you to the hospital now to make sure it’s all out of your system.”

“I also need to make sure my hand’s not broken,” Dante muttered, weeping.

“That… h-hurt… l-like… h-h-hell,” she cried, still grabbing at her ankle, closing her eyes as more scalding tears fell from her cheeks.
“Hey,” Max soothed, cradling her. “It’s over. Siete bene.” (You’re okay).

She sniffled, nodding. For once she didn’t argue as he put his arm over her legs, the other over her back, carrying her lightly as they made their way downstairs.

“Dio! (God) What happened?!” Rosa asked. “We heard the screaming and Tomasso kept us out of the room. Is la signora all right, padrone?”

“She will be. She got bit by a rattlesnake, Rosa,” Max informed her.

Rosa gasped, praying softly to herself before turning to her boss with confusion. “But signore, there are no snakes in the Porto Encantato. There aren’t any snakes at least a good forty acres away from here. Especially not rattlesnakes.”

“Yes,” Max agreed with her, his tone telling Rosa he was thinking the exact same thing she was—the snake was planted. “I know, Rosa. Thank you. Can you please change the sheets? She…” he gulped, the words hard for him to form, “she bled quite a bit.”

Rosa whimpered at this. “Bambina dolce povero!” (Poor sweet child!)

Max made it to the car, strapping Liz in safely. Before he could help himself, he kissed her forehead, forcing her to open her eyes. Teary, fearful brown eyes met his. “You’re going to be okay,” he promised, trying to smile at her encouragingly. “You’re okay.”

~*~

Okay, hope I didn't dissapoint. Chapter ten was hard to follow, lol.

As always, I’m blown away by the feedback! I read each and every one of them, I assure you. I love your questions but I feel if I answer them, I’ll give away a lot of the things I’m going to answer chapter by chapter. Thank you SO much! I love my old readers, and I welcome all the new ones and hope you all stick around.

CHAPTER #12

“I give him… a solid six.”

“A six? With those muffiny buns? You kidding me?”

“Dante! Will you look at his posture? And the gel-slicked hair? Nuh-uh. Six, final answer.”

Liz stifled a giggle as she saw Tess and Dante peering through Liz’s bedroom window. “What are you two discussing? And especially in front of Zan?” Liz demanded, pointing at the three year old that was giggling in Liz’s lap (Tess had wanted Liz to meet him) as his mother Tess and Dante continued their evaluation.

Tess turned to her with an apologetic, sheepish grin. “Dante and I are trying to scope Max’s new business associate but it’s a little too far away to give a final verdict. Mommy’s sorry, Zan.”

Dante nodded, patting his cat Duchess on the head as he turned to his two ladies in full gossip mode. “From what I’ve heard he’s new to the town, and Irish bloke that’s trying to sell a few horses. That’s what the great and mighty padrone’s looking at.”

Indeed, Max was petting a beautiful black stallion as the two men barbed back and forth, chuckling amicably and both admiring the horse’s beauty.

“It’s gorgeous,” Liz breathed.

“Pfft! I’ll never understand this family’s obsession with those… those mules,” Dante huffed, crossing his legs as he sat near Liz’s armoire.

Tess and Liz shared a knowing look.

“Where’s Nonna?” Tess asked Liz with a smile as she joined Dante comfortably, grabbing a magazine as she peered at it without much curiosity. While Dante opted to sprawl on the bed and use the pillow as Duchess’s bed, Tess was bobbing her head up and down to the beat of the music wafting through Liz’s room. Liz, however, couldn’t keep her attention from the meeting that was going on in front of her.

“Who’s that other guy? Besides the ‘Irish’ bloke?”

“Oh, that’s Laurent. He’s Max’s right hand in a lot of stuff,” Tess answered automatically.

“She’s in an aerobics class,” Liz answered with an amused smile, busying herself as Zan continued grabbing at the chunk of her hair. The boy was absolutely breathlessly beautiful. He’d inherited his mother’s pale, pale blue eyes and curly hair, only that the color, instead of being blonde, was a light chestnut brown. Tess shouldn’t have to worry about the father—this kid was all Tess’.

“She’s so cool. My grandma was always hooked up to an IV at that age,” Tess murmured.

“Um, Lizzie, darling, I adore you and it was definitely love at first sight, but you have realized your room is a total mess,” Dante observed dramatically. He was neat and tidy. Dante always wore his impeccable blazers, never one piece of lint on them. It was a miracle he’d survived Hurricane Elizabeth. He surveyed with fright and a little unease the corner of the room that had her walk-in closet. Piles, layers, and plethora of clothes and papers were scattered all around the floor, around the bed.

Liz shrugged. “Unpacking’s a bitch.”

“Yeah, leave her alone Dante. She had a near death experience. She’s allowed to be messy… she’s also allowed to lots and lots of chocolate,” Tess grinned conspiratorially with Liz, as they both laughed when Zan’s head snapped up at the word ‘chocolate.’

Tess kissed Zan’s forehead. “You can’t help having your mommy’s genes, can ya little man?”

“I was so very worried for you. I’m glad you’re out of the hospital now,” Dante informed his gal pal. “I am interested in this whole rattlesnake business.”

“Adriana, that two-timing, skanky ho,” Tess muttered, covering Zan’s ears before she said the foul words.

“Are we sure it’s Adriana, though?” Liz asked skeptically.

Dante sighed dramatically. “I already told you she’s a hellion. She’s poisoned Max’s past girlfriends before; it wouldn’t escape me that she’d want to scare you with a snake.”

Liz pursed her lips thoughtfully. “I don’t know. While she did seem bitchy enough to want to scare me about something, a snake is kind of extreme.”

Tess grinned. “Thank God Max is here for that, huh Liz?”

Liz rolled her eyes. “I’m sure even someone as assy as Max wouldn’t let me die from snake poisoning.”

While Tess continued teasing Liz about Max, Dante turned his eyes towards the window, staring at the men that were riding the horses to ‘test’ them. Dante shook his head as he saw Max, looking regal and dashing in the black horse as he rode it as quick as possible. And as always, his stomach twisted as he thought of the question no one else had asked themselves.

Who said the snake was for Liz?

~*~

“Yoo-hoo! Izzy!”

Isabel turned around from her chair at the outdoor chairs to see Adriana Luz walking towards her. She tried her best not to roll her eyes and put a fake, plastered smile that she was so accustomed to doing. Because, to the world, she and Adriana were best friends. They did everything together, from shopping to painting each other’s toe nails. But they knew better. And Isabel knew, more than anyone, how badly Adriana could get on someone’s nerves. She was eating alone, enjoying the peace and the quiet, and the shrilly voice of her ‘best friend’ had to interrupt it.

They did get along, and they told each other everything—everything meaning who cheated on who, whom they were going to seduce that particular day, who was found sporting the most hideous outfit at so-and-so’s party, and when they’d get together again for their weekly shopping trip. It was not a deep friendship, however. Adriana did not know Isabel’s dark secret. She wondered if anyone ever would. How they’d react if they knew Isabel’s child was a product of rape.

“Isabel!” Adriana whined. “I need to talk to you!”

Adriana plopped on the chair next to her, her eyes averted to their Max, his new business associate, Jonathan Devlin, and their right hand man, Laurent Benoit. Adriana would usually ‘visit’ Isabel and they’d sit outside the gardens—if only for Adriana to drool over Max and Isabel to get some sort of contact with the outside world while she tried not to think about Adriana thinking such impure thoughts about Isabel’s own brother.

“Have you not heard yet?” Adriana asked demandingly, pulling her bangs out of her forehead impatiently, an unattractive scowl forming over her pretty face, her dark eyes almost glowering with heat.

“Heard what?” Isabel asked distractedly, keeping her eyes on the book she was reading.

“Max took Liz to the hospital a few days ago. Took care of her,” Adriana informed.

Isabel sighed. All Adriana ever talked about was of the day she would finally be Mrs. Max Evans, and she’d make sure that both Liz and Tess would stay within two hundred feet radar away from him. Isabel had begged Adriana to stay away from her brother, but Adriana would then start spewing off about how feelings were just too powerfully overwhelming to go away.

“First of all, yes he took her to the hospital. Did you expect him to let his own wife die?” Isabel pointed out.

“If he’s rumored to hate her so much why did he take such good care of her?”

Isabel peered at Adriana curiously. “How do you find out these things?”

Adriana waved her hand as if it were unimportant. “I have my ways. Still, do you understand what this means? I just know the tramp, she’ll do something to keep his interest. You know how the prude is. Lead him on to later drop him cold.”

Adriana bit her lip, staring at Max again. He looked gorgeous and noble and god-like, riding the dark stallion and a seriousness on his face. At that moment, all of his muscles bulgeg out more than normal, and she couldn’t help subconsciously licking her upper lip as she stared without shame.

“Ew. Adriana, it’s my brother.”

Adriana rolled her eyes. “You’re going to have to face that your brother is gorgeous and there isn’t one girl in this town who doesn’t want to be with him, or half the women that already has. Do you think I have a chance? Because, Max has flirted with me a lot in the past.”

True, Isabel conceded inwardly. She also knew that Max flirted with anyone that had a uterus, so Adriana shouldn’t really feel any special. If he was shy around a girl, though… well, then that was when Isabel would worry. She’d known about her brother’s marriage to Liz though not the reason why. All she knew was it wasn’t your every-day ‘we’re-in-love’ marriage. And while a tiny little part of her that Isabel still doesn’t acknowledge feels a pang of envy and wants to desperately be a part of the family that Liz was forming with Isabel’s own daughter and grandmother, belong again with her brother and her daughter, the other part reasons that Liz’s just a bitch that’s going to stomp all over Max’s heart. He hated her for a reason, Isabel knew her brother better then anyone.

That doesn’t mean Adriana’s any better, Isabel thought bitterly. Ah, Merda. The poor guy’s doomed either way. The girl-next-door or the hellacious vixen, he still ends up in hell. I’d feel bad for him, if he wasn’t such an asswhole.

Adriana’s eyes sparkled as she turned towards Isabel. “Say, isn’t Jonathan Devlin having a gala a few days from now?”

“Yeah,” Isabel answered slowly, a little peeved Adriana had interrupted her thoughts. “I’m pretty sure that Max would invite us, just to piss off Liz.”

“Why does he hate his own wife, anyway?”

Isabel scoffed, her nose in the air. “Why wouldn’t he?”

“Anyway,” Adriana continued, “I just bought the skimpiest blue gown that makes my beautiful eyes darker and prettier, if that’s even possible. Like, seriously. I look like a gorgeous babe in it…” she paused, considered, “Well, I’m a babe either way. But he won’t be able to resist me in it. It shows a lot of cleavage. And does Max ever turn down skin?”

“He hasn’t been known to, no,” Isabel answered with boredom.

Adriana frowned. “You okay?”

“Just don’t want to talk about my brother, that’s all.”

“Listen, I just know that I can bring back old memories for your brother,” Adriana insisted, barely understanding Isabel’s nausea at talking about her brother and his conquests. “I know if he just realizes what we had once that we could probably reheat things up. I’m sure if it. If only that little brat would get out of my way.”

“Oh, she never gets out of anyone’s way. In fact, if she knows she’s annoying you, you’ll be in your face all the more,” Isabel answered wryly.

Adriana giggled. “She and Tess sure are a pair. Instant best friends, no?”

“Of uptight prisses,” Isabel answered, rolling her eyes. “Think they’ve ever had that stick up their asses removed?”

Adriana laughed again. “Puh-lease. Tess may not be a virgin, but she is certainly too high maintenance to have had any kind of real experience. And Liz probably thinks she’ll stain her sainthood if she ever engages with a man before marriage. And we all know Liz and Max’s marriage hasn’t been made—ahem—official, so to speak.”

Isabel chewed her lip thoughtfully. “Maybe that’s what draws Max in.”

Adriana blinked repeatedly as she stared at Isabel blankly. “What does?”

“The fact that she doesn’t give in to him,” Isabel explained easily. “Listen, my brother’s hailed as a hero and a physical god. He snaps his fingers and girls fawn all over him, following him like puppies. Liz doesn’t. She makes him work for it. Maybe that’s the tactic you should be looking for.”

“What? Becoming an arrogant goody-goody?” Adriana sneered.

“No, looking available, without actually being available. It drives men nuts.”

Adriana stared at Max dreamily. Putting his hands on his knees, bending over a little to catch his breath, leaving perfect vision of his behind for Adriana to admire. “Your brother sure has a gorgeous butt.”

“Adriana!”

“What?” Adriana asked innocently. “It’s true.”

Isabel was about to finally yell at Adriana when she felt her nudge. Isabel turned around and noticed it was Tess and Liz, walking by them, laughing as they both grabbed at Dante who wasn’t leaving his dumb cat behind.

Adriana winked at Isabel, as they both made their way to the ‘Fab Duo.’

“And we meet again,” Adriana drawled.

Liz groaned loudly, wondering why, if anyone had to bother her, did it have to be Adriana? She turned to Tess. “Am I just faulted in fate, that the devil’s spawn is constantly nagging at my back?”

Adriana glared at her. “Cute.”

“What do you want, Adriana?” Liz retorted.

“Nothing. Just offering my sincere condolences. I mean, I’m glad you’re out of the hospital and all,” Adriana bluffed, shrugging as she moved towards the doors that led to the villa’s vineyard. “Being the brat that you are, you probably can’t wait to get Max on your little golden leash now that you’re healthy, huh?”

This was not unusual. The past week they had met each other, Adriana and Liz would endlessly insult each other. Strangely, Tess and Isabel were both quiet that day and even stared at each other with exhaustion. Clearly, they’d had enough.

“Unlike you, Adriana, I don’t treat human beings as personal property,” Liz conversed coolly, shooting Adriana a disdainful look. “Which brings me to the important matter. Why on earth are you here to bug me? Don’t you have little children to torture, demons to eat?”

Tess couldn’t help the laugh that escaped her lips. Even Isabel seemed to be fighting off a smirk.

“I just wanted to tell you something. Max is fine the way he is. He doesn’t need any of your purity and your ‘goodness’ and he definitely doesn’t need you in his life. You’re probably just an after thought. I think you should stay out of his life,” Adriana threatened, her eyes darkening.

Liz crossed her arms in disbelief. “Since when are you his ruler?”

“I’m not.”

“You sure act like it,” Liz fired back. “Might I remind you I’m Max’s wife.”

“That’s not what she’s saying,” Isabel snapped, glaring at the petite brunette.

“Isn’t it? See, Adriana, I know you don’t have the actual capacity to you know, love a person, but that still doesn’t mean that you don’t want Max for yourself. That’s why you’re probably best friends with sweet ol’ Izzy, isn’t it? So you get to be loud-mouthed in her brother’s life?” Liz accused. She clucked her tongue and scoffed, as she and Tess were walking away when Adriana grabbed her arm.

Liz yanked out of her hold, recoiling with reflex. “Don’t ever touch me again.”

“Listen, demon child, I don’t know where you get off thinking you can just threaten Liz and speak like anyone really cares what you’re saying, but you—you both—better stay away from us because there’s no way we’re putting up with your crap,” Tess answered, coming immediately to Liz’s defense. At the end of the day, both had each other’s backs.

“Max is my brother,” Isabel said haughtily. “He doesn’t need to be burned by her. He hates her too, remember?”

“Is everything all right here, ladies?”

The four of them turned to see Max and Laurent, wondering if there was any Liz/Tess face off against Adriana/Isabel. Both had concern marred in their eyes, their stances of uncertainty and wondering if they should dash for their lives.

“Everything’s peachy,” Isabel replied, grinning brightly at her brother.

Liz kept her fury in check, reminded once again by Tess’s hand on her back that she’d only cave in to Isabel and Adriana’s plans if she burst. Instead, Liz went over to Max and smiled at him, pleased when he half-smiled back at her, self-conscious of himself as he raked a hand through his sweaty hair.

“Hi,” she said brightly.

“Hi,” he replied cautiously. “How are you feeling?”

“I still can’t put all of my weight on the ankle,” she complained, biting her lip. She turned to face Adriana. “Between that and unpleasant visitors, I’m certainly drained.”

Max knew of this, and amused by it a little, he pulled at the towel that was around his neck. Liz had never understood why on earth she would be attracted to Max if he was so arrogant, but a bashful, almost shy Max was definitely adorable.

Adriana’s eyebrow raised, and she and Liz faced off with a staring contest.

“I guess I’ll be going. See you later, Max,” Adriana answered, waving at them.

“Hey, Adriana?”

Adriana turned around and immediately glared at her.

Liz approached her until they were eye to eye. “Don’t threaten what you can’t burn.”

~*~

Amongst so many gazes she searched for his. His eyes that resembled a wounded bird that was barely alive. In a kaleidoscope of images, a torrent of confusing emotions she always stood in that same window of that same fateful day… and she waited. She’d had this dream many nights before. Tonight, it was different. She felt the vividness of it in the fueling of her blood and the awakening of something inside of her, every recess of her body and mind being torn in golden folds, displaying themselves in front of her, vibrantly as ever before. Her every treachery, her every mistake… her every haunting sin…

He was waiting for her, as he was that day. The suffocation brewing inside of her was never a foreign feeling. She loved him, a part of her would always fight. She really genuinely felt something. She had to, she’d destroyed his marriage for no reason other then she wanted to. Hate and vengeance had always prickled in every pore of her body, however, and it lived and breathed and stirred restlessly within her—it never left her side. This was what made her who she was.

It was always within.

The image of Michael standing in front of her in that ledge, begging her to leave with him was too much to bear. She was angry, she wanted him gone… he wouldn’t understand, and she didn’t mean to!

But she did. She pushed him, she pushed him outside of that window.

“Don’t do this… please don’t make me do this,” Eleanor begged, clutching at his chest.

“I love you… I can’t live without you. Please, Nor, please!”

The impulse of the weight in her hands was more then she bargained, and he slipped from the balcony window, tried clutching at her shirt and all he managed to grab was her locket. It unclasped from her neck as he finished falling from the twenty story-building, as his terrified scream echoes in Eleanor’s mind.

Death was his reason.

And now he was waiting.

Eleanor sat up abruptly, chest heaving as her forehead broke out in cold sweat she had now come to expect. Nightmares had been plaguing her for a week now, each increasing in their intensity, rawer in its reality, and she could have sworn she was dreaming this awake. It was so real. It was the only reason she could give herself for the stream of emotions that were running through her, searing her mind and coursing through her veins—but not too much emotion.

“You okay?”

Eleanor flinched, turning next to him and blinking rapidly. “Sean.”

The small word took so much energy out of her, she lay back down slowly, almost as if she were in slow motion, ignoring Sean as he draped an insistent arm over her naked waist. She turned to him with annoyance. “Haven’t I told you, Sean, to always leave after we are finished?” she growled, her voice full of rancor and disdain.

He yawned, ignoring the anger in her voice. “I fell asleep. You wore me out today.”

He went to kiss her neck in an apologizing manner but she pushed him away, refusing him as she stood up. She grumbled something nonsensically in response, and moved to stand, slipping her night gown on top of her.

“You had the nightmare again,” Sean guessed accurately, the scowl on his face remnants of the one she’d seen in her dream. “About Michael.”

Eleanor didn’t answer him at first. Someone as inconsequential as Sean didn’t deserve neither her full attention or an honest answer.

“It was so real,” she mumbled to herself absently.

Sean scratched the back of his head with one hand, using the satin sheets to roll around his body as he stood, moving towards her. She usually was acidic with him, and he was, in turn, accustomed to this. It never stopped him from moving forward and approaching her, however. “I think we both know why you’re dreaming of Michael suddenly.”

Eleanor rolled her eyes with annoyance. “Why would that be, dimwit?”

“Guilt,” he answered quickly.

Eleanor’s eyes flashed with venomous anger that he hadn’t yet seen for a long time. “Guilty? For what? For leaving my sister in the hands of Max Evans? For not being able to stop Michael from falling out of the window that day? Because I never feel guilt, Sean, what happened, happened. I can’t change it and I certainly won’t dwell on it.”

“I’m just saying there’s a reason for your dreams, Nor.”

“Don’t call me that,” she snapped suddenly, attempting to calm her shaking bones.

Oh, God, Michael… what have I done?

~*~
Italian terms
Merda: Shit.


SPOILERS FOR CHAPTER 13:
~Tess and Max have an educational chat.
~Liz ends up in an Italian cell.
~Alex plans to visit Liz.

I'm glad you all hate Adriana. I'm happy you're conflicted about Max. I'm glad you like my Liz! Here's a quick update. This was fun writing, so I hope you like it!

CHAPTER #13

Dante had decided that Liz needed to get out of the house more. Fresh air and comfortable surroundings would do a lot more for her health and sanity, he’d decided. And so he would take her to a pub nearby the skirts of the mansion. It was surprisingly American, the restaurant. Dante had wanted to help Liz not get so homesick, and so both had ordered double bacon cheese burgers with large fries.

They clicked, the minute they met. It seemed Dante knew her like the palm of his hand.

She had never seen anyone eat as carefully and politely as Dante. He grabbed the fries with utmost care, took very small bites of his burger, and tried his best not to mess his impeccable shirt. It was hilarious, but Liz decided not to comment on it.

Dante raised his eyebrow, because he was still on the subject of Max Evans. “You know, he does have the best behind I’ve seen in years.”

“Dante…”

“My entire life, even.”

“Good lord…”

“He may be an asswhole of evil proportions, but girlfriend, the boy’s got it going on.

Liz sighed with exasperation, even more frustrated she couldn’t exactly refute Dante’s opinion—she did think Max’s behind was hot.

Liz then grinned at Dante bemusedly. “Adriana’s going to have a field day when she sees me and Max at Jonathan Devlin’s gala.”

Adriana, Liz had learned, was anything but subtle. Isabel wasn’t any better, but Liz didn’t have the heart to badmouth her sister-in-law. Liz was living under Isabel’s life. Isabel hadn’t asked Max to be a jerk and buy Liz into marriage, nor had Isabel been involved in Liz’s parents being irresponsible, cold-hearted beings that gave her away so easily. That didn’t mean that Liz hoped Isabel would ever attempt to bond with her. In fact, she was sure Isabel sometimes went out of her way to annoy her, but still, the Muciolli Mansion was Isabel and Max’s, not Liz’s.

“Adriana will blow a gasket. As if she wasn’t jealous enough of you already,” Dante muttered indignantly.

Lunch went by smoothly, and they were opening the door to the entrance of the pub when a flock of people were going inside, and among them, the last person Liz wanted to see.

“If it isn’t Elizabeth,” Adriana drawled with a pleasant, fake smile. “I was hoping to bump into you. I figure we should have a conversation.”

Dante rolled his eyes, grabbing Liz by the arm. “Why don’t you just leave us alone and go get trashed or have an orgy, or whatever it is that dirty girls such as yourself do?”

Adriana glared at him. “Oh, stuff it, fag queen. I’m here to talk to Liz.”

“About my husband, I’m certain.”

Adriana raised her eyebrow. “You seem certainly… possessive of him for someone who married him against her will.”

Liz’s eyes darkened. Just how much did Adriana know about her life? “What happens is none of your business.”

“Admit that you want Max,” Adriana threatened, as the two of them circled each other outside of the restaurant.

“I’m married to Max, and whatever he and I do is absolutely NONE of your business.”

“You tell her,” Dante muttered.

Adriana shook her head. “I have no idea why I’m discussing this with someone as dense and clueless as you. You’re probably so dim-headed you have no idea how to please a real man such as Max.”

“Listen, Adriana,” Liz started, inching towards her against, “whatever happens between Max and me is between Max and me. Stop trying to control his life just because you don’t have one. And leave us alone.”

Adriana sighed, shaking her head and turning once again to the brunette. Their height was the same. “You know what, Liz? I hate you. Very much. But I’m going to give you a small piece of advice if you ever want to hold Max’s interest. He’s a real man. Drives nuns wild, I say. And if you ever want this marriage to ever have a chance, I guess I’d want you to be a worthy opponent.”

Liz laughed, shaking her head. “Opponent? You being my rival would have to mean I would have to feel threatened by you. Which I don’t. In case you haven’t noticed, Max doesn’t give you the time of day. And he never will. He’s married now, so stop drooling down his shoes because all you do is annoy him.”

“No wonder Max says your unbearable,” Adriana scorned. “Even your family left you.”

That struck a chord, and before Liz could react rationally her hand met with Adriana’s cheek. This was the straw that broke the camel’s back. She had decided she’d ignore Adriana’s insults and purposeful animosity, but this was going too far. She’d show her what Liz Parker was made of.

Adriana gasped in shock.

“I mean it when I say you should leave me alone,” Liz answered, her hands shaking violently with rage.

“I’ll never go away! As long as you continue being a splinter in Max’s life, I’ll be your shadow,” Adriana hissed, slapping Liz in return.

“Oh, that’s it! Liz, knock the shit out of Malibu Barbie,” Dante answered, flapping his hands as Adriana attempted to push him out of the way.

Adriana seemed to take Dante’s words at face value, because she threw herself at Liz, as the two of them engaged in rolling around and tearing at each other’s hair. This was how Isabel found them later, the entire town in a circle watching them roll around the floor, Liz on top of Adriana as they slapped each other silly.

“Hey! HEY! STOP IT!” Isabel bellowed.

The girls continued as if Isabel hadn’t been there.

“Get off of me!” Adriana shrieked.

“I don’t listen or respect to people that would allow themselves to be another woman’s husband’s whore!” Liz shouted in return.

“I’d rather be a whore then a bastard abandoned child!” Adriana yelled.

Dante winced when they heard a popping sound—Liz’s fist connecting with Adriana’s nose. Liz’s fury wasn’t just for this day. It was the entire two weeks she had lived in this god-forsaken town, being treated as less and looked at as if she were the devil. She was tired of people looking down at her and expecting her to take all the crap that they shoved towards her. She listened to no one but herself.

Behind Isabel was Jonathan Devlin, who looked slightly amused. “Will you help me?!!”

“Is that Evans’ wife?”

Isabel nodded grimly. “That’s… Liz. Not a good first impression, I assume.”

Jonathan chuckled. “Women.”

Following Isabel’s instructions, Jonathan pulled Liz off of Adriana as Isabel held Adriana back, stopping her from going after Liz.

“Let me go! Whoever you are, let me go!” Liz yelled. “I’m—she’s a—Dante, tell him to let me go! I’m serious!!! Let me at her. Let me at her.”

“Oh, stuff it,” Adriana threatened. “I could beat the crap out of you if I wanted to! Come on Isabel, let me take her on!”

“Oh, really? Let’s see if you feel the same way with my foot up your ass!” Liz threatened, lifting her leg as she hit Adriana in the shin. Adriana recoiled in pain as she grabbed at her leg.

“Bring it!” Adriana shouted, trying to grab at Liz from the shirt. “And on the meanwhile, be sure not to hurt you little manicured nails.”

Jonathan Devlin’s hold on Liz was strong, and she couldn’t break free as hard as she tried. Her adrenaline was pumping. “I swear to God if you don’t let me go you’ll regret it! Smashing her empty skull on the floor wasn’t enough. Come on. Get. Up. Bitch.”

Both of Adriana and Liz’s futile, jerky attempts to break free of their grasps was silenced as they heard distant noises coming closer and closer.

It was a siren.

~*~

Max chuckled as Zan tried grabbing at his nose. He, Zan, and Tess were at the park, where Max had agreed to accompany Tess and her son on an afternoon stroll.

“Where are you Zan?” Tess asked with fake concern, looking everywhere for him as Zan covered his face with his small, pudgy hands. He loved this game, never got tired of it.

“There you are!” Tess squealed in mock surprise once Zan uncovered his face, giggling. He beamed proudly that he managed to ‘outsmart’ his mommy.

Max had to smile at the scene. Tess was anal about her color-matching with her son. So while she was wearing a knee length blue sundress in ruffles, Zan was dressed in blue overalls and a serious-looking army hat. She was unique in that way, Tess. And it graced him.

“So… I’ve become really good friends with Liz,” Tess started.

Max sighed. “Don’t, Tess.”

“Why shouldn’t I?” Tess scoffed. “Listen, Max, you’re the most wonderful friend I’ve ever had. You’re my best friend, you’ve always been there for me, you’ve always been there for Zan. You were a father to this little boy when the real one couldn’t give a damn. Why can’t it go both ways?”

“Because right now it doesn’t matter.”

“To you?” Tess asked. “Or to Liz?”

“Huh?”

Tess rolled her eyes. Sometimes Max was too dense for his own good. “You keep saying that it doesn’t matter, Max. Doesn’t matter to whom? To you, or to Liz? How would you know?” she asked as Max looked at her with confusion.

“I… I don’t know. I’m so confused,” Max answered helplessly. He shouldn’t feel this way. He always knew what to do, he’d made a choice to be ruthless and callous to Liz, and he had to go through with it no matter how much energy it took out of him. He was confused, however, and Tess was the only real friend he had. They’d connected in a way not many people did, a rare uncommon bond that he’d always wanted with Isabel but never could quite reach.

“You don’t know who she is,” Tess murmured softly, encouragingly. “Maybe you should find out.”

“What matters is how she feels,” Max answered half-honestly. “And she loves someone else and I… I can’t love her.”

Tess put a hand on her forehead, using the other to slap the back of his head. “You can’t. That doesn’t mean that you don’t however. She’s been through so much Max… whatever reason you hate her, whatever you think she did I’m just… I’m just so sure you’re mistaken.”

Max’s eyes hardened. He was never wrong. “This is none of your business, Tess,” Max answered, trying to keep his voice soft for Zan’s sake. He’d heard babies could sense what the person carrying them were feeling, and he always wanted Zan to be as peaceful as possible around him.

Tess silently observed as Max bobbed Zan up and down, as he two-year old laughed. “Max!” he giggled, still trying to poke at his nose as Max tickled his insides.

“Don’t you want that?” Tess asked pleadingly, pointing to her child. “Don’t you want a family, Max? Kids of your own?”

Of course he did. It was all he wanted, a family of his own… to treat his kids with all the love he never had, to love them and cherish them and protect them—and never, ever abuse them.

“I know you feel something for her, Max,” Tess prodded.

“I can’t,” Max whispered painfully.

“Why are you so sure she’s a bad person?” Tess pressed on urgently. “I’ve gotten to know her, Max, I’ve given her a chance and she’s sweet and kind and noble. Her mother has made her believe she’s the worst person in this entire world, her father sold her away, you don’t let her have contact with any of her friends or family from the States, you’ve ordered all the pilots to never let her leave in case she wants to escape… she’s a prisoner.”

“How do you think it makes me feel!” Max finally shouted. “You think I feel powerful and good, seeing her like this? I just… I feel…” he paused, turning away from her. “I feel small,” he whispered. “Seeing her so… broken, knowing I cause all of it… it makes me feel small.”

“Then why do you do it?” Tess asked softly, her hand on top of his.

“I have to, Tess.”

“Why can’t you tell me what you think she did?”

“I don’t just think. I know.”

Tess rolled her eyes. “Fine, tell me what you know.”

“I…” Max paused, shaking his head. “I can’t tell you… not yet. My plan hasn’t even begun.”

“Even begun? Do you hear yourself? She’s miserable! I can count with one hand the people that are nice to her here. Everyone whispers behind her back, she has to constantly defend herself, she was bitten by a snake, goodness gracious! And you,” Tess continued, “you’ve been awful to her. It’s a miracle she hasn’t broken to pieces. It just proves to me how strong Liz is.”

Max was silent for a moment before turning his golden eyes to Tess’ pale blue. “I won’t yield on this, Tess.”

“Please think about it. I know she’s innocent.”

“I know she’s guilty!” Max refuted.

“Maybe it was a mistake. Maybe you… maybe you were too quick to judge,” Tess shrugged. “I’m living proof of second chances. I was an awful person, Max. I was raised by Edward and no one should ever have to have that kind of punishment. I was cold, capable of awful, terrible things. I hurt you, included. I was a bitch, Max. I was conniving and self-serving and scheming… and I turned over a new leaf. The only good thing that came out of my rebellious days was Zan. He’s the reason I’m at peace with myself, the reason I’m not reckless or impulsive or hateful anymore. I’ve made choices I regret and things I’m terribly sorry for… you have me another chance. Haven’t I proven myself to you?”

“Of course you have,” Max replied defensively. “You’re my best friend, Tess.”

“Okay, then… why doesn’t Liz get the same courtesy?” Tess asked demandingly. “Can you tell me you look at her doe-brown eyes and you immediately see someone evil and dark and capable of whatever reason it is that you hate her for?”

Max opened his mouth and closed it, shaking his head slowly.

“Why don’t you just talk to her about it?” Tess asked.

Before Max could answer, his cell phone began to ring.

“Hello? Dante? Is that you? What—but… how… stop crying… yeah I’m with Tess… stop crying! She what?!” Max yelled, pinching the bridge of his nose as he turned to Tess apologetically.

“I’ll be right there,” Max finally sighed after Tess heard Dante’s static yelling. “Yes, Dante. No I won’t leave her there! Yes. Fine… STOP CRYING! God.”

Max finally hung up and turned to Tess with shocked eyes. “It’s Liz.”

“Oh my god… is she okay? Was it another snake? Or a scorpion this time? Tell me so I can beat Adriana’s ass all the way to Siberia…”

“No… it’s…” Max’s voice trailed before chuckling slightly. “She’s in jail.”

~*~

“Gin!” Liz’s cell guard, Luca cried as he put the deck of cards on the floor before him. Liz, Luca, Liz’s cell mate Patricia, and two other guards groaned with disbelief. Luca had been on a winning streak and once again everyone else had to take a shot of tequila.

This was Liz’s idea, the American way.

“I’m telling you people, you just can’t beat me,” Luca said triumphantly.

“He’s cheating,” Liz muttered to the others with a slurry voice. “He has to be cheating. He can’t win four times in a row.”

“I thought you said they’d be picking you up by now,” Patricia answered in a muffled voice, the tobacco in her mouth stopping her from speaking clearly.

“I guess Max is just going to leave me here,” Liz answered, biting her lip with worry. She didn’t know why she’d expected he’d come for her. He even managed to turn the police against her. All Adriana had to do was snap her fingers and she walked away innocent as a butterfly as Liz was taken into one of the cheap jails near Max’s villa.

Apparently, Max owned the freaking town.

“Men,” Patricia muttered with hate. “They’re all jerks.”

“I’ve only slept with one man my entire life,” Liz confided to them as he flipped the cards. “One. My entire life. And people usually sleep with as many people they want because, well, that’s what they think they want. Variety and never falling into routing or… whatever. So many young bachelors, how many women do you think they take a year?”

Samuele, the man next to Luca, shrugged. “Give or take, hundreds?”

“And that’s a low number, my friend. And are they happy?”

“I would hope so. But I know better.”

“They’re lonely and empty inside. My best friend—Kyle’s his name—is a Casanova. And he would never admit that he wants to settle down. But look at me, Luca. I have loved and made love to only one man in my entire twenty and one years. Do you see me empty? Well, yeah. I feel that now. But never when I was with him. Not once. We didn’t have to have one night stands with nameless faces. We didn’t have to leave the day after, we never had to prove our trust or our faith in each other. We just loved.”

Luca sighed. “That sure sounds pretty, ragazza.”

Liz gave a drunken sob. “And now it’s gone. Bruce is I don’t know how many miles away from here, probably in Roswell, waiting for me to come home and they just tell him I’m married… to a guy that hates my guts.”

“Mrs. Evans Muciolli?”

Liz turned around to face the guard. Everyone hid the cards and the tequila bottle as she stood up dutifully. “Miss Parker,” she corrected scornfully.

The police officer looked confused. “That’s funny. Because there’s someone out there claiming to be your husband, willing to bail you out.”

Liz bit her lip, expecting the worst. Instead, Max strode in with an amused smile on his face, shaking his head lightly, as the guard opened the door. “What on earth were you thinking?” he asked, his tone full of disbelief.

“I was thinking if I had hit Adriana harder maybe the bitch would have flown out of the plaza,” Liz retorted, hearing the guards from behind her chuckling.

“You’re wasted,” Max realized, as the smell of alcohol inundated his nose the minute she opened her mouth. It was weird, seeing someone as usually polite and pacific as Liz talk in that kind of matter.

“You don’t think I could take her? Sure, the whore has a few pounds on me. But all I needed was to stick foot so far up her ass she’d—”

He suppressed a chuckle as he grabbed her shoulder and moved her forward. “Liz, that’s—that enough.”

“I don’t give a flying fu—”

He covered her mouth with his hand and stared at the guard apologetically. “I’m sorry if she caused you any trouble.”

“You kidding me? I haven’t had such a fun prisoner in… well, ever. Played poker for hours. Big mouth, for such a small little lady,” the guard’s eyes twinkled with unguarded delight.

“See, Max? Luca seems to enjoy my company. Luca doesn’t censor what I say. Maybe I should stay with Luca,” Liz said pointedly.

Max rolled his eyes but had almost half-expected this, and from his talk with Tess he was unusually peaceful. He hadn’t however, seen this side of Liz. The I-snap-my-fingers-and-get-what-I-want Liz.

Thankfully he hadn’t had much work at his firm. He usually got cranky with so much paperwork or a high profiled case that he wasn’t coming soon to cracking. Having gotten a good night’s rest, however, he was ready to take on his wife’s tantrums—and no one could ever rival his wife’s temper tantrums.

“Maybe you should leave with hot stuff. Can’t stand any more of your yapping,” someone on a nearby cell muttered.

“Well who asked you to go work a corner and get caught?” Liz asked the hooker.

“That’s enough,” Max said in singsong, putting her over his shoulder despite her protests. She’d probably be beaten to a pulp if he left her there as she so stubbornly wished at that moment.

“No, Max. No, wait. Wait!” she said, pounding on his back until he stopped.

“Luca, don’t you worry, my friend. You will find someone beautiful and funny and she’ll love puppies just like you do. And you’ll live happily ever after with many, many puppies. And you’ll invite me to your wedding and I’ll cry for you, Luca. Because you’ll be as happy as ever and I’m designing your bachelor party. And… that is all,” Liz said, giggling as she waved to her new ‘friends’ and let herself be taken away by Max.

The hooker huffed, crossing her shoulders. “She’s gone. Finally!”
~*~

SPOILERS:
~Max has difficulty putting a drunk Liz to sleep.
~Alex is hell bent on visiting Liz in Italy.
~Jonathan Devlin’s gala turns out to be a fascinating event.

Caelan Yay!! I’m so glad you liked it! Seriously, like I said, your one of my fave writers so having you say that means a lot. And I love Dante too. I actually named him after one of my favorite authors (Dante Allighieri) and decided he’d be ‘just Dante’ and he’d be Liz’s gal pal. And I try really hard balancing some humor with angst because I wouldn’t want it to fall on melodrama and too much, ya know? And I’d think, had Tess been let evolve on the show, she’d be quite quirky. I’m glad you like her, too! It’s a challenge! Thank you!

begonia9508 I’m glad you liked the Adriana/Liz face off. She wasn’t exactly Max’s girlfriend, but let’s say they have a romantic past that she’s not too fond of letting go.

Becca1974 Here I am, here I am! It’s crazy how quickly I’m updating but I’m on a roll and I don’t want to lose it, lol.

dreamer19 Max thinks he needs to see Liz on her knees to vindicate Michael’s death, or at least, he used to. He’s not too fond of making Liz’s life a hell now because he now has emotions and feelings attached to Liz’s face and name, does that make sense? Before it used to be only a name. He knew Michael had a lover that wasn’t Maria and that she was ultimately responsible for his death. It’s easy to hate someone you don’t know intimately (by intimately I don’t mean just sexually, but knowing their thoughts, their childhood, how they are and what hurts). Now he does and its’ quite hard for him.

FSUMSW94 I’m glad you liked it. I had such a fun time writing it! I want Liz to have some sort of fun. And she’s winning people, little by little. And about Adriana… sigh… she’s just desperate. And those kind of people go to extreme measures to get what they want. While she’s not exactly a ‘rival’ to Max’s affections because he doesn’t have any for her, she’s still an enemy worth fearing. And I’m sorry you’re disappointed, but Max will find out in a much more explosive way that it wasn’t Liz but Eleanor. Her being a virgin would be a dead give away, and I’m not planning on doing that for some time. But thank you SO much for always replying! You’re a sweetheart! And I’ll try leaving spoilers every chapter, lol.

rigel Tess is definitely on Liz’s side and will try to make Max see that. Thanks for replying!

g7silvers Thank you! Thank you! I really wanted to have a Max/Tess convo. It shows how ‘Max-the-friend’ is, which we haven’t seen much. I wanted to show Max’s yearning for a true family. Oh, Dante bought the dress for Liz. Max hasn’t seen it, but when he does… well, you can imagine…;) Yes, I’m evil. Why do you ask?

Elle I think you’re the one that always catches the small little things I leave in my story. I’m so glad you caught the ‘graced’ part because it touched me, too. Simple things get to Max, and they have such meaning for him, like a smile from Georgie or seeing Tess with Zan. Thanks for replying!

MilesToGo99 Yeah, Adriana totally had it coming! And while Max may seem stubborn, he does find some truth in Tess’s words… and it’s not like she’s giving up any time soon She’ll fight in Liz’s behalf, tooth and nail… and she’ll have a story of her own, soon. And thank YOU for always reading!

roswellluver I love it when Liz is a fighter. Thanks!

purpleant LOL, yeah, Liz and catfight in the same sentence are quite unusual, aren’t they? But I’m glad you liked it!

Smac I’m so glad it holds your interest! I don’t want to fall into a rut where it gets boring for you to read… which I guess it’ll have to at some point. And the reason Liz doesn’t push is because a part of her doesn’t want to know. She’s lived all her life with people that belittle her (Eleanor and Nancy) and a family that has rebuffed her for reasons she doesn’t know and they never give. She figures he’ll never tell her and she IS not loveable anyway so… it’s sad how Liz’s life has been. I think it’s VERY telling, however, that she doesn’t back down from anything and always stands her ground… but can never quite face Max.

Jason’s Lover I know, I’m updating so quickly! I’m quite proud of myself. I can never get online in the nights so I try writing in the mornings. And Crazy Drunk Liz is fun, so I’m glad you liked her!

Lizzy88 A new reader! Welcome! hope you stick around and enjoy the ride. I’m glad you’re liking Dante. He’s my character, so I feel I have to really try to make him enjoyable cuz he’ll be on quite a bit, I think. I’m glad you’re all liking him and Tess.

WomanofMystery I’m so glad everyone loves Dante, lol. I think every woman in the entire world should have their own Dante, he does rock, lol. Thanks for your kind words and support!

WildSphinx *blushing* Thank you so much! And yeah, Liz totally kicks butt.

frenchkiss70 Thank you! And yeah, here you’ll see what I mean with Max having a ‘hard’ time putting Liz to sleep. And Max definitely doesn’t give Adriana the time of day… which is why Liz isn’t very threatened. I’m glad you liked the talk between Max and Tess because, although Drunk Liz was fun to write, I liked a little bit more the Max/Tess talk, because if you look closely, you see a lot of what Max feels inside. He’s definitely going to look more… but Eleanor’s just as resistant to having him find out it’s her, so… tough place.


Here’s the next part… with a REVELATION! (Dun-dun-dun-dun…) And I'm so shocked by how many people are reading the story (saw the poll final results... wow). So glad people are reading, hope you like it!






CHAPTER #14

Alexander Parker Whitman was not a confrontational man.

He hated arguing; he hated altercations, hated yelling matches and was often submissive when the occasion presented itself. He was used to being the good son, the good brother, the good boyfriend. It was the part he’d always had to play and he liked doing so. He enjoyed being the nice guy even though a lot of times he always finished last. He had come to expect it, had learned to accept it with reluctance, and wouldn’t change himself for much.

Until now.

There were very few things that could truly anger Alex. That was uncalled rudeness, and family. Anyone touched his family, and they were in for trouble. He didn’t show his claws a lot but when he did, people didn’t see it coming.

And he was very protective of Liz. Maybe it was because he never saw her experience the age of innocence so many kids had. Maybe because he tried hard but never hard enough. He’d always stay quiet when he knew there might have been something he could say to get them to let Liz stay.

There was no one in the world he loved like he loved his little sister. Honestly, he loved Liz more then anyone. Admired that she loved so much, forgave so much, and wanted so damn little for herself. She’d been a pawn in their family’s game, had been basically given to Max Evans as a fucking treat—or fed to the beast, whichever way people wanted to see it. She’d been tied to a loveless marriage—and because of Jeff’s debts, because of her nobility, she just swallowed it all. How many times had Alex seen Nancy Parker try to break Liz, only to have Liz try harder to win their mother’s affection?


Lunch with his family was not something he liked very much.

He sat down and curtly acknowledged the man sitting next to him. “Father.”

“Alexander.”

Rolling his eyes, Alex decided to dig into his plate and tune out the conversation around him. There were times he started the idle chit chat, because he had the ability to talk for hours about anything and everything. Usually it was because he could care less what they would talk about—and usually his mother was on the phone chewing out one of her friends, anyway. And she actually treated them better than she treated her own family, which, was saying much.

Jeff Parker, however, had once been a golden name in the business world. He was considered the shark business tycoon, and had been greatly disappointed when Alex had stressed his desire to not to study business, but do something on his own. It was funny. When Alex was a little boy, there was no one braver, wiser, or stronger than his father. He’d always been bitter about the way he ended up letting Nancy treat Liz, but he’d still adored the son of a bitch. Alex would have killed the please him in any way and so he’d always tried. Jeffrey Parker was a special gem, though. He’d wanted to control every aspect of his kids’ entire life, plan out their entire future, decide of each and every decision they wanted to make themselves.

Alex hadn’t been able to deny however, Jeff had had a weak spot for Liz.

When they were little every time Liz walked into a room, Jeff’s eyes would water, and always he’d say the same thing. “There goes my poem. There goes my Lizzie. She’s the poem.”

And Alex had never understood what it was that made Jeff both sad and happy about Liz. Until he grew older and happened to overhear one of his parents’ many discussions.

“I’m going to visit Liz,” Alex finally blurted out, making his decision then and there.

Nancy’s eyes narrowed towards Alex. “What for? I’m sure she’s fine, darling.”

“She’s in her own private hell. I’ll be damned if I’m not there, Max or nor Max Evans barking at us to stay away! He can’t keep me from my sister, the son of a bitch,” Alex snarled, throwing his napkin to the table as he turned to his mother with furious eyes.

“Alex, do not speak so crassly, please.”

“I’ll speak whatever damn way I please,” Alex snapped at her.

“Alexander Charles!” Jeff roared. “Respect for your mother.”

“How can I respect her, or you for that matter?” Alex demanded, standing up as the chair fell to the ground. “My God, your child is tied to a hateful man because you let him buy her. She’s been there for almost a month and… and what? No concern, no worry, no trying to find a way to get her back now that your stupid debt’s been paid? What the hell was that whole ‘she’s my poem’ crap then? Was that just bullshit?”

Jeff looked away, unable to meet his son’s gaze.

“Alex…” Nancy began.

“And you!” Alex continued. “How could you promise to raise Liz as your own if this was the treatment that you knew you would dish out at her?!”

Jeff stood up, eyes wild and troubled. “What did you just say?”

“I know, dad,” Alex’s voice cracked. “I’ve always known about your… your affair with that woman.”

Nancy glowered at her husband. “The great Beth, right Jeffrey?”

“If you would treat her so hatefully for being the product of an affair, regardless of how guiltless she was, why could you just admit it?” Alex asked. “Why put her through so much, why make me just stand by and watch, why not love her like she deserves to be loved? Damn it, she’s not to blame for HIS mistakes!” he added, a shaky, furious finger pointing at Jeff.

Alex put his hands in front of him, regulating his heavy breathing as his fists laid in the table, his eyes meeting Jeff and Nancy’s. “I’m leaving this weekend to go be with Liz.”

He was walking away when he added, “I’d like to see you try and stop me.”

~*~

“Liz…”

Giggle. Snort. Giggle.

Frustrated sigh. “Liz…”

Impish grin. Snickering. More giggles.

Oh, that was it. “LIZ! Get down from that tree.”

“Don’t ya mean… ‘Watch out for that… TREE!’” Liz answered, imitating George of the Jungle before bursting into fits of laughter.

Max tried fighting the corners of his lips and looked up at her sternly. “You’re going to get hurt.”

She covered her mouth with her hand, stifling the giggling. “I can’t help it, Max. Climbing trees tickles me pink! And the leaves… they’re so pretty,” she sighed, moving her feet back and forth in rhythm as she smiled up at the sky.

Max covered his face with his hands in resigned frustration and turned to look at the petite brunette. “Elizabeth Regina Parker Evans Muciolli, if you don’t get down from there I will come up and get you.”

She huffed but relented. “Fine… you’re such a spoil sport.”

Liz tripped on a branch, and Max watched, pained, as she fell short from the last edge with a loud ‘oomph.’ Liz, however, didn’t feel the pain. Oh, no. She was laughing maniacally as if it were hysterical she was lying flat on her drunk ass, late in the night.

“Will you please get up?” Max almost barked, going over to her, sliding her arm over his neck as he attempted to lift her. She hung on to his neck with both of her arms and turned to look at him, unaware of his tension as her face was so close to his, her lips grazing his as she said his name.

“Max?” she whispered softly, raising her eyes to his. They were so full of emotion.

“Yeah?” he whispered back as he made his way to their wing of the house.

“Do you cry, Max?” she asked in a childlike voice.

“Uh… no,” he answered, betraying his answer with his shaky voice.

She smiled that all-knowing smile. And for a moment he didn’t feel his heart beating against his rib cage. Because it stopped. She had that reaction in him. She walked into a room, she so much as looked at him and he stopped functioning normally. He didn’t understand it, didn’t want to. And for the time being, didn’t dwell on it either.

“I don’t believe you,” she whispered in his ear, turning to look up at him again to smile sweetly.

He settled her on the bed as she sprawled her legs in front of her, turning to look at the ceiling that was covered with multi-colored lines. Why were there purple and red lines in her ceiling? This was surreal, Liz decided. Like the time she dreamt that clouds were cotton candy of every color. She giggled to herself privately. She had loved that dream. Purple and pink and green clouds that you could eat..

“You should probably get some sleep,” Max answered awkwardly, going to move but Liz grabbed his arm.

“You’re scared of me,” she said out of the blue.

He snorted. “Yup. It’s the five feet and the ninety pound build you got there. Makes me shake in my boots, is what it does.”

She regarded him for a minute, and then smiled again. “It’s the first time I hear you say something remotely funny.”

“I say funny things all the time,” he defended.

She gave him a look. “Right, Max.”

“Not to you,” he muttered.

“Yeah. Never to me,” she mumbled sadly, rubbing her eyes.

“It’s getting late…” Max began, but once again she stopped him, inching closer.

“Do you cry, Max?” she asked again, her voice barely a croaking sound. It was soft, a broken plea, and for some reason he couldn’t deny her.

“Sometimes,” he whispered. “When no one’s looking.”

“I thought so,” she responded softly.

“Do you believe in destiny?” she asked after a moment.

He smirked. “Do you always ask so many questions?”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m curious by nature. Amuse me. Do you?”

“No,” he answered instantly. “Maybe fate… but we make our own destinies.”

Liz shook her head after a while. “You chose my destiny, Max Evans. You… you forced me here because you hate me,” she said, stumbling on her slurred words. “Adriana… Adriana said I was your splinter.”

“Adriana says a lot of inane things,” Max interjected quietly.

“Aren’t I, though?” Liz’s eyes watered. “Because, I’m used to being that, you know. I don’t know exactly why because… I’m not a bad person, Max, I swear I’m not.”

He was silent, because he didn’t know how to respond. The hateful Max that had married Liz a few weeks ago would have venomously replied she was the most horrible woman in the world. Now, though, he just wasn’t sure of anything. His talk with Tess, getting to know Liz better… he just had no clue anymore.

“I try so hard,” Liz continued in a hushed voice. So soft he barely heard it, almost as if it were only for her to hear. “I try so hard not to let people see the side of me that’s broken. But they always do. And… it hurts, Max. I tried but it hurts anyway.”

Tears found their way to her cheeks as she closed her eyes tightly, afraid to look at him, afraid that she, once again, put herself in a vulnerable position. Last time she did so, last time she opened a part of her she rarely did, he rebuffed her. Hurt her with words, enveloped her with his poison. If only she didn’t care… but she did.

Max used his thumb to wipe away the wet patches of her cheek.

Liz, in turn, ran her finger over the scar on his forehead. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

His eyes were wounded and shocked. “You know?”

“Nonnina told me some of it,” Liz admitted. “I guess not all… I think she just wants me to understand why you act the way you do sometimes.”

Max gulped, swallowing the lump that was forming in his throat. “Oh.”

“I’m sorry you had to go through that.”

“I… I don’t like talking about it,” he said in short words, his breathing erratic.

“I won’t remember tomorrow,” Liz reminded him softly. “Why not give me a try, Max? Who knows better about a broken soul then I do?”

He didn’t answer her for a minute, just stared at her. At her expectant face, lacking of treachery, lacking of deceit and hate. “I know… I know why he’d always choose me,” Max said softly, standing up as he began to pace, Liz’s eyes darting his every move. “Somehow, he zeroed in on me. He left them alone at times, and I had to take all the brunt of it. And I never got the hell why back then… I know the reason and it stills me deathly to my very core.”

Liz stood up and walked only a few steps, but fell on the nearest couch due to her dizziness. “Why, Max?”

“He saw himself in me, Liz. He saw the hatred, the greed, the monster inside that was just waiting to come out and play the minute someone tried to lick my wounds. He saw it, and he hated it. Hurting me was a released to him, because he’d never allow to hate himself. He’s too good for that, and never would he recognize all the damage he has done. I am he, and, because of that, he strikes. Isabel… even Michael, I think, were too pure, too innocent to ever understand the depth of the tortured. I know that tortured, twisted part of me that’s… that’s alien. And I see him. Everywhere I go, everything I do it’s almost like he’s inside of my head. He hated me because I am him. He pushed me the most, strived to make me the man of the family because despite his hate there is almost pride. Pride in what he knew I could become, what I did become.”

Max’s eyes, the closest to tears she’d ever seen them, raised to meet hers. He lowered himself on his knees, his hands resting on the seat of the couch in front of Liz. “I loved him… and hated him so much… I have so much hate inside of me Liz I can’t… I can’t even breathe sometimes…”

She traced his cheek with the outer side of her hand, her lips resting softly on his forehead. “You’re a good man, Max.”

He laughed in disbelief. His laughter had no humor. “After everything I’ve done to you? I’ve done everything humanly possible to destroy you. How can you even say something like that?”

“Because I believe it,” Liz replied without hesitation. “Good people have difficult burdens, Max. It’s what makes us human and challenges us to strive to be better people. I see a good side of you, you just… you never want me to. You’d prefer it if I hated you, because that would mean I only see what you let me, not what is inside. But I see you, Max, and I’m not scared or horrified.”

“What do you see?” he whispered harshly.

She smiled again, her sweet smile that almost brought him to tears. “I see… a small, fractured boy living inside a strong, tortured man. I see someone who feels too much and shows too little.”

“I can’t do this… it would only lead to—”

“Sometimes our hearts take us to places that can never lead to a happy ending,” Liz answered softly. “Places that are exciting as they are alluring,” she continued, sliding off the couch and on her knees, mimicking his position. “And the thing about following your heart is… once you leave normal… you can’t go back.”

His eyes were boring holes into hers, staring at her the intense, wondrous way he always does. The kind of gaze that leaves her breathless and makes her never want to close her eyelids. “And I guess you have to decide what you’re going to do, Max. Are you going to hold on to the hate… or are you going to follow your heart?”

He caught her hand before she let it slip back into place, grazing his lips in her wrist lingeringly. He tentatively brushed his lips against hers, seeking her, pleading her. It was the purest, sweetest thing she had ever experienced. It curled her toes and warmed her heart. He deepened the kiss giddily, almost reverently exploring the mouth he’d been longing to kiss, feeling his flesh burn with heat to his very core.

They parted breathless; foreheads colliding as she sleepily looked at him. “You’re leaving normal?”

A small part of him sadly recognized she probably wouldn’t remember this, and a part of him was also relieved. He gave her a genuine grin.

“What’s so great about normal?”

~*~

~Very few dialogue of this Max/Liz scene is from the show (the heart can't lead to a happy ending/what's so great about normal?/etc. I didn't find it anywhere, but I'm a huge fan so they stuck with me).

SPOILERS:
~Jonathan Devlin's gala has a few surprises.
~Isabel tries reaching out to Georgie.
~Nonna has a small surprise for Liz.

Okay, I’ve gotten certain PMs asking me if I got the idea from a book or movie because it sounds familiar. Now, the plot in itself isn’t very unique (an arranged marriage, or someone wanting revenge and falling in love with said person) and I DID get some of the idea from a Spanish Soap Opera. But a lot of the storylines (Tess and Zan; Dante and every word in the story (except for the quoted ones I’ve pointed out) are mine. I work really hard to make a story worth reading. I try really hard not to fall on the oblivious scenario of having something be exactly the same as someone else’s. I don’t intend for that, and I just wanted to say this story, while the plot and some of the occurrences (and some, others are my invention) resemble this soap, I have stated it in the beginning and I’ve taken a different lead. I don’t know how that soap ends and I’m writing it now from my own critique and not following anything else. Again, I want to thank everyone who has replied and been so supportive and kind to my story. It really fuels me to write quicker and better for you all. Any questions or anything please PM me.

CHAPTER #15

It is interesting, the people that claim to be so strong… so often they are the most breakable. The more you try to appear valiant… the more fragile you truly are. We put on a face for the world so they will recognize what you want them to see, and never truly what you are. Life is tricky in that sense, how it robs you so painfully of your hope and drags you down so helplessly to the bottom.

There is something inside of Max Evans that no one else has quite yet seen. He doesn’t let anyone see it, because it is where he retreats to hide. When he is hurt, when he feels pain, when he is overcome with emotion and feelings are too powerful. For fear of facing them, for a blatant need to run away from it, he hides in this place inside of him. It’s vengefully hateful, it’s heartbreakingly painful… it’s a cold, dark place… and it’s very lonely. It brings no true release but does provide, for at least a small fraction of a moment, comfort he so religiously seeks.

Connections. He’d always wondered about them. Their strength, their doubtful existence, whether two people can actually carry a bond so strong and unshakeable. It had happened rarely with Max, but it existed.

With Michael, the connection had to have been when they Max was seven and Michael was ten. They had always felt shadowed by the ‘golden child’ Isabel, who had always been their parents’ favored one (or so they’d liked to have thought). Back then, and still to this day, Isabel couldn’t be more heinous if she tried at times. And Michael would always sneak to Max’s room in the wee hours of the morning, escape to the lands and ride the horses. They’d race, they’d feed them, and many times, they would just lie underneath their horses and talk about anything and everything.

Max hadn’t really seen it back then, had never questioned what it meant to be able to tell someone all of your thoughts without abandon, what it was like to have such a strong bond. And it wasn’t because they were brothers, it was because they got each other, they lived and breathed the exact same tragedies, had been scarred by the same fate, had paid too dearly for someone else’s mistakes, and learned to cope with the help of each other.

Now… now Max felt weak. He tried covering it by being bold and ruthless and even cruel, hoping people would confuse it with arrogance and bravery. But he was just… weak. He had lived in a world of cautious crystal, always having to walk on pins and needles, always having to watch his back to make sure a punch wasn’t meeting him on the other end, making sure his mother and his sister were always safe… Max had been living the life of an adult ever since he was a child, and hadn’t really, truly, fully lived. He hadn’t had much meaningful moments in his life, and those had had meant something hadn’t been for any good.

And Max’s brain had been in overdrive for over an hour, the minute he was awakened with the heavy burden of the rays on his eyelids, when the stiffness of his neck became a problem and finally, when he realized he wasn’t in the calm of his room.

He was in a chair. A rigid, uncomfortable, small chair.

Stretching in what little confined space he had in the chair, Max’s eyes fell on the bed a few feet away from him. In the bed was Liz, still wearing her night clothes which probably smelled of jail cell and tequila. She was snoring slightly, hair half-covering her face, dozing peacefully.

Max hesitantly stood up from his spot, moved towards the bed and sat gently in front of her. He did what he always did when he wasn’t looking; he stared at her intently, every curve of her face and every piece of flesh visible. He ran his index finger over her jaw line, stopping in the curve near her chin.

“Who are you?” he whispered softly. Certain he was alone in his reverie, he let himself regard her with open curiosity and lacking of disdain… never had he understood what it meant for passion to be free of reason till this particular moment.

“Why can’t I hate you?” Max asked painfully to himself, so softly he himself did not hear. For the longest of times he had felt nothing, numb to his very bone, as if he were walking with endless anesthesia to pain or joy or love. For years he’d known he was missing something, but never knew exactly what. It helped to block away the memories in the chips of his mind that had threatened to consume him whole. Who wants to remember tragedy? Who wouldn’t like to pretend it doesn’t exist, making believe something isn’t true?

Not many people knew of his childhood. He’d always needed guidance and affection. He’d never gotten it, so he’d learned to deal with everything in his own way, and never truly learned how to verbalize his feelings. He kept them closed, very tightly in his heart. It was all he knew. He’d always craved for normalcy, always craved for the normal family with the normal family dinners and the ordinary life that he had never tasted.

He had never been happy. Because he didn’t know how. He wasn’t raised to yell or say what he felt, he’d always been stifled, always been taught—the rough, torturing way—to keep quiet. His mother hadn’t been able to cope with the intensity of their situation, seeing her so… so cold and so lifeless was… was brutal.

Max closed his eyes, shaking off these feelings. He hadn’t thought of his mother in so long, had attempted successfully to block it into the deep recesses of his mind and pretend that it didn’t exist… things don’t cut you that way. You don’t bleed if something doesn’t exist. It’s easier. It’s simpler. It feels good.

Max sighed, biting his lip before hesitantly kissing Liz’s forehead, and walking out of the room with a confused expression on his face.

It was only until Max had closed the door that Liz opened her eyes and smiled.

~*~

“Oh, Isabel, you look gorgeous!” Nonna breathed, as she saw Isabel descend in a gorgeous yellow-gold long dress, draped across in one shoulder and bare in the other. Her hair was styled into a perfect knot, with a few wisps flying free in the corners of her porcelain-like face. She did indeed look stunning. There was something off putting, however, and it was the ever-present coldness in her eyes, the tight line in her lips.

“Yeah, mother, you look beautiful,” Georgie answered honestly, hugging her teddy bear as she lied further into the couch, focusing on the television to avoid her mother’s gaze. It wasn’t often her mother went out at nights. It was usually for benefits or parties from high society, but never for dates or lunch with friends—her mother didn’t have many friends, and everyone that wanted to date twenty-five year old Isabel Evans would be surprised to know she had a ten-year old daughter.

“Georgie,” Isabel began tentatively. “I have something for you.”

Georgie’s head snapped towards where Isabel was standing unsurely. She had always known Georgie was meant to do great things. Isabel had always assumed she’d just be good at everything, and know everything—never had Isabel really taught her.

There were so many things Isabel had learned, things that she had felt—her life had always been turned upside down, spun in endless webs of heartache and pain. She didn’t want everyone to know just how clumsily and painfully she walked about in the world. She preferred people to believe there was ice in her veins. Being too human… it terrified her.

When Isabel was a child, she had been broken. Walked around kind of broken and talked like it didn’t mean anything, felt as if nothing was real. She had fallen from grace, and she still hadn’t been able to heal her crushed spirit. She still hasn’t found her faith. Faith, that rises in her heart and pretends to be a butterfly. Faith, that has been said to cure everything and heal what has been shattered.

Isabel was shattered to pieces. She wasn’t healthy and she certainly didn’t feel sane.

But she was alive. And she wasn’t sure if that was enough anymore.

Isabel was brought out of her thoughts when Tomasso entered the room, carrying a small terrier puppy with a big red bow.

Georgie squealed and went over to him. “Who’s this?” she cooed, grabbing him from Tomasso. He was the most adorable living puppy she had ever seen in her entire life.

Isabel smiled proudly. “That is a gift from a friend. I was thinking of calling him Ace, like you always wanted to call a puppy if you had one. Don’t you agree?” she asked with a mischievous twinkle.

Georgie couldn’t help but smile back. “Why is he cooped up there all alone?”

Isabel sighed. “Unfortunately, my friend did not seem to think things through. I am much too old to be after a dog. And Tess, unfortunately, detests dogs. Calls them ugly mutts. Everyone else is too busy. I suppose I could hire someone to take care of him, but he seems mildly sad, I must agree. He’s but seven weeks old, and still needs to be trained.”

Georgie cleared her throat. “Um, I can take care of him.”

Isabel’s eyes shined. “I thought you might.”

Georgie clapped her hands together. “Come here, Ace. Come here, boy.”

Ace cocked his head adorably, as if scrutinizing Georgie. He hesitantly made it out of Tomasso’s comfortable arms and Georgie grabbed the terrier in her arms, cuddling and patting him affectionately. Ace arched himself towards her, nestling in the crook of her neck, delighted someone was actually paying attention to him.

“Aw, he’s beautiful!” Georgie breathed.

“Thanks, Mamma!” Georgie added, going over to her, stopping in her tracks immediately when she felt Isabel stiffen as Georgie enveloped her. She quietly and slowly disentangled herself from her mother and busied herself with the dog, not before seeing Isabel look outside the window with unshed tears in her eyes.

Nonna wiped the tears away quickly as she finished seeing this exchange, and cleared her throat once she saw Liz was descending the stairs as well, looking exquisite in a gorgeous bourbon red dress. It was strapless and flowing, showed some of her back. Her dark, dark hair was spilled in elegant curls all over her head.

“You look beautiful, Aunt Lizbeth,” Georgie smiled sincerely.

Nonna nudged Isabel, who rolled her eyes. “You do look nice, Liz.”

Liz accepted this gratefully, knowing fully well it wasn’t heartfelt. “Thank you, Isabel. So do you.”

“I have something that will go perfectly with that,” Nonna answered with a smile, pulling out of her pocket a rectangular velvet box.

“Oh, Nonnina I couldn’t…”

“Please accept it, bambina. I want you to have it.”

Liz smiled at her tearfully, opening the box and gasping as she saw what it contained. A beautiful, timeless diamond necklace. It was classical, it was clearly an antiquity, and it took Liz’s breath away.

“Wow,” Georgie breathed, while Isabel’s eyes narrowed as she saw her grandmother give Liz such a lavish present.

“It’s beautiful, Nonnina. But it’s too much for me.”

“Oh, nonsense. It was the necklace I always wore to all the balls I would have. Gave me a lot of luck,” Nonna answered with a good-natured chuckle. “And I want you to put it on. Please? Give the old woman the pleasure of seeing it on you?”

Liz nodded through tear-filled eyes as she let Nonna clasp it around her neck. She had never gotten many gifts, and Nancy hadn’t ever given Liz any jewelry of hers. The only thing that Liz had had was her locket, but she hadn’t been able to keep it. With an annoyed expression on her face, Liz remembered Eleanor had kept it after never returning it from the ball. It seemed so long ago but Liz knew it wasn’t.

Liz kissed Nonna’s cheek. “Thank you.”

They heard a small squeal and turned around to reveal Dante, Tess, and Max standing in the door way of the big living room. The squeal was of course, from Dante who was delighted Liz was wearing the dress he bought her.

“You look positively delicious,” Dante answered, going over to hug Liz, careful not to wrinkle her gown.

“Seriously, girlfriend, hot,” Tess added with a giggle, throwing her arms over Liz.

“Look who’s talking,” Liz teased gently. It was true; Tess looked positively gorgeous in her form-fitting black dress and her wild, unruly blonde curls. Her pale eyes were a captivating aqua, and her smile radiated more so then usual.

“Where’s Zan?” Liz asked.

“Oh, I already left him sleeping upstairs in the guest rooms,” Tess answered, turning later to Nonna. “Thank you so much for offering to take care of him.”

“Oh, don’t you worry, pixie. Georgie and I will take very good care of him, won’t we?”

Georgie beamed. “We sure will!”

Liz realized Max hadn’t said much, and she turned around to face him, only slightly surprised to see he was staring at her in return.

Dante’s eyes were darting menacingly from Liz to Max, and Tess and Isabel had to almost carry him out of the room.

Nonna cleared her throat. “Georgie, why don’t we go make some popcorn?”

Georgie giggled. “Okay.”

Liz smiled as she stared at Max appreciatively. He really was very handsome. It wasn’t like she’d never noticed it before, she certainly had. There was something about him. She wasn’t sure if it was his soulful amber eyes, his cute single dimple, or his unruly black hair. She just hadn’t decided yet—what she did know was the boy knew how to work a tuxedo.

Noticing he was having trouble finishing his tie properly, she went towards him and wordlessly began to work on it.

Max cleared his throat. “Isabel usually does it for me,” he admitted gruffly.

Liz laughed softly. “That’s okay. I used to tie them for Alex and Daddy all the time.”

It was foolish to believe that her heart would be an ingrate and easily forget everything that they had been through together in such a short amount of time. She knew what it was to struggle, to fight when she no longer had strength. To try and grab on to a hand that doesn’t exist, to cling on to whatever hope had already been lost. She couldn’t continue fighting with him. All her anger had faded and now she was just left with the remains of her sadness. She still had no clue what to expect from him, but she’d promised herself she’d break through Max’s walls, and she’d be damned if she didn’t keep that promise. She couldn’t give up on him yet because it wasn’t the way she was built.

“You look… you look beautiful,” he finally answered, not being able to look at her in the eye.

She kept her eyes trained on her fingers that were masterfully looping the tie into place. Why did he do that? How dare he look at her like that, as if she was his entire world? Why make her fall for him if all he wanted was to make her suffer? There were so many things of Max Evans that still didn’t add up.

As they walked away to join Tess, Dante, and Isabel, Max scratched the back of his ear with his hand and looked at her. “Um, Liz… about last night… you don’t… I mean – do you – do you remember… stuff?”

She gave him a wink. “I remember everything.”

She continued walking as Max stood there grounded in his spot. She missed his shocked face.

When you don’t have love, you’re nothing. There isn’t any good emotion; it is all just a one-range note. It’s just nothing. Merely a whisper of a breath seeping out of us, proof that you are alive. Proof that, if broken, you bleed. And when you do love, it gives you the knowledge that you are something to someone, that you could lose everything that means anything, that in the course of your life you were courageous enough to know nothing is not an option anymore because of all you sacrificed, all you forgave, all you hurt, all you lost… and all whom you loved.

Love… isn’t that, in the end, everything?


~*~

SPOILERS:
~Jonathan Devlin’s gala (finally!). Jonathan meets Liz, Adriana tries to gang up on Max, and the evening ends up with rain-drenched Max and Liz and a screaming match.
~Georgie and Nonna have a small chat about life.
~Someone decides to tag along with Alex.


Some parts of this story were taken from another story I wrote a long time ago. It fit really well with Max/Liz and I thought you all would like it. Enjoy!

Hey guys! I know, based on the spoilers you were expecting quite a lot, but as I started writing for the party my mind went on to overdrive and I wrote by longest chapter yet that deals with the gala only. So the other spoilers will have to wait, I hope you don't mind. The reason I'm posting so quickly and didn't divide it into two chapters is because it's the last post I'm gonna have in a while, seeing as how I won't have the computer for a few days (at most, a week). So, I hope you enjoy. The feed back is mind-blowing. You are all just way too nice to me.

I'd also like to give a special thanks to Lullaby. I'm happy you came out of hiding, I'm happy you saw the soap, and I'm honored you like my story better.

Everyone else: You. Rock.

That is all.


CHAPTER #16

He’d always keep a close eye on her. Because, honestly, that red dress was a train wreck just waiting to happen. How could a human being be so achingly beautiful? How could one woman hold the power to bring him to his knees with the depth of her soul and the beauty of her heart that mirrored only the stunning features in her face? Max was sure of one thing, however.

Liz Parker Evans was going to be the end of him.

Max didn’t know how to describe that voice inside of him that pushed him to dream. He wanted to love, he wanted to feel loved because he never had, feel anything to make his heart beat again because surely, he was living a lifeless existence. Wordlessly she managed to make him to want to discover everything alive about himself. It was those small moments where he let himself just drown in her, let himself live inside of her seeming innocence, just let himself absorb the way that she looked at him, and stay there for a while.

Max smiled to himself as he saw Tess make his way through the dance floor and towards him. Social events such as these, where new townspeople conducted solely for the reason to get themselves known and out there, weren’t very entertaining. In fact, the only reason people attended at all was to bicker curiously about the new people that moved in.

Or, Max thought to himself with a low chuckle, had heard that both Adriana and Liz would be at said party, and were interested in knowing if there would be a Round Two.

Tess rolled her eyes with a giggle. “How many dance partners can a woman get?” she laughed, sipping her champagne idly as she stood next to Max.

Max turned his gaze, once again scanning the room for Liz to make sure where she was, and breathed a sigh of relief to see her laughing incessantly with Dante who was, without a doubt, laughing at the ‘fashion disasters’ the party held.

Tess noticed Max’s gaze soften, and bit her lip to keep from smiling. “How is the married life?”

Max sighed, troubled once again about Liz’s words before they left. She remembered everything… he’d spilled his heart out in a weak moment, hoping she’d pass out and block everything out for the morning and instead she’d just gotten proof he didn’t hate her as much as he claimed to.

“Uh-oh.”

“Uh-oh is right,” Max muttered, laying the glass down on the table as they sat down. “I can’t seem to understand her. We’re either yelling or bickering or communicating peacefully. I’m not being grandstanding when I say she is by far the most irritating woman I have ever met.”

Tess frowned. “Come on, Max, Liz is the sweetest thing ever.”

Max snorted, reminding himself of all of the fights he’d had with Liz. She had cunningly escaped all of the sling shots he’d managed to throw at her, and had barbed back with equal force. She was not the good little girl she appeared to be. “She isn’t all that sweet. She’s infuriating and opinionated and lives hell bent on proving what she believes is right. No one can make me as mad as she can.”

“You’re confusing madness with passion.”

Max turned to look at Tess. “I doubt that.”

“You’re in denial, dear buon amico,” Tess answered in a teasing manner, putting her arm around him. “I’ll just say one thing, Max. Love without madness… is not love.”

Max sat there, pondering her words for a moment before turning to Tess with an intense gaze. “She’s just… and then she… and when – you know?”

Tess’ eyes furrowed in confusion. “Uh… huh.”

“Sometimes I want to put my hand on her mouth to stop her from speaking any further. She can talk a mile a minute, that woman. She can make your blood boil me like no other. And then there are other times when I just want to… I want to devour her mouth, right then and there on the spot. It makes no sense!” Max cried in frustration.

Tess gave him a knowing smile. “Sounds to me like you’re in love with her.”

Max glared at Tess so darkly she was almost taken aback. “I can’t be.”

“And why on earth not?” she demanded, putting both hands on either of her hips.

“Because…” Max let his voice trail. There wasn’t enough articulate words in the world to make his emotions justice. “Because we hate each others guts. Because I married her for a reason, and it excludes love and any other thing that resembles it.”

“That’s not what it is anymore though, Max,” Tess whispered softly. “Seems to me you finally see what I see, what Dante sees… and Nonna, and Georgie… that she’s a good person.”

Max shook his head with determination. “It can’t be love, Tess… it just… can’t.”


“You can’t force me to marry you, Max. Even if you did, you would only have me in body. Don’t you see you can never touch my heart and my soul? Why would you want that?”

“I don’t know which is sadder, having a mask or being exactly what is seen! Maybe I hide my vulnerability inside of me, but that’s because my pain is mine and mine alone. You on the other hand! Your coldness and ruthlessness isn’t a mask, is pure reality! You have nothing but ice in your veins and you can’t love, you can’t even conceive the thought of thinking of anyone but yourself.”

“My words don’t hurt you. Nothing can ever hurt you because you just don’t care. You can’t expect me to fawn at your feet like every other damsel does in your expensive suits. And you can’t expect me to awe and glorify your every sanctimonious word because none of it is real. You are not real. I don’t want anything to do with you. I don’t want to know you.”

“You’re awful.”

“You’re an animal!”

Liz’s words had hurt him, like iron, like fire. And though he had not let her see it, Max had known she was speaking from her heart. Why would she change her answer or her feelings, if she had literally said she would rather burn in hell than ever give herself to him?

Tess shook her head with half-resignation. “But you love her, Max. Deep inside, where you don’t let anyone see.”

“I never said I loved her,” Max hissed at Tess with anger.

“You didn’t have to. I only speak what I see,” Tess defended. “And I see a love-struck fool.”

That only meant one thing, Max decided. He had to be harsher then before. Fight her more and cover it up as much as he could.

Because she was Liz Parker.

And he could never care for her.

~*~

The way Max Evans moved about himself was, indeed, Liz must admit, fascinating. Every time he walked into a room it was seemingly like he owned it, no matter who was in there and whether he was acquainted with them or not. He was haunted, irrevocably vengeful, and had a huge chip on his shoulder, but she couldn’t help but be compelled to him. As always, a magnetic pulled that intensified the longer she was near him.

“So you’re the lovely Elizabeth!”

Liz turned around, smiling shyly as she was met with Jonathan Devlin’s friendly face.

“You’re Jonathan Devlin,” Liz supplied with a warm smile. “It’s a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance.”

“Oh, we’ve met before,” Jonathan reminded her with a wink.

Liz’s face went beet red with embarrassment. “That’s true… um, you know, I’m usually not into physical altercations.”

“I didn’t peg you the violent type,” Jonathan agreed, amused by her mortification.

“It’s just Adriana knows which buttons to push,” Liz answered.

Jonathan noticed, from the corner of his eye as Adriana approached Max, and so he turned subtlety to Liz with a friendly face. “Where is that good husband of yours? I haven’t seen his face all evening.”

Liz turned around, trying to scan the room when her eyes finally landed on Max, who was sipping champagne with Adriana as she smiled at him flirtatiously. For some strange reason she felt her heart constrict, anger building up inside her. Clearing her throat and not letting her anger cloud her politeness, she turned to Jonathan. “He’s mingling with guests. I’m sure he will later approach you.”

“Oh well, it just gives me more time to meet you,” Jonathan answered with a grin.

He was a good looking man, Jonathan Devlin. He was of medium height but had a very strong build, he had light, chestnut brown hair and stormy gray eyes. He didn’t have the dark, dangerous good looks Max possessed, in Liz’s biased opinion, but nonetheless he was very easy on the eyes. And, a little too friendly, in Liz’s opinion.

“Um, yeah,” she echoed, her eyes darting towards Max and Adriana again, her anger boiling up once again.

“Yoo-hoo! Excuse me! Excuse me! Coming through, move out of the way, fat lady,” Liz heard Dante protesting, barreling through the crowd until he finally stopped in front of Liz and Jonathan.

“Mr. Devlin, this is my very good friend Dante. Dante, Jonathan Devlin. Max’s business partner.”

“Dante…” Jonathan’s voice trailed, shaking hands.

Dante’s eyes glowered. “Just Dante.”

He didn’t like this Jonathan Devlin. Seemed much too interested in his Lizzie.

“Would you mind if I steal her for a little moment?” Dante asked, not waiting for an answer as he whisked Liz away from Jonathan.

“Dante! What has gotten into you?”

“Will you look at that sick puppy?” Dante asked, his finger pointing towards Adriana. “You must fight for your man, Liz!”

Liz sighed. “Dante…”

“She’s a puppy, darling. Holler her name, and she’ll be there!”

“Dante…”

“Throw a bone and she’ll catch it!”

“DANTE!”
Dante finally calmed down long enough to stare at Liz. “What?”

“He’s not mine to fight for,” Liz muttered softly.

“But…”

“He doesn’t love me and I don’t love him. He forced my father into giving me away, just to marry me and make my life a living hell. I thought we were doing some progress but clearly, by the looks of things, he just wears too many faces and I’ve only seen the bad ones. I’m done.”

“B—”

“Done, Dante.”

~*~

It was quite late by the time the party finished, and as Max was grabbing the coats for Tess and Liz (Isabel had gone back home earlier), Dante stood with the two ladies, vigilant and ready to pounce on all of the many predators that had wanted to approach the two of them.

“Liz, didn’t you just have a lovely evening?” Adriana asked as she slipped her hands into the pockets of her fur coat.

Liz didn’t answer.

“It was so much fun, catching up on old times with Max,” Adriana added.

As Max was returning with the coats, Adriana winked at him and walked away before she stayed for the fight she was certain would ensue.

turned to him, crossing her arms. “You are unbelievable!”

“Me? What did I do?”

Liz didn’t answer. She and Dante were about to walk away when Jonathan made his way towards them. “Mrs. Evans, it was such a pleasure to make acquaintance with you. Mr. Evans, you are a very lucky man,” he answered honestly, as Liz tried hard not to laugh when Max tried acting like he agreed.

Tess bit her lip, afraid of what was going to go on. Max certainly didn’t like Jonathan’s attentions with Liz, and Liz didn’t like Adriana’s intentions with Max.

“Um, Dante, do you think we could get a cab?”

Dante didn’t understand this. “Why? I’m staying over at Liz and Max’s.”

Tess rolled her eyes. “So I don’t go alone.”

“Max would give you a ride home.”

Tess pinched his arm as Dante squealed softly. “What was that for!?”
Tess’ head tilted towards Max and Liz, that were staring at each other, once again not too kindly.

Dante made an ‘O’ shaped form with his mouth. “Um, yeah I’m going to take Tess home so you kids… you kids be good.”

Neither of them answered, or noticed the two of them walking towards the parking lot.

“So, you liked Jonathan? A little too much, maybe?” Max asked, feigning nonchalance once he opened the door of the car for her.

“Excuse me? You were the one who was with Adriana practically all night! Did you sneak into the romantic gazebos or did you just do it in front of everyone’s faces, making a ridicule of me? First the stewardess, now the stalker! I mean, I can just see it now, everyone staring at me with pity because they see me as the wife who is being callously cheated on. But me with Jon? And I am a lady, you idiot!” Liz yelled angrily.

“A lady, right? A lady stays away from her husband all night and doesn’t even intend on looking for him? And did I just hear you call him Jon? You can’t just wait to get rid of me to flirt with all the boys, having them in line, don’t you? Just admit you’re guilty of this blatant coquetry. But I guess you’re used to commiting adultery, aren’t you?” he said angrily, and regretted the words the moment they came out of her mouth. Because he’d given himself away by speaking of past adulteries, meaning Michael, and because of the shocked look on her face.

Liz turned to him angrily, not understanding what the hell he was talking about, but clearly he was calling her a slut. “You are such a bastard. Stop the car. STOP. THE. CAR!” she whispered angrily as she got out in a fit, grabbing her dress and she began to walk, her chin held high.

Max sighed. “Get back in the car, Liz.”

“Over my dead body!”

“You are such a snobby little priss,” he muttered. “I mean it, Elizabeth. Get back in the car this minute.”

“Since when are you my master?” she claimed filled with rage. “I have already told you, King Max, I have no master.”

Max sighed, getting out of the car himself. Liz began walking faster so he couldn’t catch up with her. He noticed her dress was muddy and the sky was showing warnings of rain. Lightning began to strike and it started to pour. She crossed her arms, ready to stay there no matter how wet she got. She had a right.

“Look, Elizabeth, we’re getting soaking wet!”

“And what?” she mocked. “The high-mighty prince without a heart cannot beat to stain his overpriced suit?”

“Will you stop being such a difficult hag?”

“You know what? I don’t want to. So I’m not going to. So there.”

“Isn’t that your answer for everything, you manipulating brat?”

“I am NOT a brat!” Liz said in disbelief.

Max laughed as if it were the most comical thing he’d heard all day. “Whatever, Liz.”

“I am not!” She repeated. “It’s not my fault you’re being such a
hard-headed, arrogant, self-indulgent ass, you… ass.”

Max’s teeth clattered with anger. “Get. In. The. Car.”

Seeing as how she wasn’t going to budge, Max went over to her, putting her over his shoulder despite her squealing and pounding on his back through her inside the carriage. The whole way they spent it in utter silence.

Liz slammed the door to the car when they got home, sneezing softly. She didn’t let Max get out in time to help her as she just stormed into the house with Max, screaming all the way.

“Adriana is just a friend!”

“A friend whom you shacked up with! A friend I want to kill!”

“Oh please, what about you and Jon?”

The servants and Nonna, Isabel, and Georgie went to the front door to see what was all the yelling. They found Max and Liz, still in their dress-up formals, completely soaking wet, yelling at each other to the top of their lungs. Georgie put her hands on her face, and the servants shook their heads, not daring to ask.

“Jon at least acted as if I was in the room!”

“You were the one ignoring me!”

“Whatever!” Liz asked, storming up in the stairs, deliberately pounding on every stair with her high heel stilettos, as Dante quickly followed her to get the scoop. Nonna, Isabel and Georgie quietly shook their heads, leaving them to see Max hit a pounding wall.

Max then turned to Tomasso and Mateo, the gardener.

He pounded the wall once more. “Merda!”

~*~

“He’s unbearable!”

“Oh, Liz.”

“Intolerable!”

Dante helped Liz untie the back of her dress as Liz filled in the bathroom tub with boiling water, hoping she didn’t catch a cold.
“Oh what happened, Liz?”

“Max happened! We were in the party that was held in Jonathan’s honor, and everything was going well. We were even being civil when that skank Adriana had to ruin everything!” Liz said angrily.

“I beg your pardon?”

“Max accused me of being affectionate with Jon! He accused me of it while Adriana was fondling him right in front of me. Oh, how I wish I could have choked him right then and there, making so much scenes in front of all of those people. He made me feel horrible. How on earth could he accuse me of flirting with Jonathan when we were discussing politics, meanwhile Adriana was practically sitting in his lap? That cheap little… little tramp.”
Dante smiled, realizing she was jealous.

“She’s such a bitch, Dante,” Elizabeth went on. “She’s so vulgar and incapable, always clingy, breaking a nail in front of everyone so they can all bow to her ugly feet! Maybe she and Max do deserve each other! She did not know a thing about political ciences. And she pronounces everything as if she were American. The girl was born in Italy. Who does she think she is?”

“You’re right,” Dante answered quickly.

“We mustn’t even start on her manners. The girl barely even acknowledged my presence! And green is not even her color. She looks like an awful tree decoration,” Liz muttered.

A knock on the door stopped Liz from insulting Adriana further.

“If it is Max who comes here to humbly apologize for acting like such a cretin, you will just have to tell the King that I am going to take a shower and I simply cannot attend to his useless blubbering. If he wants to have meaningless conversations then he should go to Adriana. But warn him, Dante. Tell him to speak very slowly, emphasize every word. And speak in shortest words possible. It might be terribly hard for her to keep up with him, you know,” Liz said all of this loudly.

“Now, where’s my goldfish chips?” Liz asked to herself, intent on ignoring Max’s knocking.

Dante bit his lip. “Um…”

“You did NOT just eat my goldfish chips.”

“Uh…”

“Because you know that when I am tense and stressed out I need my goldfish chips.”

“Uh… sorry?”

“DANTE!”

Fearful of Liz’s wrath, he skipped over to open the door.

Sure enough, it was Max, groomed and showered with new dry clothes, standing there looking guiltily, and, in Dante's opinion, utterly delicious. “Liz told me—” Dante began.

Max laughed. “Yes, I had the misfortune of hearing her, Dante, thank you.”

“She’s very, very hurt that you accused her of being more than friendly to Jonathan, Max, and I would assume it grants an apology,” Dante answered sternly. He hadn’t ever been happy of Liz and Max’s marriage, and the moment he’d met Liz he knew why. She was just too damn nice and undeserving of all of Max’s crap. And he would be sure to protect her with all he had in him.

“I crossed the line,” Max realized.

Dante shifted uncomfortably, noticing Max’s genuine concern. “If you ask me, Liz was…”

Max, intrigued, asked, “Yes?”

Dante shrugged. “Well, if you ask me, you were both jealous. You were jealous of Jon, and she was jealous of Adriana. Doesn’t take science to realize that one.”

Max stared at him curiously. “Liz jealous of Adriana?”

Dante rolled his eyes. “Amore!”

Max turned to look inside of the room. “Listen, Dante, can you just give us a few minutes, please?”

Max looked inside Liz’s adjoining room, and decided to wait for her in a chair while she finished. He had to finish this, once and for all. He thought she would come out dressed, but all she was wearing was a towel. She gasped and tried covering herself. “Max, get out!”

“I need to talk to you. About something very important,” he lied. He had nothing to say, but for some reason he just didn’t want to leave.

“About what?”

“Marital consummation,” he blurted.

“Excuse me?” she asked.

Max almost hit his head with the wall. Why couldn’t he come up with something utterly fascinating, something completely serious and worth of her time? Instead, little Max, his other brain, had to come into play and answer quickly before his other brain could catch up. “Well, I would like to bring up the uncomfortable as of yet to be discussed subject. Married couples… they get to know each other. Biblically. So are we going to… consume?”

“No!” Liz screeched, blushing.

Max almost laughed, amused at Liz’s flushed face. He felt an urge to go over there and put a hand through her wet hair but he just lifted his eyebrow. “No?”

“I’m sure Adriana can help you with your urges, Max.”

Max looked at her. “And of course you underestimate me.”

Liz stared at him with confusion. Huh?

Max went over to her and got closer. He liked that he made her nervous, and he could almost see her stomach fluttering. “Has it ever occurred to you, Liz, that I want nothing to do with Adriana?”

He was too close to her. His lips were too dangerously near her, his dark eyes staring too passionately into hers. “Don’t tell me you’ve never even thought of having a real wedding night. Because I’ve thought of it. On overload.”

She had no make up on, but it was the most beautiful he’d ever seen her. So innocent, staring up at him with those black eyes of hers that drove him crazy. And he stared right back, his eyes burning with a sense of purpose she’d never seen in him before. It scared her and made her nervous all at the same time. She faced him. “I’m sleepy. I’m getting tired, Max.”

“Why do you run from me?” he asked huskily, passing a hand through her bare shoulder, feeling surprisingly triumphant when she heard her intake of breath, her nervous flush.

When he looked inside Liz’s eyes, he didn’t feel angry. He wasn’t the cruel, bad guy that had been born into his father and his hatred and treated everyone as he pleased. He was reborn into a different, playful person—a person that he actually liked. A person he could look at. A person who was kind, and gentle. A person who laughed. Max rarely laughed. And it felt good.

It scared him very, very much.

And it made him act without thinking.

“You asked me something earlier. Asked me how could I forget everything we said to each other last night and be so cold. How did I forget so you could do it, too,” he whispered, every word bringing him even closer to her.

She wanted to run away. But by the death of her, she couldn’t get her feet to move. They were paralyzed and Liz couldn’t set them into motion. “I did.”

“Ask me again,” he murmured, leaning in. He put his hands in her face, realizing that she was trembling, realizing that he was trembling as well.

“How did you forget?” Liz asked, noticing he was staring right at her lips.

“I didn’t,” he whispered, crashing his lips into hers softly but quickly, almost as if not to give her time to back out. Liz found herself kissing him back again. They moved themselves until they were cornered, her back into the wall. It was hypnotic. The kiss that Max was giving her, at that precise moment, was magical and mesmerizing. She couldn’t snap out of it, she just couldn’t stop herself. Max was like a drug. And he kissed her like he couldn’t get enough of her. Maybe passion with no limits had been the problem with the two of them. When they were together their passion was immeasurable, and the need to be touching was unstoppable.

The kiss seemed to go on forever. She felt it was her undoing when Max grabbed the back of her wet head with one hand, and the other found it self gently grabbing a piece of her wet hair, bringing her even closer, his tongue capturing every crevice of her mouth. She could never be closer enough. Her knees buckled, her mind was clouded with a dazed sense of ecstasy, and her soul was ablaze. They were literally so swept away they had to grab on to each other to keep from wobbling to the floor. Neither had any thought in their mind. They were just pouring what they had felt for each other. She dug her hand into his black hair as he sat her on bed.

She pulled away slightly, aware of her almost naked status.

“Thank you for stopping,” Max barely got out. He needed air for his lungs to get back to how they were before.

She stared at him, hurt. “Thank you?”

“If you hadn’t, I wouldn’t have been able to. No self-control in this world would have been able stop me,” he answered, backing away. She felt his golden, hazel eyes suddenly turn to ice again.

“Max?”

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, that shouldn’t have happened,” Max answered breathlessly.

Her eyes saddened a little, and she tried not wincing at those words that had hurt her. “Then you know what, Max? Stop staring at me the way you do. Stop kissing me the way you do. And stop treating me the way that you are!” she cried, pushing him out the door and shutting it loudly. A part of her hoped he would come after her, but he didn’t. Max never did.

She put her fingers up to her swollen lips. He always went back to wherever he hid.

A place he never let Liz inside of. Love ruled so many things. Love was such an important fixation in life. It was everywhere, or so Liz believed. And she’d never had it. She thought she might, with Bruce. Was it something inside of her? Something just radiating off of her that told people, ‘Hurt her, leave her?’ Because Liz didn’t understand. She tried being helpful and honest. Sometimes she could be angry. But she tried her best to hide it. Could people really look through her and see the wallow of hurt, the hollow hole in her heart?

She put a hand over her mouth as a tear slid from her cheek, the realization hitting her like a ton of bricks.

I’m in love with Max Evans.

~*~

There ya go. I hope you all liked it!

Merda: Love
Buon Amico: Good friend
Amore: Love

SPOILERS:
Adriana and Jonathan have a chat.
Georgie hears a conversation between Isabel and Nonna.
Alex's trip is ruined when someone tags along.

Okay, I know I said I wouldn't post but I'm a like a crack whore, only with fics. I finish something and I have to post it right away. I can't reply to each and every amazing feedback right now but once I can get my computer full time, I'll definitely take my time to thank each and every one of you amazing people! I hope you like this chapter, it was hard for me to write, and if you read the last scene, you'll understand why. This chapter is THE turning point in my entire story, I think, so I hope you'll all approve of it. Thank you so much for your continuous and constant support.

Oh, and this chapter has kind of, but not really, a love scene just in case. I wouldn't put an NC-17 on it but it's your choice. I'd like to thank the always wonderful and phenomenal Kat, who helped me immensely with this and doesn't know how much she helped.

CHAPTER #17

Liz had never experienced anything so amazing and passionate as kissing Max. She had wanted to be with him again. She buried her head in the desk and looked at the clock. 12:00 a.m. Great. She would never get sleep. She was restless after the kiss Max had given her. Kisses, really. She had never been a hopeless romantic, all the notions she had had of love were bitter and angry.

She’d always seen her parents’ marriage. Had seen how their so-called love had destroyed each other, how they used it against each other… never had she seen a happy marriage, and she hadn’t ever known what it was like to truly fall in love. She’d never felt this breathless, this deeply for Bruce.

Liz slowly made her way into Max's room and heard the water running. She bit her lip and shook her head, amazed at how much she wanted him. Why was he taking a shower again? Smiling devilishly, Liz realized he’d probably needed a cold shower. Served him right for toying with her feelings.

However, she didn't want to rush anything and she especially didn't want to make any sort of decisions today. She was going to wing it, she decided. Throw the ball on his court and it was his decision to do something.

She lay down in the luxurious and extremely comfortable and enormous bed and smelled the warm and scented covers about her body.

“Hey.”

She turned around to the soft voice and suddenly felt self-conscious. Once again, Max was only in his boxers and drying his hair off with a towel.

And he stared at her in awe, wondering how anybody could be so beautiful. She wasn't wearing any make up. She was wearing a snuggly nightgown, and her hair was up in a ponytail. She was dressed simply and nothing adorned on her, and still she was the most gorgeous vision he'd ever seen. Max had always known Liz and her eyes would be the death of him the moment she fell out of the sky and into his arms—literally.

“Hey yourself,” she answered, and they both grinned.

“What do you want?” he asked, and for once his tone was not rude.

She wouldn’t lose her nerve, and instead, shrugged. “This time you were the one to run away.”

“I’m kind of good at that,” Max admitted, sighing as he made his way towards her “A pesky little flaw.”

She laughed appreciatively as she twisted her arms, turning his question around and asking it to him. “What do you want, Max?”

There was silence as their eyes met, a hypnotic dance neither could pull away from. He had never felt like that, had never loved a woman so strongly that if she hurts Max finds himself bleeding for her. Had never felt as if he were willing to die for someone. Had never known what it was like to close your eyes and because she’s near him, Max can literally see paradise in hers. He was usually so overwhelmed by her, by her beauty and her silence, by her heart and her stubbornness, his heart swelled.

There was one thing his grandfather had always told him.

“You know you love a woman when you look at her and see paradise in her eyes.

He pulled her closer, her lips barely brushing with his. “Give me forever.”
It was the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen. The vulnerability, the gentle longing, the absolute beauty beholding his hazel-gold eyes. “Isn't forever the point?” she asked with a sweet smile. “I promise you longer than forever. How's that for you?”

“Perfect,” he whispered, taking her mouth in his.

He gave her the sexiest grin known to mankind. He undid her pony tail and let her bob of raven curls fall down to her shoulders, curling his hands around them. He didn’t need to tell her for Liz to know his fascination with her hair.

All you had to do was look inside Max’s golden eyes to see the barely contained passion inside.

He gulped, his face finding itself resting in the crook of her neck as she felt it moisten from his tears. “I… I love you,” he whispered fiercely. “I wasn’t supposed to, at first I didn’t want to but I’ll be damned if I don’t. I love you with everything that I have. I can’t… I can’t stop it.”

She had brightened his world, that had never made sense to begin with. She had managed to erase his hatred of his father, the disregard of cruelty and sinful pasts. She had taught him to believe that there was good in people, to find peace that had once been ripped apart inside of him, finding his stolen faith. Because of her Max knew there was human capacity to love someone until the day that you die.

“Then don’t,” Liz replied softly, “because I love you too, Max.”

Something snapped inside of him as the words tumbled out of her mouth, an animalistic need of his to own, a passion bourn from inside of him, and love, love for her consumed him entirely until all he could breathe, all he could feel, all he could exist in, was her. Cupping her face with his hands Max crashed his lips to hers. She delighted herself at the feel of his body pressed on top of hers to closely. She felt every rippled muscle, she felt every heart beat, and her mind, her body was fogged with the ever present need she had tried to push away. Waves of passion devoured her as she wound her legs around his waist. He pressed her back into the wall, one hand looping around her waist as the other grabbed on to the tile of the wall to keep from moving.

“Max,” she breathed, her hand stayed curled in his hair, urging him to continue the exploration of her neck.

“I can’t… I can’t not touch you,” Max whispered into her ear, his lips resting on the crook of her neck as his hands roamed her back.

She had no idea what she made him feel. Losing his grip on his control, and nothing mattered anymore. Nothing but being with her, having her for himself and no one else. He couldn’t be without her anymore, he needed her with a devastating need he hadn’t ever wanted to realize and now that he no only realized, but accepted into his heart for this moment, he wasn’t letting it go. Liz made him want to deny his own mind, which was telling him to stop, that he couldn’t, shouldn’t do this. It was coaxing him to remember Michael, remember what she did to him, but all he could think of was her sweet, pink lips sucking on the hollow base of his throat, her legs that were tightly fastened against his waist. He had tried fighting this illusion, had realized he was not sure what he was doing, but his basic instincts, his feelings for Liz were the ones that weren’t letting him run away.

He loved her. Devastatingly, hopelessly, endlessly, madly… in spite of everything.

She shivered as his hands fumbled with the buttons of her shirt, his lips resting into the hot flesh of her neck. Her entire being was burning, she felt all of her senses go on overload, multiply tenfold into something that was almost… an almost religious experience. Her brain could not function normally, could not think of anything intelligible. It wasn’t a jumble of thoughts of expressions; it was a myriad of emotions, an overpowering need. She needed him desperately; felt she would stop existing if she didn’t have him. She couldn’t control her breath, which was coming out in shorter gasps, and she couldn’t control her emotions, which were leaving her grasp and becoming one with every dizzying effect she was experiencing.

Liz literally felt as if she were floating on thin air, intensified by Max’s hungry eyes.

He gently laid her on the bed, almost hesitantly making his way on top of her. She gave him a reassuring smile, her hands finding themselves locked around his neck again as she kissed away his fears, the rapture of her skin compressed to his too great to be ignored.

Yesterday, tomorrow, none of it existed. All that was real, all that was true and pure was that moment were only they were alive.

His tongue was demanding, urgent as it pleaded entrance into her mouth, achingly stroking with wild passion her own. The throbbing of her pulse threatened to set of her skin as she felt her entire body tingle with desire, he swept his tongue over her bottom lip before having it join with hers in a dance so exquisite and beautiful it almost made her weep. He went to grab her hands with were around his neck, intertwining them with his and putting them over her head as he flushed her body all over with his mouth. He used his fingers to gently trace the curve of her arm, grabbing the straps of her bra as he did so while she fumbled with his boxers.

“You’re so beautiful,” he said in a low, husky voice it almost drove her insane. His eyes were gleaming with hunger, feasting her with his eyes and taking in her beauty, finally being able to do so without feeling wrong. He trailed burning kisses from her chin all the way to the base of her neck, finishing near her bare shoulder before his mouth meeting again with hers, tempestuous and wild and almost cruel in its devastation.

Her teeth were sinking themselves into his shoulder blade as she felt his mouth near her ear, his labored breathing tickling the sensitive spot in her ear as they both writhed rhythmically to the effect they had on each other. Her heart was beating rigorously, recklessly into her rib cage, her entire skin was in turmoil as he left a trail with his hands, and never had she wanted or felt this way before, as if she would give up everything and anything she had to make this moment belong to her, intimately and forever.

She couldn’t hold on any longer, she grabbed the satin sheets in her small fist as she felt herself buckle underneath him and give herself away.

It was beautiful in its simplicity, almost overbearing in its passion…

It was paradise.

~*~

Isabel had her arms warm around the coffee mug, her eyes lost in pensive thought when she noticed someone staring at her from the corner of her eye. Turning around slightly she saw Nonna. Both were wearing their pajamas and their slippers joined with their robes, their eyes neither sleepy nor happy.

“Is something bothering you, Isabella? I know you too well not to realize when you are hurting.”

Isabel sighed, tracing circles in the tip of her mug. “Do you remember back in high school, Nonna, in the States? I don’t know if you really do you didn’t live there by then. But what I really wanted to do all the time was dance. Not your nightclub dancing. But ballet dancing. Like a prima ballerina. I know this is so silly.”

“No, it’s not. I remember you liked to dance.”

Isabel stared at Nonna critically. A part of her wanted to believe her, and another reminding herself just how much Nonna adored Liz. “You remember?”

Nonna smiled warmly, taking out another coffee pot to brew. “I remember a lot of things about you and your brothers, bambina.”

Isabel kept from specifically saying: ‘You remember Max.’ She didn’t have any illusions as to who was the favorite in Nonna’s eyes. While Isabel hadn’t let it hurt her (she was, after all, the apple of her parents’ eyes), Isabel was aware Nonna knew everything about Max and his childhood, and wondered if she truly knew about Isabel’s. “I remember all I ever wanted was to dance Swan Lake. I had the heart, I had the feet, and by what everyone said, I had the talent. I was so ready for it. So many years of dedication, so many dances, so many years of dreaming and hoping.”

Nonna sat down in front of her. “What happened? Why’d you stop?”

Isabel sighed, shrugging. “Don’t know. I just—I stopped dreaming. I used to be an escapist, full of wishes and hopes. But I left them all behind, you know? I got lost along the way. I guess I was scared to find the courage to heal, you know? I wanted to transform all that pain into anger. The minute I fell from the grace I so highly put myself on, I let it all go. They were wasted dreams.”

Nonna shook her head wisely, smiling at Isabel with love. “They weren’t wasted dreams. They were your dreams.”

“It was farfetched of me to believe that dreams could last, Nonna. The reality of it all left a mark in my skin. Like a reminder. Sometimes I still feel it, so vividly. Like I’m replaying it as this video that photographed every angle of pain, every shot of how he destroyed me,” Isabel whispered.

Nonna grabbed on to her firmly. “He can’t hurt you anymore. Listen to me, Isabel. I am never letting him hurt you ever again. Khivar is not even a memory, ok?”

Isabel didn’t listen to her as tears fell down her cheeks. “What happened to me was terrible, Nonna. I was just a girl. I was still so young. A baby in the eyes of life, you know? And sometimes I get so mad at God for it. Because no human being deserves that kind of degradation. And because I was so angry I tried making it go away.”

“Making what go away?”

“I… I tried feeling the same thing,” Isabel explained, not really answering her question. “I tried feeling anger like a cycle, and every time I felt like crying I would just get angry again. Anger is much more satisfying than pain.”

“Do you want to know what is more satisfying then both? Love, my child,” Nonna answered gently. “You have a daughter that needs you and your love. You have so much of it to give, Isabella. Do not let him taint you with so much hatred. Do not let chains of hate be the ones that bond you with Georgie.”

“What am I supposed to do?” Isabel cried. “How can I just forget the reason Georgie was even born? How am I supposed to let go that her father raped me?”

“You do it for her, not for yourself, Isabel. It’s time you heal, darling,” Nonna replied tenderly. “You need to heal.”

Neither of them noticed Georgie resting her head on the door of the kitchen, tears marring down her face as she climbed back to her room before they noticed.

Sometimes, nothing hurt so badly as the truth.

~*~

He felt himself stumbling clumsily through the dirt, felt his bones dissipate into fortress of numbness, felt his entire being burn from within him and spurn outside the scars of the flames. It hurt to walk, it hurt to breathe. His entire being was being consumed by so many different emotions, each in opposite spectrums of everything they entailed. Love and hate, anger and joy, guilt and salvation. They each danced alongside him, beckoning him to reach the surface, but he remained stoic and confused… it literally hurt to take a breath, to move one foot in front of the other, because he wasn’t sure if he was alive anymore.

Max stared at the headstone for a long time, stared into its majestic letters until his scalding tears blazed his vision, his hands reached to touch the cool marble as it chilled him to his very core.

He could no longer keep lying to himself, had to give himself to what was truly happening. He had just give in to his feelings, he had fallen in love with someone he was supposed to hate, someone he had purposely designed to destroy. Max had had a choice, Max had tried keeping the image of Michael’s face in his mind, but all he could see, feel, and taste was Liz. He had wanted it badly, he had known perfectly what he was giving himself to, known perfectly well what it would mean to his promise to Michael, and Max hadn’t cared. It scared him to know what he felt for Liz was stronger now, stronger then everything. It ruled his life, created chaos and confusion in his mind, stilled his heart, changed everything.

He was so disgusted with himself. Everything Max had planned to perfection, all of his machinated plans all went to hell. Because he was weak. Their father was right, he had never possessed the strength he would have wanted, the ruthlessness he’d needed. Inside of him was still the romantic, the soft-spoken boy who was desperately wanting to come alive from inside of him and Max couldn’t let that happen.

A price came with those feelings, with that damn vulnerability he had never felt again for the longest of times. He had walked along with every breath in this earth and untouchable, cruel man. He had squashed meaningless enemies without a second thought, gave orders and took decisions with the snap of his fingers. How could he not avenge his brother’s death? Why was this being so impossible to him?

He knew the reason, of course, and it angered him more then anything. It wasn’t hate that governed his heart when he looked at Liz, it was passion and a deep abiding softness Max had forgotten he had once possessed. He loved her, had started ever since he met her until it consumed him entirely and left him breathless with desire. And it ached in every crevice of his heart, because his feelings were so overwhelming, so powerful, so wholly he was almost knocked to the ground with their intensity.

“I don’t want to love her Michael,” Max whispered, lost. “I swear I don’t.”

But he did. Oh God, he did. She had filled every sense of his, drove every impulse, hate had turned to love and determination to need. He had never loved like this, never this madly, this carelessly, this entirely. And it he was honest with himself, he was scared of it. Scared because he had given in. Max, the king of control, collected and calmed and poised. Max Evans had given in.

Liz killed Michael.

Max loved Liz.

Liz killed Michael.

And Max loved Liz.

Max felt his legs give themselves to frailty, felt him fall on his knees in front of his brother’s grave, a sob escaping his mouth as he covered his face with shame. He was tainted with guilt, frenzied with disgrace. He was debasing Michael’s memory, he was blatantly going against his brother and the promise he had made to him. Did honor mean nothing to him anymore?

His brother. His blood.

“Oh God, Michael,” Max cried as it began to rain, the water meshing with the dirt and Max. His body was shaking with the unshed tears. An almost animalistic cry escaped his voice and overpowered his flesh. “I tried hating her, Michael. I did. I tried so hard…”

“Please forgive me, fratello,” (brother) Max pleaded grief-stricken in desolated sorrow. “Li ho venuti a mancare.” (I have failed you.)

He let himself feel. He’d remained so emotionless in Michael’s funeral, in the aftermath of his death, in the plotting of his ‘plan.’ Every ruthless, calculating means he had ever acted upon were thrown into the rain, and he was left naked with his pain. He struggled with the surge of the dormant emotions he had kept within him. Every tortured, haunting wound that had been inflicted upon of him since he was a boy. Each and every scarring nail incised inside of him was left open in their hurtful ache.

“Michael, I tried so hard…”

The chapter you have all been waiting for!! I'd love to hear your thoughts on this one... the truth is finally SET FREE.

CHAPTER #18

To any other eye, to any other beholder, it might have been a common night, like any other night. But to Liz and Max it had been the day where they knew, once and for all, that there was a reason they were in this world, and that that reason was each other. It had sneaked up on them, in so many unexpected ways. It maneuvered its way genially, expertly, until they could no longer hide it.

He could no longer hide. That was why it had seemed so important to him then. Max had always been an untouchable person. Max walked through this earth, no one ever being able to break to the core of him. He flinched at any sign of affection. He was foreign to the conceptions of family Friday nights, or father/son camping. He was a stranger to the words ‘I love you’, never hearing them himself. It had seemed all he had was fear and coldness and cruelty in his veins, until he met the fire that was her, the fire he hadn’t known for very long but knew it would never squelch.

She’d never been his before this. They hadn’t made love under the stars like usual couples do. But it was that one time that they knew, and they truly believed, that there was heaven. Max’s arm was around her waist, they were both under the covers, and he had his head buried in her shoulder. Liz had felt him slip away from her in the middle of the night, had felt him take yet again, another shower, felt his damp skin once again rejoin her but never once opened her eyes. She feared it would all be an illusion, that it wouldn’t be real and he’d convert himself back to the cold mask she had hidden from.

And yet he hadn’t reverted. She felt him watching her, felt his index finger languidly trace her bare arms, kissing her neck tenderly before adjusting her into his arms. t was different, though. She loved his light and embraced his darkness. She had seen him at his worst, taken him for brutal truth and accepted him anyway.

“Max? Why don’t you ever talk to me about your parents?” she had asked. It was a simple question. It seemed reasonable to ask. She knew small snippets from Nonna and his quiet admissions, but never had she heard him verbalize the reason he was the way he was, and she needed to listen, and not as much as Max needed to say it. And he… even though he let himself open up to her like he never did with anyone else in this entire world, that still seemed like a harsh subject to bring up.

“I don’t want you to feel sorry for me,” Max had answered, closing his eyes and focusing on her peaceful breathing. He’d never known what it was to love a person unselfishly. He had never believed that there was good in this world, that there was beauty in this world until she showed up, changing everything for him. Light to his darkness, sun to his hell. Life, had been that before Liz, and even during, even the night before, when he realized he fell in love with his brother’s supposed killer. Hell.

Coming back from the graveyard, his clothes meshed with dirt and rain, his heart as hopeless and depressed as it could have possibly gotten to, he looked over at her peaceful angelic face, looked inside of his heart and he saw, he knew… it just couldn’t be her. And if it was, there had to be a reason as to how she was involved. She still didn’t know he was Michael’s brother—Michael did after all, go after the name Guerin once he lived in the States, and he hadn’t once explained to her the reason for his callousness… he had believed the punishment would be crueler had she no idea the reason for his hate.

“Why would I feel sorry for you?”

It was coming. He could feel it, like a freight train. He pulled away slightly. “You mean you wouldn’t turn the sympathy card at someone who was abused as a child, who saw his mother kill himself before his very eyes, held her body with his hands?” Max blurted out. It was kind of amazing, how things he had kept dying inside of him were so easy to say when she was around. Because he wanted her to get to know him, all of him, and he wanted her to love him anyway. And it was selfish, and highly unlikely.

Max saw Liz nod with acceptance. “I… I hadn’t been sure, Nonna had said a few things, but I never… how could someone do that to their own child?” she wondered, lower than a whisper, it was hardly audible but he’d heard it. And he swallowed hard. With her he couldn’t do it. He couldn’t put up the charming, suave routine that everyone put to the world. He couldn’t wear his mask of coldness, and he couldn’t push her away. She was in his veins, coursing through his blood. She was under his skin, and he couldn’t change it. She was the only person he had ever loved selflessly.

Max hated that son of a bitch… and the real irony of it all is Max also love him. And he knew, admitting this to her made him vulnerable. And he could never be vulnerable with anyone before. She saw right through him. All the tough act came crumbling down with one look from her. One look could bring him to his knees. Max noticed she was still staring at hi, trying to figure out what he was feeling. And he honestly believed she could tell just by looking.

He shrugged. “He hit my around when I was young. Even now I am overcome with the memories, sometimes,” Max supplied, trying his best to keep his cool, but it was getting harder to nonchalantly talk about something that wounded him for life. “You would think I’d forget but I have every fight, every little bruise etched in the back of my mind. You’d think because your young you can forget with time. Time… time heals everything, right? But you—you remember everything. I hated him. But every time he broke a bone, or a rib, he was breaking me.”

She had tears in her eyes when she hesitantly reached out to touch his bare back, her delicate touch soothing his skin as she kissed it. “Is that why you have that scar on your back?”

He nodded, realizing no one had seen it. He’d been ashamed. He’d been guilty. “Yeah. That’s why I have a scar. It hurt, kid, I’ll tell you that. The beatings were sometimes intolerable. But nothing could compare to the hurt that I saw in my mother’s eyes when he did it all to her.”

He tried breathing steady, but it came out ragged. He felt her turn around and she put a hand on his cheek lovingly. He could tell by her black eyes she was visibly upset. “He’d beat your mother too?”

Max smiled sadly. He brought her even closer to him, realizing then just how much he had come to need her, depend on her. He’d never depended for anyone but himself. “Yeah. It would be for the smallest of things, you know? Whether the eggs were overcooked or she hadn’t ironed his shirt like he’d wanted to. I’d always get in the middle… I’d always get in the middle so he would leave her the hell alone,” I explained.

“But one day she saw him just going at it, just pounding on me for no reason, to see how much I could bear. Just raise his voice from time to time. But my mom would let him do it to me,” he answered, and Max knew she caught the bitterness, the anger, the resentment governed in his tone. There was silence for a moment, and Max was glad Liz didn’t see me with pity. She saw him with love for some reason. He didn’t even get why. He wasn’t… any good. She deserved the world. Not damaged goods like him.

“Why did your mother let him?” she spoke up, as he took a strand of her hair out of her beautiful face. “You were just a boy.”

“She was stupid. She fell in love and she was careless. I don’t know. A masochist? I’d never forgiven her for that. Up to this day I don’t. Doesn’t matter anyway. He was never really a father to me. He was nothing but a jerk,” he spit out, the venom poisoning once again everything that was torn up inside of him. He turned to look at her to see her face as he said, “he’d also… he’d also be violent with my brother, Michael.”

Nothing. No nervous twitching, no lip biting, no recognition in her eyes, she just stared at him pensively, no guilt… there was nothing.

Could it be… ?

“Your grandmother told me about your brother. I’m sorry you lost so many people that you loved, Max,” Liz said softly. “But I’ll always be there with you and I’m never going anywhere,” Liz promised, kissing him soundly. “It all makes sense now.”

Her words pulled him out of any thought as he turned to her. “What does?”

She shrugged, giving him a lazy smile. He loved her smiles. “I don’t know. How you sometimes act so passive in moments where I feel I’m going to explode. You can sometimes be so… so cool and practical.”

“I survived,” Max responded lamely. “And when I got older I could fight back. I could block out all of the physical pain because I hated him that much. I’d trained myself, mentally and physically to never let him get to me. And I would fight back. Every time he’d push I’d push back. That’s why I… I came back to Italy. After my mother died I just… never saw the point in staying with him. So I left. And I took Isabel and Michael with me.”

There were tears running down her cheeks, as she stroked the side of his face with her hand. “I’m so sorry it happened to you, Max. I hate that he did this. No one deserves to live unprotected. Children should feel safe in their homes. I guess we both have abandonment issues, huh?”

He laughed, despite his sadness. She always found a way to make him laugh. When he’s with her, he’s transformed into a man he actually liked, a man he could have gotten to be proud of. When she’s away the reality hits him: he’s nothing.

“What time is it?” Max asked, putting his arms over his head as he stretched lazily.

“Um… it’s five in the morning,” Liz admitted, looking at the clock in the night stand.

He rubbed his eyes. “Looks like we pulled an all-nighter.”

“Yeah,” she echoed, burying her head in his chest softly, remembering his leaving her side for a small period of time, only to come back wet with rain. She didn’t question him, and once again acted as if she were asleep. Liz was worried, however, and wondered where he’d run off to.

“You’re safe with me,” Liz announced.

Max laughed again, pulling her even closer to him as he showered her neck and shoulder with light, loving kisses. “Oh, yeah? You mean you’ll protect me? I can see how your 110 lbs could protect my 190 lbs from the horrors and dangers of the world, you little wonder woman, you.”

Liz laughed, leaning into his bare chest.

He loved her laugh. The thought just popped into his head. She was the first person that he loved with every fiber of his being for no reason other than the simple fact of her existence. He loved her, with everything he was, everything he would ever be. She made him happy even inside his misery, she made him feel more loved than he thought he ever deserved to be. He was thinking of this as he kissed her, and she answered, “I don’t mean that, Max. I mean… your feelings. Whatever happens to you, whatever motions you’re going through? Your heart. It’s safe with me. I’ll cherish it. I’ll never hurt you. And I will always be there for you…”

He stared at her intently. “Liz you know… you know that I would forgive… I’d forgive you anything, right? I mean, if you were honest and… and you told me something that you did or… whatever. I’d find a way to get past it I – I swear. You know that, right?

She gazed at him curiously, peered her sleepy eyes towards his. “Well, I robed a bank once,” she began teasingly. “And I also kicked a nun on the shin to get out of chapel duties. And after I met my pimp, I became a crack whore and sold marijuana in a dark alley in the streets of Roswell.”

His chuckle was almost involuntary, knowing she didn’t realize the gravity of his question, his lips joining hers.

He loved kissing this woman.

He grinned at her, touched, wondering what he had ever done to have her forget everything they had been through, forgive every hateful word and action. That was not an act of someone vengeful and murderous. It was the nobility of someone good-hearted and kind. And Max… a part of Max believed that was who Liz was, noble and good and incapable of murder. Maybe she was innocent, maybe she was also a victim. “I never thought I could love someone so much. I honestly thought I just didn’t carry the gene everyone seemed to have innate in them. I thought I just wasn’t capable of loving someone so unconditionally. But I met you, Liz. And all of it—it changed.”

She smiled sweetly. “I know what you mean. I always learned the hard way. I have always been the bad one. I am the epitome of a black sheep. I mess up, all the time. I screwed up in and out, I made horrible mistakes and I paid for them dearly. I was the one that always did the wrong thing; I was always wrong. But falling in love with you is the only thing I know I have done perfect.”

And for some reason Max knew she meant it. Her family had always seen her as the bad sister, the seed that should be reformed. But he saw her for what she was, the gorgeous woman with the noble heart and the warming smile. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Max…”

And that, was all that mattered. His love for Liz was greater then his need for revenge.

“Whatever happens, it’s you and me…” his voice trailed.

Before his mouth came crashing down to hers, she gave him a whisper of a promise.

“Always.”

~*~

“Oh my god.”

“Oh. My. God.”

Alex rolled his eyes for the fiftieth time as he heard his sister once again squeal with excitement as they passed an Italian villa, but not as huge as the shriek she gave once they’d entered Max’s property. Better yet, his ‘town’ of Porto Encantata.

“Can’t we muzzle her or something?” Kyle groaned, shaking his head as he looked at Eleanor from the mirror. When Alex had decided to come forward and visit Liz whether his parents liked it or not, Kyle had immediately jumped at the chance to join him. Liz was after all, his best friend. And she needed him to fend off the idiot village that was treating her like the filth of their shoe. And that was his role, because Kyle was loyal and fiercely protective of his friends. He had never left Liz in her time of need and he wouldn’t leave her now, when she needed him and Alex the most.

Eleanor, however, had immediately jumped at the chance as well, she stroke Alex and Kyle as weird, given her non-existent sibling relationship with Liz. Before Alex couldn’t even tell her there was no way in hell she was joining them, she’d already had her suitcase done and her ticket paid. Where she found the money herself Alex didn’t know and didn’t want to.

Kyle whistled as they continued passing acres and acres of land and still didn’t find themselves in the mansion, which was at the center of Max’s immense piece of land. The horses were eating grass on one side, cattle was being fed on the other, and there were lots and lots of workers plowing or growing seeds of fruits Kyle wasn’t close enough to see. It was a charming home, he had to admit. One of huge luxury and exquisite taste, and charming nonetheless. He was impressed with the lavish décor but that still didn’t quite make up for the hell Liz must be living under Max Evans’ roof.

Kyle hadn’t liked him, the minute he’d laid eyes on him. He seemed too self-assured, too in control. There was no true reason for him to ask for Liz’s hand in marriage, and that in itself incensed Kyle’s anger to no end. Why make Liz pay for Jeffrey Parker’s mistakes? The town had whispered incessantly of the ‘deal’ Max and Jeff had made. Jeff’s debts for Liz’s hand. It was enough to make him sick.

He was here to send Max’s ass all the way to Timbuktu and grab Liz from the head and take her home if it was the last thing he did.

Or at least, he’d try to send Max’s ass. Kyle being vertically challenged and all, he still packed a mean right hook. Who cared if Evans was six feet tall? Kyle was athletic and equipped. And he had the best motivation of all, his best friend’s misery.

“Oh my god!” Eleanor squealed once again as the cab hailed to a stop in front of the mansion, which really, was a castle that could have very well been its own city. She clapped her hands in eager anticipation.

“Elle!” Alex chastised with annoyance. “We’re not here to ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ Max Evans’ house. We’re here to save Liz from Satan himself. We’re not staying for long so don’t even try to get too comfortable.”

“Whatever, Alex,” Eleanor muttered.

“We’re here to see Elizabeth Evans,” Kyle prompted once the butler opened the door. He wasn’t all what they had expected. They’d gotten prepared for snobby employers. The kind that wouldn’t let them see Liz because they were under Max’s orders and his paychecks. However, he just gave them a smile, nodded, and directed them towards what seemed the outer gardens.

Alex, Kyle, and Eleanor had to stop themselves.

Liz was laughing. She, along with a young, pretty blonde, a man who was holding a cat, and an old lady were all laughing as they played cards.

Alex cleared his throat and Liz turned to them, shocked. She dropped the cards and paralyzed for a moment. She stood up and ran towards them until her arms locked themselves in Alex’s neck, as he looped her around him and lifted her up the floor. Tears pricked at her eyes as she held the brother she had missed so dearly, laughing ecstatically as she enveloped Kyle, the three sharing a special three-way hug.

“Nice to know I’m loved,” Eleanor muttered from behind.

Liz wiped her eyes. “I’m sorry, Eleanor. I’m… shocked to see you here.”

“I was also worried of your well-being, Liz,” Eleanor answered defensively.

“We couldn’t spend so much time without knowing how you were, without seeing you,” Kyle rambled on, hugging her once more and leaning into his best friend’s arms. The last time he’d seen her she had looked so broken, so defeated and weary. Now she was actually glowing. What the hell was wrong with this picture?

“I am so happy to see you!” Liz said with joy. “Guys, these are my best friends here, Tess and Dante. And this is Max’s grandmother, Nonna.”

They all exchanged pleasantries and smiles, Kyle raising his eyebrow towards Tess, before Liz gave him a stern ‘back off’ look which he obeyed.

“We’re here to bring you home,” Alex announced with determination, his smile still intact. It was the goofy, wide, endless smile she remembered and loved so much.

“Oh,” Liz bit her lip. “Um, about that… I’m not going home.”

“What? Why not?” Kyle asked with shock as Alex’s smile dropped.

“Because I’m married. My life’s here…”

“Your husband’s an evil bastard,” Alex reminded her.

Liz turned to him, her jaw set. “No he’s not, Alex.”

“What… what is this? Since when are you defending him?” Kyle asked in disbelief.

Liz sighed. “I love him, guys.”

“What?” Eleanor squeaked out, as meek as a mouse. She couldn’t understand how Liz loved Max… that had to mean she was right and Max had weakened, despite the evidence that Eleanor had given to him. This was exactly why she had to come, she had to make sure Liz and Max were as far away from each other as possible.

“We’re in love, our marriage… our marriage is real,” Liz explained to them.

She was met with three blank, and disbelieving faces.

Before any of them could protest, however, they heard a long, loud cry.

“Isabel!” Liz whispered, as she took off towards where the sound had come from, followed shortly by everyone else. Liz ran towards the stairs and finally ended breathless as she saw Isabel lying in the floor of Georgie’s room, holding her daughter’s blanket.

“Nipote!” Nonna cried, “what is wrong?”

Isabel turned to them tearfully. “It’s Georgie… she’s gone… she ran away.”

~*~

Max had promised himself he would never enter Michael’s room. The memories, and the grief he’d be knocked with was too much for him to bear, and so he’d steered clear of it. It hurt too much to think of his brother, because that would mean he would have had to grieve for him. Yesterday the dam had been open, however, and too much had happened for Max to ignore. He’d finally confronted it, Michael’s death. The pain had swam inside of him, and Liz had managed to heal it.

His eyes screamed at her, begging her to save him, begging her to show him everything he’d never known he’d been missing, teach him everything he had never learned. His old heart now seemed strange, foreign. It was as she had carved it inside, leaving everything that was agony and misery outside of it, and only pure and good and innocent invaded inside. Was a human being capable of such? Of changing one’s lack of heart and turning it to bare soul?

It was she. Max knew this with no reservation. The woman in his life, the only woman in his life, was she. The only woman that he was supposed to love, the only woman that Max Muciolli would ever love, was Liz.

Every word she’d ever uttered seeped into his cold heart. Every smile, every tear, every word was engraved inside of his very soul and he could no longer hide it. In the mornings he had tried burying himself in his work. In the days he had tried to flirt and laugh with all the women that continuously fell at his feet. But in the night… everything changed.

Whispers overcame him, dreams had possessed him. He hadn’t understood what was happening to him. Only now that Liz was in his life, silence no longer existed, and she was so real, so near him he lost all will power.

He wanted to kiss her till his lips went raw. He wanted to see her eyes and feel inside them, the way her pools of brown promised love and whispered dreams. That look, that sweet, beautiful way with which she always looked at him. She believed in him, saw something he hadn’t yet seen in himself.

He’d never thought he would end this way. Max would laugh at the thought of ever needing a woman with desperation. And now… he couldn’t live without her. He didn’t find any reason that seemed logical to explain the love he felt for her beauty.

Making love to Liz had brought feelings he never thought he’d feel. The experiences he had had to live with made him mistrust the entire world. He couldn’t trust. It just wasn’t that easy. Max didn’t let himself be happy, didn’t give in to people because he didn’t know how.

He hadn’t been capable of understanding it back then. He’d been happy, because someone, his dream, was also dreaming him. Words had fueled and love that he thought would always be asleep in his heart had suddenly awakened. He had no other law but to love her.

He had the opportunity to start anew, and he was thinking of finally taking Tess’ advice.

Max sighed, about to leave the room when his eyes landed on the adjoining door that led to Michael’s ‘office.’ It wasn’t really his office because it was where Michael always went to paint. He’d always stay there for hours, even when he’d married Maria. They had lived here for a while, and Michael would always live in that room.

Max took a deep breath before opening it, his eyes inundated with many of Michael’s paintings, his works. He and Michael… they had always helped each other with the things they didn’t understand, always made each other see what they had never wanted to face. And Michael missed him so much…

Max frowned as he went over to Michael’s desk, sitting down and looking at his surroundings. Michael had had such a gift, so much beautiful talent to create something gorgeous. There was a beauty in the truth that he created, it was awing to see how Michael lived in the existence of art and almost made it unbearable.

Max grabbed at Michael’s sketchpad, idly flipping through the pages as Max smiled to himself when he recognized Maria’s face, Maria’s eyes, Maria’s lips…

Not Maria’s lips.

Frowning deeper, he studied the sketches intently. That face… that face was so familiar but Max couldn’t quite put the name on it.

Max’s eyes were drawn to the closet where Michael had kept his things. Near the closet was a canvas, but Max could not see it because it was covered. Max bit his lip with fear, his trembling hands reaching the cloth that covered the painting Max somehow knew would change his life once he saw.

He was right.

Quickly he pulled on it, and his eyes stared at the familiar face. He was awash with repulsion, he felt nauseous and sick, felt every emotion tumble out of him in hurtful pangs. He had to try and close his eyes to block the haunting voices that threatened to drive him mad. Tears began to fall down his cheeks as the realization pained him in the gut. He didn’t know if he was breathing, he didn’t know if he was moving, he felt stilted to the world and to everything else.

He heard Isabel scream, but for the life of him Max could not move.

The painting was beckoning at him, mocking him as shame, guilt, and anger invaded every pore of his skin.

This was Michael’s painting.

Michael painted a nude woman. A nude woman that wasn’t Maria.

Max closed his eyes as more tears blurred his vision.

It was Eleanor.