Devon Gets to Know Max Better

When they arrived at the location, there was more than just sports cars. The music was loud enough to be heard even before entering the parking area.

"Stick with me, stay natural, and if anything bothers you, don't hesitate to tell me," Max said as he glanced at his friends, who looked a bit nervous about the intense atmosphere.

Miguel nodded but couldn't help remarking, "I don't think we're the ones who should be staying natural."

Max smiled but said nothing. He stepped out of the car, and a mix of different substances' smells immediately hit his nose.

"The One-Eyed Guy."

"Is that who they were talking about?"

Max's arrival sparked a wave of shouts as people called out his nickname, but he simply walked toward the mansion where the party was being held.

"Is that what they call you?" Miguel asked. He knew little about Max beyond the fact that he was a good guy, so this new side of him at parties was unfamiliar.

"Yeah, let's just say I used to fight," Max replied with a grin before being escorted by security guards to the VIP area.

Ryan, surrounded by friends and his girlfriend, stood up as soon as he saw Max and shouted, "To be the best, you've gotta beat the best! And let me tell you, my brother here hasn't been defeated in any of the tournaments I've hosted."

Max gestured to a spot for his friends to sit before greeting Ryan, who was already drinking. "You shouldn't drink so much if you're planning to fight."

"I'm not fighting tonight. The fights are reserved for the sponsor's fighters," Ryan said, motioning toward a group of older men surrounded by women.

Max nodded, but just as he was about to sit down, Ryan added, "But I've got a spot saved for you if you feel like stepping into the ring."

"Not tonight."

"Didn't they say the One-Eyed Guy never backs down from a challenge?" At that moment, a tall man approached and looked Max up and down.

"Are you sure you've got what it takes to fight me?" Max gave him a disinterested glance and turned away.

"Test me."

"That's what they all say before I knock their teeth out."

Devon, who had been watching this unfold, murmured, "So, he really used to fight at these parties, just like he told me."

"What kind of fights?" Miguel asked, sipping on his soda.

"Mixed martial arts."

"Let's fight! I'll take out your other eye!"

Ryan stepped forward and said, "This is Alex. He's fighting tonight and came all the way from Canada just to challenge you."

"Is that so? If he wins, he gains some reputation. But if he loses, what do I gain besides money?"

"I'll give you my car."

"I've got better ones."

"What are you, a coward?"

Ryan quickly stepped in to stop Alex from causing more of a scene and pulled him aside for a private conversation.

Miguel looked at Max, who had sat back down beside him, and asked, "Do you know him?"

"No, just another idiot trying to stroke his ego by challenging me because of my past fights." Max shook his head, then stood up and headed to the bar to grab more drinks.

Devon's attention shifted to the fight arena nearby, which was literally a sand-covered ring. "Incredible…"

"I didn't think any girl would willingly be here. How'd you end up as Max's girlfriend?" A blonde girl, strikingly attractive, approached Devon and sat beside her.

Miguel, feeling nervous, excused himself and focused on watching the girls dancing while chatting with someone else.

Devon, on the other hand, replied, "Do you even know him well enough?"

"Just what people say. I've also watched a fight or two of his since he's friends with my current boyfriend. By the way, I'm Baja Miller. Nice to meet you." Baja, Ryan's latest girlfriend, extended her hand.

"Devon Lee. And no, I'm just Max's friend." Devon didn't feel the need to deny it in front of such a stunning girl, but she clarified to avoid any misunderstandings.

"Max doesn't have many friends, let alone female ones. You're the only one. Maybe he changed after returning from Japan, but guys don't change that much."

Devon began to understand more about Max. Until recently, he had been involved in these kinds of fights, where violence was the norm.

What surprised her even more was how much respect Max commanded—a boy who wasn't even eighteen yet.