A/N I know I keep offering excuses for not updating on time but I have my honest reasons. Me, my mum and little brother have just left home and my abusive father, so we are now trying to get our lives back on track and I'm really trying to focus on my college work. But I have tried on this chapter and I hope I don't disappoint. I am also working to improve the quality of my writing thanks to some really constructive criticisms and reviews, so thank you all. X)

Chapter 5

Max's POV

The knock on the door was my first clue that I should really consider getting ready, so as Gazzy went to let Peter in I went up into the bedroom to get changed. I was proud with myself for tidying up my outfit and getting changed and ready in under fifteen minutes. It was simple and easy because I wasn't one of those girls who wasted money on make up, not when I had food and bills to pay, I didn't spend ages on my hair, just a quick brush and I was done. And my outfit was nice and simple.

But as I ran down the stairs the look Peter gave me, I knew I had succeeded in annoying my boss.

"That's what you're going to wear?" He said with disdain.I smirked as I grabbed my biker boots and shoved my feet in. "Why, don't you like it Peter?" I asked batting my lashes.

I gave a dry laugh. "You're going to a high society party and you dress like that."

"I like it." Angel said sat on the sofa with Gazzy who was trying to hold in his laughter.

"And I'm a street fighter, perhaps Lucas will realise I don't like high society or their parties. It's like chucking a cat in a birdhouse." I ran a hand over my grey biker jeans that hugged my legs, the tugged at the black t-shirt that had silver writing on it saying 'Bite me!' adding my leather jacket I was already to go and I looked very bad ass if I do say so myself.

A car horn honked outside and I knelt down to wrap Gaz and Angel in a big hug, kissing their foreheads. "Remember guys bed by nine, and try to behave for Peter, but if he gets to cheeky throw a punch." I grinned as Peter shook his head.

"There's also money on the counter so you can order pizza, have fun." I called as I left the house. I had managed to get everything set. Mom and her boyfriend where off out for two days on a 'couples retreat', I didn't even know they were going until I woke up one day and found a letter tapped to the fridge. But I could cope, I'd been coping for years.I slid into the passenger seat of the car and Hendrix was chuckling to himself, his beefy hands gripping the steering wheel.

"The boss is gonna have a fit when he sees ya dressed like that." he managed to get out as he started the car up and drove down the street.

"Then I have accomplished my single goal in life, I can now die a happy girl." I replied sarcastically.

The silence in the car grew as we both sat patiently as Hendrix drove out of the rough estate I lived on, down through the main of town, along the 'okay' buildings and then up the winding roads to the high society that I loved to take the piss out of. All the houses were individual and unique, columns that rose up on porches that wrapped around the entire house and they were white. In my neighbourhood there was no white anything, there were dirty white cars, faded white walls and the like but not this. Everything here was so pristine and bright, it felt so high strung, like you couldn't slouch without drawing a few eyes. I decided there and then that I would annoy the snot out of the posh snobs I met tonight.

The house we pulled to a stop at was all lit up, tiny white fairy lights wrapped around the porch pillars and illuminated the freshly clean whiteness of everything. The garden was well designed with green cut grass and statues that made me think of a project I had done on Greece once. The oak door was opened by a butler, though he gave me a look that people used for something they stepped in, he still let me into the grand entry room. The house had and actual staircase that branched off in two separate directions with a platform in the middle that people could use to watch their guests from below. It was on that platform that Lucas stood with a look of outrage on his face."What the bloody hell are you wearing?" He bellowed.

I did a little twirl. "Clothes obviously. Do you like?"He practically stomped down the stairs in his grey suit and black tie, his eyes shooting daggers at me. "I told you to wear something nice, preferably a dress."

I folded my arms and raised my eyebrows in traditional Max style. "Do I look like a girl who owns a dress? You seem to forget who I am. I'm a fighter, not your show dog."

He stood in front of me and to my surprise, he smiled. That doesn't bode well for me.

"Ah but you see Max, I do know you. Quite well in fact. If you go up the stairs and into the second bedroom on your left there will be a lovely outfit all laid out for you. My housekeeper Marie will be up in a bit to do your make up."

I opened my mouth ready to tell him where he could shove his outfit and everything else."And if you don't Max, because this party is also my chance to meet some potential business and show off my prize fighter, I will cancel your fights for the next month. Good luck finding rent money after that."

I clenched my fists and ground my teeth together. He was blackmailing me, and the buggering sod knew he had me beat. I needed the money and even if I managed to scrape some together for rent half of it would go missing thanks to Mom and her boyfriend. Grudgingly I stormed up the stairs and to the room he had indicated, ignoring his arrogant expression. I felt my temper rise at the dress laid out on the bed. It was a deep purple dress that flowed down to the ground and gathered at the neck like a halter with amethyst beads sewed on the straps that crisscrossed to my waist and draped down my bare back. It was a nightmare to put on and the dress caught under my feet, forcing me to wear the matching heels next to it that allowed me the extra height to walk without the damn thing tripping me Marie, the tiny middle aged housekeeper applied make up to my face, lining my eyes with black liner and thickening my lashes, I really wanted to know how Lucas had guessed me size exactly right.

My musings and silent threats were interrupted as Marie clapped her hands together. "My, miss Ride, you positively look stunning."I blinked up at her and considered myself in the mirror with a scowl. "I suppose I look okay." I admitted.

Marie tutted and shook her head so that her brown hair that had streaks of grey in it flew all over the place. "You do not see yourself properly miss Ride. Perhaps after a while you shall. But I can guarantee no one here tonight will guess you have not come from this neighbourhood." She gave my shoulder a slight pat before she left.I had to brace myself for a moment so I could stand confidently in the heels and walk with some composure that I didn't look like a toddler learning to walk, and despite some slight wobbling I think I did a pretty good job. The hardest task was when I came to the stairs, I nearly slipped down the polished steps a few times and I clung to the banister like a lifeline.

"You need a hand?"

I blinked at the familiar voice and once he stopped walking down the steps behind me and stood in a suit similar to Lucas's only in all black I glared. "What are you doing here?"Fang glanced around with a smirk. "This is my house, I live here. I believe I should be asking you, why you are here?"

I shook my head with a bitter laugh. "Your house, you're Lucas's kid. Figures."

His eyes narrowed. "You know my dad?"

I eyed him and shrugged. "I guess you could say I work for him."

His eyes trailed over me and locked on something, I followed his gaze to see he was staring at my hand that clutched the banister so tightly, but more importantly what rested above my hand around my wrist. The bracelet that labelled me as Lucas's fighter.

"So, you're in that game huh? Guess I shouldn't be surprised after the way I saw you take on those two guys."

I suddenly felt the need to defend myself. "I have my reasons, not all of us were born with everything handed to us on a silver platter. Besides, I may be in a dress and heels but I can still take you on."He gave me a lopsided smile. "I have no doubt. Now do you want my help down these stairs or not?"I eyed the rest of the stairs and groaned, I wasn't even halfway down yet. Damn Lucas, why couldn't he have just let me wear my clothes?I sighed and gave in. "I would appreciate the help."

His grin grew and the arrogance in it irked me. He reached over and took my arm so that I had to step away from the banister, he supported my weight when I slipped but other than helping me balance and keep upright I managed the steps gracefully. "Don't think this changes anything, you try anything and you'll be spending the rest of the night in a locked closet with a black eye and a concussion."

He smiled as we came to the platform on the stairs and I could see the party had already started with people of all ages dressed up wearing fancy dresses and smart suits. The music in the background was classical and waiters walked around carrying trays of wine and champagne as well as finger food.

"I know, trust me, I'm not underestimating you. I've heard that my father has a new fighter, the only girl he has, and she sounds bloodthirsty. I'm not one to not believe what I've heard and seen."

I smiled myself as we stepped off the last step. Straight away I didn't like the attention we drew, but I wasn't confident enough to let go of Fang's arm and fall flat on my face. I may not care what people thought of me, but even I avoided total humiliation when I could. So I stayed attached to Fang's arm and prepared myself for a party in a place I didn't belong.

A/N Also in my last chapter I did add a typed up bat, but it was only much later that I realised that when I posted things got moved around and it looked like gibberish. So I shall try again, this bat (if it comes up properly) is my new little mascot….ִ
. =,ִ ִ ִ ִ(\_/)ִ ִ ִ ,=. .

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