Her Mob Boss (Book Three Of The Brave Series)

8-Outside

     8-Outside

Rysen watched her as she watched everyone in silence. It was normal to have the boys over for dinner, and the bodyguards Michael and Tristan always ate with them since they lived there as well. It was normal for them to be together like this, but as he watched her, he realized that with her past, she more than likely never had a dinner like this, and that made his chest hurt.

Harry and Chase were in their own world, speaking about the latest party more than likely. Michael, Tristan, and Rysen's father spoke in hushed tones, more than likely about the family business. His mother watched her with interested eyes as Elena took her first bite of food. She paused, and it made Rysen worry if she didn't like it. However, that worry was quickly pushed away when he saw her fingers raise to touch her lips as she smiled softly, until a stray tear fell from her eye, landing on the table cloth in silence.

Rysen looked to his mother, unsure of what to do, but she seemed at a loss as well. Though their business was dangerous, they had all known love from a family. They weren't beaten and degraded growing up. The best thing Rysen could think to do was let her know he was there, if she needed someone that is. So, Rysen settled his hand on her denim covered leg, feeling her tense as her head shot up, her shocked expression meeting his somber one. She smiled softly before turning back to her food, her body slowly loosening. They stayed like that while they ate, Rysen quiet himself as he listened to everyone else. That is, until his mother interrupted their bubble of silence.

"So how did you two meet?" she asked, an innocent curiosity in her voice. Rysen panicked as Elena gulped. Chase and Harry both looked up, eyes wide with worry as well. Just before Rysen began to speak a lie Elena beat him to it.

"He was my partner for a science project a few months ago. He tried to play it off on me, but I yelled at him. He didn't leave me alone from that day and then he asked me out a few weeks later. I said yes, and that was what started everything." Elena turned to Rysen and smiled so genuinely that for a moment Rysen almost believed her himself.

"Yes, my son is not very interested in being a good student." Rysen's father chuckled.

"Awww that's so cuuute." His mother responded and instead of dropping it she had to keep asking questions.

"Where was your first date?" she asked. Rysen groaned silently. He couldn't think of a decent response.

"Oh, he took me to the bowling alley. He loves it and I enjoyed the light competitiveness we were able to have." Rysen was shocked, and he could tell both Chase and Harry were just as surprised at her knowledge of his silent love for bowling. It wasn't something the son of a gang boss would proudly announce. God, this girl was surprising the hell out of him. His mother nodded vehemently.

"Yes, he's loved bowling since he was just a little boy." His mother's eyes sparkled as she looked at Elena. For a moment Rysen felt like an ass for lying to his mother considering the fact that she looked like she was in love with Elena. She didn't ask anymore questions as they finished eating and Rysen didn't even realize that he still had his hand on her thigh until she got up to help his mother clear the table and his hand fell to his side, empty and cold.

Shaking his head, Rysen decided he needed to clear his head.

That night, he did just that.

X

After Elena helped Mrs. Santigo with the dishes, she made her way upstairs to the bedroom she was to stay in from now on. She found no sign of Rysen and after looking out the window she felt the desire to go outside. She was never allowed to go outside or hang out with friends living with Jackson, so she decided to ask for permission before leaving.