Her Mob Boss (Book Three Of The Brave Series)

11- An Unusual School Day

 11-An Unusual School Day

Elena felt bad for being so short and rude to Rysen, especially after what he and his family had done for him. But she had to be realistic. This was for his gain and when all was said and done she would be left on the curb, just like when she was left at the orphanage. She had to keep herself distant, otherwise when this was over she would be more emotionally scarred than when it all began, because she knew that these kind people could possibly heal her, even when they never realized it and once they were gone, where would that leave her? She didn't think she could handle that pain, so she would keep it from hurting any way she could.

That night she cooked dinner for all five of them, Rysen's parents still out of town. She smiled when Harry praised her. She chuckled when Chase told a silly joke. She responded when Regina asked her questions. She kept a healthy emotional distance even as they joked and played with each other. She had to. At least, that's what she kept telling herself as she pretended not to notice Rysen's glances. When dinner was done Harry had insisted on cleaning for her and she caved when he threated to get on his knees and beg.

"Well I should get going, got school tomorrow." Regina said as she grabbed her purse and forced Chase to pack her bags in her car. She went up to Elena and hugged her tightly. Elena froze. She hadn't been hugged like this since she could remember.

"It'll be okay." Regina whispered in her ear. How? Elena asked herself. How could it ever be okay again? But she didn't ask. She just smiled softly at Regina and walked her out. As she watched the sports car's tail lights fade away she heard the boys come up beside her. Chase rested his elbow on her shoulder.

"We were thinking of going out and having some fun, you down?" he asked. She looked up to him and smiled kindly at him before pulling away from his touch.

"Thank you for the invitation, however I would prefer to stay here. Thank you." She said as she turned to head up the stairs. However, she turned into Harry who put both hands on either of her shoulders.

"Come on, we're just going to go bowl for a bit. You know how he is about his bowling." Harry nodded towards Rysen that stood to his left.

"Thank you, but we have school tomorrow, so I'll just finish my schoolwork and sleep." She said as she escaped his hold on her and walked up the staircase. She turned to them and put a smile on her face.

"Have fun." She said before she went inside and locked the door.

Hours passed until finally Elena showered and laid down in bed. It was past eleven now and Rysen hadn't come back. Not that she expected him to. He was probably drinking again. Elena cringed at the thought. Alcohol held no appeal to her, not after seeing what it could do to her adoptive brother. Elena shook her head to clear her thoughts away from both Jackson and Rysen. None of what they did was her business, not anymore.

With a heavy sigh, Elena laid under the covers of pull out bed, not allowing room for Rysen to tell her otherwise. It was just too...intimate to sleep in his bed, she couldn't sleep properly like that. She turned off the light and closed her eyes.

She stood at the window with the rest of the children, watching as the nice-looking couple stood outside with the lady who owned the orphanage. They looked excited, and that excited the children around her. Except her that is. The years she'd been here had hardened her child-like joys. Her heart had been tainted by the years of rejection. As the oldest child still at the orphanage, she was responsible for helping with the younger ones. She didn't want them to become like her, so she'd put on a brave smile and helped where she could, forcing a sense of content distance with her life.