Her Mob Boss (Book Three Of The Brave Series)

21-The Truth

    21-The Truth

"Okay, so as a few pointers, don't take any crap. They will try to insult you and be crude, you need to be stern and show them you won't accept disrespect." Regina said as she finished the final touches of Elena's makeup.

"Okay, but how do I do that without disrespecting them?" she asked.

"Simple, hold your shoulders high, and know your own strength. One look can tell them to shut their mouths." She responded as she took a step back, admiring her work.

"Okay, yeah I can do that." Elena said, trying to settle the butterflies in her stomach. She was absolutely terrified, but she couldn't show it. The puppy came running in then jumping onto her lap. Regina chuckled.

"What a cute little pup. If I'm going to be watching him while you're gone, he's going to need a name." She looked at Elena knowingly. Elena smiled sadly.

"You know, I had found a puppy one other time, when I was a little girl. It was a girl, she was so malnourished and scared. So, I picked her up and I took her home. I thought it would make Jackson happy. Who isn't happy when there is a puppy around, you know?"

"He wasn't happy, was he?" Regina breathed out softly. Elena shook her head.

"No...he wasn't. He took the puppy to the backyard. Then he, well I don't think I need to say it. Since then, I don't know, I'm terrified. I don't want to feel that excitement again, just to-"

"Have it taken away." Regina finished for her. Regina knelt down beside her then and took Elena's hands in her own.

"Look Elena, you are not in that house with that terrible man anymore. You're in a safe place. Well as safe as a mobsters home can be, but there are people here that love you and cherish your happiness. This puppy is welcome in this house, Rysen has already asked our parents and they are excited for the addition to the family. Now pick a name for your baby boy." Elena took a deep breath, the past memories flooding her and leaving immediately as she looked at the puppy in her lap.

"There was a little boy, back in the orphanage that wouldn't leave me alone, always saddled up to me, wanting to play and stay next to me all the time. You remind me of him. His name was Addam. You're my little Addam." She said as the puppy barked at her, his tail wagging so hard his butt shook. Elena giggled.

"Perfect, now, it's almost time, you need to get in the dress and shoes. Let's go. Come on little Addam, let's take you outside." Regina said, picking the boy from her lap. Elena stood, feeling a sense of relief. She could keep a little bit of happiness, and that was enough to boost her confidence just a smidgen for tonight. She got up and grabbed the dress from the bed, stepping into it. It was a soft pink mermaid dress. From the waist up it was a pretty lace pattern then fanned out into a softer fabric as it flowed to the floor. The arms rested on her arms, leaving her shoulders bare. It had a deep v-cut but still looked classy. The dress fit Elena snuggly but comfortably as she leaned down and strapped on the white four-inch heels that Regina paired with it. Elena reached back trying to zip up the back of the dress but was unable to get it all the way up. The sound of the door opening behind her caught her attention,

"Oh Regina, can you help me finish zipping this up?" The sound of footsteps behind her told her she was coming to do just that, but then his scent surrounded her and she froze as one hand settled on her shoulder, the other low on her back, grasping the zipper as a shockwave of shivers ran through her.

Rysen had been outside the door the whole time, his gut wrenching as she told the story of her first puppy. No wonder she was so leery about keeping the puppy in the first place. Rysen sighed as Regina left the room with the puppy in her hands. She looked at him and smiled.

"His name is Addam." She smiled and began walking down the hall.

"Oh, Rysen?" she turned and looked at him. He raised a brow in question.

"I know everything. You may not fear me, but Chase and Harry do." Rysen froze. Was she going to blow the lid off everything?

"And?" he asked, trying to stay calm. She sighed.

"Elena is a sweet girl, and she deserved more than what has happened to her, what you've put her through, and at the same time I see the look in your eyes when you see her. I see the look in hers. Even if you did nothing with those girls, you still hurt her. Please fix it, for both your sakes." She finished as she walked down the staircase.

"Trust me, I'm trying." He whispered to himself as he turned the corner. He was about to call out to Elena, having something for her when his mind went blank. Yeah, Elena stood in front of him, her back turned and he watched as she pulled the soft dress up her arms, the back still unzipped, baring her back to him, the scar prominent against her tanned skin. She leaned down, her long hair flowing in soft bouncy curls as she hooked white heels on, clipping them around her small ankles. He smiled as she tried to tug the zipper up to no avail.

He didn't realize he was leaning in until his shoulder bumped the door, causing it to creak. She didn't turn. She simply said, "Oh Regina, can you help me finish zipping this up?" Rysen smiled as he walked up behind her, glad to help. She froze when he laid a hand on her warm skin, the other grasping the zipper gently as he pulled it up. He felt her breath shake as her body tensed even further. She knew it was him, and he was more than happy to receive this reaction from her.

"W-what are you doing Rysen?" she stuttered sheepishly, causing a smile to reach his lips. He leaned down then, his hand gliding down her side to her thigh where he reached the slit on the side of the dress. He reached underneath the skirt and she squealed.

"What are you doing?!" she said trying to pull away. He gripped her leg tightly in his hand, stopping her from moving as he leaned down to her ear.

"I never slept with anyone else. I couldn't. Since I met you, you're the only thing that's been on my mind." He said as his hands moved around her thigh, the soft skin nearly distracting.

"What does this have to do with what you're doing." She asked shakily.

"It has everything to do with it, because the only woman I want to touch is you."

"Then why did you come home smelling like them, why did Amanda say those things?"

"Because in the beginning, I thought I was getting too close to you. So, I went out to clubs, I tried to get you off my mind, but I could never bring myself to touch someone else. Amanda thought that because I showed a slight interest while I was drunk that it meant something. And I can't apologize enough for that. Because I was immature, childish, and I wasn't ready to admit it to myself." He finished as he stepped back. She turned to him then, looking down. He had strapped a gun holster to her leg, a small pistol in it, hidden perfectly beneath her dress.

"In case you need it. I just wanted you to know the truth, before we went into such a dangerous situation." Rysen said, turning to leave. He froze when her small hands gripped his suit sleeve. He turned to find her with her head down, a slight blush to her cheeks.

"What didn't you want to admit Rysen?" she asked softly. He smiled gently, his hand cupping her chin, bringing her face up so that their eyes could meet.

"That I didn't want it to be fake. That with each minute that passed I wanted you to be my real girlfriend. Because I like you Elena, I've like you from the moment you stepped in front of my punch, taking a hit for someone else, even with everything you've been through." He said.

"And you never...did anything with another girl?" she asked. He shook his head.

"Never." He said.

In that moment, he froze, his world turning upside down in the most amazing way. Because in that moment, Elena leaned up, and her lips touched his, laying a gentle kiss on his own. It ended too soon though, as she pulled away, looking at him with those beautiful big doe eyes.

"Then maybe, if we survive tonight, and we come home in one piece, you can ask me properly. And maybe, I'll say yes." She smiled then, grabbing her purse and walking out the door. He watched her as she left, his hands reaching up to touch his lips, remembering the softness of hers. He nearly felt his cheeks split as he smiled wider than he had since childhood.

"Yes Ma'am."