Her Mob Boss (Book Three Of The Brave Series)

25-Rubies and Sapphires

     25-Rubies and Sapphires

Rysen stood in front of his father in the office and he knew what it was about. This would not be a pleasant conversation

"Rysen, I have spent my life surrounded by liars, trying to weed them out, finding traitors and putting them in their place. I am kind to my family, to those under my wing, but to the outside world, I am ruthless. I've harmed and killed more people than I like to admit. Some nights I wake up in cold sweats, people's cries echoing in my ears. I've never harmed an innocent person, but that doesn't change the fact that the things I've done are unforgivable." His father stood then, coming around the desk then leaning back onto it. He crossed his arms and Rysen swallowed, nervous.

"So why lie to your mother and I?" He asked, the shoe dropping on Rysen's head. He knew better than to play dumb, his father was no idiot.

"How long have you known?" Rysen asked instead.

"I've known since you told me you had a girlfriend. Rysen, I am not blind nor stupid. I know what you are up to at all times, you may be the boss's son, the next in line to head the Family, but that doesn't mean I have been unaware."

"I don't understand, if you knew, then why did you let her stay? Why not call me out on it immediately? Why turn a blind eye?" Rysen asked, he just couldn't understand. His father sighed, bring his hand up and pinching the bridge of his nose, a sign of his tiredness.

"Because Rysen, for the first time in your life, you cared about someone. Of course, you have your boys, but this time it was different. I was young once too, I understand wanting to have fun, and that's what you'd always done. Then she showed up, and I saw the look in your eyes the day you saved her." He straightened and looked Rysen with an understanding look. "It hurt you inside to see such a small, sweet girl hurt nearly beyond repair. Yes, lying to us about her being your girlfriend benefited you, but it had become more than that, didn't it?" Rysen looked at his father, shocked at how well he understood him. He leaned forward, planting his elbows on his knees as he gripped his hands together, remembering that day that felt like so long ago now.

"Yes. I wanted, no I still want to kill that beast for touching her. Dad, you're right, she is different. Without any effort, she absolutely wrapped me around her finger. She..." he drifted off.

"She's the one." His father finished for him. Rysen merely nodded, looking down at his hands.

"Do you know why we decided to go forward with the McGreaves meeting?" He asked Rysen. He looked back up at his dad, confused.

"Because it could've started a feud?" His father shook his head.

"The McGreaves are powerful, yes, but they would never touch our men with a hundred-foot pole. Your mother and I decided it was time for you guys to understand what you meant to each other. It was time for you to be together." Rysen chuckled, of course, his parents were smooth.

"How did you know if Elena felt the same?" Rysen asked, remembering the lingering kiss they'd shared less than an hour prior. Her saying yes to him. He smiled involuntarily at the memory.

"We saw the pain in her eyes, each time she had to lie about it all. She'd wanted it to be real the whole time. Is it?" His father asked. Rysen nodded, the smile coming back full force.

"It is. No lies this time. She's mine, and I am hers." He said, a warm ache in his chest coming to the surface. His father smiled faintly and nodded before turning and rounding his desk.

"And does she understand what that means?" He asked as he opened a drawer and reached into it.

"Yes, I told her, I gave her a chance to leave, if she didn't want to be a part of it."