18 Chapter Sixteen

*NOT EDITED*

Continued (Ryder's POV)

"She's innocent. I thought I could get in her pants. She's not easy. I dropped her, plain and simple. Haven't seen her since."

"Really. Weren't you the one who picked her up and carried her outside when the school fire alarm went off, because that doesn't sound like not caring to me."

I knew saving her ass again would come back and bite me in mine. I technically didn't even need to carry her out. It was a fake and I knew it, but I did it anyway. Why did it do it?

My half brother scoffed "I'll be seeing ya. I think I'll stick around for the fun." He smiled evilly and walked away.

"Damn it!" I yelled as I kicked the brick wall next to me.

"So, what do we do now? We can't just leave Elaine unprotected." Stated Denton. I forgot he was next to me.

"Nothing. We do nothing. The more we stay away from her, the more they'll think she's useless, which she is. They're just all too stupid to realize it."

Denton scoffed "And so are you! We all are, to think they weren't somehow watching our every move since what we did last year. We put her in danger, now we have to get her out."

"And we will by keeping our distance! Besides, she's nothing to us and they'll realize that soon enough."

I walked angrily to my motorcycle, Denton following behind me. As we were getting on Denton turned to me and said "Follow me. I know a girl. We'll need what she sells."

I followed Denton for what seemed like forever. We finally stopped at a gun and ammo shop called Gracie's Locked and Loaded.

"Guns, how are we gonna get guns Denton?"

"First off I have a conceal carry, second I know the owner, and third we're gonna need them if your brother is as dangerous as you've said."

"He's not my brother," I stated angrily

"Fine whatever, just get off the bike, and let's go."

(Denton's POV)

"Nope, nope, nope. Get out!" Yelled Gracie in her thick southern accent as soon as she saw me walk into the store.

"Gracie..." I was cut off by her throwing the book she was holding at my head. I ducked it, but barely.

"Damn it Gracie can you just listen, please!" I yelled. She sighed aggravatedly.

"Fine, come to the back with me." Gracie is still covered in tattoos and has some new piercings since we dated last, but she's still as feisty as ever I noted in my head.

"Why in the hell are you in my shop!" Yelled Gracie.

"Listen, I wouldn't have come to you unless I had to Grace. I need you for this." I stated calmly.

"Fine, I'll do you a solid but you'll owe me. For real Cooper, I'm not afraid to beat your ass."

"I know Gracie, I know."

"So! What do you need?"

"Three Pistols."

"God damn! What did you get yourself into this time?" Exclaimed Gracie.

"Can't tell you that Grace." She scoffed.

"Fine, but as I said. You. Owe. Me."

"Damn Denton, who is this girl?" Stated Ryder as Grace walked away.

"Gracie Pons. My ex. On-again off-again girlfriend. She's feisty and not afraid to throw down either." I responded.

We waited for a little while before Gracie came back and handed me the guns. They're amazing. I pulled out my credit card, but she stopped me.

"This is a favor, take them. I'll cover it. Just don't be surprised if I come knocking on your door Cooper. Now get the hell out of my store!"

Ryder and I quietly walked out quietly, got on our bikes, and drove home.

~*~

One Week Later

(Elaine's POV)

"Do they have to?" I complained. My parents are leaving town together for a couple of weeks at least. They never leave this long, maybe once every three years. They're having a good family friend and her sister come over.

"Yes, Elaine they do." Stated my mom before they heard a knock on the front door. My dad went to answer it and I migrated closer to my mom. I've met Nicole... well Evy, she likes her middle name better. But I've never met Gracie.

I moved behind my mom as I saw Gracie. Nicole is always smiling and always has iced coffee in her right hand. She makes me happy.

Gracie, on the other hand, is beautiful just like her older sister, but she gives off a scarier vibe.

I looked Gracie up and down. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary until I got to her waist. A gun!

"Mom, she has a gun," I whispered.

"She has a concealed carry Hunny. You're fine." whispered my mom back to me.

"Okay. Nicole, I know you know our numbers, but I put them on the fridge for Gracie because I know you'll have to work a lot. Gracie, thank you so much for this. Nicole, you're the best. Oh, and one more thing there are two spare house keys on the counter for you guys." Stated my mom before she kissed me on the forehead. "Okay, we gotta go or we're gonna be late. I love you, my baby."

My dad came out of his room with his suitcase and kissed my right cheek before saying "Okay, be good Lainey. I love you" Both of them walked out of the front door and I was left with Nicole and Gracie.

"Hey, kid. You live close to Denton Cooper right?" Asked Gracie politely.

"uh-uh-um y-yeah"

"Gracie, leave her be. If you have business to attend to leave her out of it. She's a kid." Scolded Nicole before she looked at her watch. "Oh crap. I gotta go, my shift at the hospital is starting in like ten minutes. Gracie, make sure Elaine gets to school" Yelled Nicole before walking out of the front door.

"Well, just me and you huh kid. Listen, I don't really care what you do just don't get yourself hurt. Do you need a ride to school or do you take the bus?" Questioned Gracie

"N-no, I-I'm good. I'll ride with my friends." I went upstairs to my room and grabbed my book bag and my books on my nightstand. I think I have everything I thought as I grabbed my house keys and shut my bedroom door.

I grabbed my phone out of my bag and texted Adeline

Elaine: Hey, can ride to school with you. My parents left this morning.

Adeline: Of course, but you better get here soon.

Elaine: Okay, coming now!

I put my phone away and walked downstairs.

"Okay, I'm leaving. Bye Gracie."

"Okay, bye kid"

I walked out of my side door so I could get to Adeline's quicker. I fast-walked until I finally made it to her house. I walked in and said "Hey Mrs. Brown. Is Adeline in her room?"

She giggled. "Yes, Jacettia is up there too."

I walked up the stairs and into Adeline's room.

"Hey, girl!" Adeline stated excitedly as Jacettia pulled up her hair.

"Hey" I stated softly.

"Girls! You've got ten more minutes before I take you to school" Yelled Oliva.

"Okay mom, coming down for breakfast now" Adeline hollered back.

"Hey Lainey, my mom's making chocolate chip Belgium waffles. I know they're your favorite."

"Thanks, but no thanks. I'm not very hungry this morning." I lied. I hate lying, but I just don't feel like eating much today. Some weeks I don't really eat anything. I hope it'll help me lose a little weight, or drop at least one size. Sometimes people comment on my size and sometimes when I buy new clothes the cashiers face is... well not fun to look at.

"You sure," asked Jacettia

"Of course."

~*~

"Okay girls. I know it's a Monday, but chop, chop. It's time to get a move on!" Said Oliva as she pulled up her blonde hair and grabbed her keys, then walked out of the front door.

Adeline took one last sip of her apple juice and Jacettia followed suit taking a sip of her orange juice.

"Come on Elaine. My mother's not afraid to leave without us."

Adeline slung her bag over her shoulder and Jacettia grabbed her books. I kept my bookbag on the whole time. I have the tendency to forget things.

We all walked outside and got in Oliva's black ford. She's had this car since I could remember. We all sat in the back, mainly because Adeline's mom put her grey purse in the seat next to her. Adeline's in the middle, I'm is behind her mother and Jacettia is next to Adeline.

"So, is Nicole watching you?" Asked Adeline. The last time my parents left like this, I was twelve and Violet was fifteen. Now it's just me.

"Yeah, but it's mainly gonna be her little sister Gracie because Nicole has a hospital job now."

"Who's Nicole" Asked Jacettia.

"She's a family friend. Sort of, basically all I know is she was in some trouble when she was younger and my parents helped her out." I replied.

VROOM, VROOM, VROOM

I looked out of the window after I heard a motorcycle rev. Ryder.

Adeline giggled but tried to hold it in so it came out like a snort. I blushed and looked away as he sped through the red light barely missing a semi.

Adeline's mother sighed and said, "That's Anderson's kid right?"

"Yeah" replied Addy.

"That kid is just like his father sometimes" declared Oliva

"How do you know that mom"

She went red in the face stuttered over her words before finally saying "I-I Went to high school with him. That's all." We pulled up to the school and she hurried us out "Okay, bye have a good day."

"That was weird" Stated Jacettia "Anyway, I've gotta get to class and grab an English paper from Mr. Chavez." She walked away with her books in her hand and a smile on her face.

"Hey" yelled a deep voice politely before he ran into me. "Oh my goodness. Are you okay, I'm such a dang clutz." Said the boy in a Spanish accent.

He has beautiful shining green eyes, darkish skin, and black curly hair. He's beautiful.

"I-It's okay, it gets the best of us sometimes," I mumbled.

"I- I gotta go. See you later Lainey."

"Wait Ade-" I tried stopping her, but she was already gone.

I looked him up and down, then I saw a spider tattoo between his pointer finger and thumb. It can't be too bad, he probably just likes spiders.

"So, what's your name"

"Elaine," I replied softly.

"Well, I'm Masin. Nice to meet you, Elaine. I'm new here, could you show me to the office please?"

"O-Of course"

(Ryder's POV)

"I thought you said staying clear of her would work, now the son of the boss is in our highschool" Jax sighed.

"Just give it more time," I said through gritted teeth.

"How much more time? When she's six feet under or when her life is hanging on by a tiny thread" Asked Jake.

I took a shaky breath as Elaine walked with him into the school.

"Fine, we'll talk to Denton after school. For now, help me make sure she doesn't do anything stupid."

Ringgg, Ringgg.

I looked at my phone and saw my mom was calling. Monday's the one day out of the week she's sober. I walked away from the twins and answered the phone.

"What do you need mom? I'm at school."

She sighed "Listen. I know you've been keeping tabs on your little sister since she was put into the foster system, so I thought I'd let you know from me that she's going to your school started today. The foster parents allowed her to be around you."

I stayed silent. I've had a few visits with her after she was taken, but some families didn't allow it and I lost tabs on her a couple of years back. Then found her again a year ago when her social worker told me any visits can't happen anymore. I still knew almost every home she went to until about a month ago.

"Ryder hun. You there." Asked my mom.

"Ryder!" I heard a girl yell. I looked up and there she was. I hung up without saying anything.

"Raya!"

She saw me, ran to me then hugged me tightly.

"I missed you big bear" She squeezed me tightly.

"Never call me that at school. Strictly Ryder okay" I stated rigidly. She broke the hug.

"Well, way to ruin the moment bro" She stated sourly.

"Come on Rey. It's embarrassing."

"Yeah. Well so is being and Anderson, yet here I am." People looking from the outside would say she's a lot like me, but truly she gets that fire from our mother. I don't remember much from her sober days, but I do remember her strong will.

I sighed "fine... but you're limited to three a day okay Rey"

She took the sour look off her face and said "Fine."

RINGGGGG

"Hey. Where's the office." I smiled, She's the only person who can make me smile. I'm glad she's here.

"Of course."

My smile faded as I thought about all the dangerous stuff going on with Liam and the Spider gang. Liam knows Raya exists, he tried to kidnap her once.

Is she safe? Great, now I have two people to look after.

~*~

I showed Raya around the school after I checked her in with the office. By the time I was done it was lunchtime.

I walked into the cafeteria and sat by the twins.

"Where were you?" Asked Jax

"You two didn't get my text?" They looked at their phones.

Jake looked up and said "Damn. It's like a freaking Anderson reunion around here."

Jax laughed

"What's so funny dip shit" I stated darkly.

"It's just none of you guys talk for a year or more and somehow you're all in the same town at once."

I leaned back in my seat and sighed. As long as my father doesn't come into town, we should all make it out of this alive.

(Elaine's POV: Lunch)

I sat in silence as I went back and forth thinking about the new kid Masin and Ryder. Jacettia and Adeline are setting up their tender account.

I thought about Ryder more though. I looked over at his table as he leaned back in his seat, showing off some of his tattoos under his shirt. I quickly averted my eyes.

"Hey"

I looked up and saw the new kid. What is he doing here? I wondered.

I was about to answer when Jake came up and said "I think it's time you leave this nice young lady alone. Right?"

Masin sighed as he looked over Jake's shoulder. I looked too. Ryder and Jax are coming up behind him.

Jacettia and Adeline stood up.

Uh-Oh

"Hello, ladies! Come with me. We need to talk. Mainly to Adeline, but let's get the rest of you out of here. It could get messy."

I looked towards Adeline and Jacettia. They shrugged their shoulders which is the queue for you to make a choice. We'll follow.

Something was telling me don't follow them, but another part of me was saying go, you'll be safe. I listened to the safe one. I am so glad I remembered my anxiety meds in my bag.

"Okay" I followed him out into the hall with my friends following behind me.

"Okay, now I need to talk to Adeline. You two stay here."

(Adeline's POV)

Jax pulled me into an empty classroom and quietly shut the door.

"What the hell is going on Jake... or Jax. Whichever stupid brother you are!"

"First, I'm Jax. Second, I'm not stupid. And, Third, what I'm about to say will keep you safe, but also put you all in so much danger that your life will never be the same. Trust me none of us wanted this, but it happed so here it is."

Jax explained everything to me, well not everything. I could tell he was leaving things out, but he gave me enough to know that this has to stay a secret. Even from my dad, Elaine has to be protected, Masin is danger, but Ryder is the safer danger.

I sighed "Why didn't Elaine tell me she almost got kidnapped. I mean I know that's a common thing in this town yer it still feels shocking."

"She was pretty shocked, rattled. She probably didn't wanna bring it up again."

"You're probably right." I grabbed Jax's flask he was holding and took a sip. Yum, rum. "So, what do we do?"

"I have absolutely no clue. My thinking is like a protection thing, but Elaine can't find out. I don't know, but if you come to my big brother's house we can talk about it all five of us."

"Jax, you boys are a pain in my ass" I took another sip of his flask and walked out of the classroom.

"Elaine!" She was on the floor passed out with Jacettia trying to wake her up.

"What the hell happened" Asked Jake and Jax at the same time.

Ryder followed closely behind Jake as they walked out of the lunchroom. I'm shocked it wasn't with security.

"S-she said something about her anxiety medicine. I think she forgot it, she passed out." Said Jacettia panicking.

"Damn it. Let me see her." Stated Ryder irritably. He leaned down next to her gently as he slowly loosed the collar of her shirt.

I was about to stop him when Jake whispered in my ear "She's fine. He's probably just trying to help her breathe." Then why didn't you help I thought as I pulled away roughly.

I looked back at Elaine and Ryder. His hands look like giants next to her dainty face. He checked her pulse then gently picked her up like she was his mother's best china.

Wow, maybe I was wrong about him.

A/N: Sorry if this chapter ended too oddly. I just couldn't find a good stopping place for this chapter. I hope you enjoy it! Feedback is always welcome. Also, I know I spelled Mason, Masin. I thought it was a nice touch. All the love and appreciation, Emmaleth Keathley.