Knock, knock.

"What are you two up to in there? This is an orphanage," Lucy grumbled from the other side.

"Guess we should come out now." Zain opened the door. "I'm sorry about that, Lucy."

She eyed him and huffed. "The kids are getting rowdy, wondering where you went." Lucy pointed down the hall. "You better go play with them more or they'll end up going on a rampage."

"Yes, ma'am." Zain headed off right away.

"Ha..." Grace sighed, still leaning up against the counter as the feeling of Zain on her remained.

"You alright there?" Lucy asked. "Your face is a bit flushed."

"Uh... Yeah, I'm okay."

Lucy's eyes flashed over to Zain down the hall, and then back to her. "So, are you two a thing or what?"

"No..."

"Are you sure?"

"Ha... I'm sure, but I should put it as he wants it to be more."

"I see. And you don't? I know he's a mafia member, but you are too now, so don't let that stop you. When we first met, I was surprised at how Zain and Ray were. Outside of the intimidating aura around them, they're decent people most of the time. I guess that's only when you disclude their mobster business, and I'm partial towards them for all the help they've given me. Donations are hard to get, and the government doesn't help much, so before them, it was hard to keep the doors open and have enough for all the kids. With how much they give us, we were actually able to take in a few more."

"Are you the only adult here? Do you have any help?"

"We regularly have Bertolottis visitors here to help, but yes, my husband also works here. Saying works doesn't even feel right. We live here with the kids; it's our life. We love doing this, but..." Lucy sighed. "Kids are a handful sometimes. At least when Zain shows up, he can play with them enough to wear out the younger ones, so they end up napping."

"Would you mind if I started to come by to help? I mean, when things calm down." Not sure it's even a good idea for me to be here now if I'm being targeted.

"Of course; we always welcome more help."

"Miss Morris," a teenage boy called to her from behind Lucy.

Morris? Everyone calls me Bertolottis now. "Yes?" Grace finally came out of the bathroom and saw him. Her eyes widened. "Is that you, Rafael?"

"It really is you." He sighed and looked at Lucy.

"Fine, fine; you two can talk." She wiggled her hands around and headed down the hall.

"It's been a long time. I hope you've been well," Grace said as she gazed at him. He grew up so much.

"It's been five years since you saved me." He rocked back and forth on the tip of his toes to his heels, his hands stuffed into his pockets.

"And by the looks of it, you've grown quite a bit." She stood beside him. "Geez, you're taller than me now." She patted his head and his cheeks flushed. "Oh, sorry." She stepped away from him. "I don't want to make you uncomfortable." I don't know how scarred he was, being kidnapped and all.

"Ah, no; I'm not uncomfortable. I'm just a bit embarrassed. And I'd rather you not treat me like a little kid anymore. I'm almost an adult."

"You still have a few years left before that. Enjoy it while it lasts."

"A few years..." he sighed and nodded. "I guess so. Are you going to be visiting more?"

"Probably not right away, but when life settles down, then I think so. I'd like to, but I'm not sure the kids like me."

"Bring them toys and candy and you're good with the younger ones."

"Uh, I'm not sure about all of them; there's a little girl with a bear who sees me as a rival for Zain."

"Oh, you must mean Sarah. Yeah, she's been attached to him since they first met. She sees him as some prince and she's a princess, and they're destined to be together or something. Whatever it takes to make her feel safe here, I suppose. More to the point. Um..." Rafael fidgeted. "Are you her rival?"

"Are you asking about my love life?"

"Is it weird if I say yes?"

"Depends on the reason."

Rafael rubbed his chin and looked around. "So...?"

"I have no real answer yet, but if you ask Zain, he will say I am."

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

"I see..." He nodded.

"I'm sorry I haven't come to visit you."

"It's okay; I understand you're busy saving people. How's the cop life?"

"Gone now."

His eyes widened. "You gave up being a cop? Gave up helping people?"

"I will never give up helping people, but yes, due to family circumstances, I gave up being a cop." Grace swallowed hard, holding back how much it hurt her to tell him that.

"But... why? You were amazing! You were better than all the others. You actually care!"

"And I still do."

"I'm not a little kid anymore; I'll understand if you explain it to me."

"Rafael. You've definitely matured from the little boy I knew, but some things aren't so easy to explain."

His shoulders slouched. "I guess you're just like all the other adults. Just because something is hard or complicated, you don't even try to explain things," he huffed and turned to leave.

"Wait." She grabbed his shoulder. "Do you know what the Bertolottiss are known for?"

"They're a mafia family." He shrugged and leaned against the wall as he gave her time to explain, holding back a smile.

"I've been reunited with my grandpa, Raymond Bertolottis."

His eyes widened. "Explains why you're with Zain. Everyone knows he's Raymond's right hand-man."

"I really didn't expect kids to know that."

"Ahem."

"Non-adults."

"Close enough."

"Everyone in these parts knows that. This is Bertolottis territory, after all. But... damn, I didn't expect that. I can see why it'd be hard to continue as a cop if you're that close to the head." He nodded. "And family before everything with them. I heard there were mafia members who were cops, but not ones that close to the head."

"Do you hear about a lot of mafia things in here?"

"Not in here, no, but when I'm outside of the orphanage, I do. I had actually heard about Ray's granddaughter showing up, but I didn't know it was you. I'm not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing."

"You know what? Me neither."

"Good, that I get to see you, but bad you had to give up something you love."

Definitely more mature than I'd expect from a fifteen-year-old.

"It'd be nice if you'd come over often." He bit his lip and stared at the floor.

Why does he seem nervous? "Soon enough, I will." When it's safe.

"Say..." Rafael stared at the floor instead of at her. "If you're still single in three years, would you want to go grab a coffee or something with me?"

"Sorry, kid." Zain appeared behind Grace and draped an arm over her shoulders. "She'll definitely be taken by then. Actually, she's off the market right now."

"Zain," Grace growled at him.

"Three years is a long time, kid; she'll be married by then."

"How can you be so sure?" Rafael glared at him, clenching his fists as he resisted the urge to push him off of her.

"Because she's mine."

"Quit saying things like that," Grace grumbled. Geez, it's like a switch flipped in him, and he's all-in or something.

"What were you saying? Apparently, she's not yours." Rafael stepped towards them.

Zain raised an eyebrow. "Oh, but she will be soon. I guarantee it. She'd be too much for you; she's a handful."

"Hey!" Grace huffed and looked away from him.

"It's true. It's also why you need someone who can handle a spitfire like you, meaning me." He laughed.

"What are you doing over here, anyway? I thought you were busy playing with the kids?"

"I was, but they're napping now, and you never came back over, so I came to check on you. I wasn't expecting to find you being chatted up."

"Why don't you stop hanging all over her? Can't you see she's uncomfortable?" Rafael glared up at him. He couldn't help but wish he was a little older and bigger, so he could take Zain on.

"You look like you wanna slug me." Zain snickered. "Ow!" he yelped when Grace elbowed him in the ribs. He groaned as he stepped back. "Didn't think you'd hit an injured man."

Grace stood between them. "For reference, I've grown used to Zain, so I wasn't uncomfortable so much as I was annoyed that he's being so immature. I'll see you soon, Rafael."

"W-wait!" Rafael grabbed her hand. "Can I have your..." He suddenly shuddered, Zain's dark glare focused on him. "Never mind."

"Okay," Grace sighed and walked away.

"She's mine, kid," Zain said before following her.

"Ha... Why'd it have to be him?" Rafael punched the wall.

Grace met back up with Lucy and saw the younger kids asleep in the living room while the others were busy playing with the toys they brought them.

"I think it's time I head off," Grace said.

"Oh, are you sure you wouldn't rather stay for a coffee or something?" Lucy asked.

"No." Grace leaned in close. "I need to leave before Rafael and Zain get into a fight."

"Oh?" Lucy looked over Grace's shoulder at Zain, who was still rubbing his ribs, and Rafael, who was headed for the kitchen with a forlorn look on his face. "I see. Try to rein him in a bit, please. I don't like it when people pick on my kids, and if I find out he did something, I don't care who he is; I'll make him pay."

"Got it. It was nice meeting you, Lucy."

"Same." Lucy shook her hand. "Stop by soon; I'm sure the kids would like to have a chance to play with you. And a certain someone would definitely like it if you stopped by for a bite or something."

"Yeah, we didn't really have a real chance to catch up yet, so it'd be nice to talk more."

"Are you sure you don't want to stay a while longer?"

"I'm sure. I want to get this troublemaker out of here, and I'm waiting for a call back right now."

"Alright then. Zain." Lucy turned to him.

"Yes, ma'am." He stepped up to her, expecting a hug like normal.

She gave him a hug and pulled on his ear. "Don't mess with my kids."

"Ow... I didn't touch the boy." He didn't trust himself to control his strength, even if the kid did try to attack him.

"And you better not." She let go and lightly tapped his ear. "I'm sorry I had to get rough with you."

"I think it might've done you good." Zain couldn't help but notice the kids looking over in awe. "But it probably hurt my reputation."

"I'm the boss in here, so it's as it should be." Lucy smirked. "Be good to her."

"Yes, ma'am."

"I'll walk you two out." Lucy swayed her hand.

"Bye, Zain!" a bunch of kids yelled as they headed for the door.

"Bye, kiddos." He waved before following Grace out the front door.

Once they got outside the gate, Grace turned to him with a frown.

"What?" Zain asked.

"Were you seriously getting jealous over a kid? You seemed ready for a fight."

"Of course, I was serious. He may not be an adult yet, but he's a boy who has his eyes on you."

"You're supposed to be an adult—"

"Grace." Zain gripped her shoulder with his good hand and stared into her eyes. "He may be young, but he's basically a man, and he wants you. Regardless of how you see him, he is serious about you. And you disregarding him like that is actually quite cruel. He's fifteen, not five; you're going to have to take him seriously."

Her eyes widened. "I'm the cruel one here?"

"Yes, and I'm glad he didn't have to hear you talking like that. Face it, princess, a lot of people want you, but they're no match for me." He smirked.

"What about Vincent?"

"What about him?"

"Are you sure you should be so confident?" Grace walked away.

"Wait... What? No..." Zain grumbled and rushed to catch up to her.