Crushed by Leen Elle Read Free Book Online

interesting to pass up." Cleo stood, and walked towards the doorway. "If you really want to work for me, you're hired. Prove your worth, and I'll pay you more money than you can even dream of." Cleo cackled as she passed through the door to the living room. "Welcome to the family." She called out as she walked towards the front door.
     
    Robert stood as well, his expression unreadable. He looked like he wanted to say something, but thought better of it. He turned to walk out of the room without looking back once.
     
    Sophie stood by herself, both happy and confused. She had no idea what she'd just gotten herself into, but she didn't regret it. There was something about this place that screamed excitement, and Sophie looked forward to the person she would become here.
     
    After all, she'd just stepped into the unknown.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

CHAPTER THREE
     
     
     
    Learning about my past was difficult, but it had helped to usher in a new era, full of new experiences, new feelings, and new meetings.
     
    "So this is what it's like to live with thieves?" Sophie commented, dropping her suitcase on the floor.
     
    "It's exciting, right?" Rylan joked from behind her. "Don't let it fool you, this neighborhood has a dark, seething underbelly."
     
    "I don't doubt that for a minute." She replied, grinning. So far, Rylan was the most welcoming of all of her new roommates. He was the only one who had helped her unload her luggage, and he'd been the first person to speak to her all day.
     
    The move-in process had taken two-weeks. Without regretting her decision, Sophie had eagerly prepared to move into her new life. Cleo had helped her along the way, though Sophie still felt like she was an outsider. She hadn't seen Robert since the day she'd decided to work for Cleo, and the other two children, Teddy and Gwyn, had avoided her at all costs.
     
    "How do you like your new room?" Rylan turned towards her as he sat the last box of her belongings on the floor. The room was already decorated with cardboard boxes, and Sophie found herself groaning at the task she had ahead of her.
     
    "It's…going to take a lot of work before I can answer that." She sighed heavily.
     
    "If you need anything just ask." Rylan answered cheerfully. "Just consider us family." He plopped down on her bed, which consisted of only a mattress. She had yet to unload her pillows and blankets.
     
    "That's easier said than done." Sophie mused, joining him on the bed. "It seems like everyone else isn't as willing to welcome me."
     
    Rylan waved his hand in the air dismissively. "Gwyn and Teddy will come around. Teddy's just nervous around you because of Robert. Give him a little time and you'll wish he wasn't hanging around you every waking moment."
     
    "What about Gwyn?" Sophie asked, picturing the serious, curly-haired girl.
     
    "To be honest…" Rylan began. "Gwyn thinks you're insane."
     
    "Insane?" Sophie winced in response.
     
    "Well, not exactly. Put more simply, she doesn't understand you. I honestly don't either. From our point of view it seems like you threw away your decent life on a whim. She doesn't get how someone can just leave behind their life and move into a place like this."
     
    "I guess I am sort of insane." Sophie replied, her frown lifting into a smile. "Is it weird to say that I feel like I belong here? I don't regret dropping out of college…it was something I didn't enjoy, and I feel that being here will give me something I've been missing out on for a long time."
     
    "I wonder if it's because of your parents?" Rylan guessed, and Sophie glanced at him curiously. "All of our parents worked here as well. Gwyn's mother worked under Cleo, and my father did as well. We're all second-generation thieves."
     
    "Second generation?" Sophie asked, sounding surprised. "So you guys are really training to be like Robert?"
     
    "Not exactly." Rylan grinned, waving away her concern. "Rob only teaches Teddy because it makes him feel