Good Night, Vegas Lights

Chapter 20

It didn't take much time for the Omertas to swarm the area. Both Vincent and Shannon warily walked through the halls. He was quite confident that they could easily escape the Gomorrah after all. At least until he spotted the SMG's that the Omertas were carrying. When the pair was about to round a corner, Vince spotted a group coming their way, so he quickly pushed Shannon and himself into the tight space of a closet.
  "What? What did you see?"
  "Omertas. Coming this way. And they're armed."
  "Armed?! What the hell!"
  "I don't think we'll be given a second chance if we're spotted"
  "Right..."
  "Shh, I think they're fixing to pass"
Outside the doorway footsteps could be heard slowly walking by. Vincent hadn't noticed just how close he'd unintentionally made himself to Shannon. Her hair was much longer now than when he first met her. Now that she was free, it didn't matter he guessed. Vince suddenly felt sympathy for her. Not once had he cared to ask her how she felt, or inquire about her past life. Whereas she seemed to sincerely want to help him. Maybe even care for him on some level. Luckily it seemed the pair hadn't been spotted, because the guards passed without hesitance. Vincent opened the closet's door just enough to peek outside. The coast was clear as far as he could tell.
  "Alright, come on..."
He gestured towards himself and Shannon followed. They continued down the hall. As far as Vince knew, there was only one exit. And that was the front door. He had no idea how they'd get through the gambling floor without being spotted. He actually now regretted letting Noah go alone. That kid is bound to get himself killed, he thought. They were nearing the elevator that they needed to use to get to the ground floor. Vincent took a peek at it, only to see that it was of course guarded.
  "Hm..."
  "What are we going to do?"
Vincent looked down at the gun he held in his hands in response to Shannon's words. He didn't enjoy killing people. Though those words couldn't be used to describe his former self. Back when he worked for the Omertas. Despite his reluctance, he raised the pistol and quickly dismissed the two guards. Shannon dashed for the elevator button, and called it up. As they waited Vince glanced at the blood that now dripped down the wall. The Omertas deserved no sympathy, but he felt it for the two that were now dead. There was a familiar ding indicating the elevator's arrival, and the pair stepped inside. Vincent stared at the metal doors thinking about what he'd just done. He knew it shouldn't matter. Not according to the Mojave's standards. He knew whomever killed his family didn't care. Yet Vincent couldn't let go of what had just happened.
  "Vince?"
He was surprised to hear Shannon suddenly speak.
  "Hm?"
  "Are you okay?"
  "Yeah... I'm fine"
  "You don't look fine"
  "Well, I am. I promise. Just a little dazed. I may have gone overboard with the suite's mini bar back there."
It hurt him even more to lie to her. She always seemed to want to help him. He didn't want to burden her more than he already was.
  "Oh. Had a little fun, did we?"
She finished the sentence with a laugh.
  "Heh, yeah"
The elevator reached the bottom floor. The front door was now only just a quick jot away. The doors opened, and there was thankfully no Omertas guarding it this time. They probably figured neither Vince nor Shannon would make it this far. The two stepped out of the elevator, and just before they stepped onto the gambling floor Vincent stopped.
  "Alright, lets just act normal and see if we can make it to the door. If not, I want you to run and I'll take care of them."
 "What? I'm not going to let you get yourself get killed. You deserve to know what happened to Elizabeth and your children."
  "I'm not going to get myself killed! I'm done with that, heh. No I just want to make sure your safe."
Shannon's expression turned sour, and Vincent smiled with amusement because of it. After a deep breath, they stepped onto the floor. There were guards scattered about. Vince wanted to think that they wouldn't open fire, considering there were civilians everywhere, but he knew better. If they were spotted now, innocent people would no doubt get hurt. He and Shannon made it to the lobby when the shit suddenly hit the fan. A group of Omertas, all armed, suddenly blocked their path. The group included Gomorrah's biggest wig, Nero. The man whom probably wanted Vincent dead the most.
  "Ayy, Vince. You didn't even tell ole' Nero bu-bye when you left a while back. Now why was that?"
Vincent made sure to step in front of Shannon, and keep his gun hidden.
  "Look, I just want to leave. I paid you off some of the debt. I'll get the rest to you soon. I swear on my life."
  "Vince, you set my casino on fire, and killed two of my men. I don't give the slightest shit about your debt anymore."
Nero pulled a revolver from his holster. Its barrel glinted in the dim light. Vincent knew that revolver all too well. It had been his own years ago. Shannon grasped Vince's arm at the sight of the gun, and moved closer to him. Few of the gamblers noticed what was happening. The event that was unfolding in the lobby was just out of sight to most people. Those who had noticed kept to themselves. Probably out of fear. For once, Vincent felt worried. Now, he didn't want to die.