VegasPete: BOUND BY BLOOD

TWELFTH • Bound by Blood

VEGAS' POV

Pete and I were in father's office but Pa isn't here yet.

He sat on my lap and kissed me. He slips his hand on my polo shirt, slowly caressing my stomach towards my chest. I then gripped my hands to his waist, tracing his curves.

Our kiss was getting deeper when I heard the door knob clicked. Pete pulled away from the kiss and wiped his lips. He must have forgotten that he was still sitting on my lap because he hadn't left yet.

Pa already entered the office, "What are you two doing?"

His tone scared me so I tapped Pete's thigh, a signal for him to move away from sitting on my lap. Pete slowly got off me and moved on the sofa. No one answered his question.

Papa sat in front of us.

I'm surprised because he doesn't complain, whereas before he couldn't bear to see me with a man.

"Regarding the letter of agreement you have read, I am the real debtee, not Brother Korn. Your family owes me, Mr. Head Bodyguard."

"What do you mean, Pa?" I asked.

"Back then, the whole island was held by an organization and they were about to buy it, start evicting the inhabitants. That island served as the black market or trade of illegal goods of the Main Family, which was then headed by father, the grand. Little did Brother Korn know that we are the real Minor Family and we're not originally from the Main. But that's a different story. Father immediately took care of the papers to seize the island, almost all the families there owed him money but he divided all that into three. To me, to Brother Korn and to one other."

I was shocked because this is the first time I heard my father talked this long and I am more shocked because of what he said, "You have another sibling?"

"That one's dead." There was a slight crack in his voice when he said that sentence.

I shut my mouth up and continued to listen.

"The property that belongs to that person went under the name of Brother Korn, and even mine. If you can still remember it Mr. Head Bodyguard, people sees Brother Korn as an angel because they thought he saved the island from debt but he didn't. It doesn't end there. Do you know the said replacement in the agreement if your parents don't pay five million baht at the end of the year?" Father looked at Pete.

My darling sighed, "Yes. Me, being a servant."

"Right. I was there at that time. Your mother is pregnant with you and your father is unemployed because the boxing agencies never hired him."

"That's why he pushed me to go boxing when I was young, though he never appreciated all my fights."

Oh, that's what Pete always tells me. When we opened up about family problems, especially father issues, I heard that story of his.

"What they talked about is that they will give you to the Main Family after fifteen years."

They are worse people than my father. What kind of a parent sell his own child?

I feel so sorry for Pete. It's their loss.

"Hmm. I was only 14 years old when I was taken from the island only to serve the Main Family. I was that young." Pete nodding while preventing his cracking voice from escaping his mouth.

"But don't worry about your position, you became the Head Bodyguard because of your skills."

Pete looked at Papa, "I know and am confident in my own abilities."

It was the first time I'd ever seen Papa talk to someone close to me, especially Pete. These times are so special to me, that I just want to wish it could always be like this.

"I always loved the Main Family and I'm always ready to serve them. But now, I don't know what I should do especially since I know these aren't the only things I should know. Am I betraying them?" Pete stared blankly, deep in thought.

"It's true that you still have a lot to know but I'm not in a position to meddle in your business."

"Tell me everything Khun Kan. I'm ready to listen."

The surroundings became silent and only the hum of the air conditioner could be heard. I took a deep breath because even I, was nervous.

I saw tears in his eyes so I wrapped my arms around him and pat his shoulder to comfort him., "Just tell me everything so.. I can make a decision."

"You already made up your mind a long time ago Mr. Head Bodyguard, don't be blinded to your own ghost."

"Papa.." I tried to stop Pa but he just glared at me.

"You have long since given up the belief that your life will only revolve around serving the Main Family. Otherwise, what are you doing and why are you still coming here now?"

"Pa, stop already."

"I'm just telling the truth Vegas."

Pete laughed out loud while wiping the tears from his eyes. He leaned on the sofa and crossed his legs.

"Really, aren't you deceiving me?" Pete asked.

"Pete.. Pa, stop."

"It's you who is deceiving yourself, not me or Vegas or anyone. You always do it to others and you are doing it to yourself without even realizing it."

I sweated even more. I don't know where this conversation will go but I can't seem to wean them anymore. I stood up to get a cigarette, I lit it as I watched them stare into each other's eyes.

Pete stood up and bowed in front of Papa. Pa just nodded and Pete walked towards the door so I followed him.

"Your master also knows everything I know. That's why you ended up under him. I'm just saying."

Pete stopped for a moment when he heard that but he continued walking after a few seconds. He just walked quietly back to our room so I didn't say a word either.

"Love! I'm very hungry!" Pete pouted as he sat on the bed.

"Are you okay?" I asked. He smiled at me and nodded enthusiastically.

"I'm fine. You know, the thorn in my chest has been removed, at least I don't have to pretend to my self so I'm more than okay now."

"Is it true?" I am nervous, Pete used to be energetic and hyper but he doesn't seem to be himself now.

"It's true. And I'm free to visit here anytime, I don't need to hide from your Papa anymore."

What does he mean? He still not telling me the story behind how did he and Papa talk, "How did you say that?"

"I just want to. Come, hug me." I followed Pete and came closer to him to hug him.

"I love you so much, Love." he whispered to my ears.

I sniffed his neck and planted a few soft kisses, "I love you too, Darling."

"We have a mission next week so I have to go back to the Main Family mansion tomorrow for preparation." I broke away from our hug and sat next to him on the bed.

"Whose enemy?" I asked.

"Italian's."

I turned quickly to him, looking at him in disbelief. Why not I know about this mission? Why didn't Papa tell me about this? Did they move without my knowledge?

He looked at my eyes, "In the last mission we became allies, but now, we will face and fight each other in that battle."

"Darling.."

"Vegas, I have decided."

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