No Rest For The Wicked

Pain underneath Rage

Oddly enough, Vegas' new form of torture seemed to have caused the opposite effect than the one intended. Instead of discouraging the helpless captive, it caused a wave of powerful and sharp sparks of energy that prickled in every cell of his body, rippling through it like a lightning bolt and providing him with the courage to stand up to his ruthless captor. at least verbally.

"I thought provoking him was not the plan," Nadia's voice in his head reminded him. It was true. His intention was not to provoke him. He was in no state to take any more punishment. Pete supposedly had no energy left for even the simplest movement. Yet he felt the need to speak his mind. If he had not, he would have felt suffocated. as if the words would stick to his throat and smother him. He had to let them out. Maybe it was the unjust fate he was tied to that made him utter those risky words. Or perhaps it was Nadia's penetrating gaze that he could not stand, and he felt the need to shift his attention. It's possible he was subconsciously looking for pain because that's what he was most familiar with. No matter which one it is, one thing is certain.

Vegas was not pleased.

'' What did you just say?'' Pete was thrown over onto his back by harsh hands while Vegas shoved his right knee against Pete's stomach, pressing on his bruises and causing Pete to grunt in agony.

''Who do you think you are to judge me?'' Vegas' tone had lost any hint of composure. It came out shaky and uneven, betraying his inability to conceal how upset he actually was.

'' You are a nobody, just a disposable pawn of Kinn and now your life lies in my hands. How dare a tool like you judge me?'' he said in a dangerous tone, tightening his grip around Pete's slender throat making it harder for him to breathe.

Pete tried to shake Vegas' hands away from him in an attempt to escape the tight hold, but the more he struggled, the more suffocating the sensation became. so much that his pale cheeks flushed a faint shade of red. Still, in his effort to break free, Pete was able to notice the trembling sensation in Vegas' hands, which gave away the fact that Pete's remarks had an impact even though Vegas' words were intended to demonstrate the opposite.

Pete took a mental note of that even in this critical situation.

As he noticed the boy's breath cutting, Vegas withdrew his hands from his neck, forcing Pete to exhale in a harsh manner.

Pete met his captor's merciless dark eyes, and an emotionless expression inhabited Vegas' face.

''Know your fucking place'' Vegas said passively as he got off the bed in slow movements and exited the room.

At the sound of the door shutting, a cocky smile reigned over Pete's face, indicating satisfaction at his small victory. It might have been a small matter, but it was big to Vegas, and that was all Pete needed. He had just gathered some important information concerning the young heir of the minor family, confirming his suspicions.

''Interesting'' he whispered to himself as his finger brushed his bottom lip.

''Interesting indeed. Seems old habits die hard, Toni has taught you well'' commented Nadia in an amused voice, her image still very present and vibrant in Pete's eyes. Maybe he should sleep it off, he thought to himself. He closed his eyes and got under the sheets ignoring the pain in his body. He has been through worse after all. He hoped that no nightmare would haunt him this time. He finally allowed himself to relax under the comfortable covers, as the thought of waking up the next day was scary, since he did not know what new challenge he would be facing.

.....

'' If you want to look at a dog look at the mirror''

Pete's words kept haunting Vegas' mind like a vengeful ghost, whose only purpose was to break him. Vegas glared at his own reflection in the mirror of the bathroom. He recalled every memory of his father that he could. All of them had something in common.