Vegas & Pete - The reason why I love you

II - 24 The sense of family

Pete

- Ahhhh Pete, Pete answer me, please wake up !

I feel so light, as if I am no longer held by the earth's gravity, I feel no pain, no sorrow, I feel nothing. Is this death ? This sideral void when everything doesn't matter anymore ?

New

We had neutralized two guards patrolling inside the park and were reviewing how things were going.

- Let's start on the first floor, I'll go to the right, you to the left but if you find out anything, please don't make a move before telling me.

- Ok.

We walked into the house, guns in hand. The rooms I went through seemed to be empty. Suddenly, a kid's cry from upstairs let us know where they were. I reached Macau at the feet of the stairs who had also overheard it and we climbed up in silence. Once we reached the door I stopped him.

- You just deal with Venice, you take it and you leave the room as quick as you can. I'll handle the rest.

- But ....

- I won't make it if I have to be worried about you and the baby. If I know that you're safe, I guarantee that I can handle anything.

I grabbed the second gun I'd taken from the guard and made a signal to Macau for him to open the door.

Once we got into the room, we both went our separate ways. I noticed Vegas hugging Pete in the center of the room and, as I saw a gunman coming towards them, I shot him directly without hesitation. I could hear a scream and I saw Macau throwing a woman to the ground and running away holding the baby. I figured there were still two guards and that hysterical woman.

The bullets were flying and once Macau was out I moved from my hiding place and shouted :

- Vegas! Vegas! He raised his face as I called out to him and I saw the tears in his eyes. He seemed unable to react, I had to protect him and Pete ! I shot towards the two guards as I moved forward. I moved the crib to the center of the room and laid it in front of us to protect us. I grabbed Vegas by the collar and shook him.

- Vegas, get a grip ! I need your help.

- Pete, Pete...

- If there any chance of saving him you need to help me!

I put a gun in his hand and shouted:

- I'm going this way, just cover my back.

He seemed to wake up from his daze and wiped his sleeve on his face to clear his tears.

- Let's go on three! 1, 2...

I rolled to get closer to the shots while Vegas shot toward the guards. As I got within range I shot one of them twice in the chest. The second one would lie down to avoid me. At that moment I felt a pain in my shoulder. Nora was screaming as she emptied her gun in my direction.

I needed to end the job, I dragged myself to take shelter behind an armchair. The last guard, seeing me wounded, was approaching to shoot me. I was not sure how many bullets I had left, but I probably didn't have more than two left. Taking a deep breath, I stood up and instinctively fired. I hit the guard right in the head and he collapsed.

The room was oddly silent. I was exposed and I thought I would be shot by this woman at any time. So I closed my eyes and my only thinking was about Macau and Venice, who were safe.

As the silence lasted I looked around... Vegas, gun in hand, was standing over Nora's body.

Pete

In my dream, Vegas was coming towards me. He looked so handsome in his white shirt with the sleeves rolled up over his muscular arms. He was smiling at me. He always smiled at others with a mocking or evil, even cruel smile. I was the only one to whom he gave a real laugh, full of joy, confidence, and surrender. And only I knew when he was happy.

Our story was built on this shared trust, on this mutual care for each other.

He was holding Venice by the hand and Macau was walking beside him, the hand on his shoulder. Who was saying that you can't choose your family ? I have chosen all three of them, I have devoted myself to heal the wounds that life has inflicted on them and day after day we have been building our little love nest, this place where only trust and tenderness could be found.

No, I can't abandon them, because they still need me as much as I need them. Shake it up Pete ! Fight back !