One For Three (COMPLETED)

Chapter 96 : race against time

Pete

I wake up abruptly, my mind foggy and my body aching. The first thing I notice is how fast we're going. The car speeds down the roads, and my heart starts beating wildly. Where am I? What's going on?

I turn my head and see Vegas behind the wheel, his face tense and focused. Panic fills me, and I start to fidget, trying to figure out what's going on.

-What are... you doing? Where are we?

My voice, trembling with fear and confusion, calls out to Vegas, who glances quickly at me, realizing my state. He slows the car down and finally pulls over to the side of the road. He turns to me, his eyes filled with a strange combination of determination and worry.

- Pete... calm down...

His voice is softer than I would have expected. Fear and confusion wash over me, and before I know what I'm doing, I'm throwing open the door and rushing out of the car. My legs, still weak and shaking, barely carry me as I try to escape.

I run as fast as I can, but my strength quickly fails me. My lungs burn, and my legs give way beneath me. I fall heavily to the ground, gasping for air. Behind me, I hear Vegas chasing me. His breathing is rapid, his footsteps getting closer.In an instant, he's on top of me. He straddles me, pinning me down. My heart is pounding, and fear overwhelms me.

-Pete, calm down!

I struggle to breathe, tears streaming down my cheeks. Terror paralyzes me, and I can't help but cry, begging with all my might.

-Don't hurt me, Vegas, please, I'm begging you. I don't want to fight. Let me go...

Tears blur my vision, and I feel my strength completely leaving me. Vegas looks at me, his expression changing from anger to something softer, almost sadness. He slightly relaxes his hold on me, his hands still on my shoulders to hold me in place.

-Pete, listen to me. I don't want to hurt you. I want to protect you, save you from my father. I swear I won't hurt you. Trust me, please.

I look at him through my tears, searching for signs of sincerity in his eyes. Part of me wants to believe his words, but the fear is still too present.

-I...I don't want you to take me back to your father...please...

-I won't, baby...I promise...I'm running away from him too...

Vegas strokes my face as he looks around.

-We have to go, Pete. I'm only a few hours ahead of my father. Please baby...I swear we can explain everything that happened later...we'll sort it all out later...we'll do whatever you want, Pete but now we have to go...

I'm shaking with uncertainty, while I feel my heart beating wildly. Having Vegas on me also makes me feel excited but I have to stay focused. Vegas promised he wouldn't hurt him. He also said they'd work it out eventually. A small glimmer of hope is born in me.

-I...it's okay but please don't hurt me.

Vegas nods, a spark of relief in his eyes. He slowly straightens up, letting me breathe a little more freely.

-I promise you, Pete. We'll get through this together but I don't want you to forget what you promised me too.

Vegas gives me a dark look but without being angry. He picks me up and takes me in his arms. I can't walk anymore so he's going to carry me to the car, put me in my passenger seat.

He quickly straps me in and goes to his driver's seat, before contorting himself to get a bag from the back of the car. He gives it to me.

- There's something to eat in there. (I rush to look at what's in it and I eat whatever it is. Vegas looks at me affectionately and speeds up.) You haven't eaten in 4 days, you're starving.