BAD LIAR - VEGASPETE ( ENGLISH VERSION)

#6 Unexpected Ties

VEGAS POV

I watched as Pete opened the box, revealing its intriguing contents. His eyes widened at the carefully stacked amount inside. It was a classic move - a distraction for what lay beneath. Upon discovering the small black notebook, I couldn't help but smile, anticipating his reaction to the revelations contained within.

"Well, well, Pete. Stumbled upon a little treasure, didn't you?" I remarked, my tone dripping with a touch of sarcasm. Pete shot me a look, a mix of confusion and irritation. He was about to uncover a reality far removed from the one he knew.

As he flipped through the names in the notebook - Vegas, Macau, Venice - I could almost see the gears turning in his mind. Realization struck him, but it was clear he had more questions than answers.

"Surprise, surprise," I continued, crossing my arms. "Your dear ex wasn't just managing a nightclub; he was working as an assassin. Quite a career change, don't you think?"

Pete's expression shifted from shock to disbelief. The world he thought he knew was unraveling before him, and I was there to witness it all.

"Zach had a mission, Pete," I explained, my sarcasm giving way to a more serious tone. "His job was to eliminate me, my brother Macau, and even little Venice. It's a dangerous game we play, and your ex ended up being a pawn in it.

I could see the struggle in Pete's eyes - trying to reconcile the person he thought he knew with the deadly reality of Zack's secret life.

"Were you the target, Vegas?" Pete asked, his voice a mix of disbelief and concern.

I nodded, an ironic smile playing on my lips. "Bingo. And not just me. The lives of those connected to me were at stake, including an innocent child. The money? Just a part of the payment for our lives.

Pete's gaze sharpened, and he began to understand the complexities of the hidden world he had inadvertently entered.

"Now you're a part of this, Pete," I said, my tone more sincere. "Your safety is linked to ours. I can't reveal all the secrets now, but when you're ready, we'll navigate through this together. Welcome to the world beyond the bright facade of the nightclub."

With these words, I left Pete to grapple with the revelations, knowing that sarcasm could only provide a thin veil over the dangerous truths he now had to face.

In the days that followed, Pete was like a fish out of water, struggling to adapt to the new reality he had stumbled into. The room became his sanctuary, and he seemed to find solace within its walls, as if the outside world held too many uncertainties. I didn't blame him; the revelations were overwhelming, and adjusting to this clandestine life wasn't something that happened overnight.

I observed him closely, from the way he meticulously went through the contents of the black notebook to the moments of introspection when he gazed into the horizon, lost in thought. It was evident that he was grappling with the enormity of the situation, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy.

One night, unable to resist the call of the room any longer, Pete emerged. The dimly lit hallway served as a stark contrast to the shadows of the room, but Pete's determination seemed to outweigh his apprehensions. He cast a fleeting glance around, as if seeking reassurance, before venturing out.

"Decided to grace us with your presence, Pete?" I teased, sarcasm returning to my voice. Pete shot me a half-angry look, acknowledging the attempt at humor.

He headed to the living room, where little Venice was in the arms of his nanny. The baby's cries had become a familiar sound in the house, a poignant reminder of the fragility of the life we were involved in.