you're the little thing, my saving grace

Chapter 9

Vegas has a little less than two weeks to try to convince Pete. During the next day, he tries not to bother him, but in the evening, when Pete is alone in the cafe again, he appears there.

"Didn't you leave?" Pete just glances at him, wiping the parts of the coffee machine behind the bar.

"As you can see," Vegas shifts from one foot to the other, not daring to sit down at any table. "I'm expected in two weeks. Well, or so."

"You don't have to come here. I won't change my mind. You can tell Khun Kan it. You will not trade death with my tacit consent here."

Vegas leans sideways against the bar, delicately brushing his long bangs off his forehead with a flick of his wrist. He has almost the same haircut as when he was fifteen. It doesn't escape him that Pete is furtively watching him. Grinning, Vegas still makes his handsome face serious:

"I understand that. But what should I do, Pete? I can't let them hurt you and... your loved ones."

"And what can you do, Vegas, you're your father's son," Pete picks up a box with some dishes in his hands and heads to the back room, throwing over his shoulder, "Can you hold the door? Since you've come."

Vegas rushes to help him, opening the door and flipping the switch.

Pete places the box on one of the lower shelves, then squints suspiciously at Vegas, who is still watching him from the doorway:

"Listen, Vegas. Please don't waste your time. Take a break, now that you have the opportunity. There is hardly any decent entertainment for you here - there is one small shopping mall with a cinema, but there is a place to go in Chiang Rai. And there's nothing for you to do here. Go away, Vegas. I can protect my family on my own."

Vegas just shakes his head, to which Pete stubbornly sighs and waves it away.

"By the way, are you staying at the local hotel?"

Vegas nods and takes a couple of steps inside while Pete searches for something on the shelves.

"Huh, I can imagine what a downshifting it is for someone who is used to the luxury of five-star penthouses."

"You shouldn't do that. I like it there, everything is simple and cozy. And the staff is very nice, without any ingratiating hypocrisy."

Pete raises his eyebrows and purses his lips, obviously not really believing Vegas' words.

Straightening up, he is about to leave the back room, but Vegas stands in his way:

"Will you let me pass, maybe?"

Vegas nods and gives way, heading for the exit himself. But at this moment, some kind of crackling is heard from the cafe hall. Pete grabs Vegas in an instant and, pinning him against the wall, covers him from possible danger, managing to reach the switch and turn off the light.

They both freeze for a few seconds. Only the beating of their hearts and their breathing can be heard. Pete holds Vegas tightly by the forearms, his chest is pressed into the guy's chest. They're almost the same height now, so their faces are on the same level. Vegas is the first to recover:

"That's a reaction. You really haven't lost your bodyguard skills. Or to protect me - at the level of your instincts?"

Pete flushes at his words; although his blushing is not visible in the dark, Vegas can feel it in the heat that creeps over his skin. Loosening his grip on Vegas's arms, he wants to let go, but Vegas slides his hands over his chest, and then grabs his waist and changes position with him, so now he's pinning Pete against the wall, covering him with his body.