VEGASPETE🔞+HER CRUEL BODYGUARD

Chepter 36

PETE POV

I wiped over my eyes and nodded resolutely. I got ready and drove to the hospital with Mom and Leonas. I didn't dare consider Vegas not making it. He was strong. Nothing could stop him.

Mom took my hand and squeezed. "He did what he was meant to do. I'll forever be grateful for that."

She almost made it sound as if she wouldn't be able to tell him that herself. The closer we got to the hospital, the stronger my fear became. I swallowed, tears springing into my eyes.

Leonas sent me a worried look. "He's going to be fine."

When we arrived in the hospital, we were ushered toward a waiting area where people sat while their loved ones were in surgery. Enzo sat in one of the uncomfortable, baby blue plastic chairs, his arms propped up on his thighs and his head hanging low. Beside him sat a boy I assumed was Vegas's younger brother Macau. he had he arms wrapped around heself and was staring at the door that led toward the operating rooms. I hovered uncertainly in the entry. Mom headed straight for Enzo and sat down beside him, putting her hand on his shoulder. He peered up through bleary eyes. I took a resolute breath and walked toward them, then sank down in the vacant chair beside Macau. he was dressed in the outfit all little child had to wear, a white jeans and black tshirt. he must have been in the final stages before taking he final study. I'd never met he, but from the stories Vegas had shared on occasion he seemed familiar.

he only briefly glanced my way but he eyes were vacant, staring through me. I acted on impulse and took he hand, squeezing it. It felt strange giving a child comfort, but I reminded myself that he was human like me. A piece of a cross peeked out from he other hand.

"I'm sorry," I said quietly.

he finally looked at me. "For what?"

"Vegas is in there because of me, because he wanted to protect me."

"Phi lives for his job, for you." he said the last part almost inaudibly and my heart clenched tightly. What was I doing?

The door swung open and a doctor stepped out. Enzo got up at once and headed for the man. The rest of us followed a few steps behind.

"He's stable. We had to remove his spleen and he suffered internal bleeding. We're monitoring him closely."

I breathed a sigh of relief. Mom gave me a relieved smile.

Enzo and Macau disappeared in the corridor leading to the waking room. I wanted to go with them, wanted to be there when Vegas woke, but nobody knew of our bond, except for Macau perhaps if I hadn't misjudged he cryptic words. Maybe he status as a child had made Vegas comfortable to share our bond with he, though he'd never spoken kindly of he goal to become a normal person.

I wasn't sure what to do now. Mom talked with the doctor quietly, probably making sure that Vegas got the very best treatment possible. The Outfit took care of theirs.

I wanted to see Vegas so badly. I didn't want to leave without seeing him. I couldn't. When Mom was done talking to the doctor, she returned to my side. She squeezed my shoulder. "He'll be fine."

I nodded numbly. I couldn't explain the bad feeling I had.

"Come on, let's go home."

I hesitated. Mom's brows drew together. "There's nothing we can do for him or his family right now. They are at his side. He needs his loved ones, that's the most important thing right now."

I felt sick and guilty. Vegas loved me. I knew it with every fiber of my being. And I loved him, but sometimes love wasn't enough. Sometimes we had to make the hard choice for the good of someone else.