you're the little thing, my saving grace

Chapter 15

"P'Nop, I need help. For old times' sake…"

The man grins and shakes his head:

"You're not asking for yourself, are you? Are you meddling in this family again? I'd like to remind you that you've been away from this family for ten years. And ten years ago, you risked your head for a young jerk who decided to tease his father and sneak out of the mansion. You know what the consequences were. Didn't it seem enough to you then? Didn't it?" 

"Why are you talking about him like that? Isn't Vegas part of the family you work for? Isn't it your responsibility to protect him? He's the heir. One day, you will all be directly subordinate only to him."

"Maybe not anymore."

"What are you talking about?"

"His father's new passion is about to have a baby. They are waiting for a boy. The master is overjoyed. If a healthy kid is really born, I doubt Vegas won't be cut out of the will."

Pete's heart is sinking. Was Vegas really written off so quickly that no one here would lift a finger if he needed help? It may already be required.

"I need a weapon. A good one. Vegas left me something, but I need it more powerful and quieter." Pete decides to speak bluntly. "I won't ask for more. Can you help me?"

"Why do you need this?" Nop sighs boringly. "Have pity on your own kid. What do you care about someone who has already caused so much trouble?"

Pete frowns and repeats his request. Nop spreads his hands and reluctantly nods, throwing in the last:

"These are very serious people. Don't say later that I didn't warn you."

***

Pete tries to breathe inaudibly. Vegas' negotiations with potential partners take place on the territory of a building stuff warehouse, so he has a place to hide. Pete had to remember his youth to sneak in here unnoticed. He listens to every word. At first, everything goes smoothly. People are just talking, listening to each other. But when it comes to the main thing, the other side does not inspire confidence in the idea of tea plantations. The arguments are given: "dubious income", "great risks due to open territory" and so on. Vegas diplomatically tries to convince that "all risks will be justified" and "drug traffic along the river is a much greater risk." A controversy ensues, escalating into a dispute. Everything is complicated by the fact that Vegas is alone, there is not even a guard, and those guys are armed themselves, plus their bodyguards are also fully equipped.

"Your father assured us that he is sending his right hand to negotiate. Well, I can say that this hand is kind of weak," one of the partners says mockingly.

Pete is sure that Vegas is worth a lot of effort to restrain himself. He takes a short pause and answers:

"I'm not just here at my father's behest. On my own initiative."

The other man is grinning with a grin:

"Yes, we know."

Pete's heart sinks. He quietly takes a deep breath and deftly removes the safety catch.

"I have no doubt that you are in control of the situation. But I would ask you not to involve people who are not involved in this case. Especially... one of them, if you know, is a child."