Vegas Pete - A Mafia Romance (Completed)

Chapter 8: Part 1

I was already dressed when Vegas stepped out of the bathroom in nothing but a towel. I sat on the chair in front of my vanity when I saw Vegas. He walked toward the wardrobe and picked out black pants and a white shirt before he dropped his towel without shame. I didn't look away fast enough and was rewarded with his firm backside. I lowered my eyes and busied myself with checking my nails until dared to face the mirror again. Vegas buttoned his shirt, except for the upper two. He strapped a knife to his forearm and rolled the sleeve over it, then put a gun holster around his calf. I turned around. "Do you ever go anywhere without guns?" No chest holster today because it couldn't be hidden well with only a white shirt. "Not if I can avoid it." He considered me.

He waited for me at the door and I approached him uncertainly. His words from the bathroom still rang in my ears. Writhe in pleasure. I wasn't sure I was even close to being relaxed enough around him for anything coming close to pleasure. Tay was right. I couldn't allow myself to trust him that easily. He could be manipulating me. He rested his hand on my lower back as we walked out. When we reached the top of the stairs, I could already hear conversation and a few scattered guests were talking in small groups in the huge entrance hall. I froze. "Are they all waiting to see a bloody sheet?" I whispered, appalled. Vegas peered down at me, smirking. "Many of them. Some might hope for dirty details, others might hope to talk about business, ask a favor, get on my good side." He gently pressed me forward and we walked down the steps. Nop was waiting at the foot of the stairs, his brown hair in disarray. He tilted his head toward Vegas, then gave me a brief smile. "How are you?" he asked me, then grimaced, the tips of his ears actually turning red. Vegas chuckled. 

I didn't know any of the other men in the hall, but they all gave Vegas winks or broad grins. Embarrassment crept up my neck. I knew what they were all thinking, could practically feel them undressing me with their eyes. I shifted closer to Vegas and he curled his fingers around my waist. "Macau and the rest of your family are in the dining room." "Poring over the sheets?" "As if they could read them like tea leaves," Nop confirmed, then gave me an apologetic look. He didn't seem to suspect anything. "Come," Vegas said, nudging me toward the double doors. The moment we stepped into the dining room, every pair of eyes was on us. The women of the family were gathered on one side of the room, divided into small clusters, while the men were sitting around the long dining table, which was piled with Ciabatta, grapes, ham, mortadella, cheese, fruit platters, and biscotti. I realized I was actually quite hungry. It was already almost lunch time. Macau snuck up beside Vegas and me, an espresso in his hand. "You look like shit," Vegas said. Macau nodded. "My tenth espresso and I'm still not awake. Drank too much last night." "You were trashed," Vegas said. "I'd have had your tongue cut out for some of the things you said to Pete if you weren't my brother." Macau grinned at me. "I hope Vegas didn't do half of the things I suggested." 

I wasn't sure what to say to that. Macau still made me nervous. He exchanged a look with Vegas, who ran a thumb over my side, making me jump. "Quite a work of art you presented us," Macau said with a nod toward the back of the room where the sheets were draped over a kind of coat rack for better display. I tensed. What did he mean? But Vegas didn't look worried, instead he shook his head. Father rose when we arrived at the table and wrapped me in his arms. I was surprised by this open display of affection. He touched the back of my head and whispered, "I'm proud of you." I gave him a forced smile when we pulled apart. Proud for what? For losing my virginity? For spreading my legs? Kan put a hand on my and Vegas's shoulders, and gave us a smile. "I hope we can expect small Theerapanyakul soon." I managed not to let my shock show. Hadn't Vegas mentioned that I was on birth control? "I want to enjoy Pete alone for a long while. And with the Bratva closing in, I wouldn't want to have children to worry over," Vegas said tightly.