"Vegas, Macau, Pete," Dante said in his emotionless voice. "Tay." I jumped in surprise. I'd figured he'd pretend I was beneath a greeting like my father had done. "Sir," I said, bowing my head slightly. I hated doing it but I knew what was good for me. "You realize that what you did was betrayal?" Dante asked. I wasn't sure what to say. If I agreed I'd be screwed, and if I didn't I'd infuriate the man who could decide to have me killed. "Tay is my fiancée, and if he hadn't run he'd be my husband by now. I think it should fall upon my brother as Capo of Bangkok to determine if he deserves punishment." My eyes flew from Macau to Vegas whose hard eyes sent another shiver down my back. "That's ridiculous," Father muttered. Dante didn't look offended though. "I take it you still want to go through with the wedding?" "Yes," Macau said without hesitation. Nobody bothered to ask what I wanted of course, but I knew better than to open my mouth. Not when things could end really badly for me. Dante gestured Father closer and they talked quietly for a moment. Father didn't look pleased in the least. "I won't make this an official Outfit matter. I won't stop you from going through with the wedding. If you don't, however, I won't have a choice but to punish you," Dante said to me. He nodded toward Macau before turning to my father once again.
"I'll hand this over to you since Tay is your family, and I hope at the end of this day there'll be an agreement that allows us to work together peacefully." With that he stepped back and motioned for Father to take over. "Can you really afford to welcome someone like Tay to Bangkok? As a new Capo your people expect you to protect traditions and treat traitors without mercy," Father said to Vegas. "My men accept my decisions," Vegas said, but there was a hint of warning in his voice. "Whatever that decision will be." Suddenly I wondered if Vegas would really burden himself with me. It wasn't like I wanted to become part of this, but if the choice was between staying in my father's territory and living in Bangkok with Pete, then I knew what I'd choose. Looking like he was on the verge of pulling his knives, Macau walked over to Vegas to discuss something quietly and Pete used the moment to join me. I gave him a grateful smile. "My brother will take your son off your hands, despite his transgressions. I think that's a very generous offer on our part. You should be glad that you don't have to look for a new husband for him." Father scoffed. "As if I'd find someone. I wouldn't waste my precious time like that." My blood was boiling, not only because of Father's words, but Vegas's offer didn't sit well with me either.
They acted like I was a piece of scum. Listening to them made me realize I had been right to run. This world was majorly messed up. "So what do you say?" Vegas asked, lips tight. Father glanced at his boss but Dante seemed intent to stay out of it. He looked like he couldn't care less about the result. "I hope you don't intend to have a wedding celebration. I want this matter to be dealt with as quietly as possible. He has caused me and the Outfit enough embarrassment already. I won't give him a chance to shame us further," Father said eventually. I gritted my teeth so hard I was surprised my jaw didn't snap. Macau shook his head. "I don't need a wedding party." A laugh tickled the back of my throat but I swallowed it. Macau shot me a look as if he wanted to see if I found him as funny as he obviously found himself. Everything he did was calculated. That was something I could never forget. Macau masked his deadliness with humor and smiles, but I wouldn't let that fool me. Not now, not ever, especially not when it was obvious he thought he was being generous by taking me back. Pete's grip on my wrist was steely as if he still didn't trust me not to viciously attack our father. "There will be a church service as is tradition," Vegas said.
"There's no need for guests beyond the closest family." "Tradition," Father huffed. "Tay spat on our traditions. The presentation of the sheets your Familia is so adamant about will have to be cancelled. And a white dress is out of the question too. I won't have him make a mockery out of our values." Vegas nodded. "That's reasonable." Pete gave his husband an incredulous look, but I wasn't surprised that I wouldn't be allowed to dress in white. As if I gave a damn. For all I cared I would marry naked. I didn't want any of this. And I didn't give a fuck about their stupid traditions. They acted like they were doing me a favor, as if I was a criminal on death row who was handed a pardon on a silver platter. I'd done nothing wrong, nothing compared to what each of the men in this room had done. "He's probably let every man in Europe have him, and you still want him?" Father asked again. I knew he was doing it to shame me and hurt me, and I hated it that he wasn't entirely unsuccessful. I stared at the man who was my father, and felt nothing. I'd always known he didn't like me much, but I'd never realized how much he despised me. I sunk my nails into the soft flesh of my palms. Macau stood tall with that twisted smile on his face. "I hunted him for six months. If I didn't want him, do you really think I would have wasted so much time on him? I've got better things to do." If I heard that one more time, I'd completely lose it.
"I thought you were looking for revenge, but my men told me you didn't lay a finger on him." Father directed a hard look at me. "Then again, you probably didn't want to get your hands dirty. I don't think a simple shower is going to wash my son clean again." Pete gripped my wrist even tighter, and I halted. I hadn't even realized I'd taken a step toward our father to do...I wasn't even sure what I would have done. Hit him? Maybe. His words and expression made me actually feel dirty, and I hated that he had that power over me. At the same time I'd have rather thrown myself off the roof of this house than admitted that I hadn't slept with any guy while I was on the run. That was a secret I'd protect with all my might. "Who says I'm not still out for revenge?" Macau asked in a dangerous voice. His dark eyes met mine. The bastard. So the concerned looks in the car had been all for show? He knew I didn't want to marry him. He knew this was a punishment for me. Who knew what else he had in mind for me once I was in his clutches? "I won't marry anyone," I snapped. "This is my life." Father looked livid as he stomped toward me and slapped me hard across the face. My ears rang and the taste of copper filled my mouth. A long time and many slaps ago, I would have cried. "You will do as I say. You soiled our name and my honor enough as it is. I won't tolerate your insolence a day longer," he growled, face bright red.
"What if I don't?" My wrist was almost numb from Pete's crushing grip. He'd managed to position himself halfway between Father and me, despite Vegas's obvious disapproval but he was busy holding Macau's shirt in an iron grip. I tried to tug Pete back but never took my eyes off Father. Pete was still trying to protect me but this was a battle he couldn't fight for me. Father's hand was still raised, ready to hit me again. What would he do if I hit him back? I wished I were brave enough to find out. "For your betrayal nobody would blink an eye if I gave you to one of the Outfit's sex clubs, so we can make use out of your promiscuity." Despite my best intentions, shock widened my eyes. Dante frowned but I wasn't sure if that was a good sign or not. Macau's eyes were burning with so much hatred that the hairs in the back of my neck rose. Vegas was still gripping his shoulder, stopping him from what? I wasn't really sure. "That won't happen. Tay will become my husband. Today," Macau said. "What? I--" I blurted but Father's slap silenced me again. It was harder than before and his ring caught my lower lip. Pain burst through my face and warm liquid trickled down my chin. "That's enough," Pete said, and suddenly Vegas was pulling him back and Macau was gripping my arm tightly and leading me out of the room and down the hall toward the bathroom. I wasn't sure if it was the shock of what had happened or the speed in which Macau dragged me away, but I didn't fight him, only stumbled along, not even bothering to stop blood from dripping onto my shirt from my split lip. Macau shoved me into the bathroom, then entered after me and locked the door. I stared at my image in the mirror.
YOU ARE READING
Vegas Pete - A Mafia Romance (Completed)
Romance"You may kiss the groom," the priest said. I raised my head. Every pair of eyes in the pavilion scrutinized me, waiting for a flicker of weakness. Father would be furious if I let my terror show, and Vegas's Familia would use it against us. But I ha...
