Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The meeting spot for Pete and Game was one of the restaurants on neutral ground. Pete walked inside, met by the smell of delicious foods, his guards flanking him. He had Beam and another guard right with him, the others spreading out in the area, and two by the main entrance. Game was already seated in one of the booths, two drinks in front of him. Pete did not like that, he had not seen the drink being ordered or made, so he did not trust it. Pete smiled brightly at Game though and sat down, shaking hands with the man, glimpsing the king of hearts tattoo on Game’s hand which symbolised his gang.

“Khun Pete, what a pleasant sight,” Game purred at him. He was handsomely built, a bit on the older side, but his eyes were deceptively kind. Pete didn’t trust it.

“Khun Game,” Pete said respectfully. “Always a pleasure.”

“So polite you are,” Game smirked. “Cute.” Pete forced the smile to stay on his face. Game continued talking. “I bought you a drink, a Pink Panther, for a sweetheart such as yourself.” Pete shook his head apologetically.

“I’m sorry, but I will have to decline. I will be driving my brother-in-law later,” Pete excused himself. Game’s own smirk faltered, but he quickly pulled it back up.

“Surely the bodyguards can drive him?”

“I’m afraid I promised,” Pete countered, not entirely true. He did promise to go with Macau, but he hadn’t promised to drive. Game looked thoughtful, and Pete thought he would call him out, but the man nodded in assent.

“I see,” he pulled the drink a bit closer to himself. “Smart man you are, not drinking and driving. And a beauty too.”

“Khun Game,” Pete breezed over the comment. “Do you have any more inquiries before we sign the contract?” Game’s smirk turned into something teasing.

“So eager to leave?” He said, but there was a dangerous undercurrent in his tone.

“Oh of course not,” Pete refuted. He would have to tread carefully. “You are wonderful company, and this deal with you is very important to the minor family, we appreciate your time,” he smiled innocently, hoping Game would buy it. Game hummed.

“Really, tell me all about how you appreciate my time,” he drawled, leaning forward over the table. Pete kept his smile, leaning in as well, before he spoke softly.

“You are very kind and handsome, it is always a pleasure to discuss business with you.” Game smiled widely at that.

“Likewise,” he nodded, looking pleased. “Then let’s discuss.”

What followed was, yet again, an unnecessarily long conversation about matters they had already straightened out. But Pete persevered. He was nothing if not patient, his many years under Tankhun had made sure of that. He saw Beam looking bored out of his mind though, having attended all of the previous meetings with this gang as well. Pete wanted to laugh at the other but refrained. At some point Game ran out of questions and Pete finally pulled up the contract. Game took the pen he offered by unnecessarily grabbing his whole hand but Pete let it be. With a flourish, the older man finally signed it. Pete wanted to jump with joy but, yet again, refrained.

“Seems like we’re done,” Pete said, looking over the signed papers. Game hummed.

“Seems so,” he agreed. “And I may not tempt you with a drink?”

“No thank you,” Pete said, keeping his voice soft. “I promised my brother-in-law,” he smiled. Game nodded, smile a bit sharp around the edges, which made Pete wary. He stood to leave, holding out a hand for Game to shake. The older man stood as well and grabbed his hand, hard, and pulled him close all of a sudden. Pete noticed Beam’s hand going for his gun, but Pete remained calm as a hand settled on the back of his neck.

“Pleasure doing business with you,” Game whispered in his ear. Pete forced a laugh.

“Likewise,” he said, not struggling in the grip, he figured it would not be appreciated. Eventually, Game released him, smirking. Pete nodded his head slightly and then turned to walk out, Beam right by his side.

~

“What was that about?” Beam said when they were in the van, he still looked on guard.

“Not sure,” Pete hummed, thinking over the interaction. “Maybe he just wanted to stake some imaginary claim,” he pondered. Beam looked unconvinced. Pete had a bad feeling about it all of a sudden.

“Beam, will you check my neck for me?” He asked abruptly, turning in his seat slightly.

“Your neck…?” Beam muttered, but did as he was told. Pete knew he was right when he heard a little gasp from behind him.

“What?” Pete inquired. Beam plucked something from inside his collar and Pete turned around to look at it. It was a circular, tiny device, that had been stuck to his neck by Game. “Tracker. Bastard.”

Beam quickly crushed the tiny thing between his fingers and rolled down a window to dispose of it.

“Why would he?” Pete wondered aloud, confused. What was Game’s goal here? Beam looked at him like he was crazy. He got that a lot, unsurprisingly.

“How did you even- never mind,” Beam sighed. “Khun Pete, should I report to khun Vegas immediately?”

“No,” Pete said, “I’ll tell him tonight, I’m taking Macau to the mall first. Vegas’ll just worry.” Beam looked unsure but listened to his orders.

They got back to the minor family mansion within 20 minutes and Pete walked inside swiftly, locating Macau in the kitchen, on his phone. Vegas was nowhere to be found, but it wasn’t impossible that Pete wouldn’t see him, it was a big property after all, and Pete knew he had meetings all afternoon. Pete cleared his throat pointedly.

“P’Pete!” Macau jumped up, looking delighted to see him, which warmed Pete’s heart. The other was wearing tight black jeans and a white t-shirt, a long necklace around his neck. He looked so similar to Vegas.

“Are you ready to go?” Pete asked, smiling genuinely at the younger boy. Macau nodded vehemently, grabbing his varsity jacket from the back of his chair before bounding over. He slung an arm around Pete’s shoulders.

“This is gonna be so good, P’. I’ve been waiting months for these!” Pete grinned, because yes, he knew that. Macau continued chattering as they made their way to the garage, this time taking only Beam and Macau’s head guard, Decha. They picked out a nondescript car and Pete insisted he’d drive. It felt less like lying to Game then, and just in case someone was double checking on him, which now seemed very likely. Macau sat in the front, messing with the music. Eventually it landed on a channel playing one of Kim’s songs. Pete snickered when Macau let it play, the boy shot him a nasty glare.

“Shut up P’.” He protested, crossing his arms over his chest defensively. Pete threw a grin at him.

“Admit it, you like your cousin’s music,” Pete pressed. Macau gasped in offense.

“Never. I hate it. I’m hate-listening!”

“So you didn’t cry when Chay played you the song Kim made for him?” Pete said innocently, being rewarded by Macau’s mouth falling open in shock.

“We promised to never speak of that! That traitor!” He growled. Pete laughed loudly, then he mellowed slightly at Macau’s miffed out look.

“It’s okay to cry you know, I almost cried at that song too,” Pete assured him. Macau shook his head slightly, not saying anything. Pete knew he was thinking about his dad, and Pete could imagine what Kan had thought about men crying. Pete decided to pull out the big guns. “You know, your brother thinks it’s okay too.” Macau looked over with suspicious eyes at that.

“Really?” He said, voice drawling slightly.

“You’ve seen him cry,” Pete protested. Macau shrugged uncomfortably.

“Yeah, but only like once or twice. And not over a silly song,” Macau mumbled. Pete smiled a little to himself.

“If you felt so many emotions about it, that means it’s important. Not just a silly song,” Pete stated. Macau looked at him, still not entirely convinced, but nodding a bit to himself.

And for Pete, that was enough for now.

~

The mall seemed relatively calm when they arrived, which made everything much simpler. No long lines, no difficult scenarios where the bodyguards would lose sight of them and much easier to keep track of their surroundings. Pete preferred if that way. He walked together with Macau toward the store, only stopping when his phone started ringing. He plucked it from his back pocket, a little smile on his face when he saw the name, and then he accepted the call.

“Hello.”

“Pete, where are you?” Vegas sounded almost petulant over the phone, though there was a hint of worry in his voice. Pete knew it couldn’t have been too much though, the other bodyguards should have reported back that the meeting went well already (omitting the tiny detail about the tracker he’d found).

“At the mall with Macau,” Pete said, the boy looking over at his name.

“Is it hia?” Macau hissed at him. Pete nodded.

“The mall?” Vegas sounded miffed. “And my dear brother didn’t invite me along?” Pete smirked all of a sudden, which had Macau looking at him suspiciously.

“Maybe I’m his favourite,” Pete sniffed, laughing at the panicked face Macau made at that. Vegas scoffed on the other side of the line when Macau wrestled the phone out of Pete’s hands.

“Hia!” Macau exclaimed loudly into the device, looking embarrassed at himself, so he continued with a slightly lower volume. “I figured you were busy so I asked p’Pete!”

“Hmm,” Vegas vaguely hummed, which Pete knew meant he was indeed busy, but wanted to pout about the situation. “I guess if I’m not the favourite anymore I’ll just throw out all the games I got you.” Macau looked scandalised.

“Hia!” He protested, sputtering.

“And I’ll stop cooking your food. And watching your movies. And-“

Macau quickly thrust the phone back at Pete.

“Fix him!” he hissed. Pete laughed loudly, shaking his head before lifting the phone up to his ear.

“Stop pouting Vegas,” he said, knowing he was gonna pay for that comment tonight and already looking forward to it, “we knew you were busy.” Vegas huffed moodily. “Anyway, we’re going to an opening gala tonight.”

“Oh?” Vegas voice was teasing, and in that delicious way that made a shiver race up Pete’s spine. “We are, are we now?” Pete swallowed his arousal.

“Yes. Tay invited us,” Pete said pointedly, not rising to the bait. Vegas chuckled, the sound warm and fond, which made Pete’s heart beat faster.

“Okay okay,” Vegas agreed. “We’ll go.”

“Great, see you later,” Pete said with a smile playing on his lips.

“See you,” Vegas said and then they hung up. Macau fake-gagged at the smile on Pete’s face, grimacing unattractively at him. Pete huffed and knocked their shoulders together.

“Come on, let’s go get those shoes and go home before your brother has a conniption,” Pete said mildly. Macau shuddered but nodded. They finally reached the store and Pete’s heart jumped a little because the store was absolutely crowded. Every mall goer must have converged in this very spot. Macau looked very excited though so Pete didn’t say anything. He did exchange wary glances with Beam and Decha though, conveying to them to be on guard. Macau swiftly grabbed his forearm to drag him toward the new release. Pete grabbed onto his hand even after Macau let his arm go, not wanting to lose track of the other boy for even a second. His instincts were flaring and that usually meant something was very wrong. Macau looked back at him, questioning, and seemed to see it on his face because he was swift in grabbing two pairs of the shoes and heading toward the register.

“Why two pairs?” Pete questioned, intrigued by the choice. Macau smirked at him.

“One for my in-law of course,” he said cheerily, squeezing Pete’s hand. Pete huffed a laugh. He wasn’t big on sneakers but Macau was adamant on contributing to his style journey. “Imagine hia’s face when he sees us with matching shoes!” There was a shit-eating grin on his face and Pete was reminded of Macau’s young age, and how much he liked teasing Vegas. He rolled his eyes but did imagine it and found the image funny. He knew Vegas would tip between being endeared they were getting along - or being jealous, over either Pete matching with Macau and not him or Macau being his younger brother not Pete’s. It would be quite funny indeed.

Macau only let go of his hand to pay for the shoes and then they were off, hands held tightly again. Pete led the way as they weaved through the mall to get outside. They were almost there, Beam and Decha were following them closely, and Pete kept glancing around them, on his guard. And thus, Pete was the first one to notice the gun.

“Macau!” He urged and pulled the boy toward him. But there was no need, the masked man with the gun aimed clearly at Decha and shot him right in the chest before taking off. Macau let out a distressed sound and Pete quickly pulled him even closer. There was no need to follow the man, it was obviously a trap. People around them were quick to scatter, screaming in terror. Beam was leaning over Decha who was collapsed on the floor, speaking urgently into his earpiece. Decha was still alive, but Pete didn’t know for how long. He found he couldn’t really care though. Macau was right here. He needed to get him to safety.

“Beam,” he barked. “We need to leave.” Beam looked up and nodded, speaking into the earpiece quietly before standing properly, giving Decha one last look before pulling up on Macau’s other side, so he was protected.

“But Decha-“ Macau started protesting as they started to leave.

“Backup is on its way khun Macau, don’t worry,” Beam was quick to assure him and then Pete forcibly pulled Macau along, the boy finally going with it. Pete pulled out his gun from his waistband, holding it in one hand and Macau with the other. If this was an organised attempt they were severely outnumbered and needed to get back to the (bulletproof) car as soon as possible.

“If more come, run for the car,” Pete told Macau sternly, hoping it wouldn’t come to that. The boy nodded, determined. “Don’t look back, get to the compound and stay safe okay?” Macau nodded again. “And if the compound is suspicious in any way, head for the main family.” Macau nodded yet again, with finality. Pete felt pride swell in his chest. Sometimes he forgot Macau was born and raised in this world.

Pete’s hopes had been in vain. As soon as they stepped into the parking lot, five cars pulled in, unloading several men with guns. Beam raised his gun and started firing, Pete doing the same, as they dove behind a parked car. Return fire was quick to come, pinging off the other side of the car and shattering the side mirror by Beam’s head. The gunfire continued to rain over them. Anyone who tried to get close to them got a clean shot to the head by either Pete or Beam. Macau was ducked down, trying to avoid any stray bullets. Eventually it stopped. Pete peered over the side of the car and saw a few of the men abandoning their big guns and disappearing. He noticed them heading for a back alley and figured they would try and run up on them from the other side.

“We need to move,” he said with urgency.

“How, P’?” Macau protested. Pete looked over at Beam but he deferred to Pete. Technically Pete was the one with most experience in the situation so he figured that was smart.

“Right,” Pete nodded, it had been a while since he did this but he tried to channel his bodyguard persona. “Head for the alley over there,” he nodded at the indicated street, which was in front of them, the route there still protected by cars. “The men heading up there were few and they dropped their big guns so it will be easier to fight through them. Beam, try and return fire if the ones behind us start shooting.” Pete said, Beam nodded, and Pete hauled Macau up into a crouched run. Bullets immediately started raining again but they kept low and kept behind the parked cars. Beam returned it as best as he could while running. Pete heard a pained grunt and glanced to see his head bodyguard had been clipped in the shoulder. Pete pushed on faster and they reached the alleyway quickly. The bullets stopped. Pete stopped as well and observed as Beam ripped off the bottom of his shirt to tie his wound. He also saw Macau picking up a broken lead pipe.

“What?” Macau said at his questioning gaze. “I need a weapon too.” Pete sighed but conceded that it would be a good idea.

“Okay let’s hurry,” he urged them onward. It didn’t take long before they were met by the men who had left the parking lot to box them in. Pete immediately fired off two shots, bringing down two of them. Beam was holding his own, even with an injured arm, and Macau stayed behind Pete for the time being. Their enemies were firing back enthusiastically but seemed to aim more for Beam and not Pete or Macau. Pete had to assume they wanted them alive. But why? The men were all wearing masks and dark clothing, but Pete spotted a tattoo on one of their hands. A playing card, the king of hearts. It was the symbol for Game’s gang. Pete instantly felt his mood souring. That bastard really turned on them like this, huh? He fired off the last of his round and instantly the men started advancing on them. Beam also quickly ran out of bullets and they had to resort to hand on hand fighting. Pete picked two of the five guys left and saw the rest heading for Beam. Pete punched one of them straight up the nose and heard a satisfying crack. The other, he kicked in the stomach. He noted Macau coming up behind him and slamming the pipe over one of the other men’s heads, knocking him unconscious, which made pride bloom in Pete’s chest.

He kept fighting but faltered when one of them whipped out a baton and swung for his knee. He fell down on the ground, hitting the pavement roughly with his legs, a pained grunt escaping him. Macau was there in a flash, beating at the two guys with his pipe. Pete glanced over to see Beam had been subdued, knocked out as it looked from his head wound. Two of the men he’d been fighting were dead but the last one stomped over to help his two buddies who were fighting Macau. Pete quickly got to his feet and grabbed the man in a punishing chokehold. A gun cocking had his attention in a second though, and he whipped his head up to see Macau kneeling on the ground with a gun pointed at his head, which was bleeding. It reminded Pete of the day he’d been pushed into the koi pond. Pete’s grip on the man in his chokehold tightened.

“Let him go!” The man holding a gun to Macau’s head demanded. Pete scowled at him but one look at Macau’s glossy eyes made him slowly let go. The man gasped desperately for air and scrambled away from him. Pete was trying to figure out a way for them to get out of this when he heard footsteps rushing over. And it was just their luck that the people arriving were not their backup, but more goons from Game’s gang, the ones who had been shooting at them in the parking lot.

“Drop to your knees,” one of the newly arrived men demanded and pointed his gun at Pete’s head. There were several pointed at his head actually. Pete reluctantly got down on his knees. Even if he’d clocked that they didn’t want to kill them, that didn’t stop any maiming or injuring and he didn’t want to risk Macau. “You’re coming with us.” The same man spoke as he approached Pete. The man had a nasty grin on his face, enhanced by his ugly moustache. Pete kept calm outwardly, but inside he was panicking a little bit. There was no way for him to get both of them out of this safely. Maybe he could get Macau free. But one look at the boy and his head wound had him second guessing. Macau was listing to one side, looking disoriented. He might not be able to run for it.

The man was finally upon him, pulling out handcuffs as his accomplices kept pointing their guns at him. Pete roughly bit his bottom lip, but ultimately decided it wasn’t worth it to resist at this point. Within two minutes they were both cuffed and dragged toward the parking lot where your typical white kidnapping van was waiting. Pete rolled his eyes at that. Him and Macau were pushed inside, three of the goons following them and pulling the door closed. Then they started moving.