You are mine

Pete's POV

"Humm, it really smells good, Pete." Khun Sanya smells the scent of the herbs on my neck and comments still a little in disbelief "...but If I were an insect, I'd be attracted to this scent, not the opposite. I would bite you! Maybe it is your natural scent" He smiles kindly to me.

"My natural scent?" I sniff his neck. "No! It's the same smell! Those herbs are really fragrant. You can trust me, Sanya." I turned him to scrub the herbs on his back. "...with these herbs, you won't be bitten by insects."

"Whatever you say, I'll do it! I don't want to be sucked in by any bugs. Let me help you with your back."

I turn around, and Khun Sanya helps me by scrubbing the herbs on my back.

Khun Sanya starts to laugh.

"What is it?"

"I'm sorry, Pete. But I'm just imagining something funny."

"Which is?"

"What would Nong Vegas think if he saw me scrubbing your back...we both bathing together in the moonlight..."

"Vegas? Uh...I'm sure everything would be fine."

I'm lying. Vegas wouldn't bother thinking about a reason. He would just shoot you...and probably I would be punished the whole night...in chains.

"Are you sure? He shot your friend point blank in my hotel over a misunderstanding."

Good point.

"Ow...that...?! Vegas understood he acted on impulse based on nothing."

"And I bet he didn't regret it...good thing he's not seeing us now."

I felt relieved about that too.

Come to think of it...if it was Vegas and Nong Yim, or any other person, I would also shoot first and ask questions later.

"SPLASH"

"Hey!"

"I bet you're thinking too much." Khun Sanya splashes water in me.

I counterattack, obviously. Two kids playing in the water. He is a good-humored guy. Who would guess it? It makes me laugh.

"Khun Sanya, let's go. We've been exposed here for a long time."

"Okay, you're right. Let's go then."

...

We were trying to find the spot where we had planned to sleep. It was dark and we took the wrong path. I managed to make a small torch but it would go out soon.

I go ahead. Sanya right behind.

"You know, Pete...I was kidnapped, but I feel so free by your side. Funny, isn't it? I've never done these things before. I feel like some parts of my youth have been stolen."

"You remind me of Vegas ...maybe Tankhun. Rich life, dull childhood."

"Ow! Truth hurts!" He placed his hand over his heart, pretending to feel pain.

"I'm sorry...haha"

"That must be why they cherish your company so much."

"Why?"

"You bring them joy they never had."

"Mhmm...I suppose so..."

"Even..."

"Even?!"

"...at your own expenses"

He got me.

"Ow! Truth hurts indeed!" I place my hand over my heart too.

"If you think about it...they both try to imprison you in their own way..."

"..."

"But I don't judge them. Maybe in their place I would do the same."

Awkward. Please don't fall for me! I'm not interested!

"Don't get me wrong, Pete...I just want to say that I cherish your company in this adverse situation...

Does he read minds? Phew...good.

"I've told you. I'll keep us alive" I turn my neck to look at him quickly and smile. Then I turn my head back. "Ow...what's that?" Something calls my attention.

I position the torch further forward. Khun follows behind me.

"What's wrong, Pete?"

"Holy Shit!!" I take a step back, startled, bumping into Khun Sanya.

"What??...Ow..."

"We must get out of here."

...

After finding our way back, we went behind the rocks to sleep.

"Are you okay, Pete?"

"Yep...sleep on top of those branches and leaves, Sanya. Rest your leg. I will keep watch."

"No, you need to rest too. Lie down for a while. There's room for both of us. It's no use getting tired. We have to recover energy first. As you said before, they won't come looking for us at night. In broad daylight we will need to be more careful.

"...you are right."

I sit next to Khun Sanya. I'm still stunned by what I saw on the way.

"Your wound...let me take a look. Is it healing well?" Sanya looks carefully at my wound. Our eyes meet. I feel embarrassed. He is too kind.

"I'm okay...thanks" I avert my gaze and sit on the makeshift bed.

Then we both lay on the bed of green leaves, looking up at the starry sky.

I sweep away awkwardness and start to think of everyone I love...Vegas...Macau...Venice, my little baby, is nanny Jenny taking good care of you?! What about my other son? Khun Noo must be freaking out...I need to get back home...

"Pete? Are you sleeping yet?"

"No..." I try to think of a subject "Sanya... who do you think tried to kidnap you? I don't understand. Mr. Park completed the transaction..."

"The deal was genuine. But he is just an intermediary. The final buyer is not him. Buyers rarely reveal themselves directly. I don't think it was an end-buyer plan."

"It may be that someone heard about this negotiation and bribed Mr. Park to kidnap you then...Is that what you mean?"

"I guess so..."

"Who takes over your family business if you don't come back? Nong Yim?"

"Yes...he would be next in line for succession...but..."

"But?"

"He's not ready yet...Yim is very young...and very emotional. He can make impulsive decisions based on emotion alone."

"Don't you underestimate your brother?"

"Why do you say that?"

"Nothing..."

"Do you suspect Yim? He wouldn't do that...he idolizes me...besides...it would be much more likely that he would try to get rid of you instead of me..."

"Really? Why?"

"Well...you know why..."

"Maybe not. Tell me." I pretend not to know.

"Nong Vegas and Yim were very close. Vegas lived in our house practically...until one day Nong Vegas broke up with my brother. I think it was before you...it was about another guy...uh.. Porsche ?!. I really didn't care about the details...It looks like Nong Vegas had a lot of interest in him."

"Hmn... Porsche..."

I know I shouldn't mind, but this subject still bothers me a little.

"And then he learned that Nong Vegas was living with someone else. Yim also idolized Vegas...He was sad for a while...But I believe he got over it. I don't know. In fact, those matters don't interest me at all, except that Yim annoys me with it asking for advice."

"Are you a relationship expert?"

"Not really."

"You do not like anyone?"

Am I stupid? Why am I getting into this subject? We were talking about potential kidnappers, not love relationships. I already made this kind of mistake once before...with Vegas. They say making a mistake once is learning. And making the same mistake the second time is stupidity.

"It doesn't matter if I like someone or not. I know the elders must have already chosen a good bride for me to give them heirs."

"That sounds sad."

Okay, Pete, enough empathy! Don't be stupid anymore. Change the subject now!

"Do you feel sorry for me?"

Fuck. Too late.

"Uh? Are you cold?...I'm feeling cold..." Pretend dumb, Pete.

"Can you save me from a future unhappy marriage, Pete?" He turns his face to look at me. Is he flirting with me?

I keep looking straight to the sky.

"Uhhh...What was your advice?"

"What?" Sanya makes a confused face.

"What was your advice to Yim?

"Well..." Sanya is silent for a while. "If you want him, fight for him."

"Fuck!" It accidentally came out of my mouth. "Sorry, Sanya"

"Haha...I'm sorry, Pete. It was just a typical advice, I guess. I didn't know you back then. As far as I know, Yim didn't do anything to you...did he?"

"..."

Besides maybe leaving a damn bracelet on my bed...messing with my bed sheet...which I still need to find out for sure...I really hope not for his own good!

"But...I understand why Nong Vegas chose you..."

"...why are you so kind to me?"

Oh no! I just trapped myself in this subject again. I know it's wrong, but...it's somehow flattering to know if a good match would be interested in me. Since so many good ones are interested in Vegas.

"Khun Kinn and Khun Tankhun aren't kind to you?"

Ow...I think I was thinking too much. haha. He's not interested in me romantically. He just wants to be a good boss. How stupid you really are, Pete. Much better this way.

"You don't know me well."

"I know you well enough. I don't make mistakes with people...besides...you remind me of a very dear person of mine."

"I do?"

"Yep"

" I must be a pretty ordinary kind of person. I look like so many people apparently."

"You are not." He speaks with conviction. I get shy.

"And you still talk to that person?"

"This person died."

"Oh...my sympathies"

"Thank you..." There was silence between us. "I don't understand why..."

"...what...?"

"As far as I can see, you sacrifice yourself for all Theerapanyakul family members..."

I subconsciously turn my face to face him.

"Shouldn't I commit to the ones I love?"

"How committed are they to you if you're always the one who gives in?"

"..."

He has a point.

"Anyway..." Khun Sanya looks at me tenderly and caresses my face. "...I think you deserve better..."

I look at him for a few seconds without reaction. I lower my gaze and turn away to the opposite side. I feel my face turn red.

My fault. What did my low self-esteem do? I wanted to be flattered and unintentionally I must have given a false impression during this conversation. I'm so sorry, Khun Sanya!

"I appreciate your kindness, but don't worry about me. I'm happy this way. We better rest now. Sleep well."

"You're shaking, Pete."

"Although the heat is intense during the day, at night the temperature drops a lot."

I feel a warm hug.

"Let's keep ourselves warm then. Good night, Pete."

I mean to pull away from the hug, but I feel paralyzed. My eyes are closed to sleep...but my mind don't rest.

I've never been interested in any man other than Vegas. And no other man has ever been interested in me. Besides those so-called friends of Vegas, that I hope are dead, and a bodyguard who gave me a weird look once...that I know he's dead already.

I would be lying if I didn't admit that I feel somehow valued. Vegas doesn't have the kind of insecurities that I have. Not Khun Kinn...much less Porsche...

I start a fictional conversation with Vegas in my mind.

Why don't to come to rescue me? Don't leave me alone here. Are you like Khun Kinn? You sent me on a mission and forgot about me?! Come faster...I miss you...but...can you forgive me this single sin? For feeling flattered to have someone like you and Khun Kinn who show affection for me? I'm not cheating on you. Although...you've done worse than this to me before...Yok's club... Yim's hands on your thigh... that sensual dance of yours, remember? It's like payback.

I can be mean to you too...and you will never see how mean I am.

The firelight goes out.

...

Vegas' POV

My mind is turbulent because of you, Pete...I can see you...

"What the hell have you done?" Porsche yelled at me terrified.

"So what?! They were taking too long to answer a simple question".

"Has it ever crossed your mind they shouldn't even know who Pete is? And where did you get this gun?"

"You didn't think I'd only have one gun, did you? What kind of mafia boss are you?" I respond with disdain

"A machine gun?! Isn't that a lot for a bunch of drunken bullies from a small island?"

"I don't give a shit. (In English) Why are we on a boat, anyway? With the helicopter it would be faster."

"And you could ask the kidnappers for a welcome party too. What kind of mafia boss are you?"

"At least it should be a speedboat..." I frowned. "Asshole" (in English)

"YOU are an asshole! Pete is such a good soul for enduring you."

I left Porsche talking to himself.

It was already the third island we were leaving behind. Now we would head to a more distant island, which would take all night.

I felt my stress at an alarming level.

If before my biggest fear was losing Pete to death...now my biggest fear was losing Pete to Yim's all magnificent old brother.

I felt angry at Pete. Why was he exposing himself like that? Why was he touching another man? And letting himself be touched? Is it some kind of internal satisfaction, Pete? Do you imagine yourself punishing me for those cameras? But you're punishing me for real, Pete!

Because I saw it! And you have no idea about it. Just thinking about you naked and being touched by Khun Sanya makes my blood boil. I slammed my fist hard on the edge of the boat. I feel like killing you both!

Just before we left the island, Pol sent a new video to my cell phone. As I demanded him, any new image he captured should be sent to me immediately. I left Nop beside Pol to ensure that. But I was too apprehensive to immediately play the video.

I do it now that we're sailing.

"Pete..." I whisper to myself... The image is focused on his face. He's lying on his side... looks like an angel sleeping. I can see the beautiful design of his face even in the near complete darkness. Some tender light illuminates him... My rage is replaced with longing. Even when you hurt me, I can't hate you, Pete. I just want to be by your side. I want to feel your warm body...kiss your soft lips...and admire your beautiful smile. The wound on his temple is still quite visible. That worries me. He's shaking. He must be suffering from the cold of the night. I wish I could be by your side holding you... warming your body with mine like I do every night we're together... just you and...

...me...?!

What...?

What...?

I see an arm hugging Pete from behind...and then a body fitting in next to him. Immediately Pete's body stops shivering...getting warmth from someone else's body.

"WTF!!!" I yell. I feel eyes turn to me.

...

Kinn's POV

Half an hour before, in the meeting room of the minor family mansion:

"I don't know if we should send this..." Pol was worried.

"I think you're right, Pol. Pete has no idea he's being watched. What's on his mind, after all? Khun Vegas will be furious. This fellow Khun Sanya is not going to leave that island alive. Maybe better not to send this, right Khun Kinn?" Nop asked me terrified.

"Hmn...right. Best not to put more fire on this subject. I don't want Vegas to take out his wrath on anyone until he finds Pete and Macau, especially Porsche. Vegas doesn't need to know... besides, it won't do anything to help finding them."

"Nonsense!" Tankhun pushed Pol out of his chair and hit the send button.

"WTF, Tankhun!" We stared in astonishment at Tankhun's satisfied face. " What have you done?"

"Let Vegas see that he has tough competition." Tankhun sat on the edge of the table, nonchalantly looking at his nails.

"Are you crazy? He shot Arm because of Pete!"

"Hmm...true. But Khun Sanya is a mafia boss. He should do better and not just stand there like a dumb target to be shot...I hope." Tankhun makes a disdainful face.

"Buddha protects them all". Nop starts a prayer. Pol and Nop join hands in prayer.

"You are being very dramatic, Geez!"

"What about Pete? You don't care about Pete? Vegas's already obsessed with Pete!Why did you do that?"I ask.

"Of course I do!" Tankhun looks at me with indignation. "...however...Vegas is afraid of other people liking Pete. But not that Pete can like anyone else besides him. That makes everything more interesting. A little jealousy will do both of them good."

"That's not little! This is already the last straw to burn an entire island down"

"Well...if it happens...Pete can give up his psycho husband and come back to me. He will be happier. One way or another, it will be good. Haha."

Me, Nop and Pol looked at each other in disbelief.

I'm starting to wonder if Vegas is the only obsessed psycho here...shit!

Vegas' POV

"What's wrong, Vegas?" Porsche questions me, startled.

I grip the edge of the boat tightly as I lower my head and face the deck floor. I force air into my lungs. And then I lift my head, looking up at the starry sky, letting the air out.

"Vegas?" Porsche calls me again.

I turn to him, pull my glock from its holster, aim and fire.

"BANG!"

"WTF! You shot a sailor!

I had to vent my anger somehow.

"That guy was smoking inside the boat instead of doing his job.

"So????"

"Now the others will make the boat go faster."

Frightened eyes shifted their gazes from me and returned to focus on their jobs. The boat beguns to sail faster.

"OMG! You are insane!"

I looked back at my phone...at Pete's peaceful sleeping face.

Dead or alive, you can only be mine.

...