Shadows In Durango

Chapter 48

*****Sofia's POV*****

Snuggling up under the sheets, I watch some YouTube videos on my phone feeling content that I was back in this luxurious bed for the third time.

I was also really happy that Daryl had given me the WiFi code which meant I could text and call as much as I wanted in here whilst also downloading more apps to help pass the time! Time ticked on slowly as it approached eleven, before I eventually heard the front door opening from downstairs.

Pausing my current video which was about how to make dresses from scratch, a couple of minutes passed before I heard footsteps coming towards my door, before a soft knock is heard. Not expecting anyone to come find me at this time of night, I sit up fully, watching the handle drop only to find Vincent entering inside the room.

"Hey." I greet him, unsure of what else to say as he nods back at me and lets himself fully in - closing over the door.

What was he doing?

"Here." He announces, reaching into his jacket pocket before retrieving an envelope before approaching the bed with it.

Silent, I take it from him slowly, before peering inside to find a stack of notes, causing me to gasp.

"B-But how did you? How much is here?!" I babble out, not able to understand how he got my money back considering I was under the impression that my neighbours had spent it all. "Two." He shrugs as though it were nothing as I squint.

"Two hundred?" I drawl out, knowing this can't be right.

"Darling, you and I both know that there is more than two hundred dollars in there." He laughs in amusement as I all but shake my head at him.

"But... I didn't have two thousand..." I remark, as he rolls his eyes, something he tends to do often whenever I'm slow to process his actions.

"So what? I might've added some? It doesn't matter anyway. You have it all back." He concludes, as I sigh, knowing that there was very little point to arguing with him.

He was only trying to help... I remind myself.

as he chooses to take a seat on the

from my apartment?" I swallow

Maybe he was harmless really? The only violent outburst I had seen was when he punched Reid... and that

with them. Turns out some of the money was stashed in the top floor neighbours apartment so we got that back." He avoids meeting my eye as he speaks, which tells me

still there?" I push on, knowing I would figure out how much Vincent

Just over?" He tells me, as I begin to mentally count what the difference

$1,200 in which was a ridiculous

was technically my employer at one point, before he fired me that is, and he used to pay

do this,

can." I attempt, only to meet a

I don't need it." He states firmly, turning to stare at me intensely as I remain

gets his own

as he motions with his hand for me to continue on, causing

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like to at least pay you something for rent if I stay. That way I feel less guilty about it." I begin, as his eyes study my entire face carefully, seeming to shift from my hair, to my eyes, to my cheeks before ending on my lips. "How many times will I have to tell you that I don't need your money?" His voice grows deeper, as his eyes fall over slightly,

me... why am I suddenly this

protest, as his eyes jump back up to meet my own, silently testing

can pay me in other ways darling." He cocks a brow,

What was he saying?!

I want to stay here, but I want to pay you something in return.

exactly?" He presses me, not understanding what I meant as

because well, you fired me!" I complain, breaking the growing tension between us as he suddenly begins to

weirdly, as he seems entirely amused with the fact he had, in fact, fired me from his bar but in the same night had

did that!" He retorts, his

is wrong with

you to live here, ok?" I begin, attempting to be serious once more as

you stay off the poles, you can work at the bar." He