Shadows In Durango

Chapter 65

*****Vincent's POV*****

As I drive back into town with my mind still racing from the heated meeting I just had with our suppliers, I groan loudly to myself knowing that the trucks were now set to leave tomorrow with our gun shipment.

My men were on edge and so was I, knowing that for whatever reason, my father was sending me alongside them to show face for the family - no doubt meaning that our buyers were somewhat important to him. I now had to book a flight and pack a case, unsure of how long I would even be away for on top of that...

Sorting out these "serious problems" for my father was becoming a full-time job in itself lately and it was really starting to piss me the fuck off.

But there's something else that's been occupying my thoughts even more today - Sofia.

Last night was... intense, and while I was happy to finally break through the barriers she had put up, it also complicated things further.

I now had a job to protect her, in fear that her father (whoever he even is) turns up looking for her again one day.

I wouldn't let him take her from me... she deserved so much better, no more running.

I would speak with her tonight to set some new ground rules to help keep her as safe as possible and I even considered taking her with me on the flight tomorrow knowing that I wouldn't want to separate from her - especially after how our date ended.

I don't quite know why I was so obsessed with her, when my initial plan was to simply fuck and ditch her when she first came to school, but since I walked into her old apartment and found those two addicts that she calls neighbours, laying on her floor - I had a frightening urge to protect the poor girl and keep her as close to me as possible.

With that memory creeping into my thoughts alone, I decided then that she would travel with me: it was the only way to help ease my stress.

What would the real harm be in that?

Taking a quick flight, keeping her in the hotel with me, taking her for a nice meal, getting business done privately behind her back before simply heading back home? It wouldn't be that bad and I would feel better having her with me... Deep down I was aware that she also had something with Daryl, and so this could be my chance to win her over.

Daryl was everything she could want in a guy, simply because he was much nicer than me and a hell of a lot more patient...

for her and

empty for this time of day on a Sunday. Tito is behind the bar, polishing glasses when I walk in, and he looks up with a raised eyebrow the second that his eyes lock with mine. "You're early, you said you'd come see me at five" he says, sliding

faster than I thought," I reply, taking a seat at the bar. "How's everything been in

It's been fine."

"Yeah, well, I had a

leans in, his expression turning curious. "Something to do with you liking the poor

I finally say, trying to sound

this equally without a feud was to let Sofia decide, as long as

you're worried about Daryl stealing

know," I admit. "I mean, yes, but it's more complicated than that now. I found out about her past and now I'm more invested in her life

job that she had it bad... not many girls her age ask to work in a bar without having a rough background... I gave her a shot because like you, I felt bad for

you do like her a lot,

He's definitely not wrong.

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she likes me too, but Daryl... he's a good

"Love triangles, huh? Always a mess. But if you want my two cents, just be

of his advice. "I just don't want to look fucking desperate - that ain't

"Just be there for her until she decides, and give her

nod, knowing that he's right. I need to be patient, even if it's killing me inside. Sofia is worth it. If she

can handle

hoping to see a message from her, but the screen remains stubbornly blank. I toss it aside on top of the bar, the frustration bubbling up.

clear my head, figure out a plan for tomorrow

that Sofia would be coming with me tomorrow and may miss her shift on Wednesday again too - to which he wasn't overly happy about. But it's my

at the time in my car display which shows it was growing

in record time, slamming the car door shut, the force of it barely making a dent in the