Shadows In Durango

Chapter 66

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

The ride back to the house with Daryl was somewhat peaceful, the kind of comfortable silence that usually put me at ease. But knowing what I had just told him, about everything I had pretty much told Vincent over dinner last night, he had gone a little too quiet.

I knew that he wouldn't judge me for my past, and that he probably needed time to process it all since it was heavy stuff, but I just wished deep down that he would say more... show me what he was actually thinking.

As we pulled into the driveway, I could feel the tension creeping in, tightening around my chest. Vincent's car was parked outside, and even before we got out, I could sense something was off. Why did he call needing to speak to me? It sounded important whatever it was...

After what we had done together after the date, I realised that his presence made me feel antsy. As though I was ashamed of what we had shared... despite having enjoyed it all the same.

As soon as we stepped inside, the atmosphere felt thick, almost oppressive. Daryl was right behind me, but his usual warmth seemed to fade as we walked into the hallway.

That's when I saw Vincent, leaning against the wall, his eyes locked onto Daryl with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat. There was something dark in his gaze, something unsettled, and I could feel the energy between them shift. "Vincent," I greeted, trying to sound normal, but my voice came out softer than I intended.

He didn't reply at first, just continued staring at Daryl like he was searching for something or trying to hide something. Daryl met his gaze, and for a moment, it felt like the whole world paused. Neither of them spoke, but the tension in the air was almost suffocating.

What is up with them? They are supposed to be friends?!

Finally, Vincent's eyes flickered to me, and his expression softened, though only slightly. "Sofia," he said, his voice steady but with an edge I couldn't quite place. "Can you come with me? We need to talk."

looked like he wanted to say something, maybe even argue,

today, Daryl," I said, offering him a small smile,

it didn't reach his

Vincent down the hallway, feeling Daryl's eyes on me until we rounded the corner. The air felt heavy as we walked

it should have. I took a seat across from his desk, watching as he leaned back against the edge of it, arms crossed, his gaze locked onto me. The silence between us stretched, thick and

have to catch a flight tomorrow," he started, his tone blunt, leaving no room for small talk. "Some business stuff for

taken aback by the suddenness of it, discovering in that moment that I really didn't want him

make my stomach twist. "I'm not sure, but probably a couple days." he admitted, his voice softer now,

adventure continues. Join us for

he

narrowing slightly as if he was weighing his

words hung in the air between us, and for a moment, I wasn't sure I'd heard

idea of leaving you here alone, especially with everything that's going on in your life. It's safer if you're with me, I want to help you, by keeping you

was racing, trying to

that. "But... what about school? And my work?" I stammered, trying to find some kind of foothold in the conversation. "School can wait, who gives a shit?" he said, brushing off the concern. "And Tito already knows that you might miss another shift. He'll deal with it. You forget you work

down on me. "Vincent, I don't know if that's a good

off the desk, moving closer until he was standing right in front of me, his eyes intense. "It's the best idea, Sofia. I can't protect you

me so much thus far... I can trust

where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience-all for free. The next chapter is

trap. Part of me wanted to say no, to tell him that I could take care of myself, that I didn't need him