Shadows In Durango

Chapter 85

*****Daryl's POV*****

I grab my car keys, feeling antsy now with knowing that Vincent and Sofia would be back home tonight.

I had unwillingly offered to pick them both up from the airport to which I was now fully regretting with dread for how awkward it might be...

But with my own feelings put aside, there were far more serious threats at hand and I knew that Vincent wouldn't have called me unless he was truly concerned about it either.

I walk down the hall in search of Reid and Emma, eventually finding them out in the back garden with hot drinks and blankets as they sit under the moon together.

If I hadn't have been in such a pissy mood this week, I would have cackled at the sight of Reid like this, wrapped up in a fluffy lilac blanket holding the warm mug between both hands... he was a sight for sore eyes and I just knew that Vincent would have tore him apart by now for this!

As though reading my mind since I had probably stared through him for far too long at this point, his eyes narrow in on me, presenting a 'don't even think about it' look as my lips pull upwards in to a knowing smirk.

"Cosy?" I all but say, earning a grumble from Reid as Emma glances at me in confusion.

"Very!" She chimes, smiling as I nod once and enjoy every last second of Reid's embarrassment.

"I'm leaving to pick them up, we shouldn't be too long." I inform them both, as Emma's eyes seem to light up at the mention of Sofia being home soon.

"Great, we will wait up!" She smiles brightly, as Reid takes another drink from his mug which causes me to chuckle this time before I walk off.

Despite being in a terrible mood, I knew that I would have my laugh about this later, that was for sure!

I head out in to the driveway, the cool night air doing nothing to ease the tension building up in my chest. My car's headlights flash as I unlock it, and I climb inside, gripping the steering wheel for a moment before starting up the engine. The hum of the engine is steady, but my thoughts are anything but...

It wasn't just about picking up Vincent and Sofia - it was about everything that had gone down between us only days ago which all resulted exactly as I had feared - with putting Sofia in danger!

fight, Sofia leaving with him, and now, whatever mess Vincent had gotten himself into was all working hand in hand to make me more pissed off and yet, despite all of that, I was still

that's how things were between us: messy, complicated, and never fully

time to think as I made my way toward

what I would say to her, and the silence had been easier to deal with as opposed to texting when she was spending time with Vincent. But seeing her tonight? I wasn't sure how that would go. Would things feel different between us? Would she look at

I pulled into the short-term parking area, killing the engine

I quickly retrieve my phone, sending my location to Vincent, watching it show as 'delivered' which meant he had service. And with another ten minutes of waiting, there they were, walking towards my car - Vincent holding both of their bags and

tired, like she had the weight of the

spotted my car first, as I open the door to step out, and for a second, our eyes met. I couldn't tell what she was thinking, and I wasn't

his voice level but a bit more

to keep things casual. "Let's go

load their bags into the trunk, feeling the awkwardness settle in

the adventure continues. Join us for

piled into the car. Vincent took the front seat without a word,

with a knife. It wasn't until we were halfway back to the house that Vincent finally

talk when we get back," he said, his

wanted to hear whatever he had to say. But I knew one thing for sure: something was brewing, and

father?" I question, trying to keep my words curt not knowing how much he had actually shared

then he would have left out the scary

with his tone that he wasn't willing to discuss it

and silently agreed with the

the drive was wrapped in tense silence, broken only by the hum of the car's engine and the low music spilling out

the window, eyes closed, though I could tell she wasn't asleep. Her stillness made me uneasy, and I wondered what

was handling things felt off — more controlled than usual, like he was holding back

on edge, and tonight, he was teetering

engine and stepped out, helping with