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!

gotten himself into was all working hand in hand to make me more pissed off and yet, despite all of

things were between us: messy, complicated, and never fully resolved... we show up for one another when we need to and

me time to think

me was relieved. I didn't know 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

airport lights came into view, I pulled into the short-term parking area, killing the engine and

ago which meant they wouldn't be much longer. I quickly retrieve my phone, sending my location to Vincent, watching it show

that calm, unreadable look on his face. Sofia, on the other hand, looked tired, like she

our eyes met. I couldn't tell what

as they approached, his voice level but a

trying to keep things

the trunk, feeling the awkwardness settle in as Sofia stayed quiet, her gaze flitting between

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the car. Vincent took the front seat without a word, leaving

the silence in the car thick enough to cut with a knife. It wasn't until we were halfway back to the house that Vincent

back," he said, his tone serious, eyes

briskly, not sure if I wanted to hear whatever he had to say. But I knew one

keep my words curt not knowing how much he had actually shared with Sofia

then he would have left out the scary shit to save her

with his tone that he

and silently agreed with the

in tense silence, broken only by the hum of the car's engine and the

the back, her head resting against the window, eyes closed, though I could tell she wasn't asleep.

things felt off — more controlled than usual, like he was holding back some serious shit

was on edge, and tonight,

I killed the engine and stepped out, helping with their bags again without saying much. Vincent gave me a tight nod of appreciation before