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!

into was all working hand in hand to make me more pissed off and yet, despite all of that, I was still the one driving to

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

time

spoken to her since she left, and part of 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 me the same, or was everything too messed up now after my fight

parking area, killing the engine and leaning

it show as 'delivered' which meant he had service. And with another ten minutes of waiting, there they were, walking towards my car -

that calm, unreadable look on his face. Sofia, on the other hand, looked tired, like she had the weight of the world on her shoulders which suddenly made me feel bad

I open the door to step out, and for a second, our eyes met. I couldn't tell what she was

Vincent greeted as they approached, his voice level but a

to keep things casual. "Let's go home." I state, making a move

the awkwardness settle in

the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for the

loaded, we all piled into the car. Vincent took the front seat

driving, the silence in the car thick enough to cut with a knife. It wasn't until we

we get back," he said,

But I knew

my words curt not knowing how much he had actually

he was clever, then he would have left out the scary shit to save

came through when we landed." Vincent all but responds, clearly telling me with

silently agreed with the

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

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

off — more controlled than usual, like

recognise when he was on edge, and tonight, he was teetering on the brink

stepped out, helping with their bags again without saying much. Vincent gave me a tight nod of appreciation before gesturing for Sofia to head