Shadows In Durango

Chapter 86

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

"Are you two coming inside or what?!" We both snap our heads around to find Reid leaning out of the front door - hand outstretched with his palm facing upwards as though we were both idiots for waiting outside for this long... "Where are the girls?" I ask, knowing that I was far too worked up over my father's texts to deal with them both in this moment, fearing that I wouldn't be able to hide my concern for much longer.

"Upstairs... why? What's gotten into you two?!" Reid drags on in suspicion, needing to know what was going on as Daryl locks his car and we decide to eventually go in.

Reid continues to stare between us both, clearly sensing a thickening tension but chooses to remain quiet to wait for an explanation.

I brush past him without a word, heading straight for the kitchen, before I grab a bottle of whisky and three glasses, placing them out on the countertop.

I spin the cap as the other two join me, all taking a seat around the central island before I pour and divvy out the drinks.

"A lot has happened in the past couple of days since I've been gone," I say Reid, my voice low but firm, letting him know that this wasn't some casual catch-up or joke. "Will you two just hurry up and tell me what the hell is going on?" He questions, as I take a moment to swing back some of the burning alcohol to help ease my mind.

Leaning forward with my elbows placed on the counter, taking a second to figure out where to even start, I tell him:

"It's Sofia's dad," I finally mutter. "He's not just some random guy. He's apparently connected... to my father." I swallow the lump in my throat, with the situation feeling all the more real after saying it out loud.

Reid raises an eyebrow, clearly confused. "What's the deal with her Dad anyway? Daryl told me that she ran away from home but that's all I know..." Reid squints at me, reminding me that he had only barely been in the loop with Sofias scenario thus far.

all, they didn't exactly start off on

voice tense. "Frazier Hammond, Sofia's dad, is one of Vincent's father's associates. They've been working together. Sofia left home because he wanted to marry her off for cash after her mother died. She's been on the run ever since but he doesn't seem to be quitting looking for her!" Daryl briefs him, as I clench

have gotten any

tell him if he

have to call him, attempt to straighten this mess out in the best

Daryl and I instantly

processing the information, his face slowly darkening. "Wait... so her dad - Sofia's dad is somehow involved with... your family's business? What is

with assholes from around the country so her father fits the mold... and from what my father just found out, Frazier's been looking for her for a while now. She's been put out as a missing person and now, my father's demanding to talk to me about

in the office to call him... I don't want to hold off for too long incase he makes a dumb decision!" I decide, as they both offer me pitiful looks

way down the hall, each step feeling heavier than the last. As much as I hate dealing with my father,

I push it open, stepping into the dimly lit room. I close the

second before I finally dial my father's number. The call rings once, then twice, before his gruff voice answers on the other end as though he had been waiting by

His tone is sharp, proving that he had been expecting

a breath, trying to keep my voice steady. "We need to talk about this shit." I

feel his tension radiating through the phone. "Yeah, I bet we do. So, you're shacked up with Frazier Hammond's runaway daughter? What the hell are you thinking, son? Do you know how long he's been scouring this country looking for her? He must be worried sick and yet here I have my own son hiding her out on my own fucking property!" His tone

first," I admit, pacing the room now. "But he's not exactly father of the year is he?! He only wants to marry her to some older guy for cash! I won't allow it and I don't care what it means for your business with him either! If he's really just some

daddy's been looking for her and anything beyond that really isn't mine or your concern! And trust me, Frazier's not the kind of man to let something like this go, if he finds out you're involved then he and his sons will come looking for you. He may just be an idiot that does my dirty work sometimes, but he's sure as hell persistent I'll give

Let them come.

all three of them if I

her. She's safer with me than anywhere else and I like her." I admit, feeling weak for