Shadows In Durango

Chapter 90

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

"Vincent," my father's gravelly voice comes through the line. "I've heard back from Frazier." He states slowly, giving nothing away.

My heart skips a beat. This was it - the conversation I had been waiting for, but also dreading at the same time.

"Yeah, so what did he say?!" I manage to keep my voice casual, though inside, I was already bracing myself for the worst.

"Well he's not exactly happy, as you'd expect," my father continues, his tone cold. "He's been looking for his daughter for months now, and he's not keen on the idea that she's been hiding out with you this whole time." His tone is stern, almost scolding, as I feel my jaw tighten in defence.

"First of all, she hasn't been with me the whole damn time! I've only known her for a few weeks!" I state, matter of factly, already not liking the tone of this conversation and it had only just started.

Of course, Frazier wouldn't be happy, since from what I've learned, he never was! Frazier was what my father often referred to as a 'Desperado'. A man willing to chase money over all else - even if it meant fucking his own family over.

Over the years my father had watched many men like him rise and fall, and so I had very little respect for any sort of 'business' that they had together.

He currently had no control over Sofia's life, and had missed out on a money making plot against his own flesh and blood - and so he felt like he had been wronged.

My father is silent for a moment, and that silence speaks volumes. I know him well enough to understand that he's calculating, weighing his options, and what those options mean for me...

"He wants her back Vincent," my father finally says, his voice colder than before. "And he was willing to pay a hefty sum to make it happen. He sees her as an investment. A bargaining chip." He retorts, as my whole body begins to tremble in a rage.

I'll strangle his scrawny fucking neck if I have to, I won't just give her back to him!

I clench my fist, anger now bubbling beneath the surface. "She's not a goddamn commodity," I snap, my voice low and dangerous.

My father chuckles, the sound devoid of any real humor. "To people like Frazier, everyone's a commodity. You know that, Vincent. We don't live in a world where feelings matter much. What matters is leverage, power, money, and right now, Sofia is his every leverage." He trails off, before I hear the sound of puffing, which signals to me that he was smoking a fat stubby cigar like the rest of the twats who work with him do.

fills my mouth. I want to curse him out, to tell him that he's wrong for not caring about this like I do, that I won't

know how to play this game. I need to remain focused, hear everything that he has to say first before

agree to just give her back to him for a little bit of cash did you?!" I retort, hoping that

was getting in return for marrying her off if he

not agree with your reasons, but I delivered the message as promised. I told him you wanted to have the girl for yourself and that

him to continue, desperate at this point to know what the

was most certainly piqued, but not just for the money." My father quickly adds

he was, never

me what the fuck he wants!" I demand, my voice raising without a care whether the cleaners would hear

over this

your fucking tone! Remember who you're speaking to boy!" He warns, as I

You and I both know that I'm a very crucial part in your empire and without me, it would crumble very fucking easily these days!"

and no longer wanted to face his enemies head on which often resulted in sending me. Business partners wouldn't settle for anything

us for the complete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly

bask in the power I had over him

than what he would like

said so let me finish!" He argues, deciding to cut our little dispute short

predicted, he explained that he already had somebody in line to buy and marry his daughter, forty-eight year old Dennis McCane to be exact." He recites the information

he was offering to pay for

the

immediately latched on to the idea of giving Sofia over to you, but on three conditions..." My father begins, getting to the nitty gritty

wants some sort of payment for her, promising to step out of her life in return." He starts, as I nod at the first condition - deciding

wasn't

watch to see that the school day was still an hour

to be there to witness it." He states,