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.

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 let

remain focused, hear everything that he has to say first before

didn't agree to just give her back to him for a little

could only imagine the lump sum that he was getting in return for marrying her off

told him you wanted to have the girl for yourself and that you would pay money for her." My father's tone is light, leaving me to

encourage him to continue, desperate at this point to know what the outcome from the

of his head. His interest was most certainly piqued, but not just for the money." My father

was the type of asshole he was, never taking

me what the fuck he wants!" I demand, my voice raising without a

was over

of your fucking tone! Remember who you're speaking to boy!"

of your fucking tone! Don't piss me off anymore than what you already have! You and I both know that I'm a very crucial part in your empire and without me, it

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

us for the complete experience-all for free. The next

I said that I didn't bask in the power

than what he would

to tell you what he said so let me finish!" He argues,

had somebody in line to buy and marry his daughter, forty-eight year old Dennis McCane to be exact."

seventeen year old girl? I can only imagine what he was offering to pay for her in order for Frazier to even consider it in the first

pigs the lot of

over to you, but on three conditions..." My father begins, getting to the nitty gritty of where this conversation had really gone.

out of her life in return." He starts, as I

wasn't done

watch to see that the

be there to witness it." He