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.

that he's wrong for not caring about this like I

I know how to play this game. I need to remain

give her back to him for a little bit of cash did you?!" I

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

I 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 trust that there was yet

encourage him to continue, desperate at this point to know

started to get the wheels turning inside of his head. His interest was most certainly piqued, but not just for the money." My father quickly adds towards the end, remaining

the type of asshole he was, never taking anything seriously unless it directly affected

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

over

fucking tone! Remember who you're speaking to

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 would crumble very fucking easily these days!" I threaten, knowing now that my words had some weight to

to face his enemies head on which often resulted in sending me. Business partners wouldn't settle for anything less than meeting face to face

for the complete

I didn't bask in the power I had over him these days, and

needed me, more than what

trying to tell you what he said so let me finish!" He argues, deciding to cut our little dispute short

forty-eight year old Dennis McCane to be exact." He recites the information that he must have noted down from

was offering to pay for her in order for Frazier to even

pigs the lot

three conditions..." My father

return." He starts, as I nod at

wasn't

my watch to see that the school day was still an hour or so from

and to be there to witness it." He states, as the world