Shadows In Durango

Chapter 96

*****Sofia's POV*****

As Vincent's parents disappear upstairs, the tension in the room seems to linger like a thick fog.

I glance over at Vincent, his jaw tight, and his posture stiff. Even though he's trying to hide it, I can tell he's bothered by something...

"We've got some time before they come back. Let's go in and get settled, I think we could all use a drink? Something strong?" Vincent says, his voice clipped but trying to sound calm as he looks around at us and we nod back in agreement. He gestures toward the dining room, and we follow him in, though I can feel the weight of unspoken words hanging loosely in the air.

"You look good..." He leans down to tell me, and before I can even respond, a dry scoff is heard from behind us, causing me to look over my shoulder to find the culprit to be Daryl.

What the hell is his damn problem with me today?!

Vincent all but shakes his head, ignoring him, as I follow his lead and brush it off - knowing that there was bigger problems to face right now...

The dining room was set up elegantly, with the long table adorned with candles and perfectly set places. Everything about this house screams wealth, and I almost felt like a fake for being here, especially thinking back to where I lived only weeks ago...

I take a seat beside Vincent with Emma sitting on my other side as Reid's words about sticking close to him echoed in the back of my mind.

Vincent asks one of the hired kitchen staff to supply us with some strong cocktails to which they nod and head off to do exactly that.

Emma immediately grabs my hand from under the table and gives it a reassuring squeeze, reminding me that she was still here - acting as my moral support through this night.

"You okay?" she whispers, her eyes searching mine.

I nod, though I'm not sure if I even believed myself. "I'll be fine," I reply softly, forcing a smile. "It's just... a lot of nerves."

Reid sits down beside Daryl, both now opposite us, with Reid maintaining his usual laid-back demeanour. "Worst part is over now, right?" Reid states, as Vincent lets out a dry laugh at his statement and agrees.

I want to believe him, but then my eyes flick to Vincent. He looks so different from his usual confident self. He's tense, almost on edge, and the fact his parents visiting can have such an effect on him was concerning in itself. Daryl, on the other hand, was still sulking, leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed, his phone still in front of him and laid out on the table.

He hasn't said a single word since his snarky comment earlier, and the cold look on his face was yet to fade. I don't know what's gotten into him today, but I'm too exhausted by him to deal with it right now. Whatever his issue is, it's not helping the current situation in the slightest...

don't know, try to act like you actually want to be here? You're starting to suck the fun out of the room..." Reid says, his voice sharp for the first time tonight, being the one to finally

the kitchen staff enter the room and place a cocktail in front of each of us, pausing their dispute as Daryl glares

finding it to be strong but drinking a long sip nonetheless to help

mutters out under his breath towards Reid,

lingering in the air, awaiting to be discussed by someone, but I

can't believe what she was wearing," Emma whispers out beside me, leaning in closer. "She looked like she was heading

I admit, thankful that Emma was at least

before we hear footsteps from upstairs, and my

hand one last squeeze, her eyes filled with silent encouragement, as Vincent's parents begin their descent down

Here we go...

the same, as his parents re-enter the room, their presence filling it with an almost tangible weight. His mother is the first to speak, a smile playing on her lips, though her eyes don't match

as before, but his eyes scan the room with the same critical gaze he had earlier. He gives a

you're loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for

my pulse quicken. Tonight is only

"Always Helena!" Daryl chirps, causing her to shriek out a giggle as she plops herself down beside him, pursing her lips and pressing

seemed to notice everything I did - not that it was hard to notice how she was acting.

town?" Vincent's father asks loudly, breaking the silence

Looking after your boy as

to help lighten the atmosphere, as for the first time I hear his father laugh -

What about you Daryl? What's been happening?" He moves

up his

old shit really!" He remarks, his voice sounding softer but maintaining

their drinks, before announcing that the starter will be

we all quickly make a move to grab our glasses before he comtinues: "To my son on finding love!" He ends, before winking in my direction which catches me fully

seeming to look somewhat guilty and conflicted, as I laugh nervously and

to Vincent for finding love?! I only told Vincent that I

for the complete experience-all for free. The next

he probably knows that Vincent took