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...

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

place a cocktail in front of each of us, pausing their dispute as Daryl glares holes through Reid in the

to be strong but drinking a long

towards Reid, but Reid

there was an evident problem lingering in the air, awaiting to be discussed by someone, but I had no idea what it was or what

in closer. "She looked like she

thankful that Emma was at least trying to distract me as I felt close to the brink of becoming

isn't long before we hear footsteps from upstairs, and my stomach drops as I realise

squeeze, her eyes filled with silent encouragement, as Vincent's

Here we go...

his face once again calm and collected, though the tightness around his eyes remains. I take a deep breath, trying to do 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 the warmth she's trying to project. "I hope we didn't keep you waiting too long," she says, her voice light, as she glances around the

the same critical gaze he had earlier. He gives a curt nod of acknowledgment before taking his seat at the head of the table, next

for the complete experience

they settle in, I feel my pulse quicken. Tonight is only just beginning,

as she seemed to have no shame in it. "Always Helena!" Daryl chirps, causing her to shriek out a giggle as she plops herself down beside him, pursing her lips and

to share a look with her once again, grateful that she seemed to notice everything I did - not that it was hard to notice how she was acting. Anybody with eyes could see this! The staff soon come back, taking a drink order from each of them, with his

out of town?" Vincent's father asks

sir! Looking after your

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

Daryl? What's been happening?"

see if he holds up his

really!" He remarks, his voice sounding softer but maintaining an underlying

the pair their drinks, before announcing that the starter will be served in the next

of him as we all quickly make a move to grab our glasses before he comtinues: "To my son on finding

eyes are on me, seeming to look somewhat guilty and conflicted, as I laugh nervously and clink glasses

I only told Vincent that I

continues. Join us for the

it means nothing... he probably knows that Vincent took me on