Shadows In Durango

Chapter 97

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

I feel the weight of everyone's eyes on me as soon as my mother drops that bomb.

Sofia's doe like eyes bore into my own, seeming lost and desperate to know what was going on...

The air was suffocatingly thick with tension, and I can see Sofia's confusion quickly turning into panic with the longer that I stayed silent.

"Sofia, let me explain..." I start, as she looks back at me like I've just betrayed her, and I hated that look.

I never wanted her to find out like this hell, I didn't want her to find out at all, at least not until I had more control over the situation and had made up my mind on it myself. "Your father told me that you were marrying the girl to settle her father, am I wrong?" My mother interjects, glancing around the table and making things a whole lot worse.

"Mom, that's enough, shut the fuck up and stop getting involved!" I snap, my voice sharper than intended, but I'm already on edge, with my patience for her already wearing thin. She doesn't even flinch. She's too used to getting her way, too used to manipulating everyone around her.

I shoot a glare at Daryl next, who's grinning like the asshole that he is, basking in the chaos he had willingly helped to cause.

I don't know what his problem is tonight, but he's pushing all the wrong buttons with me...

"Vincent, what the hell is going on?" Sofia's voice is soft but laced with desperation. She's trying to keep it together, but I can see her slowly slipping.

I turn to face her fully, my heart pounding in my chest. This is the moment I've been dreading - the moment where everything starts to unravel.

"I was going to tell you, I swear," I start, my voice low as I try to block out the rest of the table for a second. It's just me and her now, and I need to make her believe me. "It's not what it sounds like." I swallow hard, as her brows draw together, still not understanding what I was trying to say.

"What isn't what it seems, Vincent? What are they talking about?" Sofia begs me for more information, as I sigh heavily and shake my head.

head of the table, watching me with that cold, unreadable expression

close to his chest, and right now, he's waiting for

smug, satisfied look on her face, leaning into Daryl like they were acting as some kind of twisted duo

up, especially when it's about

you to find out like this," I say, forcing the words out. "There's been... an arrangement that was discussed briefly, something that I've been trying to wrap my

Fuck.

more dodging this now is there? Not with my mother and Daryl ready to rat me

to her, knowing that she can't hold her damn water when

and your father..." I let my words sink in, watching her face contort in horror before my very eyes. "What?! You spoke to him? My father?!" Sofia panics instantly, her breathing beginning to pick up

found out that your father actually does some work with mine..." I state, licking my drying lips as Sofia's eyes shift to my father at the head of the table who nods slowly to confirm the fact. "D-Does he know where I am?

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he believes that it will unite our families and strengthen his business with me if you both get married." He tells her, direct and straight to the point as I run a hand down my face

crying out loud?! We had barely finished our starters

"So

interrupts, her voice dripping with faux innocence. "Vincent, darling, you can't just leave out the fact that you're marrying someone, especially without them even knowing about it!" She giggles and throws

she jerks back like we've

me get this right... you were going to force me to marry you? How is that any different to what my father tried to do to me

Nothing has been agreed to, this was only brought up yesterday, and when you were upset at school I didn't want to pile this on top, that's why I waited!" I assure, but she shakes her head with tears brimming in her

contacted him behind my back!" She suddenly yells, shocking everyone at the table with the volume of her voice, as if it was all just beginning

chair scraping backwards, before she tosses her napkin

a moment alone!" She states bluntly, before moving quickly towards the door - her heels clacking at a quick pace and

gone upstairs and not out front... that way I would know that she was at least

at a loss for words herself, evidently conflicted on whether or not

sneers, and before I can even process my actions, the water glass in front of me is

Daryl is up in an instant with my mother screaming by his side - the blood trickling down from just above his