Shadows In Durango

Chapter 106

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

Groaning loudly, I flop back down on to the crummy sofa in the centre of the cold hard basement.

There was absolutely nothing in here from what I could see that could help me get out. Nothing decent to even defend myself with.

It was as though Ashton had already thought this whole plan through to the end - proving himself to be a master criminal at the mere age of eighteen. What a fucking asshole!

I was so upset, so angry at myself for landing myself in this mess. The second he had pulled up in his car I should have ran for the hills...

All I could think of was that I should have told Vincent all about seeing Ashton at school when I had the chance. He was smart, he would have looked in to him right away if anything like this happened to me, but he didn't even know about him being here...

I hoped that Emma would think to tell him all about me running in to Ashton at school, maybe from there he would somehow be able to find and save me?

But I doubt it, I'm being extremely hopeful and extremely unrealistic. For all I knew, Vincent had let me run off in my childish meltdown, not bothering to chase after me like he had done before in the past.

I straighten up immediately, hearing the door unlock from the top of the steps, it creaking open and shining a brighter light down in to the darkened space.

My best chance here is to play along for now...

Make him believe that I'm really trying to work on 'us' and maybe he will trust me enough to take me outside?

Once I can get outside, somewhere public, I'll be able to find help...

"Here we go! Toast and beans!" He announces, as though it were a gourmet meal he had just whipped up, as I crank open a tight smile - with it failing to reach my eyes.

He was dangerous...

But I had to play nice...

any water?" I ask, watching him reach the

he closes in on me, placing the tray down beside me on

across to the fridge, opening it and revealing a full stock of bottled water filling

already thought of that

he planning to hold me down here? If he had stocked up on so many bottles

he sits much

the tray, using my other to lift one of the bread slices

just watches me, almost mesmerised by my actions as I fight back the feelings of dread and

don't know how I'm going to get

thighs, reaching closer to me as I

on anything but the looming sense of insanity that fills the space between us. The more I try to keep my composure, the more it feels like I'm suffocating

down, focusing on the toast,

already heavy air of the basement. "So, Sofia... What's it been like for you? In town, I mean." His voice is low, casual,

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watching me like he's waiting for a slip-up of some kind, like he already knows the answers that he

he had handed me. "It's been fine," I lie, forcing a smile that feels like a mask, one I'm terrified will crack

me, his eyes narrowing slightly as though he's dissecting every little word, every little movement. The silence stretches out, thick and

sidewalk, so desperate to get away from me and from everything here." His hand reaches out, almost casually, brushing against the back of

to pull away, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing me react. If I show him any fear, if I show that

despite my best efforts. "I just... needed some space that night, that's all." It's a

mull over my words, a dark smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I'll give you all the space you want

I was like a mouse that had just been caught by the cat after so many months

- he wants to fully control and trap me, feeling victorious in

how far he's willing to go with

a long drink from the bottle of water, trying to keep my focus, trying to hold

I was on the run Ashton..." I say carefully, glancing at him

eyes of his. Then, slowly, his lips curl up

when he couldn't?" He reaches out and brushes a strand of hair back from my face, his fingers lingering on my skin in a way that makes my blood

I'm here..." my voice suddenly croaks, breaking