Shadows In Durango

Chapter 108

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

"Are you still a virgin Sofia?" He asks, as my heart sinks.

My stomach lurches, the sudden question hanging in the air like a dark overpowering cloud.

The words hit me harder than I had ever expected, leaving me breathless, trapped between the crushing weight of fear and the sickening truth of just how far Ashton was willing to push this.

His eyes gleam with something dark, something predatory, and I want nothing more than to retreat into myself, to escape the situation, but I can't.

I have literally nowhere to run or to hide...

My hand tightens around the water bottle, the plastic creaking under my grip as I try to hold it together, to keep the panic at bay. I force my breath to remain steady, but inside, I'm unraveling quicker than I can even comprehend.

I know the question isn't just a question. It's a test, a way for him to see if he can break me, if he can control me any further. He wants to see how I react, whether I'll flinch or crumble or whether I'll just give in. But I won't give him that satisfaction.

I can't.

I look at him, my heart hammering in my chest, trying to project that I was calm, trying to keep the mask in place.

"That's really none of your business Ashton, come on now..." I reply, my voice shaking despite my best effort to sound firm. It's a weak answer, but it's the only defense I have.

His smile widens, but there's no warmth in it. It's a cold, calculated expression, one that only makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up even more.

"Oh, I think it is though, Sofia. I think I have a right to know if my girlfriend has wasted herself on another man..." He states, before his smile quickly falls and he looks straight through me.

refer to me as his

happened with eventually... since I felt safe with him, unlike how I had ever felt around Ashton. "We aren't together though Ashton... we haven't been for a long time now. Isn't this the whole point of

he would attempt and that alone terrified

a part of the game with you isn't it? You've been running, hiding, avoiding everyone who's ever tried to care about you... but you can't run from me anymore. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I actually think you love the idea of being chased and sought after... but I've eventually caught you now Sofia, so does that mean you're mine to keep?" He suddenly

was he saying? He

to suppress the urge to curl

the tremor in my hands as he takes a moment to tower over

like a taut wire,

cold sweat forming on my skin, the burn in my chest, and the bile rising at the back of my throat as his words echo around in my mind. But no matter how much I want to break down, no matter how terrified I am, I refuse

at least I

play your game," I finally say, my voice firmer now, though it's a struggle to keep it steady. "You can't force me into anything. I

He doesn't even flinch.

you don't have a choice in the matter because I just love to win. It might be forced in the beginning, but soon enough, you'll love me. I'll keep you down here until you

he doing

through the struggle but it's no use against his strength, as he pulls me up to stand beside him -

Stop this!" I argue, before he begins to tug me back towards the bedroom, sending my

towards the bed. "I'll never let you break me, Ashton. No matter what you do, I'll never

far, but it seemed that I barely

my chest on the bed, as he remains stood by the door, breathing

face is horrific to look at. I'll be back down for you later and you don't want to piss me off more than you already have..." he states, shocking me as he does a complete

game? Tormenting me until

climbing the steps, jingling his keys before locking

be missing out on the complete story. Head over there to dive into

only then that I drop my guard and break down in deep sobs, choking as I fall in to a fully blown

silence after