Shadows In Durango

Chapter 128

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

I watched Sofia and Emma disappear off down the hallway together, leaving a silence in their wake as they no doubt planned to discuss each and every detail of what had went on between us over at my house... She hadn't looked back either.

Not once.

Itching to rid herself of my company as quickly as possible - which I hated to admit hurt my feelings.

Her parting words echoed around in my mind, repeating on a loop like a stuck record: "Hopefully I'll find a way to move past all of this, just give me time to figure it out."

In other words, she was still a very long way from forgiving me. A long way from trusting me. And the worst part? She hadn't even seemed to care that I told her I loved her.

That was big for me to even admit, since before meeting her, I didn't even believe in love...

The thought made my jaw tighten as I sank down onto one of those hard plastic waiting room chairs again, forcing myself to sit still even though every inch of me was restless and wanted to move.

She had just stood there when I said it too, looking at me like I'd told her something as trivial as what I'd had for breakfast...

I barely noticed Reid taking the seat across from me, his gaze set with that knowing look of his, always prepared to poke his nose in every corner of my business.

He didn't have to say a word for me to sense his curiosity brewing...

"So," Reid finally began, his voice testing, "are you gonna tell me what went down, or am I supposed to just guess?"

I straightened up instantly, casting him a warning glance. "Not right now, Reid, just know that it went shit!" I state bluntly, expecting for that to be the end of it - which was wishful thinking.

He just leaned back, folding his arms comfortably whilst stretching out his legs. "Come on, Vin. You look like you've been through a hurricane. I can't believe that girl has you wrapped around her pinky finger like this... it's maddening to see you in this much of a state all because she's mad at you!" He scoffs next, shaking his head, as I scowl.

I tensed, my fingers tapping restlessly against my knee as I wanted nothing more than to fly across and attack him.

"It's between Sofia and me and It will get fixed soon enough." I conclude, leaving no room for dispute.

Reid raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "Look, I'm not asking for the play-by-play, but maybe you'd feel better getting some of it out? I'm guessing you spoke about the arranged marriage scenario?" He trails off, as my blood begins to seriously boil.

fucking feel better if you just backed off?!" I replied, harsher than I intended but I

just shook his head with that familiar half-smile, always unbothered by my outbursts - he had been that way since we were kids which only bothered me more. "Fine. Guess I'll let you stew in it on your own, then." He

his eyes on me every so often, dissecting my silence as though he was trying his damn hardest

to churn in my stomach all over again, mixing with the humiliation that came with being the one to say "I love

shouldn't have said it when I did I knew that now. It wasn't the right moment, not the moment she deserved at least. But I'd just been so wrapped up in trying to make things

my feelings for her, that this wasn't all just some nasty set up to put

dropped as he leaned back and closed his eyes, giving me some form of reprieve from his

to my jacket pocket for my phone, checking it for the first

I saw the screen flash with notifications: three missed calls and six unread messages, all from

Yay.

one getting a little more impatient which was no surprise to me since this

pissed off having to manage

so is Frazier's patience. I can't just

under control before her father starts knocking on all of my properties across the country

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Vincent, I have more important

of the

still very much had to

Reid's eyes slide back over to me, catching the look on my face as I scowled down at the device, but I couldn't stay there to explain.

from the seat as Reid nodded knowingly, looking concerned

headed straight for the exit doors, knowing that whatever our conversation was going to entail, would

like a slap, clearing some of the fog in

demand, each a reminder of the one part

as I hesitated, taking a breath,

rang twice

he barked, his tone sharp and familiar, laced with that impatience

down the irritation that flared. "I

because he still can't get a hold of his daughter. So, tell me, Vincent-how is it you're too busy to get anything useful

at the station giving statements all morning too and then I had to drive home

line, before he

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