Shadows In Durango

Chapter 135

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

I picked up the phone, eyeing the name "Dad" flashing up across the screen as I bite back the urge to scoff.

He often didn't deserve the title at the best of times...

Glancing back at Sofia, I saw her tense up slightly, her fingers tightening around her mug as she dreaded to know more about why her own brothers were currently seated in my house...

With a sigh, I swiped to answer him and swiftly pressed the phone up to my ear before it was too late-

"Why haven't you called me sooner?" I kept my tone controlled, not wanting to let my frustration leak through just yet.

"Well Vincent, I assume that Reid would have told you already that I've been handling some... unexpected business," my father's voice came back to me, as calm as ever.

"Well, has it been handled yet?! Are they gone?" I snap, before hearing him press out a heavy sigh which causes for me to rant on further; "We were seconds away from walking right in on them, do you understand how fucking bad that is for Sofia? How do they even know that she is staying there, did you fucking tell them?!"

"Did I tell them?! Vincent do you think that I'm a damn fool all of a sudden? I warned you about this, didn't I? I told you they were persistent... it didn't take much for them to ask around to find out where you were living with the girl!" He sneers back, as I ignore the way Sofia's eyes fill up as she watches the exchange with dread.

"Well are you at least going to tell me what they said and where they are right now?!" I snap out, impatient and irritated that I still hadn't learned any new information from this phone call so far...

is noted, Vincent," my father said, his voice cool and condescending, as though I were a child throwing a pathetic tantrum. "They left town an hour ago. For now, they're back at their hotel, but don't think for a second they'll stay put there for long. They'll want answers, and they'll want her. I managed to

around the phone. In that moment, I wanted to hurl it across the room, but Sofia's watchful eyes kept me somewhat

any moves, and I expect you to be there - ALONE!" I insist,

pulling a face that practically leaks of uncertainty, as I hope to talk her

best shot we had right now, one that would at least delete the whole forced marriage dilemma and eternal family

was to cut Sofia's family out of

I'll see you back here at nine sharp, I have a busy schedule tomorrow so don't be late." He grumbles, showing his age

Old man...

drive back there in the early hours, but I choose to give in to him knowing that it would be easier for us all... Satisfied, the call ended, before I tossed the phone

me as I felt guilty for the reaction but didn't

whenever she was trying to keep herself calm - one that

I asked softly, my tone contrasting to the irritation still burning in my chest from everything that had

didn't meet my gaze. "What's the final plan then, Vincent?" she murmured, her

hand back through my hair and let out a frustrated sigh before I moved to be directly in front of her, crouching down to make myself on her level before taking her trembling hands in

you as a pawn in all of this, like you're something to be controlled and traded for the rest of your life! But we can easily convince them that your life with me is already miserable... once they're

make something work

so fucking disappointed that they turned out like this..." Her breathless words hit me

let me help you, I'll make this better - I promise!" I ensure, squeezing her hands in mine

that I'm abused and miserable will work? How would we do it though? Make it believable, I mean?" Sofia babbles, as I shake my head and hush her gently. "Tomorrow, we will go