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...

gave when he was already working angles in his own head. "Your little outburst 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

I wanted to hurl it across the room, but Sofia's watchful eyes kept me somewhat

by to talk to you about it tomorrow morning before we make any moves, and I expect you to be there - ALONE!" I

chews her lip, pulling a face that practically leaks of uncertainty, as I hope to talk her round on the idea before going forward with

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

cut Sofia's family out of her life as swiftly as possible:

back here at nine sharp, I have a busy schedule tomorrow so don't be late." He

Old man...

wake Sofia and 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 down

wide eyes locking onto me as I felt guilty

I'd noticed she fell into whenever she was trying to keep herself calm - one that made me often wonder how she even

tone contrasting to the irritation

my gaze. "What's the final plan then,

to be directly in front of her, crouching down to make myself on her level before taking her trembling

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 satisfied, I'll pay them off and they'll leave you

I was determined to make something work

breathless words hit me like a gut punch, as I

take a deep breath and let me help you, I'll make this better - I promise!" I ensure, squeezing her hands in mine as she sniffles to retain

mean?" Sofia babbles, as I shake my head and hush her gently. "Tomorrow, we will go see my Dad and he'll help us with the plan, but until then - you need some rest - you're safe here tonight."