Shadows In Durango

Chapter 136

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

The morning came too quickly, the kind of morning where the weight of the day presses down on you before your eyes are even fully open...

I hadn't slept much, despite being secured in Vincent's comforting hold the entire night, but my mind kept replaying the many 'what if's' as my anxiety took full control.

Vincent's words from the night before would act as a constant reminder of the hope we still had- "It has to work." That was what he'd said, and call me a fool, but I wanted so desperately to believe him.

I sat on the edge of the bed ready to go, my fingers twisting a loose thread around on the hem of my sweatshirt.

The place was quiet, eerily so, except for the faint sounds of Vincent moving around downstairs. The man could move like a ghost when he wanted, but I'd learned to pick up on the subtle creaks and footfalls that signaled he was still around... Pulling my knees up to my chest, I rested my chin on them, trying to steel myself for what was coming as I focused on my breathing - in and out - slow and steady.

My ears honed in on Vincent's ascent up the stairs, each brush of his foot on the step bringing him closer to finding me here on the bed in silence.

A small knock on the door frame jolted my head around, pulling me from my thoughts as though I was surprised to see him there - despite having known that he was on his way up.

"You ready to go? I'm cutting it pretty short for time now..." He explains, as I take that as my sign to push myself to stand, my sneakers finding the floor boards beneath me.

We made our way downstairs, Vincent grabbing both the house and his car keys from the hook by the door as I shuffled my way towards him.

He was dressed casually in some spare clothes he had kept here - black jeans and a dark green tee - but the tension in his posture gave him away and defeated the whole 'casual' vibe he had gone for today...

"You good?" he asked, his tone clipped but not unkind as his hand reached for the door.

I nodded, swallowing hard. "They definitely won't be in there waiting for me will they? What if this is all just a trap?!" I question, my deepest fears coming to the surface as he all but shakes his head.

"Nah, never! My father may be a dick but he wouldn't do that, he knows I'd fucking ruin him if he did!" Vincent states dryly, meaning everything he had said as I swallow and nod.

I just have to trust him on this...

The drive back was quiet at first, with nothing but the smooth classics playing on the radio, acting as a mild distraction in the meantime. I stared out the window, watching the world blur by, trying to focus on anything other than the anxiety twisting in my stomach at the fear of showing up to Vincent's place - being forced to confront my brothers if they were to still be in there...

what we talked about last night?" Vincent broke the silence after some time, his voice low but

replied quickly, almost too quickly. "I just... I'm still not sure how we're supposed

hopefully figure all of that out today. My father will have some ideas and we can go from

wave of unease rolling through me. He was an intimidating man, although he had been pretty pleasant with me when

try not to stress yourself out more than necessary..." Vincent said, his eyes fixed ahead on the road

obvious?" I muttered out with a dry laugh, wrapping

it Sofia. Dealing with my Dad isn't exactly a walk in the park, but he'll help us. We have a leverage here... your father trusts mine remember

my eyes, drowning in the next hit that began to play through the car speakers - 'Careless Whisper' by

often complain about, telling her to switch it off when I was younger, as my mother

wished I could just ignore him like she used to, but he made it almost impossible! He was different now... far more sadistic... it was sad to think back on how our family home used to be. Back when my

house looming before us, its stark exterior as imposing as the

there?" He asks, and I was instantly thankful for the suggestion, as I nodded and watched

strode toward the house with purpose, his movements sharp and efficient, like he was on a mission. My hands clasped together in my lap as I watched him disappear through the front door, leaving me alone in the

despite the warmth of the morning sun filtering in through the windows,

fingers against the edge of my seat, counting the seconds to help pass

the front door and the rearview mirrors, half expecting something—or someone to jump out

passed before Vincent reappeared, stepping back outside and I was instantly relieved to see

in a deep breath as I swiftly

steady breath that I hadn't realised I was holding. "O-Okay then,

let me in, his hand brushing lightly against the small of my back as

was just as I remembered it - clean, modern, and meticulously decorated. It didn't feel like a

led me through to the living room, where his father was already waiting for us,

to raise his voice. His dark suit was tailored to perfection and as his sharp eyes settled down on me, I felt an involuntary

head in a polite but measured greeting. "It's good

steady despite the nerves bubbling up inside me. "Thank you for agreeing to help

Vincent's... urgency was

crossing his arms over his chest as we both followed him out and down the hallway towards the

the sofa seating by the window, as his father leaned forward with his hands clasping together - waiting for Vincent to be the first

at me briefly before beginning. "We aren't agreeing to the marriage." He

It's the easiest option you've got! So you want me to just go back to him and tell him that the deals off the table? He won't be happy..." his father begins to ramble,