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...

remember what we talked about last night?" Vincent broke the silence after some time,

just... I'm still not sure how

unreadable. "We'll hopefully figure all of that out today.

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

overthinking again, try not to stress yourself out more than necessary..." Vincent said, his eyes fixed ahead on the road as he attempted to offer me some

muttered out with a dry laugh, wrapping my

but he'll help us. We have a leverage here... your father trusts mine remember so let's use that to our advantage!" Vincent suggests, and for now,

decided to close my eyes, drowning in the next hit that began to play through the car speakers - 'Careless Whisper' by George Michael, a song in which

one that my father would often complain about, telling her to switch it off when I was

she used to, but he made it almost impossible! He was different now... far more sadistic... it was sad to think back on

us, its stark exterior as imposing as the very man who owned it. My chest tightened

to go in first? Make sure nobody's in there?" He asks, and I was instantly thankful for the suggestion,

hands clasped together in my lap as I watched him disappear through the front door, leaving me alone in

vehicle was oppressive, and despite the warmth of the morning sun filtering

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

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

outside and I was instantly relieved

quickly unbuckled my seatbelt and climbed out of the car, sucking in a deep breath as I swiftly moved towards him - almost terrified to be seen out

I hadn't realised

as I passed by. The gesture was subtle, comforting, and it gave

remembered it - clean, modern, and meticulously decorated. It didn't feel like a home; it felt like a show room, a perfectly curated space meant to impress,

room, where his father was already waiting for

of authority, the kind that demanded attention without needing to raise his voice. His dark suit was tailored to perfection and as his sharp eyes settled down on me, I felt an involuntary shiver run down my spine.

but measured greeting. "It's good to see you

the nerves bubbling up inside me. "Thank you for agreeing to help us..." I whisper, almost embarrassed at

Vincent's... urgency was hard to ignore." He turned

father's scrutiny, crossing his arms over his chest as we

in, settling down on the sofa seating by the window, as his father leaned forward with

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

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, as I instinctively shuffle a