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...

night?" Vincent broke

how we're supposed to make it all believable.

me briefly, his expression unreadable. "We'll hopefully figure all of that out today. My father will have some ideas and

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

Vincent said, his eyes fixed ahead on the road as he attempted to offer

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

His lips twitched in what could almost be called a smile. "Look, I get 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 so let's use that to our advantage!" Vincent suggests, and for

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

her to switch it off when I was younger, as

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 Mom was still alive and acting as the glue that held us all

the house looming before us, its stark

thankful for the suggestion, as I nodded and

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

the morning sun filtering

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

flickered between the front door and the rearview mirrors, half

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

against the frame of the open door and gestured for me to come in. I quickly unbuckled my seatbelt and climbed out of the car, sucking in a deep breath as I swiftly moved towards him -

I hadn't realised I was

the small of my back as I passed by. The gesture was subtle, comforting, and it gave me the strength to push

house was just as I 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,

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

that demanded attention without needing to raise his voice. His dark suit was tailored to perfection and as his sharp

greeting. "It's good to see you again... maybe we should take this

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

into a faint smile - though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Of course. Vincent's... urgency was hard to ignore." He turned his gaze to his son, one eyebrow arching. "So, what's the grand plan this

over his chest as we both

his father leaned forward with his hands

"We aren't agreeing to the marriage." He states, as his father

and tell him that the deals off the table? He won't be happy..." his father begins to ramble, as I instinctively shuffle