Shadows In Durango

Chapter 138

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

I was halfway down the hallway, my head spinning with the weight of everything my father had just laid out, when my phone buzzed in my pocket.

I pulled it out, noting Reid's name flashing up across the screen. His timing couldn't have been better- or maybe worse? "Reid," I answered, keeping my voice low as I stepped into the nearest empty room.

"Vincent." Reid's tone was steady, but there was an edge of exhaustion to it. "Just checking in. I'm back at the hospital with Daryl. He's still stable, still hanging on. The doctors say they're optimistic, but..." He trailed off, and I could hear the frustration in his voice. Reid wasn't one to deal well with waiting or uncertainty.

"But what?" I pressed, gripping the phone tightly with sudden worry for my friend's state...

"It's just touch and go, you know? It's not like he's up and moving around yet. He's tough as nails, but he's been through hell. The fact that he's still breathing is a damn miracle..." he begins, as I become frustrated.

"Reid what is it? What's worrying them?!" I demand, cutting him off as he breathes out heavily down the line.

"Well... they worry that he's lost feeling in his left hip and that it might affect his leg and his walking... but they said it's too early to tell if he'll get it back or not." Reid informs me, as I close my eyes over and pinch my nose.

How much more bad news can I take at this point?! My blood pressure was above boiling point with all of this...

I exhaled slowly, "It's too early to tell?" I repeat, attempting to find light of the situation.

"Yeah, that's what they said." He tells me, as I nod to myself a couple of times.

"Ok, so there's still hope that he will be fully back to his usual self? We can't think the worst..." I instruct him, knowing that Daryl was tough enough to pull through one way or another.

Daryl had taken a hit for Sofia - both literally and figuratively when Sofia's very life was in danger at the hands of that little freak of an ex-boyfriend of hers, if you could even still give him such a title!

"Well, I appreciate the update," I said, leaning back against the cold wall. "Tell him to keep fighting and that I owe him more than I can ever repay... I don't think I'll make it back today or tomorrow for a visit but I will as soon as I can - as soon as

I get all of this shit handled." I huff, knowing that I still had a major mountain to climb before things could even get remotely close to feeling 'normal' again.

Reid grunted in acknowledgment, but his voice softened. "How are you holding up with all of it anyway? And Sofia? Now that they are in town things might get... messy." He tests, as I scowl at the word choice. Messy.

one way to

had to make a run for it. Fear, anger, and something else - something I couldn't quite place but it was horrific to watch nonetheless. "We're as good as we can be right now," I said after a moment, keeping my voice even. "We've got a plan to convince them to back off out of her life for good but I

me in? Or is this one of your 'I'll fill you in later'

it's a lot to explain right now but yeah, I'll tell you when it's over I guess?" I admitted. "But we've got a meeting with Sofia's brothers and her father tomorrow. My father is helping us so we have things under control so far..." I give him the bare minimum update, as he listens

a hand down the back of his neck, the way he always did when he was concerned. "Alright. Just... be careful then, alright? Daryl doesn't need any more company in the hospital, and I don't feel like attending

I appreciated his concern more than

backup tomorrow, don't hesitate to call, I'll be on standby. Whatever you're planning,

ending the

at the phone in my hand for a moment, my grip tightening around it as I knew that time was now

wall, I headed toward the kitchen in search of Sofia. We needed to talk, and there

would decide everything, and I had to make sure we

I stepped into the kitchen, Sofia was standing by the counter, her back to me. She was gripping the edge tightly,

loosely over her small back, a stark contrast to the rigid posture

softly, not wanting

slightly, just enough to meet my eyes over her shoulder. Her expression was a mix of exhaustion and determination. "You were in there a while," she said, her voice

the room. "Reid just called too. He's with

features. "Oh! How is

spiral. "Still fighting. The doctors are optimistic, but it's going to take time. Reid's worried about some nerve damage, but it's too early to tell." I summarised it gently for her own sanity. She exhaled softly, her shoulders

agreed, stepping closer. "But it wasn't your fault either. He wanted to protect you, and that's exactly what he done - he doesn't regret it. None of us

her hands, her fingers curling into her palms. "It feels like everything I touch ends up broken. My

so she was forced to meet my gaze. "Don't do that. We have a lot to face tomorrow and you don't need to pile any more guilt on top of yourself. The people in your life made

asked, clearly eager to shift the focus before she lost control of herself. I dropped my hand and leaned against the counter beside her. "He doesn't know the full details of the plan, but he knows we're meeting with your father and brothers. He offered backup if we

tightened. "Do you think we'll

how well we sell this. If your father and brothers even suspect that this is all a performance, they won't hesitate to try take you back by force. And if

she

met her gaze, unwavering. "Then I'll do whatever it takes to keep you

moment before she nodded slowly and shifted to snuggle in

second, before