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 put

couldn't quite place but it was horrific to watch nonetheless. "We're as good as we

you in later' deals when all of the chaos is done?" He

details yet, 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

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 your funeral anytime soon

I appreciated his concern more than what I let

Reid added, "I'll keep you posted on Daryl. And Vincent... if you need backup tomorrow, don't hesitate to call, I'll be

ending

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

kitchen in search of Sofia. We

I had to make sure we were ready for each

the kitchen, Sofia was standing by the counter, her back to

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

not wanting to

head 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

into the room. "Reid just called too. He's with Daryl, at

clouding her features. "Oh! How is he?

interrupted, not wanting her to 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.

wasn't your fault either. He wanted to protect you, and that's exactly what he

her fingers curling into her palms. "It feels like everything I touch ends up

"Don't do that. We have a lot to face tomorrow and you don't need to pile any more guilt on top of

with unshed tears, but she blinked them away quickly, straightening her spine. "What did Reid say about tomorrow? Does he think we are fools?" she 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

"Do you think

is all a performance, they won't hesitate to try take you back by force. And if that happens..." I trailed off, not wanting to say the rest out

if that happens?" she pressed, her

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

moment before she nodded slowly and shifted to snuggle in

mere second, before my arms instinctively wrapped around