Shadows In Durango

Chapter 139

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

The house felt eerily quiet as the minutes dragged on. The soft drone of a reality show was playing in the background, but I couldn't even focus on it.

The artificial laughter and overdramatic arguments seemed absurd against the real life scenarios brewing in my own reality.

I sat on the edge of the couch, my hands clasped so tightly in my lap that my knuckles were pulsing white.

Vincent lounged beside me, with his arm draped over the back of the couch, pretending to watch the screen, though I knew he wasn't paying much attention to it either. His jaw was tense, his eyes darting toward the window every few seconds...

Vincent's father had been gone for a fair few hours now, off on some of his "errands" that apparently couldn't wait any longer.

Before he left, he had made a conscious effort to make arrangements for tomorrow - to bring them here for the 'meeting' to which they dreadfully agreed to...

I tried not to let myself think in to it too much since I knew that it would only cause an unnecessary panic attack so instead, I decided to attempt to go with the flow.

It was better that we do this tomorrow - get it over with - as opposed to procrastinating, right?

"This is bullshit - the show I mean! How are you feeling?" Vincent's voice broke through my spiraling thoughts as I turned to look up at him, finding his eyes settled on me.

"As okay as I can be," I replied quietly with a small shrug. "Time's running out, isn't it? I just need to roll with it and pray for a miracle..."

"How do you feel about tomorrow though? You seem far too... calm for my liking. Do you think you'll be able to handle seeing them after so long?" He tests, as I lift my left hand up to rub at my drying throat...

Tomorrow...

The day in which my father and brothers would walk through that door, and everything would hinge on whether we could sell this twisted plan to them or not.

failing anymore... this has to work

them, so I'm just telling

For even agreeing to face them for the first time in a long time, that's major. I'll have your back with this right to the very end - trust me - I'm

me and he'll have my back

Woah...

I can think up a further response, a low rumble of an engine pulling up into the driveway shattered our valuable moment, as Vincent instantly twisted himself around to look out of the

better look at the car, as I released a breath I hadn't been aware I had caged in

his head around a little to peak out of the cracks in the blinds to watch him exit the

got that other guy with him, I'm guessing to help with the makeup and shit..." He recites, as my hands instinctively begin to knot

later, the front door was heard opening, and the sound of

loudly, obviously unaware

here!" Vincent calls back, at a lesser tone, before more footsteps are heard and Vincent's father

and slim-fitting black trousers that screamed high-end fashion. "This," Vincent's father announced, stepping aside and gesturing toward the stranger, "is Sergio. He'll be taking care of the...

as I glanced at the case Sergio was rolling behind him - it clattering

of kit makeup artists used for professional photoshoots or

diminutive stature. He crossed his arms over his chest, his gaze hard

make it look convincing. I've used him many times in the past - he knows what I get up to

delicate work, yes.

A homeless dog?!

Really?!

scenario hadn't been so tense then I would have

up, please," Sergio suddenly instructed me with a sharp clap of his hands, looking directly at me now as though there were no more time to waste. "I need to see what I am working

hesitated, glancing at Vincent first, but he gave me a small nod of encouragement. Reluctantly, I pushed

studied me with the intensity of an artist sizing up his subject as I squirmed under

the light, pressing lightly on

features," he murmured, half to himself. "Small frame but zis is actually a good