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.

I knew deep down that I didn't have the luxury of failing anymore... this has to work if it's the

our whole act, won't it? I'll just look more miserable to them, so I'm just telling myself that it's ok to fall apart when I see them..." I explain my

to look at it... but just know Sofia, that I'm proud of you, you know? 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 -

have my back right to the

Woah...

low rumble of an engine pulling up into the driveway shattered our valuable moment, as Vincent instantly twisted himself around

I released a breath I hadn't been aware I had

to peak out of the cracks in the blinds to watch him exit

makeup and

opening, and the sound of footsteps echoed

loudly, obviously unaware that we were both only

lesser tone, before more footsteps are heard and Vincent's father appears in the room with us first, his broad shoulders taking up most of

place in the house, dressed in a sleek black turtleneck 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... adjustments that we need for

flipping as I glanced at the case Sergio

the kind of kit makeup artists used for professional photoshoots or crime scene

frame a stark contrast to Sergio's diminutive stature. He crossed his arms over his chest, his gaze hard as he studied the man. "You told him what he's here for I

in the past - he

is more... delicate work, yes. But do not worry. I will make her look - how you say - like a homeless

A homeless dog?!

Really?!

tense then I would have laughed out loud at how ridiculous his metaphor

hands, looking directly at me now as though there were no more time

a small nod of encouragement. Reluctantly, I pushed

the intensity of an artist sizing up his subject as I squirmed under his sharp eye.

toward the light,

half to himself. "Small frame but zis is actually a good thing! Shall I say, za bruises will look more dramatic on you