Shadows In Durango

Chapter 143

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

The room was silent except for the faint hum of the refrigerator. I sat on the hard stool, my fingers digging into its edges as I tried to steady my breathing ever since the doorbell had rang... The air in the storage room was stuffy, thick with the scent of old wood and the faint bitterness of spirits lining the shelves. It felt like a cage, a windowless void where time had slowed to a crawl. Vincent's words echoed in my mind: "Go with the flow... act scared." My body was already ahead of me. The nerves were buried in my gut, tightening into something unbearable.

The sound of approaching footsteps jolted me and I froze, my heart launching itself against my ribcage as the door creaked open. The same two men from before stepped inside - hired to be here to add an extra flare to the dreaded performance...

They had the kind of hard, vacant faces you'd expect from men who'd done things they didn't dare to speak of. One was shorter and more stocky, with a deep scar slicing across his cheek. The other was taller, a little leaner but just as imposing, his dark eyes assessing me coldly before flickering toward his partner.

"It's time," the scarred one said gruffly as my lip quivered at those gripping words.

I swallowed hard, trying to steady myself as I pushed up off the stool, my legs trembling faintly as they took my weight. I didn't trust my voice to answer them, so I just nodded instead.

The taller man stepped closer to me first, his movements almost cautious. He took my arm gently, his grip surprisingly light, as though he were afraid I'd shatter under his grip.

I blinked up at him, startled by the care. Then the stocky one moved in, taking hold of my other arm a little swifter.

As they began to lead me out, the taller man glanced down at me, his voice low and soft as he said, "I'm sorry... for what we're about to do. For how rough it's gonna look."

His words stopped me dead in my tracks. My head whipped up toward him, my mouth parting in disbelief. I hadn't expected that. Not from him.

"It's ok... thank you..." I breathed, knowing that none of us had a choice since we were already in way too deep...

The taller man's gaze softened just enough to let me know that he meant it. "We don't have a choice. Orders are orders."

For a moment, I couldn't speak. My lips trembled, but I forced myself to answer. "It needs to be done," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "Do whatever it takes to make it believable." They exchanged a quick glance before nodding almost in unison.

We started walking again, the sound of our footsteps echoing off the tiled hallway as we ascended the stairs.

My breathing turned shallow with every step closer to the office, the space between my ribs feeling smaller and smaller.

This is it, I thought. He's up there. They're all up there.

Waiting for me...

By the time we reached the landing, my vision swam with nerves as my feet began to drag back against the floor.

I could hear murmured voices growing louder from behind the office door, low and indistinct. My pulse pounded around in my ears, and I didn't realise the two men had paused until I felt their grips tighten.

The scarred one exhaled sharply. "Remember - don't fight it too hard or it will just hurt more," he muttered, but I could see the tension set in his jaw. "We've got to sell it.' I nodded again, my throat tight.

The taller man eventually reached out his hand and opened the door, and in that moment, everything seemed to stop...

The office was larger than I'd expected, since I hadn't been up here before, yet it felt claustrophobic, the walls seeming to press inward as my eyes scanned the room quickly.

chair, his thinning

into me with an intensity that turned my stomach black. He looked the same as he always had

as Kieran and Freddie stood up from beside him like sentinels as my muscles tensed instantly in fear that they were both ready to charge

his hair a shade redder, his body more rigid and ready for violence at the drop of a hat. Both of them stared at me

felt it all hit me at once the months of running, of hiding, of living with the constant

now they were

in front of

seized up. My chest tightened painfully. I suddenly

me. "N-No- let me go

turning vice-like around my arms as they dragged

a cry,

was hammering. My head was

a

up and met my father's

he tilted his head at me like I

Freddie crossed his arms comfortably, his expression

then my eyes found Vincent amongst the

the far end, his hands clasped firmly on the table top in a relaxed manner, as though none of this was bothering him

switched off and unreadable. The Vincent who had held me just moments ago who had kissed me and whispered reassurances was nowhere to be

less than nothing now to him,

Then he laughed.

she? I think that's why we like her so much..." he drawled out, being the first to speak above my sobs, the mocking tone slicing through the air like a blade. I froze mid-struggle, my head snapping toward him in horror. For

was just an act. It's all part of the plan, I reminded myself desperately. This isn't

felt

roughed her up a bit eh?!" My father asks, eyeing Vincent

me being here. "What'd I tell you about behaving, Sofia? Crying and throwing

to see through

The one who cared.

promised

stayed still, their grips

Vincent's words was suffocating, pressing down on me like the walls of a shrinking room. My father studied me with a sick satisfaction, his smile widening just enough to make my stomach turn. He liked this — seeing me helpless and humiliated. It was his game, and I was the pawn

- liked

eyes landed on Kieran instead, whose smirk deepened as he leaned against the edge of the table. "She's still a fighter, isn't she?" he mused, his voice dripping with mockery. "I've missed

hitched, but I didn't let myself break —at least not completely. I couldn't. Vincent's earlier words replayed in my mind:

my body felt like

ordered suddenly, his voice sharp and cutting

me didn't hesitate as they pulled me forward, forcing me toward the lone chair as

they didn't let me fall; they shoved me down onto the hard seat and

grip for the briefest moment, almost imperceptibly. It was enough for me to realise that he still meant his earlier apology. But right now it

drained every ounce

elbows on the table as he steepled his fingers and leaned closer to me. "Let's have a little