Shadows In Durango

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

I barely hang up the phone before I'm back pacing in the office again, hating the feeling of being out of control in any situation let alone one involving Sofia!

Ashton that piece of shit from her past - had been here in town for who only knows how long, and I didn't even know anything about it!

I felt like a fucking fool!

The thought of him worming his way back in to her life behind my back makes my stomach churn, my fists clenching so hard that my nails begin to bite into my palms.

I can't believe I didn't know about him sooner, when Daryl had been the one to show him around at school and Emma also knew that he was here...

I was slightly annoyed that Emma also hadn't told me about this crucial information sooner, but I also knew that it wasn't a deliberate mistake on her part.

I was just extremely on edge with the whole thing and this addition to the story didn't help me in the slightest.

Sofia had been carrying this weight, hiding it from me, while I was too wrapped up in my own guilt dealing with her father and his demands behind her back.

She didn't think she could approach me to tell me about this, because I foolishly gave her that impression, and that was what hurt me most.

Fuck!

Emma's worried sobs fill the room, and Reid's quiet words of comfort try to calm her down, but I can't focus on them right now.

My mind is already ten steps ahead, trying to figure out my next move in a variety of different scenarios.

Daryl's going to try and sneak into the school, but it's the weekend, and who knows if he'll even get anything useful - so what then?!

Time was slipping away... and I felt stuck.

I barely knew two things about this guy, let alone where in town to find him. It would be a waste of time to roam the streets hoping for him to just show up!

We needed his address, and we needed it before it is too late.

"Ok, what have I missed now?" I turn to find my father entering the room, having not even heard the door due to my hammering thoughts acting as a distraction.

"We think it's her ex-boyfriend who has her, the guy from the footage. Daryl is going to the school to see if he can get his file for an address." I explain, praying with each second going by that he would call me back with something useful. My father's brows knit together, as he watches me carefully, seeming to go down a new thought process after hearing my update...

"Did you consider that maybe the girl plans on getting back with him now? I mean, they clearly have a past connection already Vincent and for all we know, she called him to come pick her up? I wouldn't waste your time looking for her if she doesn't actually want to be found son..." He begins to rabble a whole lot of bullshit, as the anger spikes from within me.

Before I can even respond, Emma is the first to speak out at this, surprising me. "Definitely not! She hates him! She was terrified when she found out he had moved to town, he would be the last person she would call to pick her up - especially on the side of the road near my house - she was on her way to my place before this happened, I know it!" She states firmly, as I can't help but smirk at her words.

I nod at her proudly, silently agreeing with her statement, as my father only sighs - not understanding the weight of our relationships to Sofia.

To him, Sofia was just a stupid girl from school that I had a crush on, but to me - she was much more than that.

I had never felt this way about anyone in my life!

My father irritated me when he would make comments like this as for a man who forced me to grow up way ahead of my years, he still viewed me as an idiotic child at the best of times... giving me relationship advice when I handle a whole lot worse for him on the daily? Save it!

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You would assume that after everything I had done for him and his business throughout my life, involving myself in his shitty crimes since the mere age of fourteen, that he would have some respect for my choices by now. Sofia isn't just a crush, she's mine, and that was final!

"Just know this, because I won't say it again, Sofia will be here for a long time in my life because she isn't just some random girl who I'll ditch in a week. I'm not a kid anymore and I know what I'm fucking doing with my life - I won't let anything happen to her so get used to having her around!" I tell him firmly, as I watch his eyes widen as he takes a moment to respond to my sudden outburst.

As the shock dies out, he only sniggers, shaking his head and holding up his hands. "Alright, alright, fine I hear you... you'll find her soon enough so stop stressing out so much, I was trying to help." He laughs, attempting to bring humour to the table as I just stare through him - unamused.

Before the conversation can progress any further, my phone begins to ring, as I practically lunge at it seeing Daryl's name flash up on the screen.

I had refused to even speak to him only hours ago but right now I needed his help with getting Sofia back - that was my top priority.

"Daryl? Did you get in?!" I question, as the room around me falls silent, the three of them perking up to know what would happen next.

"The janitor almost didn't let me in so I had to wait for five for him to disappear before rushing in to the office... every cabinet was locked but I eventually found a sticky note with the office lady's computer log in to get on to the system." Daryl begins his story, as I clench my teeth at the long winded response.

"Right, well?!" I hurry him on, moving swiftly to grab a notepad and pen expecting him to recite an address.

"Was worried at first because I couldn't find him on the system and thought that it was maybe because he was new and they hadn't added him on yet." Daryl continues, as I suddenly slam a hand down on the desk causing Emma to almost fall out of her skin with fright.

"DARYL DID YOU FIND HIS ADDRESS OR NOT? TELL ME IT?!" I rage, my patience wearing thin.

"Fucking hell Vin, I'm getting to it! I found him on the system, registered previously to an address in California, but when I clicked through his notes I found something saying 'pending paperwork' with a listing for residency at Sunburst lane but the only thing is, it didn't have a specific number." He concludes, as I scribble down Sunburst and drop the pen down on the desk.

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Great, it's a start!

"Great, thanks for that. I still don't forgive you though." I state bluntly down the line, as Daryl laughs dryly at my comment.

"I'll head over there now, make a start on asking around until you get here." Daryl offers, as I nod and motion for Reid to follow me out.

"Yeah just look out for a silver Jag parked in the area, I won't be long." I state, before saying a brief goodbye and hanging up.

I finally felt for the first time in hours that we had hope of getting her back...

This had been all my fault, and I had to make things right with her...

"I'm coming too!" Emma states firmly, halting me in my steps as I turn to look back at her.

"Nah it might be dangerous." I state, before moving to grab my car keys that lay by the door.

"I don't care! Think about it Vincent, If she still doesn't want to talk to you then at least she will talk to me! Let me come, I'll even stay in the car the whole time - you can lock me in!" Emma pleads further, as Reid only sighs and she continues to follow us out like a lost puppy dog.

Thinking on her reasoning, maybe she was right. I didn't know what state of mind Sofia would be in and perhaps by having Emma there it would help combat that.

"Fine, get in, but do as we say! We don't know what we're even dealing with yet!" I tell her firmly, as we all climb in and set off towards Sunburst Lane.

It was a decent area in town, quiet, and typically just somewhere with a lot of elderly people residing there. I had hope that we would find Sofia safe and cared for - finding this whole thing to be a big misunderstanding.

But something deep down within me seemed to scream out to me that I was being foolish with that thought... that Sofia hadn't just been in an old lady's home having tea this whole time... this was all shaping up to seem far more sinister than that. But I guess we are about to find out...