Shadows In Durango

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

As I drive back into town with my mind still racing from the heated meeting I just had with our suppliers, I groan loudly to myself knowing that the trucks were now set to leave tomorrow with our gun shipment.

My men were on edge and so was I, knowing that for whatever reason, my father was sending me alongside them to show face for the family - no doubt meaning that our buyers were somewhat important to him. I now had to book a flight and pack a case, unsure of how long I would even be away for on top of that...

Sorting out these "serious problems" for my father was becoming a full-time job in itself lately and it was really starting to piss me the fuck off.

But there's something else that's been occupying my thoughts even more today - Sofia.

Last night was... intense, and while I was happy to finally break through the barriers she had put up, it also complicated things further.

I now had a job to protect her, in fear that her father (whoever he even is) turns up looking for her again one day.

I wouldn't let him take her from me... she deserved so much better, no more running.

I would speak with her tonight to set some new ground rules to help keep her as safe as possible and I even considered taking her with me on the flight tomorrow knowing that I wouldn't want to separate from her - especially after how our date ended.

I don't quite know why I was so obsessed with her, when my initial plan was to simply fuck and ditch her when she first came to school, but since I walked into her old apartment and found those two addicts that she calls neighbours, laying on her floor - I had a frightening urge to protect the poor girl and keep her as close to me as possible.

With that memory creeping into my thoughts alone, I decided then that she would travel with me: it was the only way to help ease my stress.

What would the real harm be in that?

Taking a quick flight, keeping her in the hotel with me, taking her for a nice meal, getting business done privately behind her back before simply heading back home? It wouldn't be that bad and I would feel better having her with me... Deep down I was aware that she also had something with Daryl, and so this could be my chance to win her over.

Daryl was everything she could want in a guy, simply because he was much nicer than me and a hell of a lot more patient...

But I can't deny any longer what I feel for her and I'll have her as mine if it's the last thing I do...

I pull into the parking lot of the bar, noticing that it's unusually empty for this time of day on a Sunday. Tito is behind the bar, polishing glasses when I walk in, and he looks up with a raised eyebrow the second that his eyes lock with mine. "You're early, you said you'd come see me at five" he says, sliding a beer down the counter to a waiting customer.

"Nah we got things sorted faster than I thought," I reply, taking a seat at the bar. "How's everything been in here?"

"Other than you taking my new girl off shift last night? It's been fine." He complains as I smirk, knowing that it had been well worth it.

I give him a half-smile, acknowledging the jab. "Yeah, well, I had a good reason to." I shrug, as he shakes his head at me.

Tito leans in, his expression turning curious. "Something to do with you liking the poor girl by any chance?" He states, as I chuckle.

"Maybe, but she went out with Daryl today, so there's that." I finally say, trying to sound casual about it but knowing it was eating me alive on the inside.

Daryl was my best friend and had been for years, the only way to settle this equally without a feud was to let Sofia decide, as long as she makes the right choice that is...

Tito snorts. "So you're worried about Daryl stealing her away?"

"I don't know," I admit. "I mean, yes, but it's more complicated than that now. I found out about her past and now I'm more invested in her life than ever before, she's had it rough and I've never liked anybody like this before either, it's all just fucked." I explain, as Tito nods in acknowledgment.

"Yeah I could tell when she first walked in asking for a job that she had it bad... not many girls her age ask to work in a bar without having a rough background... I gave her a shot because like you, I felt bad for her." Tito points out, seeming to relate to me more than I had expected.

"But you do like her a lot, don't you?" He adds.

He's definitely not wrong.

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I nod, knowing there's no point in denying it. "Yeah, I suppose I do and I think she likes me too, but Daryl... he's a good guy and she's confused by us both. I've already fucked up a few times with my temper." I grumble in admission.

Tito shakes his head, chuckling. "Love triangles, huh? Always a mess. But if you want my two cents, just be straight with her. Women appreciate honesty, even if it's not what they want to hear."

"Yeah, I know," I say, feeling the weight of his advice. "I just don't want to look fucking desperate - that ain't my style." I huff, as he all but laughs.

"Then don't," he says simply. "Just be there for her until she decides, and give her the space to figure things out."

I nod, knowing that he's right. I need to be patient, even if it's killing me inside. Sofia is worth it. If she doesn't choose me, I'll deal with that at a later date.

If I can handle it that is...

I reach into my side pocket and retrieve my phone, staring down at it, hoping to see a message from her, but the screen remains stubbornly blank. I toss it aside on top of the bar, the frustration bubbling up. This can't go on between Sofia, Daryl and I for much longer!

I need to clear my head, figure out a plan for tomorrow and put measures in place to at least help her.

After a while, I say a brief goodbye to Tito, explaining that Sofia would be coming with me tomorrow and may miss her shift on Wednesday again too - to which he wasn't overly happy about. But it's my bar.

Heading home, I glance at the time in my car display which shows it was growing closer to five. Surely they would be back from lunch by now?

I get there in record time, slamming the car door shut, the force of it barely making a dent in the frustration beginning to boil inside of me as there was no sign of Daryl's car in the drive.

The brief drive home should have helped to clear my head, but it didn't. Instead, it just made everything louder, more chaotic.

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Walking through the front door, the silence in the house feels off, like it's mocking me.

Normally, I'd welcome the quiet, use it to think, to plan. But right now, it's just making the noise in my head worse.

I need to hear her voice, to see her, to know she's close.

I head upstairs, my room feeling colder, emptier than usual. I toss my keys onto the dresser and stare at my phone, the urge to call her clawing away at me.

But I hesitate, trying to hold on to some semblance of control. The same words echo in my mind-don't come off as desperate. But fuck, that's exactly how I feel right now. Finally, I give in and dial her number, my heart pounding as it rings. Once, twice - and then she picks up.

"Hi Vincent?" Her voice is soft, steady, but I can hear a hint of something else. Uncertainty, maybe.

"Hey," I say, trying to keep my tone casual. "Are you almost back yet?"

"Yeah we are on our way, we went a walk in the park. Is everything alright?" Sofia asks gently, as I sigh slightly knowing she would be here soon.

"Mhm, just need to talk to you about some shit that I need to sort out." I tell her, not giving too much away.

Daryl would no doubt be pissed that I was taking her on the trip with me, especially knowing himself what it involved and its risks, but I don't care - I was going to be selfish. Nothing would happen to her under my watch anyway.

There's a pause, and I can almost see her biting her lip, thinking. "Okay, well I'll see you soon then!" she chimes finally, evidently awkward that I had called her during her time with Daryl. Now I just have to wait...