Shadows In Durango

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

I went for a quick shower, leaving the door slightly ajar as a comfort to Sofia knowing that I wasn't far from her incase she got upset again...

I also wanted to give her some space to think over everything we had discussed, knowing that neither of the options I had presented to her were exactly perfect, but it was all we had. This whole fucking situation itself was far from perfect...

I was angry and despite texting my father long ago, he still hadn't replied...

I was angry at her brothers for the way they'd showed up in town, thinking they were the damn shit, and I was mostly pissed at Sofia's father for using her as a bargaining chip her whole life!

Hell, I was still even angry at myself for being so reckless with her life, though I knew there was no going back now...

All I could do was figure out the best way to go forward, the safest way for Sofia.

After quickly drying off, I threw on a T-shirt and sweats, keeping everything casual. I didn't want her to feel any extra tension around me and wanted to keep this place light and cosy to act as a 'safe house' for the time being. The day had been heavy enough for us all already without this place feeling like a prison...

I walked back into the bedroom, and her eyes drifted over to me, cautious yet relieved to see me again.

"You want to go sit downstairs?" I asked, my voice gentler now. "Leroy and Quade are long gone, it's only us that are here now. I could make you some hot chocolate, it might help you to think straight?" I offer.

Her eyes softened, the first flicker of warmth I'd seen in them since this ordeal had started... "Yeah... that actually sounds nice," she murmured, pulling her legs up to sit cross-legged on the bed.

She looked fragile and worn out, her guard having fell down in a way that made me want to go punch every wall.

I moved towards her, helping her stand, as we headed downstairs. Sofia immediately curled up on the sofa, pulling her legs to her chest as I grabbed a nearby blanket from the basket and tossed it her way.

I watched her for a second, wrapping it over herself, taking in her small form. She needed her own time to think, to breathe, but with me still being close by.

In the kitchen, I filled a mug with milk, my mind reeling over the options we'd discussed. Hiding abroad was an option, sure, but it was a pussy one that was my least favourite of the three (though I wouldn't tell Sofia that).

Option two... well, if I was being honest, that was the one I wanted her to pick most but I highly doubted that she would. Her father, her brothers - they were ruthless, heartless men, the kind I'd dealt with before and the kind I didn't mind removing from the picture entirely.

I could handle it. No questions asked. Especially this time - for Sofia.

But then, her face popped into my mind, how she'd looked at me when I'd mentioned it, eyes wide with shock and... a trace of fear. I'd crossed a line with her that I wasn't sure I could uncross, but she had a right to know my truth... The milk started to heat up, and I added cocoa powder, watching it dissolve into swirls in the mug. My mind wrestled with the third option - a new negotiation.

Sofia's father seemed like the kind of man who could barely hear anyone else's voice over his own, let alone consider anything fair. He wanted her in that arranged marriage contract, wanted control over her future, wanted the money... Trying to negotiate with him now felt like surrendering in a way. But still, if it gave Sofia a sliver of freedom then I would consider it.

But just as I thought that, a new idea hit me!

I leaned forward and gripped the counter, the weight of it sinking in as I began to think it through.

Her father didn't just want control over her - he wanted to punish her. He wanted to ruin her life completely - to make her miserable...

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But what if he saw her and thought that she was already miserable? With me?!

What if there was a way to make him believe that Sofia was already living out his worst version of her future?

A plan began to form, dark and twisted...

If Sofia's father thought she was trapped with me, alone, and utterly miserable, maybe then he'd back off?

Maybe if we could fake that she was with a man just as controlling as he was he would happily take the money and go?

I could act the part. I'd make sure every single one of them believed it her father, her brothers. They'd see how 'depressed' she is, and they'd think they'd won.

I'd be the villain in their eyes, so they wouldn't feel the need to be it anymore...

A twisted smile crossed my lips as I stirred the hot chocolate in a mug, an odd satisfaction settling over me.

This could actually work!

The plan wasn't foolproof, and although it sounded somewhat fun, it could still very much fail if they weren't convinced...

I made a move to carry the mug back in to the living room, finding Sofia exactly where I'd left her.

Handing her the mug, she immediately sipped at the chocolate, her eyes focused on the cup, and I could tell she was still lost in thought, considering her options.

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"Sofia," I said slowly, watching her face shift, "I might have another idea. It's... a wild one, but it could work."

Her gaze met mine, eyebrows lifting as she perked up a little, her curiosity overcoming her exhaustion.

"What if we make them believe... that you're already trapped?" I said, my voice even. "What if your father and your brothers thought you were already in a miserable, toxic relationship... with me?"

Her eyes widened, confusion flashing before an understanding settled in. She opened her mouth to speak but paused, weighing her words.

"I could play the part, Sofia, act like I'm terrible to you. Just enough to make them back off. To make them think that they don't need to take you because..." I hesitated, trying to find the words, "...because they'd believe you're living exactly the way they wanted you to live-controlled, abused, unhappy, and... with me as the new bad guy in their eyes."

She let out a slow breath, her gaze dropping down to the mug again as she took another sip, processing.

I could almost see the wheels turning in her mind, the pieces clicking into place.

"You don't think they would ever suspect that it's a lie?" she whispered, almost to herself.

"That's the beauty of it," I replied, my voice dropping. "They'd want to believe it. They'd want to think I'm the worst thing that could've ever happened to you." I leaned forward, holding her gaze. "It wouldn't be easy, though. We'd have to play it off well, make sure they buy every little detail. But if they do... then maybe they'll finally take the cash and leave you alone?"

Sofia nodded, her expression contemplative, torn but intrigued....

"Let me think about it..." She mumbles, as I nod and force out a smile - feeling as though the new plan was our best one yet.

Just at that, an incoming call from my father began to ring through, gaining both of our attentions as we eyed the device on the coffee table.

Here it goes... let's see what he has to fucking say for himself now!