Shadows In Durango

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

I pulled away from Sofia reluctantly, letting her go even as my arms wanted to keep holding on.

It tore me up to see her like this, but I couldn't show a lot of weakness now. Not in front of her. Not when everything hinged on us keeping it together and for me to portray that I was nothing more than a bad bastard with no feelings... "Come on, we better go downstairs to prepare..." I said softly, motioning for her to follow me. "We'll hide you in one of the rooms until the time is right. My father's men will stay near - probably just outside of the room to give you some space Just remember that when you see your family, if you lose total control of your emotions then it's ok, it will play in to our whole plan so just let yourself go - this won't be easy." I ramble, as she hums absentmindedly at my advice.

"I texted Reid too," I explained, keeping my tone even. "Told him to park up near the house with a couple of my own guys who I trust. They'll keep their distance unless something goes wrong. Just as an extra precaution. If all else fails, I won't let them leave this house with you, ok?"

Sofia didn't reply, but the subtle dip of her head told me that she understood every word.

We descended down the steps, before reaching the small room by the kitchen that my father and I had agreed upon - finding two of the men that I had met previously upstairs, now posted by the door.

I pressed my hand on Sofia's back to push her inside, offering each of them a short nod to which they returned, understanding their orders for the day - despite how uncomfortable it made me.

The room wasn't much—just a plain, storage room for our alcohol and spirits with nothing more than a couple of stools inside for seating.

The only benefit was that it was windowless, meaning that Sofia would be secure in here for the time being. It would keep her completely out of sight, and that's all that mattered.

She paused in the middle of the space, her hands brushing over the display of wine bottles, "This feels... suffocating," she admitted, glancing over her shoulder back at me as I sighed.

"It's temporary," I reassured her, stepping in behind her. "You'll only be here until the meeting starts. Then... well, you know the plan after that, just play along with whatever happens and act scared." Sofia nodded, swallowing hard as she moved to sit on one of the available stools.

"Here, give me a kiss before I leave..." I demand gently, leaning down towards her and grabbing her chin with my hand, tilting it upwards.

Thankfully, she doesn't deny me that, as she closes over her eyes and allows for me to lean in - touching my lips against her own soft ones.

The moment was tender and necessary to give me the courage needed for what was about to play out.

Pulling back, her eyes fluttered open, as I studied her sitting there - looking small, hurt and fragile. The fake bruises and cuts painted on her skin made the sight almost unbearable as I continued to remind myself that none of it was real... Before I could say anything else, the door creaked open behind me as I turned sharply to see one of my father's men - the shorter, more stocky guy with a scar running across his cheek — now standing in the doorway.

"Boss says that time's ticking, that you should go through and wait in the office with him now." he grunted, his voice rough.

I shot him a glare for rushing me, before turning back to Sofia. "Just stay here, and go with the flow, I believe in you - this is it!" I told her firmly.

She nodded, her fingers tightening around the edge of the stool as I eventually turned and followed the man out of the room... leaving her behind.

The hallway felt colder as I left the storage room, a suffocating air filling my lungs. Every step away from Sofia felt like a betrayal, even though I knew it was the only way.

The shorter man with the scar led me toward the larger office at the far end of the house, where the meeting table had already been set up...

The room was already tense when I stepped inside. My father stood at the head of the table, radiating his usual calm authority. His gold rings caught the light as he gestured toward a folder laid out in front of him. "Vincent," my father greeted, not looking up as he flipped through some papers. "You're late. Is everything in place with the girl?"

I didn't bother answering right away, crossing the room to take a seat at the opposite end of the table.

"How can I possibly be late if they aren't even here?!" I start, my tone clipped; "She's ready," I said flatly, keeping my tone cold and detached. "Your men are watching her, as you wanted."

"Good," he said, finally looking up. His sharp eyes studied me, as if searching for any cracks in my façade. "You seem... distracted. Emotional, even. We can't afford that today." He adds quickly, as I huff.

I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to meet his gaze. "I'm not distracted. I'm focused. More than you think."

"Good," he said again with a low hum, leaning back in his chair and stretching out his fingers. "Because once they step through that door, there's no room for hesitation. You know your role. Act the part, Vincent. Show them the monster they need to see."

But before I could respond, the sound of car engines rumbled from outside, faint but growing louder as they approached from down the street.

I straightened up in my seat, my heart kicking up a notch as I knew already who it was...

"That should be them," my father confirmed, rising smoothly from his chair. He adjusted his cufflinks, his expression unreadable. "Remember, everything rides on this performance - so fucking do it well - no second chances." He darts, as I nodded once, pushing myself up to my feet as well.

This was finally it...

The shorter guy had already gone off downstairs, waiting to greet them by the front door before doing the job of bringing them up here.

I could hear the slamming of car doors from outside, followed by the doorbell chiming throughout the house - a sound I knew would have sent Sofia in to complete overdrive! I just hope she can handle this...

It wasn't long before heavy footsteps echoed throughout the house. The sound was deliberate, calculated — a reminder that Sofia's father and brothers were here to do business. My father and I, eyed the closed door in anticipation, longing for it to open in order to get this over and done with... before our silent prayers were eventually answered.

A heavy knock came down on the office door next, before it swung open moments later, revealing the three of them that I had only painted images of in my mind until now...

First in came her father, a tall, broad-shouldered man with a rougher more scruffy appearance - hair thinning but blonde like Sofia's. His eyes swept the room with what he thought was a dangerous intensity, narrowing slightly when they landed on me before he forced out a veneered toothy grin.

Behind him next were her two brothers — tweedle Dee and tweedle Dumb, both younger than the father and seeming more fit and burley, their postures tense and seeming ready for a fight.

One was blonde and the other more strawberry toned, as I refrained from laughing at the trio - far less intimidating than what I had believed.

"Ahh! My good friend Jay," her father greeted mine, his voice deep and laced with familiarity towards my father - even using his nickname as if they were best buddies from damn high school!

My father's smirk widened as he stepped forward, arms outstretched in mock welcome. "Frazier," he replied smoothly, his voice rich with calculated charm. "It's been too long... and look at you — bringing the whole family along. How thoughtful." He hums, as Frazier chuckles deeply at his words.

As our fathers made a polite exchange, I eyed the two brothers as they did me, their features giving nothing away as I decided to cock my head to the side - a silent mockery to them as I looked them over.

They didn't scare me although they would have loved to be able to...

"Apologies that we didn't arrange to meet up sooner, my son, Vincent, has been quite busy - he's a hard one to tie down these days!" I turn towards my father at that, hearing my name, as I find Frazier's eyes settled heavily on me now. "So you're the notorious Vincent Walker?" He suddenly moves towards me, hand outstretched as I felt instantly sick by the greeting.

Pushing my feelings aside, knowing that I had to, I take his hand firmly, accepting the shake before he releases me and motions towards his own two sons next.

"Kieran and Freddie, my own sons." He announces proudly, as I offer each of them a meek nod, to which they bluntly return.

Sofia's brothers, Kieran and Freddie both carried themselves with a cocky confidence, though it was clear from the stiffness in their shoulders that they were wound tight, constantly on edge.

A short silence falls between us, as we eye one another in thought of who would be the first to speak again next... with Sofia's father beating the rest of us to it.

"So shall we address the elephant in the room?" He begins, pulling out a chair as I watch him carefully, "Let's get straight to the point here, where are you keeping my daughter? It's been far too long since we've saw one another? I'm hearing that you two are in love?" He questions me in a dry laugh, as my father pulls out his own chair to sit down too, as the rest of us follow suit and join them both around the table. "Love?!" I scoff, releasing a laugh to which my father joins me for added effect.

"Your daughter is a good time... I'll give her that!" I state next, as Frazier's watchful stare shifts in confusion.

"Well, is she here or not? We came all this way to discuss a wedding, no?" Frazier questions, leaning his elbows on the table as his two sons watch on from beside him.

"She's obviously here, I wouldn't let her out of my sight! But I don't think you'll be happy at the state she's in though..." I admit, running my hands down my face to seem stressed.

I knew he wouldn't care that his daughter would look distressed and abused, but I had to pretend that I knew nothing of their relationship...

"What do you mean the ‘state she is in'? What did she do?!" Frazier snaps, his eyes shifting towards my father before returning to me.

"We've not done anything too... bad to her. I just get a little rough with her sometimes... I guess we both have, haven't we Dad?" I create a nervous laugh, scratching the back of my neck next to make it more convincing.

"Yes, Frazier, you see, the more time I've spent around the girl, I can now understand why my son is completely obsessed with having her around... but I must warn you, she might look a little roughed up when you see her, but she loves her time with us - really!" My father talks, waving his hands around as the three of them look somewhat taken aback by our show.

"So are you meaning to say that you are BOTH sleeping with my daughter?!" Frazier hissed, seeming stuck in sheer disbelief as I snigger.

"Uh, well I guess that we are, yes? We like having her around for easy access... you know? I did first meet her working at the strippers in town and she likes it here with us, we take care of her despite how she might look, so you don't have to panic!" I laugh with an absent shrug before my father steps in-

"But to cut to the chase, that's why we wanted to talk with you about a slight change in the contract." My father trails off, as Frazier shifts his weight on his chair, seeming to squirm now.

"A change?!" Frazier tests, pulling his hands together to keep his cool.

"My son doesn't want to fully commit himself to her, because he feels that she isn't exactly marriage material... but you see, he does still want to keep her around for his own purposes... and he's willing to pay a great deal of money for her too." My father explains, as they swallow back his words.

"I want to fully own her. I want her to be mine and only mine. You can call it a twisted kink if you want, I don't give a shit, but I don't want any of you calling the shots over her. She's mine to keep here and to use - like a sex doll but real I guess! I decide to add more sick humour, my voice coming out sharp, seeming to shock the three of them slightly.

A silence settled down across the room after that, as Frazier rubbed his jaw and seemed stuck on what to do or say...

“Bring her in, let me see her first and then we will talk about the contract.” He demands, as my father waves his hand towards the guy stood by the door as he nods and swiftly moves to exit - knowing what to do. This was it, she's coming up here now, this next stage is crucial...