Shadows In Durango

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

The morning sun split in through the blinds as I sat on the edge of my bed, my elbows resting on my knees, staring down at the floor. My fists were clenched, nails biting into my palms, and my jaw felt like it had been locked in place all night. Sofia had managed to sleep for a bit last night, which shocked me, but I woke her pretty early today since we were aiming for the whole 'exhausted' look...

Today was the big day.

Sofia was currently back in her own room, asking for some time alone to think and prepare, probably trying to calm her nerves.

I couldn't stop thinking about how many ways this could go wrong - fearing that we had maybe rushed in to things a little too soon? But it couldn't be helped, not with her brothers now on our back for a decision, we had no choice but to act swiftly!

The men we were dealing with didn't forgive mistakes either, but if all else fails, I had my trusty gun...

The door handle to my bedroom dipped, before my father stepped into the room, dressed in a navy blue suit with his latest watch purchase on full show - matching the array of gold rings painting his fingers.

I, on the other hand, had gone for a basic black sweatshirt and cargo pants - keeping it casual yet dark to match my mood.

He studied me carefully before he spoke, looking as composed as ever, with the faintest smirk tugging at his lips like today was just another business venture for him.

But for me, it was more like a fucking minefield, and Sofia was the one walking blindfolded through it...

"They'll be here in just over an hour now," he said. "And I've brought a little... insurance to help us."

I raised an eyebrow at that, but before I could even ask, he gestured behind him out in to the hall as I instantly stood to my feet to see what he was referring to.

Walking out, to find three of his meanest looking men stood side by side, the type of men who wouldn't hesitate on following through with the toughest of orders - each of their expressions cold and detached.Original content from NôvelDrama.Org.

I turn back to squint at him, "What's all of this for?" I asked, my voice low and suspicious.

I

My father chuckled, stepping out of the room behind me to eye each of his selected cronies, "They're part of the show," he stated, as though it were obvious. "If her father and brothers are going to believe that she's under my control, we'll

need more than bruises and a good sob story. Fear sells, Vincent. And these men should help ruffle her feathers just enough to sell it, you know?" He gestured towards them. "They're excellent at delivering fear I must say."

I ground my teeth together, my blood already boiling. "You didn't say anything about roughing her up using other men yesterday?! I don't want to tip her over the edge!" I snap, as he groans loudly at my response.

"You need to relax," my father said, waving me off like I was a petulant child. "They'll be careful enough. It's all part of the performance. This is what it's going to take, son! She has to look like she's truly terrified to be here - like she's already being punished. You must get in to character soon or you'll be the one to slip up and blow this for us all!" He growls, as I sigh heavily, knowing in the pit of my stomach that he was right...

"I know..." I find my control slipping, understanding that we had asked my father for his help on this for a reason - he knew what he was doing more than anyone when it came to lying and cheating his way through life...

My father's smirk faded for a moment, and his tone turned icy. "Besides, I wanted some extra men present incase this does actually go tits up for us... call them our undercover backup if it makes you feel better? Sofia needs to sell the act today, and they need to believe it and I don't enjoy putting all of my eggs in one basket - this is non-negotiable. She agreed to do whatever it takes, didn't she?" He rants, as each of the men remain stoic and unfazed by our rambling. "She doesn't know about this yet," I said through clenched teeth, not liking my father's new agenda for the day - giving us both little time to prepare for it.

"Then you'd better go prepare her," he said coolly. "Because when the time comes, they'll drag her in like a prisoner, and your girl will put on the performance of her life if she wants to win this. If she's as strong as you say she is, then she'll handle it, it's simple and so will you!"

Before I could argue, he turned and walked towards the staircase, motioning for the three of them to follow after him - which they did without question.

I made a fast move towards Sofia's room down the hall after that, knocking on the door and knowing that we had zero time to waste...

Letting myself in, I find her stood facing the full length mirror, dressed in a horrendous skimpy little outfit that my father suggested would add to the whole - keeping her around for pleasure charade.

It was blush pink, satin, the neckline far too low and the skirt far too short for my liking but helping to show off her extremely realistic battered and bruised body beneath the fabric.

It was a sick sight to see, almost like glancing in to an alternate reality - one where I was the monster who had caused the marks on her body.

"I braided my hair back, will I leave it like that? Your father suggested staying barefoot too?" She whispers, her fingers trembling as she doesn't take her eyes off of the mirror but knows that I was in the room behind her.

"Yeah, it looks fine." I comment, swallowing my pride as I can't help the suffocating guilt I felt for watching her go through this just to win back her own freedom...

When she eventually turned to look at me, her face was pale, and the fake bruises Sergio had painted on her the night before looked even darker in the morning light - even more real that it would take me aback each and every time I glanced at her.

"You're not going to like what else my father has added to the 'show' as he calls it," I begin, closing the door over behind me.

Her eyes narrowed. "What now?"

I sighed, tugging at my sweatshirt sleeve as a distraction, before facing her again. "My father's brought in three of his men to help sell this and to also act as undercover backup incase things go south."

"To help sell it h-how?" Sofia stammers, as I clear my throat and shuffle in my stance.

"During the meeting, they're going to..." I trailed off, trying to find a way to say it that didn't make me sound like the worst person alive.

"They're going to what?" she pressed on, her voice sharper now.

I swallowed hard. "They're going to drag you into the meeting like a prisoner. Rough you up a little — make it look like you're completely under our control and that we enjoy it... once this starts, I can't help you out of it Sofia." I tell her quickly, as she soaks up the new information.

Her eyes widened, and for a moment, I thought she was going to bolt out of the damn door just from the look on her face. "Rough me up?" she repeated, her voice quivering.

"They won't seriously hurt you, at least I hope not," I said quickly, stepping closer. "It's just for show. To convince your father and brothers that you're... that you're just here for our amusement." The word tasted bitter on my tongue. Sofia stared up at me, her chest rising and falling with shallow breaths. "And what if they go too far? What do I do then?!" she asked quietly.

"They might," I said firmly, taking steps to stand in front of her. "But I'll be there the whole time. I won't let anything detrimental happen to you. Are you sure you can do this? If you prepare for the worst then the real life won't seem so bad..." For a long moment, she didn't say anything. She just looked at me, her expression unreadable.

But then, she slowly nodded, her jaw tightening. "Yes, I can do this! It's o-okay," she said, her voice steadier now. "If this is what it takes, then fine." "Sofia-"

"I said it's fine, Vincent," she cut me off, her tone sharper this time which shocked me slightly. "Let's just do this before I lose my last ounce of bravery." Breathing heavily, I reach a hand out to take hers, pulling her in to my chest in a crushing embrace, not wanting to part like this...

"I love you Sofia, I really do, I'm going to act like the worst possible version of myself today but just know that whatever leaves my mouth, whatever actions I take, I don't mean any of it... I'll make it up to you when this all blows over." I murmur in to her hair, as her fingers grip the material on my back.

"I... love you too..." Sofia whispers, helping to ease the knots building in my chest.

She loves me...

I'll do whatever it takes to lead her to happiness - anything - even if it means spilling blood!