Shadows In Durango

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

I squint back at the receptionist, looking at her as though she had just grown two heads.

"What do you mean you just let them go upstairs?!" I snap, my voice growing louder and gaining the attention of some people nearby.

"Oh well they seemed to know your name Mr Walker and seemed nice enough, so I figured they were close to you! I didn't know you were out, but they came back down shortly after!" The receptionist defends herself, hammering against the keys to find the security footage of what they looked like.

"That's not the fucking point! You told them my apartment number like a fucking idiot! Who are you to give out my personal information without permission? Get me your manager!" I rage, furious at this point since I already felt on edge after what had previously gone on at the zoo and at bus station.

I turn to look over my shoulder, finding Sofia still seated at the couch area, hands clasped on her lap and her head hung low with anxiety.

We had just gotten back, deciding that we would be safe here, only for this bitch to call me over to say that some guys came here looking for me earlier and that she just sent them upstairs thinking I would be in! In what world is that ok?!

"Here it is." She says quickly, turning her screen to show me the footage from around two in the afternoon of the men in question entering the lobby.

"Sofia! Come over here!" I yell, motioning with my hand to her as she springs up to her feet and comes over to join me briskly.

The receptionist watches her carefully, her face full of concern which only causes for me to glare even harder than before.

"Miss, do you need anything... can I help you at all..." The woman asks carefully, eyeing Sofia as though she was being held against her fucking will.

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?! GET ME YOUR MANAGER!" I yell furiously, as Sofia holds my arm and begs me to lower my voice.

The woman's eyes are wide by now, as she pushes herself to stand and goes into the back room, her colleagues trying their best to ignore the situation to avoid becoming involved.

"Do you recognise any of them?" I lean across the counter and rewind the tape for myself, showing clearly the men who had been interested in seeing my apartment.

This could be anything...

An attempted robbery, enemies of my father, Sofias past coming back to haunt us... I wasn't sure. All I knew was that I didn't recognise any of these men, which made things a hell of a lot worse. "N-No..." Sofia concludes with a shake of her head, as I sigh heavily, the concern only heightening.

What have I done? I should have never brought her here with me!

"Are you sure?!" I question, playing it over one more time as she nods and looks up at me in final confirmation.

With that, the receptionist returns with a middle aged man whose eyes almost fall out of his head when he finds me stood behind the counter looking furious.

"Young Mr Walker? I don't believe we've met, it's usually just your father we have with us here! I am the complex manager, Donald Regoni!" He greets me with an advertisement tone, as I all but scowl. "Well Donald, I can't wait to inform my father that your staff have proven themselves to be uneducated imbeciles!" I state bluntly, as his eyes widen and he glances briefly to the woman in question. "Would you like to step into my office and we can discuss this privately Mr Walker?" Donald offers, looking around at the other residents who could overhear our full conversation.

“Nah fuck that! Your staff disrespected my privacy so I'll disrespect yours!" I raise my tone again, as Sofia intertwines her fingers in my hand to offer me comfort which I don't find.

I was beyond pissed...

"O-Ok... well what is the problem here?" Donald attempts to reason, as I breathe steadily before pointing an accusing finger at the idiot who put us in even more danger than what we were in already.

"This bitch told a group of random men what number of apartment I was residing in and sent them upstairs to our door without a second thought! Now I'm assuming you know my father Donald and I'm assuming you know just how detrimental things like this can be to us!" I lean forward, ensuring he drinks in and processes every last word I am saying.

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He looks alarmed, turning with an open mouth to the female who had made the mistake, as she practically shrinks back knowing she had fucked up.

"Jen, this is a serious mistake, go and wait in my office." Donald states irritatedly, easing my temper ever so slightly since he had seemed to recognise just how bad this whole thing is.

"Mr Walker, you have my sincerest apologies, please leave this with me as I will be sure to lecture every last member of our staff about this issue. This should have never happened." Donald holds his hands up in plea, as I look to my left feeling Sofia squeeze my hand gently in a silent attempt to end this ordeal.

Feeling drained, I all but nod, wrapping up the conversation and heading for the lift to take us up to our floor.

I didn't know what I was going to find, preparing myself for a break in but knowing that the chances of that was slim considering they had only stayed in the building for no more than ten minutes before coming back down and leaving again...

I would have to call my father, tell him everything, since things this time around were getting out of hand.

The elevator doors ding open, as we step out and approach our door, thankfully finding it to be untouched.

"Is everything going to be alright?" Sofia whispers, as I nod instantly, not wanting her to feel uneasy over this whole thing.

This was all my fault...

"I'm handling it, you're safe with me." I confirm, unlocking the door and stepping inside.

We both stop, meeting a large envelope at our feet, as I almost curse for not expecting there to be at least something left behind from their visit.

"What is that?!" Sofia asks, as I bend down to pick it up, turning it over to find 'Walker' written across the white paper.

It could be for my father... or it could be for me... there was only one way to find out.

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"Let's run you a bath, it's been a long day. I'll handle this." I state, closing and locking the door, before tossing the envelope aside for now.

Sure, it was eating me alive wanting to know what was inside, but I also didn't want Sofia to sense my unease. If I could act unbothered around her, then maybe she would calm down a little...

Sofia seemed concerned, but followed my lead nonetheless. I ran the water, added different soaps, as she went off to fetch some clothes to change into after.

How could I distract her... I wonder, before suddenly getting an idea.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

I retrieve a piece of paper and a pen, writing down my home address before going to find the spare iPad from the bedroom drawer.

"Here." I state, entering the bathroom as Sofia stands by waiting for the tub to fill.

"What's that for?" She asks, as I quickly click around to download some girly shopping apps that I think she would find some decent stuff on.

"I want you to use my card and order yourself some clothes. Have it delivered to my address. Get what you need, underwear, sneakers, dresses, makeup - whatever it is, there's no budget." I shrug, handing her the iPad as her eyes grow wide. "What?! No I can't do that! That's your money!" Sofia argues, as I shake my head.

"I insist! If you don't, I'll have to pick stuff out for you and you won't want that!" I warn, as a small smile grows on her face that makes me feel slightly better after everything that was going on.

"You're sure?" She tests, as I nod and leave everything she needs on the ledge beside the bathtub.

"More than sure, go wild!" I state, as she blushes slightly and thanks me.

Feeling relieved, I leave her in the bathroom to relax, giving me some time alone to get my thoughts straight.

What had started out as a light hearted day had quickly turned into a hellish taunt for us both with punch after punch coming our way...

Let's see what's in this damn fucking envelope once and for all...