Shadows In Durango

*****Sofia's POV*****

It was now an hour until my shift starts at Intensity and I felt stressed to say the least.

Vincent was taking his time to get organised, claiming that there was no rush considering he owns the place but I still don't want to let Tito down. Not on my second night!

Daryl still hadn't returned, which I was somewhat grateful for however I needed my keys back in order to get home later after work...

We still had to drop Emma back home too, since her parents were starting to worry that she had been out last night and all of today which was understandably unheard of for her since she didn't attend parties.

I also didn't want them thinking that I, her new friend of a couple of days, was already a bad influence on her. I really wasn't trying to cause harm or upset to anybody in town - especially not to Emma who had been my rock this past few days. "Vincent... we need to drop Emma on the way there too remember." I politely add, watching him manoeuvre around the house grabbing his jacket and keys at snails pace.

"Don't you think I already know that? Why are you rushing me? Calm it!" He snaps, evidently irritated by my anxiety on running late.

I was never late to anything, I couldn't help it... there was nothing worse than being the last to walk in somewhere with all eyes on you!

Remaining quiet, he eventually heads for the front door as myself and Emma follow him out like strays - approaching his fancy car once again.

The same car he had rescued and kissed me in last night...

I swallow hard at the memory, climbing in to the passenger seat as he revs the engine to life.

He puts the car into drive and takes off down the road at high speed whilst pulling his belt across him at the same time - only stopping for a moment until the electric gates open for him to pass through.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

He puts the foot down once more as I clutch my own seatbelt for dear life. We start heading towards the address Emma had given him - watching as he switches on the radio as opposed to making small talk which I was actually thankful for. "Uh... um Vincent..." Emma speaks up from in the back, as we approach her street, causing him to glance back at her in the mirror.

"Could you um, slow down a little bit... I don't want my parents to freak out..." Emma admits, seeming nervous and embarrassed by the request but it was understandable.

What parents would be happy seeing their kids coming back from a wild party in a fancy car owned by the towns notorious bad boy going way over the speed limit?!

With a simple nod, the car falls back, and he begins driving at a normal pace - not like the maniac from before which surprised me. He had actually listened...

Within minutes we pulled up in front of the same house, as Emma thanked him and said her goodbyes to me.

I was more grateful to her for coming to the party with me than what she even knew. I couldn't have handled that on my own... what if Daryl ditched me like that when I had nobody there with me at all?!

The thought of Daryl made me audibly sigh, disappointed with how things had turned out since I really did think that we were becoming great friends...

Now it would just be weird to be around him more than anything. I also didn't need any other obsessed females giving me grief at school over him either. I had already had my fair share of jealous cheerleaders, I didn't need to add a third to the list.

"What's gotten into you now?" Vincent demands to know my thoughts as I shake my head slightly and ignore him.

"Don't ignore me!" He grits after a moment of silence, struggling to remain patient at the best of times as I straighten up in the seat.

What is his problem with me just wanting to sit here in peace to collect my thoughts?!

"I'm just still embarrassed." I decide to admit, hoping that he wouldn't tease me senseless for it since I didn't want to be kicked again when I was already feeling down.

"About what?" He offers me an odd look as though it was silly to which I just shrug and grumble.

He obviously doesn't get it. Why would he? Nothing bothers him! He has it lucky...

"About how I acted over Daryl..." I whisper, looking out of the window to avoid seeing his reaction.

I waited a moment, expecting to hear him laugh at me or to say something sarcastic but he doesn't. Instead, his response surprised me more.

"I don't know why you care about Daryl so much? He's a fucking asswipe at the best of times! That girl was somebody he fucked two years ago and she doesn't even go to our school so you won't see her again. It probably meant nothing to either of them." Vincent claims, as my heart hammers from inside of my chest.

He's right, why did I care so much? I've been here a damn week!

"Plus, he's not the one who gave you a job is he? It should be me you're worried about." He adds, as I turn to him in surprise seeing his mischievous smile plastered across his face.

The scary part was, I don't even think he's joking...

"Yeah thanks for that by the way, I appreciate the opportunity." I clear my throat, unsure of what else to say to him.

"Just don't fucking embarrass me... or I'll have you out on your ass in no time!" He states, before we pull around the back of Intensity and I check the clock to see that we still had ten minutes to spare.

Phew! Tito won't hate me!

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"All jokes aside now Sofia, I have some really important businessmen visiting the club tonight and they will be up in the VIP lounge with me. You will do whatever it takes to keep them happy, understand? I'll reward you in more ways than one if you do a good job." Vincent winks, leaving the last part to run wild in my imagination.

Suddenly feeling more nervous than what I did before, I all but nod meekly at his words.

I had only worked one proper shift so far and now I was being trusted to deal with the big dogs...

It felt almost embarrassing to hear him say how he would reward me if I did a good job. It was a reminder that he wasn't and never would be my friend, he was just the intimidating rich kid that I went to school with who just so happened to now be my boss in the worst twist of fate ever imaginable.

He had a hold over me like no other and I knew he enjoyed that fact. The worst part was that I would jump at any chance to make more money because I was currently suffering more than he even knew.

I didn't even have a bed to sleep in or a sofa to sit on for crying out loud! No hot water either to add!

"I'll try my best." I reply with a nod, as he cuts the engine, parking us close to the back door.

"No, you'll do better than your best tonight." He states firmly, his face holding no room for compromise as he allows the pressure to settle in.

He wasn't joking...

Tonight must be important to him...

"Let's go." He finally nods after his soul sucking pause, climbing out of the car as I follow his lead, breaking out into a cold sweat after our encounter.

He had instantly gone from being last nights saviour to my terrifying boss in seconds flat.

I just hope I can do good enough to keep my job by the end of the night...