billion book
Chapter 132
*****Vincent's POV*****
The road narrowed to a single strip of gravel as we wound through the trees, the dense pines working to block out what little moonlight seeped through the gaps.
I squeezed Sofia's hand in mine, trying to reassure her as we got closer to my parents beach house - a property often forgotten about by my father since we had only spent a lot of time out here in my younger years...
I glanced over at Sofia briefly; as she sat curled up tight in her seat, her knees pulled up to her chest, her face pale and eyes glassy and sore.
She was watching the road ahead blending together with the shadows, seeming lost in thought. The quiet moments she'd spent in this car had evidently done nothing to help ease her, and I knew she was holding onto the last scraps of her strength in order to keep it together.
"We're almost there," I murmured, giving her hand a small rub. "Just a few more minutes, and then you can rest until we figure it out."
She nodded, staying silent but still holding that fragile look I hated seeing on her face - a look that could drive any good man to commit bad sins against anyone who had wronged her.
For a second, I wanted to stop the car, pull her into my arms, and make her believe that I'd handle every last piece of this hell she was going through.
I'd do it too if I thought she'd let me if I thought it wouldn't make her feel more vulnerable than she already did...
But as we faced the last hill, and the headlights lit up the winding path leading down toward the beach house, my heart sank as the building came in to view.
The lights were on... why are the fucking lights on?!
Two large shadows moved across the closed curtains by the front window... as I began to shake my head.
Damn it!
"Fuck!" I grit out, as Sofia instantly begins to tense up as the car began to slow.
I'd forgotten Quade and Leroy were still here...
The last thing I wanted was for Sofia to feel even more crowded or like she was stepping into something even more dangerous with these two beef bodies hanging around her. How the hell had I forgotten about this?!
She tensed, noticing the lights herself as I parked up the car. "Vincent, someone's already here. Someone's inside. What if it's them!" She instantly begins to freak out, causing me to feel more guilty for not thinking this through. "It's fine," I said quickly, though the apology was already forming in my mind. "Look, I meant to tell you. I... I've had some friends here for a while, just in case something went down. They're harmless. I'll have them leave tonight to give you space." I assure, as she chews her lip in worry.
Her eyes darted from me back to the house, panic flickering over her face, and she shook her head, gripping her seatbelt. "Vincent, you don't understand. I can't — I can't just walk in there incase this is all a set up. What if it isn't who you think it is..." She sniffles, eyes watering as my heart tugs once more.
"Yeah, ok, I know what you're saying. I get it. But you've got to trust me," I said, wishing like hell that I could make this easier on her. "Their names are Quade and Leroy. Would it help if I called them to confirm that it's them who are inside before we go in there?" I think up a plan, as she seems to think on it briefly.
Eventually, she nods, which I was relieved about as I quickly grabbed my phone and pressed to call Leroy...
It rings out in to the car once and then twice before he picks up; "Vince? You good? Is that you outside, I heard a car pull up?" His tone is casual, as I watch Sofia's reaction as we speak.
"Yeah it's me, are you two still inside the house?" I test, as we both hear shuffling before looking up to find the curtains moving.
There in the flesh, Leroy appears, phone held up to his ear as he waves out at us. "Yeah, why you here so late? Your guy is asleep downstairs and he's..." He begins to say, as I quickly cut him off - not wanting Sofia to hear.
"Look, I have Sofia with me, I'm going to bring her in, there's been a situation and she's safer here... we will need to move your situation to the factory tonight." I state, my tone clipped and cryptic which causes for Sofia to eye me weirdly. She didn't have to know about what we did to her neighbours... I didn't want to scare her more than what she already was.
Sure, I said no more secrets and lying, but I won't have to tell her unless she straight up asks about this one... right?
"Uh, ok, yeah cool! I'll see you when you come in." He states, before closing over the curtain and ending the line.
As I ended the call, I glanced over at Sofia, whose expression still held that fragile mixture of fear and uncertainty. I wished I could wipe away every worry she had, but I knew it wouldn't be that simple. It never was.
"Alright," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "They're inside, only them, and it's all going to be fine." My words felt hollow, even to me.
Would it really be fine? I still had no idea of what I was going to do to fix this...
I opened the car door and stepped out first, as Sofia only watched me cautiously. I could feel her hesitating, but I closed my door and rounded to her side - opening it for her before offering my hand to help her out. She didn't accept my hand right away, but eventually, she shakily placed her palm in mine - placing her trust in me.
"Come on. It's okay." I assure, as she took a deep breath, her gaze darting toward the house, then back to me.
It was a battle I recognised from her all too well - the fight between fear and trust.
Together, we eventually walked toward the house. Each step felt heavy, the sound of gravel crunching under our feet amplifying the tension in the air as we climbed the steps.
I had hoped this place would be a refuge for her, a safe haven, and I hated that I wasn't able to give her the heads up sooner about there being people here before us...
I pushed open the door, the hinges creaking like an ominous warning that didn't help matters.
Inside, the living room was well lit, with only a couple of lamps casting a warm glow over the worn furniture.
Quade was lounging on the couch, a beer in hand, while Leroy was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, an easy smile on his face that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Hey, look who it is!" Quade said, his voice loud and cheerful. "Vincent and his lady!" He announced, as though I hadn't already just spoken with Leroy who was in the same room as him. He was drunk... excellent!
I could see Sofia's body tense beside me, and I shot Quade a warning look. "Keep it down," I snapped, stepping fully into the room and guiding Sofia in with me before closing the door.
Sofia remained close to my side, her eyes scanning the room, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings and the two unknown men who were supposed to be on her side but who now felt like a potential threat to her. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare the little thing," Quade grumbles, but there was a hint of mischief in his voice, and I felt a flare of irritation.
This wasn't the time for his jokes. He was usually the level headed one, whenever he wasn't ten beers deep that is!
Leroy's expression shifted as he noticed the tension. "You two good? What's going on? Is it Daryl? How's he getting on? Last we heard he was recovering..." he asked me, his tone more serious and concerned now.
00000
"Look, let me get her to a room and then we can talk about what's going on, Daryl's fine." I say, trying to regain control of the conversation. "Sofia's been through a lot today, and I don't want her feeling cornered in here." I glanced at her, searching for reassurance in her eyes which didn't come.
Leroy nodded instantly, not saying another word, while Quade released a deadly loud burp out in to the open space - confirming how sloshed he actually was.
He needs to get out of here before I put a damn bottle over his head!
I move swiftly towards the stairs, pushing Sofia to go ahead of me in order to feel more secure as she climbs each step with me at her back.
I reached my room, the same room I had always slept in whenever I was here, seeing it untouched and tidy just as it had been left.
"Stay in here until I go down and explain to Leroy what's going on. Ignore Quade, he's usually fine but he's just drunk, he means no harm. If you need me, just call out ok? There's a bathroom and a shower and spare clothes in the drawers - use what you need if you want to go in." I explain, pointing around the room to everything as Sofia slumps down on to the bed with a sigh.
"O-Ok... please don't be too long..." She begs, as I instinctively move towards her, leaning down to kiss her head gently.
"I won't, I'll be ten minutes at most. If you shower, I'll be back by the time you get out?" I offer, trying to make it sound easier on her as she thinks on it for a moment before standing.
I leave her to do just that, closing the door over behind me but not fully - leaving it just a crack incase she needed to yell out for me.
I join Leroy and Quade again downstairs, finding Quade to now be sitting with a bottle of water that was no doubt handed to him by Leroy in an attempt to sober him up...
"I want you to take him out of here tonight." I cut right to the chase, gesturing to Sofia's neighbour who had pretty much been held hostage downstairs - forced to go cold turkey in his sobriety. "How's he been doing anyhow?" "Actually, he's been pretty good. He wasn't at first, you know, facing all of the flu like symptoms and the withdrawals, but now, he seems almost grateful for it..." Leroy shrugs, as I nod slowly. Interesting...
"Really? Well if he keeps it up, maybe I'll give him another chance... maybe get him a job in the bar..." I hum, as Quade laughs next.
"Hah! That's if he doesn't run back to his dealers the second he gets out of here!" Quade states, slurring slightly as I roll my eyes.
"I'll get him out and can keep an eye on him until you sort out whatever this is..." Leroy steps up, as I nod and thank him, appreciating his support right now.
Now that I've managed to get them out of here... I'll be able to wrap my head around the most concerning problem - Sofia's brothers being back in my own damn house!