Shadows In Durango

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

I stood in front of my mirror, adjusting the collar of my shirt for the third time.

Nervousness wasn't a feeling I was accustomed to, but tonight was different. Tonight, I wanted everything to be perfect to at least make up for the shit I said to her last night at the bar.

Sure, I still stood by that she shouldn't have been out dressed like that, grinding on some random guy, but she made a good point - we weren't together.

But I had to change that, and soon, because one thing was made clear after last nights event - I didn't want anybody else to have her.

Checking my watch, I realised that I still had some time before we had to leave. I grabbed my phone and double-checked the reservations at the restaurant.

The manager had assured me that our table, the best one overlooking the lake, was ready and waiting for my arrival. The staff there knew my parents and me well, and I wanted everything to be flawless.

I took a deep breath after spraying on some fresh cologne, looking back at my reflection one last time. This wasn't just about a date; it was about showing Sofia that there was more to me than she had seen so far. I wanted her to see that I could be different, that I could be someone she could trust - without my temper always getting in the way.

Knowing that Daryl had gone out to check on my little locked up drug addict at the cabin, I knew that tonight was the perfect opportunity to win Sofia over.

Daryl was always the perfect sweetheart to girls, but I could tell that Sofia enjoyed the wild side all the same whether she would admit that aloud or not...

Making a move towards Sofia's room, knocking on the door and listening to them both hush and giggle, I roll my eyes and wait.

When she finally stepped out, my breath caught in my throat as I stilled for a second to drink her in fully. She looked stunning in a red dress that clung to her in all the right places.

"Fuck," I muttered under my breath as she stepped out with a shy smile. "You look perfect." I compliment instantly which causes her to blush.

"Thank you, and you smell incredible!" she replied, a shy look playing on her face. There was a hint of nervousness in her eyes, matching my own unease since I hadn't ever gone to this effort for anyone before. Saying a brief goodbye to Emma who was staying over again tonight with Reid, we headed outside to the car as I moved swiftly to open the door for her to climb in.

"So, are you going to tell me where we're going?" Sofia asks me the second I climb in beside her, her curiosity getting the better of her.

I smirked, shaking my head. "It's a surprise. But I promise that you'll love it." Is all I give away.

She glanced at me, her eyes filled with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. "I hope so."

As we drove, I made small talk to help ease the tension. We talked about mundane things - Emma and Reid's budding relationship, a movie she had mentioned wanting to watch, anything to keep the conversation flowing. But beneath it all, I was hyper-aware of her presence, of the way her dress shimmered under the passing streetlights, of the soft scent of her perfume filling the car.

If I could pull over and take her on the side of the road right now I would - believe me...

When we finally arrived at the restaurant, Sofia's eyes widened in surprise. The place was beautiful, a serene spot by the lake with lights twinkling on the water's surface as I gave her the time to admire the surroundings.

I parked the car and walked around to open her door, offering her my hand as she stepped out and thanked me softly.

"This is... so beautiful," she said, looking around in awe.

"I'm glad you like it, it's one of my family's favourite restaurants in town." I replied, feeling a sense of pride and relief for choosing this for us. The staff greeted us warmly as we walked in. "Good evening, Mr. Walker," the host said with a knowing smile. "Your table is ready upstairs."

I could see Sofia's curiosity had piqued as she glanced between me and the staff who turned to acknowledge me one at a time on passing.

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I led her to our private table, which was perfectly positioned to overlook the lake. The view was breathtaking, with the water reflecting against the moonlight and the soft sounds of nature creating a peaceful ambiance. "This place is amazing, I've never seen anything like it!" Sofia states, her eyes wide with wonder as she took in the view.

"I wanted to make tonight special, and I meant my apology earlier, you know that don't you?" I admitted, feeling a bit vulnerable as I revealed this side of myself to her.

“It's safe to say you are forgiven!" Sofia jokes, easing my tension with her light smile.

She was different to any other girl I had felt feelings for in the past - she was more real, more raw. I knew she had a dark past, and perhaps with trust, she would begin to tell me all about it... I was curious to say the least. We both got comfortable, before the waiter promptly appeared with a bottle of wine.

As he poured our glasses, I couldn't help but watch Sofia's eyes widen, hoping that she could see the effort I was putting into this entire evening.

"To new beginnings," I said, raising my glass to her as soon as he walks off.

Sofia hesitated for a moment, then smiled and clinked her glass against mine. "They serve you wine in here? When you are underage?! But yeah, here's to a new beginning." She babbles in disbelief which causes me to chuckle before drinking back some of the red liquid - she seems to forget that I own a bar which she works in might I add.

I watch as her nose scrunches up a little, trying to decide whether or not she liked the thick taste of the red wine before she seems to shrug to herself and place the glass back down.

I didn't like wine too much myself, but for a date it felt like the most honourable choice.

"So..." I begin, placing my elbows on the table to lean closer to her as she visibly gulps.

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"You going to let me in on some of your secrets yet or?" I test, watching her lip pull in between her teeth.

"Oh um..." She scrambles to think of what to say, as I cut in to help.

"How about I go first? Believe it or not, I have many demons of my own." I admit to her, as she thinks on my words before nodding slowly.

But before we can get anywhere, the same waiter returns with a notepad in hand.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

"We have a set menu tonight sir which is tapas or you may order from our main menu, whatever you prefer?" He asks, as I glance to Sofia and make the choice for us both.

"Tapas sounds good." I nod, as he offers us a small bow of his head before moving away from the table again - sucking us both back in to our serious conversation.

I had never opened up about half of my shit to anyone other than Daryl and Reid who have known me since we were kids. I knew that the girls at school would love nothing more than to gossip about my life - using the information as a ticket to claim their connection with me.

But Sofia wouldn't tell anybody... at least I don't think she ever would.

"I'm going to be honest, and I don't want you to judge me based on what I say and I won't judge anything that you say either, deal?" I present the idea, as Sofia nods and shifts slightly in her chair, waiting for me to start. Maybe if I open up she will realise she can trust me.

"My Father is heavily involved in crime, not just here in town, but across the country. He's sort of a big deal and you could call him a mob boss or a gang leader to put things into perspective. But he's a fucking prick to me at the best of times!" I decide to start lightly, as Sofia seems surprised with what I was saying but remains quiet as though she had already suspected this.

"He used to beat me when I was young, claiming that I had to learn to fight because he 'wouldn't have a weak son'. Since I can remember he would shove me around and hit me, and the best part was, my own Mother done nothing about it either - so as you can probably guess, that explains my temper." I fold my arms across my chest and sit back, feeling odd and slightly vulnerable for telling her all of this.

But in a weird way, it felt right... I felt like I could tell her everything... and I would.