Violent Beginnings (The Moretti Crime Family 2)

Getting behind the driver’s seat, I turn on the car and start to pull out of the long and winding driveway. Fallon stays quiet, folding her hands in her lap, she leans her head back against the headrest. The last time she was in a car with me was the night I brought her here. That night seems forever ago.

Glancing from the windshield and over at her, I watch her eyes flutter shut.

“Don’t go to sleep. You need to stay awake for now. That’s the whole reason I brought you along.”

“I’ll try.” She yawns and sits up straight.

Tightening my grip on the steering wheel, I drive us through the countryside, periodically glancing away from the road and over at her. I don’t want her to get the wrong idea, to actually think I care about her on any other level than keeping her around for sex.

I won’t let this become something more than that. I’m not a good man, and I’m not capable of giving a woman anything but the darkness inside of me. The good in me died the day she did, and no one, not even Fallon, can reach that part of me.

We drive for a short while, entering a town with one gas station, a grocery store, and a McDonalds. Without looking at Fallon, I already know that she is going to ask me something. She’s too curious for her own good. Most would shut up and enjoy the ride. Fallon isn’t like that, and I’m positive that’s why I’m partially drawn to her.

“Where are we going?”

“Don’t worry about it. Just sit there and be quiet.”

“I thought you said I couldn’t go to sleep,” she grumbles under her breath, crossing her arms over her chest. “I don’t know if I can sit and be quiet without falling asleep. Can we talk about something else then?”

“No,” I growl, my impatience shredding with each word I speak. “I didn’t bring you to talk.”

“No, you brought me to make sure that I don’t fall asleep and never wake up. You brought me because you don’t want your sex toy to die before you can get your full use out of her.”

“Drop the fucking attitude and shut up.”

I hate how angry I sound, but she has a way of pushing every single one of my fucking buttons, and it’s hard enough keeping myself in check, making sure I don’t show her too much emotion or say something that she might twist and turn around on me.

Her lips press into a thin line, and I’d bet all the money I have in my bank account that she wants to say something. She knows I’m not messing around, though. If she pushes me too far, who knows what I’ll do. Not even I know where my limit is when it comes to her.

Pulling into the first fast-food joint we pass, I head for the drive-thru.

“I hope I don’t have to tell you what’s going to happen if you say or do something stupid.”

“You’re going to kill me?” she says, almost as if she is bored of my threats.

“No,” I shake my head, “not you. I’m going to kill everyone inside this restaurant, and I’m going to make you watch while I do it.”

The blood drains from her face, making her look ghostly pale. I can see her delicate throat working as she swallows whatever she was about to say down.

She doesn’t make a single sound or even look toward the drive-thru window as I order us each a coffee and sandwich. Once we have our food, I park the car in the back of the parking lot, so we can both eat, and hand Fallon her burger. She takes it but doesn’t unwrap it.

Pinning her with an icy glare, I say, “Eat.”

She tenses. “I’m not really hungry. I just want to sleep.”

“Well, you can’t. You need to eat something, and then I can give you some Ibuprofen.”

“Yes.” She sighs. “I know. I just don’t have an appetite right now. I’ll try, though.”

I eat my own burger quickly and sip at my coffee since it’s scalding hot, and I don’t feel like burning my lips off. Fallon nibbles on her sandwich, taking little bites as if she’s a bird. I check the time on my phone.

Lucca said I needed to be at a certain house by a certain time, so if we’re going to be on time, we need to leave within five minutes.

Fallon continues to pick at the burger, staring at it like it’s poison. “My head hurts, and I’m tired, and I get pretty cranky when I’m tired.” She looks over at me with a tiny smile on her lips.

I hate the way her smile makes me feel. Like fucking joy and happiness. I don’t know how she can even manage to smile in this situation. Tears would be more acceptable.