Page 107 of Falling in Reverse

I stare down at a picture of Mae at school, playing on the swings with her pretty brown hair pulled back in a ponytail.

That was today.

He had someone take a picture of her today.

TWENTY-NINE

cairo

“Need To Know” by Doja Cat blares from the speakers of my car, but it doesn’t fucking stop the voice of Vivian Muncy from hitting my eardrums and the wave of annoyance that drifts through my veins.

I hate this bitch—plain and simple.

And the only reason she’s in my fucking car right now is that she wouldn’t get out.

Not even the barrel of my gun got her to budge and the little bitch is Sherriff Muncy’s daughter. She reminds me of it all the time, uses it to her advantage, and hovers that piece of information over my head like it’s her get out of jail free card.

However, one day, it’s going to run out.

Vivian’s long fingers wraps around my bicep and I’m quick to yank it away. She’s been on my ball sack for years since I broke up with her and exhibits this dangerous, obsessive nature about it. I might be starring in an episode of Snapped here soon if she doesn’t fucking lose her mind.

Vivian lives, thinks, and devours me daily.

She won’t let me be.

She attempts to take over my life, twists it to her needs, and demands I listen. I’ve somewhat perfected the art of ignoring her. How I’m able to block her out because, if I don’t keep her but skin deep, I’m going to eventually lose my shit.

And I’m still using her to keep Muncy off my ass for all the illegal shit we’re going to be doing once I’m sitting on the Titan seat.

He’s Emilio’s boy, not mine.

And to keep him happy is to keep the little blonde bitch in my passenger seat happy.

“Cairo, stop,” she whines over the music. “You used to love to dance with me.”

“You used the correct tense, Vivian.”

Past.

Her nostrils flare at my nonchalance. How I can’t fake giving a flying shit. “You need to be nicer to me.”

Keeping my eyes on the road on the way of taking his cunt ass home, I reply, “I don’t have to do shit.”

She’s already done enough.

Like sending my brother to prison when I should’ve seen the signs sooner. When I should’ve stopped her ordering him around and making him into her little puppy.

I just thought he needed the attention and that one day he’d grow the confidence that I knew resided in him.

I failed.

She fucked everything up.

And I’m never going to forgive her for it.

“You need me,” she quips matter-of-factly. “More than I need you.”

I don’t bother to hide my fucking scoff. Emilio pays off Sheriff Muncy to look the other way and do what he wants. He’s a fucking piece of shit and his daughter didn’t fall far from that true.

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