Page 96 of The Apprentice
He relaxed but hesitated when I smirked.
“I’m driving until we get to the Hamptons, and then you’re taking over.” I held up a finger when he opened his mouth to protest. “No arguments. The city is too busy for a learner, but as soon as we get out of here, you’re in the driver’s seat.”
He sighed in defeat and slid into the passenger seat, while I took the spot behind the steering wheel. The traffic through the city was hell, but it started to peter out as we headed toward the Hamptons. As soon we reached an area I decided was quiet enough, I pulled the SUV off to the side of the road.
Fionn gave me a panicked look. “Daddy, I don’t think?—”
“Shh.” I turned toward him and stroked a finger down his cheekbone. “You’re okay, boy. Don’t fret about this. We’ll take it slow.” I smiled in encouragement. “Come on, let’s swap seats.”
Despite his obvious dread, he did as I’d directed, sliding out of the passenger door so we could change sides. The moment he clutched the steering wheel, the anxiety in his eyes deepened and he glanced at me for reassurance.
I grabbed his hand and dragged it from the wheel so I could lay a kiss in the middle of his palm. “We’ll start slow. How much do you know?”
His expression shuttered, shame filling his eyes and making his cheeks turn a bright red. “I...know the traffic rules and where the accelerator and brake are. This vehicle is automatic, so I don’t need to change the gears.”
“Right.” I laid a hand on the back of his neck and caressed it soothingly. “We’ll go slow. You can drive a manual another day. Right now, you just need to knowhowto drive and be confident. It’s all about keeping calm and driving not only for yourself, but for others, too. There are shitty drivers on the road, boy, and you need to watch them and be prepared to react to their stupidity. Do you understand?”
He raised his chin. “Yes, Daddy.”
“Good. Now I want you to take us to the house. The Mercedes is yours to control.” I pointed where his feet were, each foot on a different pedal. “Only use your right foot. If you use two, you could end up hitting them together, and trust me, you don’t want to do that.”
Fionn removed his left foot from the brake immediately and blanched nervously.
I smiled. “You have this, boy. Guide the SUV out into traffic.”
He straightened his back and stared with an intensity out on the road. He checked his mirrors without me telling him to do it, put the SUV into Drive, and hit the accelerator slowly. The Mercedes rolled forward. I stayed silent, letting him gain confidence. He drove about a quarter of a mile before he took a deep breath and guided the car onto the road.
“All right, now let’s get onto the 495,” I murmured with encouragement.
“Do you think I can do this?” He glanced at me from the corner of his eye.
“Yes, boy, I do. Now turn left up here and get us onto the interstate.” I brushed my fingers over the back of his neck. “You’re a Killough. You can do anything, and this isyourterritory. Remember that.”
He took a deep breath and did as I’d ordered, taking the turn and guiding the car onto the 495. He hit the accelerator as we merged into the interstate traffic, which wasn’t too bad right now, but he was going slower than the speed limit. Behind him, cars honked, and he winced every time the sharp shrill blast of a horn blared at him.
“Keep calm, boy. That’s one of the most important things about driving. Don’t panic.” I rested my hand on his thigh and squeezed it.
He exhaled loudly, his gaze never leaving the road in front of him. A red Ferrari roared up beside us, and the guy gave us the middle finger. I rolled my eyes and tugged out the gun I kept in the glove box before pointing the muzzle at him, and even from here I could see his eyes widen before he zoomed forward.
Fionn laughed. “Daddy, put that away. We don’t need a reason for the cops to pull us over. I’m already driving unlicensed.”
I smirked and opened the glove box again, stashing the Glock back inside. “Patience is a virtue and that guy needed to learn a lesson.”
“The only one you should be teaching anything to is me.” His hands tightened around the steering wheel, but he was doing well, considering this was his first time and I’d thrown him in the deep end with Interstate 495.
“You’re doing good, boy, and I’m so damned proud of you. You’re staying calm, and all you need to do now is go a little faster.”
He sucked in air between his teeth. “I don’t know if I can.”
“Yes, youcan.” I squeezed his thigh again. “Faster, boy.”
“Fuck.” He inhaled, then exhaled again, and the car began to pick up speed. When he reached 70 mph, his hands shook a little, but he focused on the road.
“Good boy,” I praised gently. “You’re doing great. When I get you to the mansion, I’ll give you a reward.”
“What kind?” He sent me a quick glance, and I laughed.
“You’ll have to wait and see.”
