Page 101 of F*ckboys

Aksel clasps my hand, pressing a kiss to my palm. "I know. And I wouldn't change a thing." His smile is tinged with vulnerability in a way that makes my chest ache. "You're it for me, Fallon. However long this lasts, you've ruined me for anyone else. You already did back in high school, and now you've done it all over again."

Joy and fear mingle inside me, a heady blend. I want nothing more than to lose myself in Aksel, consequences be damned—but I know all too well how fragile happiness can be. How easily it can slip through your fingers. How many times I've flip-flopped between the promises of love and revenge.

Still, when he kisses me, slow and deep, I push aside my doubts. I'll deal with the future when it comes. For now, I have this moment, and this man in my arms, and that's enough.

More than enough.

Suddenly he pulls back, brushing a lock of hair from my eyes as his face takes on a serious expression. "I should let you get some rest. We both have an early start."

I pout. "Stay. I can work from home today. Move some appointments around. We can sleep in for a bit."

"As tempting as that is, I don't think either of us will get much sleep." His gaze dips to my mouth. "And we both know where that will lead."

Heat unfurls in my belly at the promise in his voice. Even exhausted, my body stirs for his. But Aksel is right. We need our rest.

I sigh. "Fine. But you owe me a breakfast."

Aksel chuckles. "Yes, ma'am." He kisses me once more, a fleeting press of lips, and rises from the bed. I admire the play of muscle under skin as he dresses, desire flickering despite my fatigue.

"Keep looking at me like that and you’ll be taking the whole day off." Aksel's voice is rough with want, his gaze simmering.

"Can't help it," I say, my voice husky. "You're delicious."

Aksel groans. "Cheeky minx. Get some beauty sleep, not that you need it." He crosses to my side of the bed, bending to drop a kiss on my forehead. "Dream of me."

"Always."

Aksel's smile is soft and pleased. "Sweet dreams, Fallon."

"Mmm, I'll be dreaming of you." I watch him go, warmth blooming in my chest. However complicated things become, I'll always have memories like this, of last night and this morning, to sustain me.

Aksel is nearly to the door when he pauses, glancing over his shoulder. "You really are it for me, you know. Always."

Joy steals my breath as Aksel slips out the door. Always.

The word echoes in my mind as I drift back to sleep for a few more hours, a smile on my lips.

Chapter 56

Fallon

The scream pierces my eardrums. I tighten the rope, watching Harvey's face turn an alarming yet satisfying shade of crimson. He writhes in yet another futile attempt to free his hands, but the bonds securely fasten them behind his back. He's unable to use them to loosen the rope that restricts his ability to breathe.

The same way he strangled Claudia on so many occasions, it's now his turn to have his life flash before his eyes over and over again. I just have to make sure I don't go too far, and that I keep pulling him back from the brink so he can suffer adequately. At least for now.

My phone buzzes in my pocket. Mia. Again.

I ignore it. She's been calling all morning, worried I'll miss our meeting about the charity ball. But this is far more important than some pretentious event where people in designer outfits splash money around in an attempt to make themselves look good. Sure, I'll attend, because it will help to raise the profile of the company further, but for now, my priority is making Harvey Maxwell pay. Revenge trumps ostentatious charity events, always.

I loosen the rope slightly and Harvey gasps for breath, eyes bulging, his skin a disgusting, blotchy, mottled mess. I lean close. "How does it feel to be powerless, you sick fuck?"

He whimpers. I sneer, fist clenching. It's nowhere near enough. The damage he caused can't be undone so easily. I'm not surprised to hear him whimper. From experience, these types of guys can't handle a fraction of what they've been dishing out to women for years. They cry like little baby monsters at the first hint of discomfort.

My phone buzzes insistently. Mia leaves another voicemail, her tone increasingly shrill. But she doesn't understand. She can't. She knows I have something going on with the dark ops side of our business and that it's been keeping me occupied, but I've spared her the details. Nothing good can come from having too many people in the loop on the specifics. Grave told me not to share any details with her. And she's made it very clear she doesn't support this part of the business, anyway.

I pull the rope tighter around Harvey's neck again, cutting off his air supply once more. When he goes limp, I drop him. He crumples to the floor, his chest heaving. Not dead yet. Pity. I nudge at his large frame with my steel-capped toe. "Shut the fuck up, you monster."

I stride to the door, pausing to glance back at my prisoner. "By the way, we're nowhere near done here. This is just the beginning."

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