Page 113 of F*ckboys

Aksel has now twice filled my world with light and love, only to bring everything crashing down around me. Now there is only darkness, and anger that fuels my quest for vengeance.

The phone buzzes again and I snatch it up, thumb hovering over the answer button. Half of me craves the sound of his voice. The other knows it’s a weakness I can’t afford. A trap, an unnecessary distraction. My kryptonite.

With a growl, I hurl the phone against the wall. It shatters on impact, pieces scattering across the floor. Silence descends, thick and cloying. The echo of Aksel’s name fades, leaving me adrift in a sea of purpose. Of revenge. The knowledge nobody can get in touch with me right now is exhilarating. I'll be left alone to plan, to plot, to exact the vengeance I seek and deserve.

My gaze lands on the files strewn across the table. Details of Harvey’s sordid affairs. Of the offshore accounts funding his corruption. Of the lives he’s ruined clawing his way to power, and the people he's stomped on, used and abused along the way. Rage surges, red-hot and pure. Harvey’s destruction will be my salvation. I flip open another file, scanning the contents. There, another weakness to exploit—more scams, more shady business practices. More secrets to lay bare.

The buzz of purpose returns, dulling the ache of Aksel’s loss. I have a new lifeline now. One threaded with vengeance and justice. Harvey’s ruin will be my redemption. We'll be releasing him from captivity soon, but Claudia's retribution won't end there. No, it'll follow him for the rest of his life. I'll make sure of it.

A knock sounds at my office door, startling me from my focus. I glance up to find Raine peering through the frosted glass, worry etched into her features.

My fingers curl into fists, nails biting into flesh. Her concern is a distraction I can’t afford. Not now. Not when I’m so close to bringing Harvey to his knees. I'd told my reception staff to tell anyone calling for me that I was unavailable, but I didn't expectanyone to show up to my physical office. At least, I knew Aksel wouldn't. Even he wouldn't cross that line.

Raine raps at the door again. “Fallon, please open up. We haven’t heard from you in days.” Her voice is muffled, but the strain in it comes through loud and clear. “Aksel is worried sick. We all are.”

The sound of his name strikes like a blow, cracking my composure. Aksel. My breath hitches, heart clenching with a pain so acute it steals the air from my lungs.

I shake my head, dragging my gaze from Raine to the files on the table. Harvey. I have to focus on Harvey.

When I glance up again, Raine’s eyes meet mine through the glass. Determination shines in their depths. She isn’t leaving. Not without answers.

With a resigned sigh, I push to my feet and cross to the door. Shields in place, I remind myself. I have work to do. Raine and Aksel are a distraction I can’t afford. But I can't be mad at Raine. She's a consistent voice of reason, so wise, with her own dark history that she doesn't talk about, but you can just see.

I click the lock. The door creaks open and Raine surges forward, pulling me into her arms. “Thank God you’re okay.” Her hug is fierce, her voice muffled against my hair. “We’ve been so worried.”

Guilt flickers, a spark I hastily smother. I harden my heart and pull away. “I’m fine. Just busy.”

Raine searches my face, her frown deepening. “That’s not true. I can see how much this is hurting you.” Her hand closes over my wrist, her grip gentle. “Talk to me, Fallon. Please.”

I stare at her hand, willing myself to remain detached. To feel nothing. “There’s nothing to say. I have work to do, Raine.”

“This isn’t healthy.” Her fingers tighten. “Bottling it all up and throwing yourself into your work. You’re going to break if you keep punishing yourself like this.”

Irritation flickers to life. A spark to stoke the fires of purpose. My gaze lifts to hers, hard as flint. “My work is none of your business. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have things to do.”

"Fallon, you and I both know this isn't just about work. You and Aksel really need to figure things out. You can't keep going on like this, either of you."

"I'll do it on my own time. Now can you please leave? Respect my privacy." I wrench my wrist from her grip.

She looks hurt, but she heads out the door with one last look over her shoulder. I slam the door as she heads toward the reception area. The echo of it closing is final. My path is set, and I won’t be deterred. Not by Raine. Not by anyone.

Harvey will pay for what he’s done. Justice will be served. No Kings are going to get in the way of justice for Claudia. I return to the table, to the details of Harvey’s destruction. The ache for Aksel, and the guilt at the way I just treated Raine, fades beneath the buzz of purpose.

A few hours later

One of my junior assistants, Jeremy, pokes his head into the office. He's essentially taken over Mia's role since she quit, although he still has a lot to learn. Still, he's bright and I've always respected his bluntness.

“You look like shit.” His gaze rakes over me, judgment etched into the lines of his face. “When was the last time you slept? Or ate?”

I shrug, gaze already shifting back to the files. “I’m fine.”

“Like hell.” He snatches the folder from my hands. “Everyone can see how twisted up you are over this Mia stuff, whatever it is. We’re worried about you.”

Irritation flares, my fingers curling into fists. I straighten, meeting his gaze with a hardness that makes him take astep back. “I don’t need your worry or your pity. And you're overstepping. Now give me the file.”

“Not until you go home and take care of yourself.” His jaw sets, his eyes narrowing. “Whatever happened between you, Mia wouldn’t want to see you like this.” He hunches over conspiratorially. "And you really don't want Aksel to see you like this. I'm thinking full-blown glow-up. Make him regret the day he ever crossed you." His eyes light up at the thought.

Rage ignites, a flash fire fueled by grief and loss. “Don’t you dare speak either of their names to me.” My voice emerges in a venomous hiss. “You have no right.”

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