Page 121 of F*ckboys

I grapple with questions I'm not sure I'm ready to face. Have I gone too far to turn back? Am I capable of redemption after embracing the darkness for so long? Or will the thirst for vengeance always lurk inside me, waiting to be unleashed again? Will I ever be able to stick to my boundaries?

I don't know. All I know is that I have a chance to make this right. To take back control of my life and choose a different path, one where the light outweighs the dark.

Grave is willing to walk that path with me, despite everything. I cling to that truth, to him, as the only way to save myself from the abyss threatening to consume me.

Chapter 68

Aksel

The familiar scent of cinnamon and sandalwood wafts over me as I step into my formidable grandmother's study. She sits in a high-backed velvet chair by the fireplace, a glass of brandy in one hand and a worn leather book in the other.

She glances up, her steel-gray eyes peering at me over the rim of her glasses. “What troubles you, dear one?”

I sink into the chair opposite her with a sigh, raking a hand through my hair. “It’s Fallon. I don’t trust her anymore, and I feel like an idiot for letting her in again.”

Grandmother closes her book, giving me her full attention. “What's happening with Fallon?”

“She’s been sneaking around, and her behavior was becoming increasingly erratic and unpredictable,” I clench my jaw, ragesimmering in my gut. “She reeled me back in and then stopped talking to me cold turkey."

“I see.” Grandmother takes a slow sip of brandy, gazing into the fire. “I can't say I'm surprised. Women like Fallon are dangerous creatures, Aksel. Venomous snakes waiting to strike when you least expect it.” Her eyes harden. “Forget about her, Aksel. She's not worth your time nor affection.”

My grandmother seems to further process what I've just shared and then sets her mouth in a grim line, her sharp eyes narrowing. She stays silent for a long moment, her gaze distant as if she's seeing some long ago memory play out.

When she speaks again, her tone is hard as granite. "She has always been jealous of what she cannot have. Even as a child, Fallon coveted the lives of those more fortunate, resenting them for what she lacked. You should have seen the way she used to look at you and your siblings. And if you had another girl within twenty feet of you… well, all hell broke loose."

She looks at me, worry and anger warring in her expression. "You shouldn't have trusted her. I warned you, but you refused to listen."

I clench my jaw, old guilt rising. Even back in high school, she told me Fallon was trouble, but I was too blind to see it. Too blinded by lust and desire to heed the wisdom of my elders. Still, the thought of her getting jealous over me even being in the same room as another girl gets me a little hot under the collar.

"I know," I say quietly. "You were right. I should have listened."

The admission does little to soften the grim set of her mouth, but she reaches out a gnarled hand to clasp my own. "You're not the first to be fooled by a pretty face and honeyed words, Aksel dear. But we are family, and we protect our own." Her fingers tighten around mine, as hard and unyielding as the vow in her voice. "She will not threaten to weaken our family again."

I rake a hand through my hair again, torn between my love for Fallon and the wisdom in Grandmother’s words. She has decades more experience in these matters. If she says Fallon can't be trusted, she’s probably right. But then she always has had a mistrust of the Dempseys.

“You’re distracted,” Grandmother says, “and we can't afford distractions right now. Not with the Farringtons circling like vultures, waiting to pick our bones clean.” She sets her glass down with a sharp click. "You need to focus on the business. Matters of the heart can wait.”

I nod, guilt and relief warring in my chest. Fallon has betrayed me, but I don’t wish her harm. The family business must come first. Grandmother is right, as always.

“Thank you,” I say quietly.

She smiles, reaching over to pat my hand. “You’re welcome, dear one. Now, tell me what else is on your mind.”

The warmth of her touch and, despite the hardness she usually exposes to people, the comfort of her presence, eases the turmoil in my soul. I take a deep breath and begin to speak.

I tell Grandmother everything—my suspicions about Kent and Isabella's ulterior motives, as well as Carson's bad choices and the details of the threats against Amy and my sisters from the Marcellos. She listens without interruption, her sharp eyes peering into my soul. By the time I finish, dusk has fallen and shadows fill the room.

"This is troubling about Kent and Isabella," Grandmother says at last, "but not unexpected. The Farringtons have always been ruthless opportunists, and Kent is no different. He aims to destroy us, and will use any means necessary to achieve his objectives. It sounds like he's found an ally in his goals." She sighs, weariness etching fine lines around her mouth. "And as for the Marcellos, we must be careful. Increase security, especially around Raine and the children, as well as Roxy andAmy. I do not trust that following Amy and threatening her was an isolated incident, and we need to be on high alert."

I nod in agreement. "Will do."

"Leave Kent and Isabella to me," Grandmother repeats. "I'll get a full download from Raine and ensure neither of them cause any more trouble for this family." A steely glint enters her eyes, and a shiver runs down my spine. My grandmother doesn't fuck around when it comes to protecting our family business.

"If there's nothing else, I should be going," I say, standing. I have plans to make and measures to take.

Grandmother smiles, sharp and cold. "Yes, go. Take care of our family, Aksel, and I will handle the rest."

I bend to kiss her cheek. "Thank you," I whisper, preparing to leave. Darkness has fully fallen, shadows lurking in every corner, but I refuse to be afraid. With my formidable Grandmother by my side, as well as Raine and her incredible inner strength, together we will destroy our enemies. The King family will prevail.

---