Page 122 of F*ckboys

My grandmother releases my hand, the iron glint in her eyes signaling she means business.

"Promise me you'll be careful," I urge. "The men Isabella and Kent are working with are dangerous."

A grim smile touches her lips. "So am I." She pats my cheek, a gentle reprimand. "Don't worry about me. I've lived a long life and faced far greater threats. This is but a minor blip."

Her confidence does little to assuage my concerns, but I know further protests will be in vain. Once my grandmother sets her mind on something, nothing short of divine intervention will deter her.

Kent and Isabella have also severely miscalculated. The vipers I unwittingly took into my sanctuary will soon feel the sting of vengeance.

I find Fallon waiting in my office, perched on the edge of my desk with one long, lean leg crossed over the other. She's wearing another one of those little black dresses that cling to her curves, her red lips curved in a smirk.

"Miss me?" she purrs, sliding off the desk, as if she hadn't just peaced out of my life for months. Her heels click on the marble floor as she saunters toward me, her hips swaying. I harden at the sight, heat pooling low in my gut. She always affects me like this, no matter my mood or intentions.

"What are you doing here?" I ask roughly, clenching my jaw in disbelief at her audacity, but also thrilled at the sight of her. I need to stay strong, and remember why I can't give in to her or the desires she stirs.

"I wanted to see you. Is that wrong?" She reaches up, trailing clever fingers along my collar. I grab her wrist before she can go any further, my grip tightening when she tries to pull away.

"Enough games," I growl. "You can't keep ducking in and out of my life like this."

All traces of seduction flee her expression, her eyes widening. "You're one to talk. After what you did."

"Enough lies," I repeat coldly. "You are no longer welcome here. If I see you near my family again, you will regret it."

I release her wrist and step back, steeling myself against the hurt in her eyes. She has no one to blame but herself. I gave her a chance, opened myself up to her despite everything, and she betrayed me.

Lesson learned. I will never trust so easily again.

I wake with a start, still hard at the thought of Fallon and her unexpected attempt to seduce me. As my eyes adjust to the light, I realize it was only a dream. I'm partially relieved, because I don't know how I could have reconciled her behavior with how much she's hurt me. But I'm mostly disappointed. What I'd giveto have her in my arms again, her lips on mine, if only for a moment.

Chapter 69

Fallon

The air in the dive bar is thick with the smell of stale beer and smoke. Neon signs flicker outside advertising the budget beer and whiskey that form the signature combo of this venue, casting an eerie red glow through the grimy windows.

I sit alone in a shadowed booth, nursing my third whiskey. The burn in my throat barely registers through the haze in my mind. I can't stop thinking about him. Aksel.

I force the image of his face from my thoughts, focusing instead on the mission ahead. My clients are counting on me. The revenge business has consumed my life, and I can't afford distractions. It almost turned me into a murderer, for fuck's sake. I need to be on my game.

Grave slides into the booth across from me, his perceptive gaze taking in my disheveled appearance. He knows me too well.

"You look like hell," he says bluntly. Always straight to the point with him.

I shrug, avoiding his eyes. "Just tired. It's been a long week."

He shakes his head, leaning forward intently. "There's more to it. I can tell."

Damn him. I take a long sip of my drink, debating how much to reveal. But the words spill out before I can stop them.

"I can't get Aksel out of my head," I confess bitterly. "On top of everything else going on. Releasing Harvey, the new information about Griffin and Brynn. Mia. It's just a lot."

Grave's expression softens with understanding. We've been partners for years. He gets me in a way few others do.

"Feelings make things complicated," he says. "That's why I avoid them. But you can't let it distract you from the job. This is a critical point, and if we make a misstep the company could crumble. And both of us could spend the rest of our lives in prison. Or we could wind up dead."

I nod, knowing he's right, and a shiver runs down my spine at the thought. With effort, I force Aksel from my mind again, focusing on why we're here.

"You're right," I say firmly. "I won't let him get in the way anymore."

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