Page 144 of F*ckboys

"Surely, Fallon should have a say in this," I argue, desperate to fight against the suffocating expectations placed on me.

"Don't question me, Aksel. We do not need her input. She's impetuous, unpredictable. She doesn't know what's best for the Dempseys and the Kings," Colton commands, his voice booming. "You know the stakes, Aksel. I expect your answer soon." He dismisses me with a wave of his hand, leaving me to stew in my own thoughts.

As I walk out of the room, my mind races. Is this what Fallon wants? Is this what I want? Our fragile bond feels like it's teetering on the edge, ready to shatter with the slightest push. A proposal might be one step too far, and might send her scurrying far away.

It's later that night when I find myself sitting alone in the dark, nursing a glass of whiskey. Colton's demand weighs heavily on my chest, making it hard to breathe. My thoughts drift to Fallon and the challenges we've faced together. It's undeniable that ourlove has blossomed through adversity, but this ultimatum feels different, more sinister.

"Is this about love, or just an attempt to save face?" I mutter into the empty room. The pressure to propose feels less like a romantic gesture and more like a business transaction to augment our respective families and their business endeavors.

What has always been naturally, organically, shared between Fallon and me seems to be slipping through my fingers, replaced by the cold reality of expectations and appearances. I don't want an empty shell of a relationship, I want the genuine, authentic connection I've always felt towards her.

As I take another sip of whiskey, the burning sensation does little to soothe the turmoil raging inside me. I know that what Colton asks of me could change everything, but for better or worse, I can't be certain.

My heart aches as I grapple with whether to follow his demand or trust my gut and propose to Fallon on my own time. If I get this wrong, I could lose her. And the thought of keeping her, but having to endure Colton Dempsey being a hateful father-in-law, also sends a shiver down my spine.

The future of my relationship with Fallon hangs in the balance, and the weight of it all threatens to crush me.

Fallon

I stand over the man tied to a chair in my basement, his face bruised and swollen. Sweat drips down his forehead as he whimpers in pain. My heart races with adrenaline, but I can't deny the satisfaction I feel watching him suffer. He deserves it—every ounce of torment I inflict upon him.

"Please," Harvey begs, his voice barely audible. "No more."

"Did you show any mercy when you hurt Claudia and those other innocent women?" I snarl, gripping the handle of the whip tightly. The darkness within me rises, blurring the lines betweenmy personal vendettas and this twisted business I've become entangled in. "And what about the people you swindled through your business? They were innocent, too, Harvey, you piece of shit. And they trusted you, just like Claudia did," I hiss.

Grave watches from the shadows, his eyes filled with conflict. Despite our recent conversation, and his willingness to come back and help me with the Harvey situation, there's still an unspoken tension that lingers between us. Like he's judging me. Like he still doesn't agree with what I'm doing these days.

"Fallon," Grave says cautiously, taking a step forward. "Maybe we should take a break."

"Stay out of this," I snap, my anger flaring at his interference. I lash out with the whip, striking the man once more. His screams echo through the room, chilling me to the core even as they fuel my rage.

"Enough!" Grave shouts, rushing forward and grabbing my arm. His eyes lock onto mine, and for the first time, I see something more than just loyalty and friendship. There's a raw, vulnerable affection lurking beneath the surface, one that he's tried so hard to conceal.

"Let me go," I hiss, yanking my arm free from his grasp. The intensity of his gaze unnerves me, stirring something deep within that I'm not ready to confront.

"Fallon, please," Grave pleads, his voice cracking. "This isn't you. This darkness, it's consuming you. We said we were going to let him go. And now you're just using him as your human pin cushion, your punching bag, your proxy for every man you've ever wanted to punish."

"Who are you to tell me who I am?" I spit out, eyes narrowed, my heart pounding in my chest. "You're just as much a part of this business as I am."

"Maybe I am," he admits, his voice heavy with sorrow. "But I never wanted you to lose yourself in it. What we do, it's dangerous—but I can't stand to see you like this."

His words hit me like a ton of bricks, the truth of them cutting through my anger and pride. As I look at Grave, once again torn between doing what he believes is right and loyalty to me, I realize that I'm not only still pushing him away, but continuing to losing myself in the process.

"Grave," I whisper, my voice trembling. "I don't know if I can stop. This darkness... it's become a part of me. I don't know who I'd be without it anymore."

"Then let me help you find your way back," he says softly, reaching for my hand. "Together, we can face whatever comes our way."

The choice lies before me, the path of continued vengeance or the chance at redemption. But as I stare into Grave's eyes, filled with hope and unwavering devotion, I know that I've already made my decision. And for once, I choose love. Love of my loyal friends, and love of Aksel.

Chapter 81

Fallon

The old abandoned warehouse comes into view, rusted metal and crumbling brick under the orange glow of the setting sun. My heart races at the sight, a flood of memories crashing over me. Just a short barefoot walk through the sand dunes, the salty shoreline, waves gently crashing onto the beach leaving froth and scattered shells.

This is where Aksel and I first kissed. Where we first made love. Where we first fought, and first made up.

So much history in these walls. Still coated in graffiti, although different patterns and colors than when we last visited, a relic of our tumultuous past but with a modern update.

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