Page 35 of F*ckboys

"Speaking of which," I say, shifting gears, "Roxy seems to be on a collision course with disaster. Her recklessness could endanger everything we've worked so hard to protect."

"Ah, our little firecracker," Raine smirks, though her expression remains serious. "She's always been impulsive, but she also has a heart of gold. I think she's just searching for something, even if she doesn't know what it is yet."

"Her latest antics are pushing the limits, though," I admit, my concern evident in my tone. "While I appreciate her free spirit, she needs to understand the consequences of her actions—not just for herself but for our family as well. The people she's hanging out with seem to be getting more dangerous, and each time I see one of her photo shoots it becomes increasingly pornographic."

"Then talk to her, Aksel," Raine urges, leaning forward. "Not as the overbearing older brother, but as someone who genuinely cares about her well-being. Help her see that there's more to life than chasing after the next thrill."

"Thank you, Raine. I'll do my best," I promise, my resolve strengthened by her words. I'm also acutely aware that if I don't tread very carefully with Roxy I risk pushing her away from me and right into the arms of the people I most wish she'd stay away from.

"Remember, Aksel," she adds, her hand on my shoulder, "we're all in this together. Don't forget that."

I nod, our shared understanding a beacon of hope amidst the shadows that shroud our existence.

I take a deep breath as I approach Carson, who's perched on a window seat in the sitting room overlooking the estate. His youthful features are contemplative as he gazes out at the sprawling grounds. Even though he's reached adulthood, amidst the grandiosity of the estate he looks small and I'm acutely aware of his vulnerability at this intersection of his life. I can't help but feel a pang of protectiveness for my only brother, knowing thedarkness that casts its shadow over our family and threatens to consume him. And I definitely don't want him to follow in my footsteps.

"Hey, Carson," I say gently, pulling his attention away from the view. "Mind if I join you?"

"Sure, Aksel," he replies with a small smile, shifting over to make room for me.

"Listen," I begin, choosing my words carefully. "I know you're at a crucial point in your life right now."

He nods. "What do you think about my plans for college? I've been thinking about majoring in business, following in your footsteps." He smiles expectantly, as if seeking my approval.

"Carson," I sigh, placing a hand on his shoulder, feeling the weight of responsibility as his older brother. "I want you to choose your own path, not just follow mine. And be careful with those new friends of yours. Like I said before, some people might not have your best interests at heart. There are going to be people who want to sway you one way or another. And they could be using our family's name and connections for their own gain."

He frowns slightly, sensing the gravity of my words. "Yeah, I guess I've noticed that lately."

My voice is firm yet gentle as I warn him. "We have connections to some dangerous people."

"Like those guys connected to the...?" he asks hesitantly, his voice trailing off and his eyes widening as the reality of our situation sinks in.

"Exactly," I confirm. "Some of them may seem like friends, or even business associates, but they have their own agendas. Don't let them lure you down a path that could lead to disaster."

"Are you saying I shouldn't trust anyone?" Carson questions, uncertainty clouding his expression.

"No, not at all," I clarify. "Just be cautious. Trust your instincts, and remember that we—your family—are always here for you."

He nods solemnly, understanding the gravity of what I'm saying, but I can sense his desire to prove himself. "I know, Aksel. I'll be cautious. Thanks for looking out for me."

"Always, little brother," I reply, ruffling his hair affectionately before we part ways.

As I stand in the dimly lit sitting room, surrounded by the echoes of my siblings and the whispers of our tangled past, I realize that it's these relationships that hold the key to unraveling what's lost within me. Beneath the veneer of power and wealth, I'm bound to my grandmother, Raine, Roxy, and Carson by threads of strength and vulnerability, love and loyalty. And as the shadows of the mafia loom large, it's these ties that will ultimately guide me through the darkness.

Chapter 17

Fallon

"Grave, we need to hit Jacob Daniels where it hurts." I lean against my desk, tapping my fingers on the surface. The urge for revenge courses through my veins like a wildfire, threatening to consume me if I don't act soon. The glow of the computer screen illuminates my face as I scour through Jacob's private information. My heart races, a dark satisfaction coursing through me.

"Agreed," Grave says, his voice low and dangerous. "Legal action won't cut it. I've been researching revenge porn laws and it's very clear that it's almost impossible to see any form of official justice for victims of this type of crime." Despite our willingness to engage in vigilantism, it's usually our first instinct to try and follow a legal process if there's one available.Unfortunately, sometimes that doesn't bode well for the victim and instead threatens to revictimize them, and this is one of those cases. "We're going to have to get creative."

Creative is an understatement. What Jacob did to Maddie is unforgivable, and we're not going to let him walk away without consequences. No, this bastard is going to have to pay.

"Remember, we need to attack him where it's actually going to leave more than a superficial dent," Grave responds, his voice dark and determined. "His business needs to crumble, his reputation needs to be shattered, and most of all he needs to be personally embarrassed."

"Agreed," I answer, beginning to hack into Jacob's company servers. It doesn't take me long to uncover a treasure trove of questionable business practices extending into nearly every aspect of his operations. "Looks like our dear Jacob has been cutting corners, cheating his partners, and exploiting his employees. There's hardly a shortage of material to work with."

"Perfect," Grave mutters, leaning closer to examine the screen. "We'll use that to paint him as the immoral bastard he is."

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