Page 74 of F*ckboys

I clench my jaw and fire back. "Says the woman wearing a miniskirt. We're the same age, Zara. Remember that."

She's such a bitch. I knew I couldn't trust her when she tried to act motherly the other day. It's almost like she's replaced me in the family dynamic, and I'm the unwanted one now.

Zara's smug expression sours. One point to me. But my victory is fleeting. Surviving this dinner will require nothing short of a miracle.

I steel myself and walk into the lion's den, braced for the next attack. There's nobody I would like to see less than Link. My relationships here swing like a pendulum, shifting from stable to chaotic in a heartbeat, especially with him. But I'll be damned if I let any of them see me sweat.

Game on.

I take my seat at the long mahogany table, scanning my brothers' faces. Fenton offers me a smile, but it doesn't reach his eyes. The others barely acknowledge my presence.

Cheston clears his throat, a mischievous glint in his eyes, clearly ready to break the tension. "Folks, brace yourselves. I have an announcement." He pauses for dramatic effect. "Rayner and I are engaged!"

The room erupts into a mix of cheers and applause. But my lips stay sealed. I eye Cheston suspiciously as he grins like the cat who caught the canary.

Rayner Bellamy. Stunning, twenty years his junior, and tied to a family with shadowy secrets. She's the belle of any ball she attends, but something about her rings false to me.

Fenton raises his glass. "Well done, Cheston! It's about time. Now bring Rayner to these dinners so we can meet our future sister-in-law."

My gut twists. Fenton just gave his blessing without a second thought. But I know better than to ignore my instincts. Rayner's dazzling smile hides something dark. I can feel it in my bones. Or maybe I'm just highly suspicious of everyone these days. I make a mental note to look into her further.

For now, I'll stay silent, biding my time. But the truth has a way of rising to the surface. And when it does, no one will be cheering. Least of all Cheston. I'll be fucked if someone else enters this family and is more accepted than me.

As dinner continues, the celebrations drone on, all smiles and laughter around me. Champagne is brought out for everyone to toast Cheston and the absent Rayner. But my mood remains stormy, thoughts churning like violent waves.

A presence appears beside me. Link. The thorn in my side I can never fully remove. I sigh, making it as loud and exaggerated as possible.

He clears his throat. "Fallon, about the investigator...I'm sorry. I called them off. I didn't mean to invade your privacy like that."

Skepticism etches itself across my face. As if mere words could make up for his trespass.

"You think an apology cuts it, Link?" I quirk a brow. "I need action. Stay the hell out of my business unless you want me digging up your skeletons, too."

His eyes flash with anger, followed by maybe a flicker of concern. I wonder what he's hiding that has him slightly ruffled. "Don't threaten me, Fallon. I'm trying to make peace here."

"Peace? Is that what you call spying on me?" I retort. "Here's some advice. Don't poke your nose where it doesn't belong."

"Who I investigate is none of your concern," he snarls.

"It sure as hell is when it's me," I shoot back.

We trade verbal blows, voices rising. The others pretend not to notice, but the tension in the room is palpable.

Finally, I've had enough. I grab my purse and storm toward the door, emotions churning inside me like a hurricane.

Over my shoulder I call back, "Stay out of my life, Link. Or you'll regret it."

I slam the door behind me, cutting off his shouted reply.

Dark thoughts swirl as I tap at my phone, selecting the Uber that promises to get here fastest and drive me off into the night. "As quick as you can, please," I say to the driver as I collapse into the back seat. I grip my purse tightly as we speed down the dark road, putting distance between us and the Dempsey mansion. The further I get, the more my anger simmers.

Link's fixation on me remains a mystery, one I intend to unravel. Why can't he let me be? What drives his relentless need to dig into my life? It's like he's obsessed with me in the worst possible way. And my other brothers always take his side, no matter what.

Tonight was no different. I confronted Link about the private investigator he sicced on me again, and Fenton jumped to his defense. "He's just looking out for you," Fenton said. As if spying on me is an act of care. If I did that to any of them, they would one-hundred percent guaranteed lose their shit.

They're all blind to Link's issues. But I see the darkness in him as clearly as my own reflection. The way his eyes follow my every move, cold and calculating. How he uses my family against me, turning them to his side. He's manipulating them, even if they can't see it. Just like he manipulates everyone around him with his polished charm and easy smiles. But it's all an act. Underneath, he's twisted in a way I can't comprehend.

I fully intend on digging up his skeletons. There must be a bunch. But for now, getting distance from him is all I can do to keep my sanity.

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