Page 22 of F*ckboys

"Understood," I say, feeling a surge of anger on her behalf. "I promise you, Maddie, we'll make this right."

I can't help but steal glances at Grave as Maddie recounts her story. The dimly lit office seems to suit him, casting shadows across his chiseled features and making him appear even more enigmatic than usual. He stands off to the side, arms folded over his broad chest, his dark eyes never leaving Maddie's face. His stoic expression gives away nothing, and I find myself wondering—yet again—what he's thinking.

My mind drifts back to when I first met him—his sudden appearance in my life like a phantom in the night. My life had been teetering on the brink of chaos, and then he was there, standing beside me like an avenging angel with a dark twist. The connection between us felt electric, immediate and dangerous. Despite our close partnership, there are still so many questionsabout his past that remain unanswered, like an incomplete puzzle that refuses to be solved despite the fragments I've gathered over the years. The occasional mentions of fallen squadron comrades, black ops missions, and boot camp tyrants send shivers down my spine. It's clear that beneath his rugged exterior lies a vulnerability, a hidden side of him that he keeps carefully guarded. But he's far more comfortable discussing clients than himself, so there are many pieces to Grave still to be untangled.

"Are there any other details you think we should know?" Grave interjects, speaking for the first time since Maddie entered the room, other than in greeting, and bringing my focus back to her. His deep voice gives me goosebumps, a reminder of the power he holds—and wields—so effortlessly.

"Um, no. I think that's everything," Maddie stammers, her eyes darting between us nervously. The atmosphere in my office is heavy with anticipation, the weight of Maddie's grief hanging thick like fog. My eyes flicker between her tear-streaked face and Grave.

"Maddie, you did the right thing by coming here and you're in good hands." My tone is gentle but firm as I clasp her hands in mine, feeling her slight tremble in my grasp. "We'll handle everything from here."

"Thank you," she chokes out, gratitude shining through her pain.

With a nod, Maddie leaves the office, and I find myself alone with Grave once more. The tension in the room is palpable, but there's also a sense of comfort in his presence—a knowledge that we're in this together, no matter how high the stakes.

"Let's get to work," Grave says, his voice low and dangerous—a promise wrapped in steel.

"Agreed," I reply, feeling the fire of vengeance ignite within me. "There's no time to waste. Where do we start?" I ask, searching for some semblance of direction amid the chaos. "What's our plan?"

"Simple," he replies, his gaze narrowing as he leans against the wall, his hands clasped behind his back. "We expose the truth, and we make this Jacob scum pay."

I nod. "He embarrassed her online, so as much as I would like to beat the shit out of him, that doesn't seem right." I furrow my brow. "So it's a matter of finding something more fitting."

"Well, Jacob's crime against Maddie was virtual, right? And I think we can destroy him virtually in a way that makes him wish he'd only been on the receiving end of physical violence," Grave counters, his lips curling into a half-smile that sends shivers down my spine. "Once things are out on the internet, they're out forever. Whereas bruises and broken bones heal."

"Let's go for it, then," I reply, feeling the fire of determination ignite within me. "No time to waste."

As we dive into our plan, I can't help but feel the echoes of Grave's speculated past lingering in the air—whispers of a life shaped by darkness and decisions made in the shadows. I ache to understand him, to know the truth behind his enigmatic façade, but for now, I need to set those thoughts aside and focus on exacting revenge for Maddie.

Some time later

"Grave," I say, unable to contain my curiosity any longer. "Why do you always keep so much to yourself? I mean, we've been working together for years, and yet I feel like I barely know you."

He hesitates, his brow furrowing as he contemplates my question. Finally, he speaks, his voice low and measured. "Thereare things in my past, Fallon, that I don't want to think about—let alone share with others."

"Even me?" I ask, hurt flickering through me at the thought that he might not trust me enough to confide in me.

"Especially you," he replies softly, his eyes locking onto mine. "You deserve better than the baggage I carry."

"Grave, we all have demons," I say, my voice shaking slightly. "But we can't fight them alone. Let me help you, just like you've helped me so many times before."

For a moment, he doesn't respond, and I wonder if I've pushed him too far. But then he takes a deep breath and nods, a look of resignation in his dark eyes.

"I'll tell you more one day," he says, an expression passing over his face that I can't quite put my finger on. "But I'm a very private person and now's not the time. So if you don't mind, let's focus on destroying Jacob Daniels' life the way he did to Maddie."

He's right. Now is the time for our client, not satisfying my latent curiosity.

"Let's do this," I say, feeling the adrenaline surge through my veins.

In this moment, I know that no matter what lies hidden within our respective histories, one thing remains clear: we are bound by a common purpose, and together, we are unstoppable. Grave's gaze meets mine again, and for a moment, I see something in his eyes that makes my heart race—a fierce determination that mirrors my own. There's an unspoken understanding between us, a shared drive for justice that binds us together like the strands of a twisted rope.

As we sit, poring over our laptops in companionable silence, I realize I've been so wrapped up in planning revenge for Maddie, and contemplating Grave's dark past, that Aksel has barely crossed my mind.

Chapter 12

Fallon

The door to the dive bar creaks as I push it open, a cloud of cigarette smoke and the smell of stale beer engulfing me. It's perfect, just what I need right now. After hours in the office plotting with Grave, I need a change of scenery where my mind can process while I focus on other things. Revenge work is rewarding but draining.

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