Page 8 of F*ckboys

"Fallon, darling, are you alright?" Her nails dig into my skin as she gives my shoulder a squeeze, and I flinch at her touch. "I saw Aksel bothering you. You know you can always talk to me."

I shrug off her hand. "I'm fine, Carissa. Go find another target for your fake concern."

Her eyes flash. She drops the pretense, her smile twisting into a sneer. "You Dempseys always were too arrogant for your own good, even if your brothers are all pretty hot. Did you really think you could win Aksel from under me?" She leans close, her breath hot against my ear. "You'll always be second best, Fallon. To me, to your family, to Aksel. You're a joke, and everyone here knows it. I'll make sure Tony Farelli knows it too." She glances over at the executive and gives him a small wave, which he reciprocates.

Rage boils in my veins. Carissa has always looked down on me, has always thought I wasn't good enough. She ruined my relationship with Aksel so many years ago, and now she thinks she'll sabotage my family company.

I meet her gaze with a chilling smile. "The joke's on you, Carissa. You have no idea who you're dealing with."

Her eyes widen at my tone. Before she can reply, I turn on my heel and stride away, leaving her spluttering behind me. Let her believe she's ruffled me with her threats. Soon enough, she'll learn the truth.

The Dempseys always get revenge

I scan the room and spot Aksel leaning against a marble column, whiskey glass in hand as he talks with the influential man who is the reason why my father insisted I be here this evening. My chest tightens at the sight of his smile, and the way he casually touches Farelli's arm. I know those gestures, those subtle power plays. He's working his charm, and judging by the man's laughter, it's having the desired effect.

Fear and fury war inside me. If Aksel wins this man over and I don't, it'll just reinforce my status as the family let-down and it'll be yet another time where Aksel bested me at something. I can't let that happen. I walk up to them, interrupting their conversation with a bright smile.

"Mr. Farelli, there you are! I hope I'm not disturbing you." I extend a hand, ignoring Aksel's gaze burning into me. "Fallon Dempsey. My father speaks highly of you."

Tony Farelli's eyes light up in recognition. The Farellis and Dempseys go back generations. I play on that connection now, watching Aksel from the corner of my eye. His jaw clenches, and satisfaction uncurls inside me. I'm not going to make this easy for him. His family might have deep ties to influential people, but so do mine.

"Fallon, what a lovely surprise!" He clasps my hand warmly. "Call me Tony! Your father was just telling me about your new business venture. Restaurants, was it?"

I laugh, keeping my tone light. "You must have me confused with my brother. I run a personal empowerment and development service. We help our clients to achieve their goals and take ownership of their lives." I can't quite bring myself to tell this man my business is based on the annihilation of fuckboys, so I use the broad generalized explanation that nobody really understands. "But I do remain heavily invested in Dempsey Enterprises, of course."

"How admirable." His brows rise in interest. "We should discuss the Eternity Development Project further. You can tell your father I'll be in touch."

Success flickers inside me, but I mask it behind a graceful smile. "I'm sure he'll be delighted. Thank you."

Farelli nods and steers the conversation to lighter topics. I chime in occasionally but keep watch on Aksel from the cornerof my eye. His jaw stays clenched, and he keeps throwing me narrow-eyed glances. I stare back, a challenge in my gaze.

You didn't win yet, Aksel. The game has only just begun. Just because I'm not a member of the boy's club doesn't mean I can't use my own charms to get what I want.

The lingering tension in the air is electric, charged with the collision of our worlds.

Farelli excuses himself and we go our separate ways. As I grab an hors d'oeuvre from the tray of a passing server, I feel Aksel's gaze burning into me from across the room, dark and inscrutable. But I know him well enough to recognize the sharp edge of calculation beneath his aloof facade. He's watching, waiting for my next move in this intricate game we play.

Always ten steps ahead. Always in control.

The memory of calloused hands and whispered promises flares, and I grit my teeth against the unwanted flash of heat. Aksel does not get to have this effect on me anymore. He lost that right a long time ago.

I turn away, scanning the room for new alliances to forge and weaknesses to exploit. My father expects results, and while the conversation seemed to go well with Tony Farelli there are no guarantees that will be enough. I can't fail again, or Dad might withdraw his financial support from my business completely. It's always an overhanging threat. But failure has never been an option. Not when I have so much to prove.

My fingers curl around the stem of a champagne flute as I approach a cluster of executives that I recognize, a calculated smile curving my lips. While Tony Farelli was the main target of this evening's networking, my father asked me to approach these men too if I saw them at the event. Like with any business, rubbing elbows with the right people at events like these tends to open doors that wouldn't otherwise exist. "Gentlemen, it'swonderful to see you this evening. I'm Fallon Dempsey of Dempsey Enterprises."

Their appreciative gazes sweep over me, and I incline my head, playing the role I was born to inhabit but have railed against since I was a teenager. Poised. Polished. Aloof. The consummate businesswoman. It irks me to have to do it but I'm a damn good actress.

If the men glimpse the shadows beneath the facade, they don't show it. But then, men often see what they want to see.

"The contributions of each of your companies will be invaluable to the innovation and success of Dempsey Enterprises." I meet each of their eyes, a nonverbal promise of the prosperity to come. "Our corporation looks forward to a bright future together with you."

Murmurs of agreement and flattery follow, and I bask in the glow of their enthusiasm, even as my gaze drifts to Aksel again. A challenge glints in his eyes, the silent dare that has always spurred me to greater heights, to beat him at his own game.

The familiar rush of competition stirs in my veins, awakening an old hunger. Victory over Aksel would be the ultimate prize. And this is one game I fully intend to win.

"A dance?" Aksel suddenly appears at my side and takes firm hold of my elbow. "I seem to remember you're quite a fan of this song."

The men smile at his sudden arrival, and I can tell by the looks on their faces they assume we're a couple. If only they knew. I grit my teeth, maintaining my polite smile, determined not to let him win by showing the men how I really feel and causing a scene.

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