A/N: Once again, THIS STORY ISN'T MINE! I can't take credit for writing this masterpiece, I just copied and pasted it from tumblr so it can reach a larger audience! The writer of this story is tumblr user storiesoftheseven . Here's the link to the master post of Falling For the Devil : post/116271170930/fftd-master-post
Annabeth felt like ice water had been injected into her veins
Luke's father- her Luke, was in league with Percy. She didn't know how she felt about it, honestly. The more she thought about it, though, she didn't think Luke knew what his father did. She had seen the truth in his eyes when he spoke about his father. Seen the way his eyes hardened, seen the hurt lying under the surface.
She'd have to discreetly bring it up with him on Monday and see what Luke said, see if her fears of him playing her were just because of Percy.
Percy didn't say much the rest of the ride back to the mansion. He didn't even try his usual small talk, he just left her alone. Maybe he thought after a full night of 'faking it' she needed to be alone. When they exited the car together he led her inside and then bid her 'goodnight' with a kiss on the cheek.
She smiled slightly and then turned to walk down the hallway toward her room. Annabeth couldn't stop thinking about Hermes and Luke. The more she thought about it the more her resolve to ask Luke about it strengthened.
Maybe she could conceal her questions as curiosity and not suspicion.
It aggravated her that she now had a begrudging nature, she instantly distrusted new people. She was becoming more like Percy and it bothered her, she didn't want to be closed off and afraid of emotion.
When she got into her room she changed quickly and climbed into her bed. It was well after midnight and all she wanted to do was sleep until next week but she had another meeting with Katie tomorrow.
This time they would be choosing the dinner and cake for the wedding. Annabeth would be with Percy all day long and would most definitely need a full night's rest to do that.
Katie was becoming a regular part of Annabeth's life now that they were two months from the wedding. Planning was beginning to take over her life just as much as work was.
It was a nice distraction, sometimes.
To dream for a little while, to play nice with Percy and believe for just an hour she was actually getting married because she wanted too.
Because she was in love.
She fell asleep that night to the dream of her wedding, the bouquet, the flowers, the people and a groom she couldn't see the face of.
A groom, whom she was happy to marry.
The next morning dawned dreary and rainy, much like her mood. Annabeth scowled at the window as she slipped on her gym clothes. It was later than usual but it was Sunday, she could sleep in on Sunday's if she wanted too.
The gym was empty when she walked in, Percy probably had already used it earlier. As she got on the treadmill she realized she sort of missed him. Well, missed his company and their stupid banter they usually exchanged in the mornings. He was quite witty when he wanted to be.
Which had surprised her, who knew a selfish bastard could exchange pleasantries?
Percy was waiting for her in the dining room when she finished getting dressed for the day. He smiled when she entered, looking over the rim of the newspaper he was reading. She returned it as she walked toward the table.
"Thought you would miss breakfast." He said folding up the paper and setting it down.
Annabeth shook her head, "No, just slept in… we got in late last night." Percy hummed in agreement as a maid set down their food in front of them. They talked about the previous night and how well it seemed to have went. She asked him about cake preferences- whether he liked chocolate, vanilla or buttercream icing. What food choices he would lean toward. He answered all of her questions with questions of his own.
She laughed and smiled a few times at the things he said or asked. It wasn't enough, however, to combat the disdain she still felt for him. Sure, she thought he was nice sometimes- but she had a hunch he was doing this for his own personal gain.
Everything he did was for his own personal gain.
So, she wouldn't let herself fall prey to his charms. To fall prey to him.
They met Katie outside of the hotel the wedding and reception would be held in. They walked curled into each other, Percy clutching her waist. Katie beamed when she saw them, she greeted them and then ushered them into the large banquet area. Annabeth looked around, the room was large and would look fantastic once Katie was finished with it.
Percy pulled a chair out for Annabeth and then sat beside her at the lone circular table set up in the center of the plush ballroom.
"The entrees are first and then we'll do the cake tasting." Katie said opening her leather binder.
One hour later they had decided on the menu and were discussing arrangements while the chef prepared the cake tasting. Percy was on his phone, talking lowly- his voice tense. Annabeth could barely hear what he was saying, she tried keeping one ear on Katie and the other on Percy but she felt bad for making Katie repeat her sentences.
Finally, she gave up and focused all of her attention on Katie. A few moments later he tuned back into their conversation, leaning in close to her. Annabeth was pointing out her favorite flowers as Percy played with her hair, pulling slightly on the curly strands- planting small kisses on her shoulder.
Katie beamed every time he showed Annabeth some affection. That smile made Annabeth want to roll her eyes, it was all a show- all of the caresses, the kisses, the hugs. However, the possessive smile that Percy held in their presence was most definitely real.
Annabeth had learned in the month of being his fiance that he viewed her as his possession. Which made the panic of him finding out about Luke all the more real.
But she couldn't stop thinking that it was fair- he got his girls, she got Luke.
Simple.
Right?
It seemed simple enough to her.
Annabeth was knocked out of her thoughts by a large platter being placed in the center of the table. Samples of cake and icing cut into triangles. Katie started rattling off which each was as Annabeth grabbed the first one that looked amazing.
She grabbed her fork and took a bite, it was divine. Annabeth looked over her shoulder at Percy, "This is amazing, want a taste?"
He smiled, "I'm fine with whatever you choose, you know what I like."
Annabeth rolled her eyes, "Taste the cake, Percy."
Katie chuckled at their exchange. Annabeth scooped up a piece of cake and turned to him once more, "Come on… just one little taste."
Percy narrowed his eyes at her as she wiggled the fork around playfully. After a moment he cracked and smiled, "Fine."
Annabeth beamed at him as her stomach started doing tiny little flips at their interaction. They had gotten better at flirting in public and being a couple, but sometimes it felt too real for her. Especially now as she fed him the cake from her fork, it was exactly what a couple 'in love' would do.
"You two are just so adorable… I can't even handle it." Katie mused from beside them.
Annabeth turned to Katie with a smile, "Thanks…. I like this one." She said pointing to the cake.
Katie nodded and wrote it down, they tried several more pieces but nothing stood out like the first one. At the end of the tasting Annabeth turned to Percy, "What was your favorite?" she asked.
Percy grinned down at her, "The first one."
Annabeth nodded, "Mine as well," and turned to Katie, "Let's do the bottom tier the first piece we tried."
Katie nodded as they planned out the rest of the tiers and then the design of the cake. The chef prepared a draw up of the cake. It would be large and grand, the perfect center piece in the large ballroom.
When they got into the car Percy turned to her, "I would suggest an early dinner but I know you're full from the tasting."
Annabeth smiled at him, "Most definitely."
"How about a surprise, though?" He asked, looking at her.
Annabeth tensed, "I don't really like surprises."
Percy laughed, "You'll like this one, I think."
She nodded as the driver sped down the empty New York street. It was a few minutes before she recognized the shops of Fifth Avenue. She was confused, was shopping his idea of a surprise?
She didn't understand until they were parked in front of Tiffany and Co. Annabeth understood immediately what they were doing as Percy turned to her and smiled slightly.
"Since I'm not going to be needed at anymore meetings between you and Katie I figured this would be the only day we would be together in the city. We have wedding bands to pick out." Annabeth nodded as he opened the door and got out.
Percy held his hand out for her and she got out of the silver car. They walked in together and Annabeth felt suddenly… a bit overwhelmed. She could deal with wedding planning, it was sort of like planning a party.
But this, picking out wedding bands for the other… it was so romantic.
Things that couples did when they were engaged, happy and about to get married. This was not something you did with someone who was manipulating you into marrying them.
The door to the famous jewelry store was opened by a worker and they stepped inside.
0-0-0-0-0
Annabeth had never been more happy to see the front doors of her office building.
She had spent the entire day with Percy yesterday and after that she needed some time away from him. She needed perspective, she needed to renew her hatred of him. It scared her that she was starting to let her guard down in front of him. It scared her that she no longer completely hated him. She didn't necessarily like him but the urge to punch him was fading.
It was a confusing precipice she was on.
Yesterday as they tried on rings and looked around, her confused state cemented. She had… a good time. Of course there were other places she'd rather have been but she wasn't miserable yesterday when she was with him. Something about Percy drew her in, the way he looked at her sometimes, the way he held her hand, the way he staked his claim on her when they were in public.
It was disconcerting, he was disconcerting.
She sighed as she walked into her building, a cup of coffee in her hand. The spring sun shining through the buildings. Annabeth wished her coffee were an alcoholic drink, perhaps a glass of her favorite wine.
She greeted the secretary and hurried on to her office, she opened the door and was stopped short by an angry looking Luke sat in her desk chair.
"Luke, what are you doing?" She asked, hoping her long sleeve blouse covered her engagement ring.
He looked at her and frowned, his eyes immediately zeroing in on the large engagement ring, "I'm here for the truth, Annabeth."
Her eyes widened, "What are you talking about?"
Luke gritted his teeth and held up a newspaper. There was a picture of Percy and Annabeth on the front cover.
New York's Newest Power Couple Announce Engagement.
It was an old article, almost a month old.
"I found this while visiting my mother yesterday, it was at the nurses station."
Annabeth glanced from him to the newspaper article, "I can explain."
Luke laughed as she set her stuff down on the floor and shut the door, "I'm sure you can."
Annabeth looked back at him, "I promise-"
Luke stood up, "What was I? Some last fling before you sold your soul to the devil?"
She flinched at his accusation, "No, not at all."
"So, I meant something to you? I actually thought this, whatever this was, was going somewhere good. I… even told my mother I had met someone."
Annabeth started to walk around her desk but he held his hands up, "Luke, it's not what you think!"
"Then, what it is? It looks to me like you're engaged to Percy fucking Jackson… the guy who owns half of New York City because he's an asshole who manipulates people to get what he wants. No cop would ever get in his way, even if he didn't have the Police Chief in his back pocket."
"Luke, please listen to me," Annabeth pleaded, turning the full force of her gaze on him, "I am engaged to Percy." She looked around and sighed, "What I'm about to tell you stays between us and no one else… there are a lot of things at risk."
He held her gaze and nodded shortly, "He's… well, Percy is threatening me… if I don't marry him he'll kill off everyone I know and love."
Luke didn't look convinced, "What would he want with you, no offense."
She held up the newspaper, "Did you even read this? Or did you just see the picture and go ballistic?"
He looked sheepish for a moment as she pointed to the actual article, "My name isn't Annabeth Chase," He stared wide eyed at her for a moment, "My name is Annabeth Olympia… heir to Olympic Industries."
He paled, "Holy fucking shit."
Annabeth nodded, "Percy wants to be attached to my name… it opens more doors for him." She whispered looking at him.
Luke looked down, "Why not go to the police? Or the DA?"
Annabeth sighed, "Luke, he has everyone in his back pocket…politicians, the mayor, the DA- everyone! I have no one to help me… I just have to do what he says."
Luke looked angry for a moment, "And just let him treat you like a prostitute? Use you whenever he wants you? He's one sick motherfucker."
Annabeth blanched, "No… no… it's not like that… we don't have…. that kind of deal…. I'm just his fiance for appearances…. people think we're in love and that's it… when we're at home we're barely cordial with one another."
He looked at her relieved, "Oh."
Annabeth stepped forward slowly, "Do you understand now?"
Luke pursed his lips, "You're just going to marry him? Be with him for forever?"
Annabeth looked away, "I… haven't thought that far in advance.. yet. I'm just trying to get through each day… I know he wants something more than my name…. I just don't know what yet."
"So, you have some sort of plan?"
She looked back a him, "Not yet… but not to sound arrogant… I'm an Olympian… I know how to bide my time."
Luke smiled, "That's my girl."
Annabeth felt butterflies erupt in her stomach as she smiled, "Your girl?"
Luke's cheeks reddened as Annabeth smiled up at him, "Uh… if you want to be."
Annabeth laughed at his expression and leaned into hug him. He returned her hug for a moment before pulling it back.
"I trust you, Annabeth."
She smiled wide, "Thank you."
He sighed, "I need to get to my office, I'll see you at lunch?"
Annabeth stiffened slightly, "Luke," she hesitated, "Do you know what your Dad does?"
Luke's face hardened, "You mean shipping things illegally for Percy?"
Annabeth nodded slowly, "You know?"
Luke looked away from her, "When he started coming around when I was teenager he… wanted me to take over his business… that's the real reason I turned him away… sometimes I think we could have had a relationship despite what he does but other times… I don't know."
Annabeth frowned, "I… I'm sorry." She settled.
He smiled, just a corner of his cheek lifting, "You have nothing to apologize for… I'm use to being fatherless."
She nodded and reached out to him, he took her hand, "Are we okay?"
He sighed, "I don't know, Annabeth."
She frowned, "It's okay… if you don't want to get involved in this… it's pretty messed up."
He bit his lip, "I need to get to work… lunch?"
Annabeth nodded, "If you want too, you know where my office is."
He kissed her cheek and walked around toward the door, Annabeth hesitated briefly before turning toward him, "Luke," She whispered, he turned toward her, "If you don't want to continue… whatever this is… I understand."
He hesitated but after a few moments smiled slightly, "I'll see you at lunch, Annabeth."
0-0-0-0-0
The next few weeks flew by for Annabeth.
Mostly consumed with work and Luke, lunch everyday with Luke. Holding hands with Luke when they were alone and kissing, sometimes. It wasn't often they were truly alone, he would ask her every now and then about Percy. She would just shrug him off, Annabeth didn't want to talk about Percy with Luke.
Luke was her happy place, her escape from the reality of her life.
The weekends flew by in a whirl of wedding planning, dress fittings, lunch with Thalia and her friends and dinners with Percy. They always had dinner together, it was rare he canceled on her. When they were out he was always attentive to her.
People stared like they wished they had what she had.
Annabeth would indulge him in public but once they were alone she would put her wall back up. Determined to keep all of this separate, determined to not let her heart get confused. She was with Luke not Percy, her heart belonged to Luke.
But the way it felt to be in Percy's arms sometimes… it felt too real- too right.
It didn't feel like a lie sometimes, it freaked her out.
Annabeth missed the days of her old life, missed waking up in her old apartment. Missed the days where everything was simple and not confusing. She felt utterly and completely confused, unwilling to conform to the control Percy wanted over her. Unwilling to give herself over to him in the way he wanted.
Following his every whim.
He wanted control over her and for the most part he had it, but with Luke… that was something he couldn't control, maybe that was why she liked being with him so much.
Percy couldn't control the way she felt about Luke.
The thought was a nice reprieve on a day when everything felt like it was crumbling around her. She felt suffocated today. Annabeth just wanted her old life back, she just wanted to fall in love on her own.
She canceled all of her meetings and told Katie they had to reschedule their plans. Annabeth slipped on the most comfortable piece of clothing she owned and grabbed her purse. She needed to get out of this mansion, she needed to get away from Percy today.
Needed to clear her head.
She walked down the hall and toward Percy's office. One of his guys were standing by the door, he nodded at her as she knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Annabeth tentatively opened the door, she peeked her head in. Percy was leaning back in his office chair holding a piece of paper in his hand.
"Ah, Annabeth! What can I do for you?" He asked as she approached him slowly. The last time she'd been in this office he had been threatening all of her loved ones if she didn't marry him.
"I'm going out, just wanted to let you know." She said stopping at the two chairs that sat in front of his desk.
Percy nodded, "Do you want me to send anyone with you?"
She shook her head, "No, I'll be fine… just want to get out of the house today and do something for myself."
He smiled at her, "Okay, call me or Charles if you need something."
She nodded and started walking backwards, "See you later."
"Bye Annabeth."
When she was in the city and out of the silver car, away from the ever watching eyes that accompanied her at the mansion she got her a cup of coffee. She had several things on the agenda to do for herself, getting a manicure and pedicure, maybe a haircut and a trip to the bookstore to get lost for a couple hours.
Today, would be a good day for her.
Annabeth smiled wide as she slipped inside the book store after she ran her other errands. She couldn't wait to get her hands on a new book. She loved the way a new book smelt, the way the binding needed to be bent back so that she could read easier. There was something about being the first person to read that particular book.
She had curled around a chair, her feet up and her second cup of coffee putting off steam beside her when she felt someone watching. She brushed it off and dived back into the book.
A few minutes later she heard an all too familiar voice, "Fancy seeing you here."
Annabeth looked up and smiled, "Hey!" She got out of the arm chair and hugged Luke, he kissed her cheek.
"What are you doing here?" He asked.
Annabeth pulled back from the hug, "I got out of the house today, needed some alone time."
He smiled down at her, "Do you want some company?"
She looked around the bookstore, hoping no one recognized her. She quickly realized the type of people who frequented book stores weren't the type of people to read the gossip section of the newspaper everyday.
"Sure." He beamed and joined her in the next chair. They sat together in silence for a while, both of them flipping through books. Annabeth thought he was doing school work since he had a huge history book in his hand.
After a while he turned to her and leaned in, "I really want to kiss you."
Annabeth smiled and laughed. She looked around, the feeling of being watched haunting her for a small second before she dismissed it. No one was watching her and they were in the corner of the bookstore, no one was paying attention to them.
"Well, why don't you?" She flirted, leaning in closer.
He grabbed at her wrist lightly and pulled her closer to him, leaning over the arm of the chair. Their lips met and Annabeth felt the contentment rise up in her chest, threatening to burst. Luke made her happy, she wanted to be with him- not Percy.
Luke pulled away and smiled at her, "I think you've missed me this weekend."
She rolled her eyes, "It's only Saturday, idiot."
He checked his watch, "We've been apart for almost twenty four hours and I've definitely missed you."
Annabeth's stomach did a little flip flop.
"Do you want to come over for dinner?" He asked.
Annabeth bit her lip, "I don't know… I usually do dinner with Percy."
Luke scowled at the mention of her fiance, "Can you call him and cancel, tell him your meeting one of your friends…. I really want to spend some time with you tonight."
She thought about it for a moment. She hadn't had any of her bodyguards follow her in a while. Maybe…. just maybe she could get away with it.
"Okay, I'll call him." Annabeth said as Luke beamed.
0-0-0-0-0
In Percy's mind the last few weeks had been going… okay. Annabeth was still really wary of him but he'd notice a trend in the way she'd been responding to him in public. At first it had thrown him off but now… it just made him suspicious.
Lately, when they had been together she'd been more affectionate, kissing him in public- borderline making out with him. Doing things she didn't do before, trying too hard. As soon as they were alone she would withdraw into herself, only answering his questions with a 'yes' or a 'no.'
It was maddening to him at first because he had grown to like the girl. Like her company and if he was being really honest with himself, he liked the way it felt to be with her. She was honest and wasn't really afraid of him. The only reason he even got her to do what he wanted was because she was afraid for her friends.
Her own life meant very little to her, she would gladly put her life on the line for her friends. That was why he initially went after her friends as a way to get to do what he wanted.
But now, now that he was suspicious of her, he had an idea of what she was hiding he was just waiting for the confirmation- he would have to make his threats a reality. He just needed the proof, which he was sure he'd get it tonight.
After she left for the day he'd had one of his guys trail her. He had checked in a few times with reports but nothing incriminating, yet. Annabeth had texted him that she wanted to eat dinner with one of her friends earlier, he had consented. Told her to come back home whenever she pleased.
Now though, Percy was sitting in his office- waiting.
Not even a glass of bourbon could calm the anger simmering beneath the surface. It had taken him a long time to learn how to control his emotions. There weren't many things that could unhinge him. But this, this could.
Annabeth was his.
She belonged to him and no one else.
And it seemed that she needed to be reminded of that.
It would set things back with her, she would hate him for hurting one of her friends but he had too. He had to let her know that his threat was real.
A knock on his office broke him of his revery.
"Come in."
The door opened and in walked Charles, his most trusted bodyguard.
Charles was more than a bodyguard to Percy, though. He was really an all around guy, Percy trusted him to get the job done- whatever the job may be.
He was holding a manilla envelope, "I was able to get some pictures of Ms. Chase on her afternoon out. I think these will be of some interest to you."
Percy nodded and stood up, walking around the desk. He met Charles in the middle of the room. He grabbed the envelope and waved his hand as a dismissal. Percy didn't even walk back to his desk. He just opened the envelope in the middle of his office.
He shook his head as he looked at the first one. Annabeth locked into an embrace with a blonde haired guy. The next picture showing them laughing at something on the sidewalk, holding hands. The next few pictures were of them walking down the sidewalk.
Then the last set of pictures were of Annabeth and the guy- Percy knew that guy from somewhere, he looked so familiar- kissing in front of what looked like his apartment door.
Percy clenched his empty hand.
He knew it, knew she was seeing someone behind his back.
He stared at the picture for a few minutes before a plan started forming in his mind. This plan would no doubt make Annabeth hate him, probably keep her disgust for him at a maximum. But he didn't care, he had to get the point across.
And the only way to do that was through the people she cared for the most.