Annabeth's POV

I was slipping into my second shoe when Percy's eyes fluttered open. He felt around next to him and shot up when he realized that he was alone in the bed. My heel clicked the ground as I finally managed to squeeze my foot in, and his head snapped in my direction.

"Morning!" I said, trying to mask my guilt with a joyful tone.

He could sense something was off. "Going somewhere?"

"I have a meeting."

"Really? Did I miss it on the schedule?"

Shit.

I forgot using work as an excuse was less reliable when the person you were lying to was also your sort-of-boss.

"I didn't think I would bother you with it. It's just another terrible spa company that wants to partner with us."

"Alright…" He didn't seem like he believed me, and I was not doing a very good job of making him.

"Annabeth. Did last night—?" He faltered. "Did I do something to upset you?" He looked genuinely concerned.

My heart sank. The last thing I ever wanted to do was make him question a night spent in total ecstasy.

"Percy, no." I walked over to the bed and sat down next to him. "Last night was… everything."

"So, does that mean you foresee it happening again?" His spirits lifted.

"I'm contractually obligated aren't I?"

He nodded, cracking a relieved smile.

"Then I'll aww you back at my place tonight. Were gold, or else…"

He raised his eyebrows at me in a playful but threatening way, and I found myself fantasizing about what might happen if I wore the wrong color. But no, I would obey. I kissed him goodbye. He seemed to have other plans. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me down until my chest was pressing against him. Suddenly, I was flooded with images of the previous night, officially rising up in the ranks as one of the best times of my life. What the hell was I doing? Here I was, Annabeth Chase, Her Royal Idiot-ness, lying to his face and pulling myself away from the potential of even more pleasure. I wished I could tell him everything, giving myself over to him again. But if I didn't leave now, I was going to be late for my meeting with Octavian.

Octavian's POV

She had already kept me waiting for two whole minutes. If she didn't get here by 11:05 am, I would call the whole thing off. I was trying to do the woman a favor and I didn't want to be disrespected. Why did I want to help her in the first place? Why couldn't I just let her crash and burn like the rest of them? What's wrong with me? I guess she had just really made a lasting impression. With her mess of blonde hair and her steely gaze, she had firmly etched herself into my psyche. Last night, she even snuck into my thoughts as I tried to drift off to sleep. And now, I was going out of my way to help her, even if it meant clueing her in on the shit storm that was about to rain down on the Jackson brothers. I couldn't wait to participate in their downfall. Smug bastards, both of them. They were born with silver spoons in their mouths and had spent their lives waving them around for all to see.

Just as the clock struck 11:05, the door to my office swung open. Annabeth stood in the doorway. I had seen her the day before, but something about Annabeth seemed…different. She looked older. Wiser. More experienced. She was oozing a newfound confidence. I hated Percy even more now for getting to feast on this amazing woman. I felt a beat of sweat forming on my brow. This was going to be more difficult than I had previously thought. Be cool. You got this. I motioned to the chair opposite me, and she moved gracefully across the room and took a seat.

Annabeth's POV

I could see him eyeing me up, and I hated every second of it. I realized I had missed a button while doing my shirt, but it was too late to fix it. I did not want to draw more attention to my chest. I just needed to hear what he had to say and get out. Clearly, we were playing a game of chicken about who was going to talk first. I hated to give in, but I didn't want Percy to arrive at the office and find me here, so I reluctantly began the conversation. The only word I could proffer was, "So…"

"So, ," he launched in after I broke the silence. "I have it on good authority that some information will soon be leaked to the press regarding . Illicit, scandalous, information."

Not again…

"Which ?" I asked, fearing either answer.

"Percy, of course."

This man really knew how to piss me off.

"And what kind of new information could possibly lead to a punishment so severe?"

I was sure I knew where he was going with this, but I thought I would indulge him and play his little game.

"Information about inappropriate advances he has been making on an employee," Octavian delivered with a smug smile.

Yep. There it is.

I was prepared for him to say that.

"That will not hold up to scrutiny," I recited. "To be clear, Percy and I are two consenting adults. What happens outside this building belongs to us and nobody else.

"Oh, I know that, Annabeth. Don't misunderstand me."

Huh?

"I was talking about another employee."

No. That can't be true. Right?

"You're lying."

He shook his head. "When it's splashed across all the headlines next week, you'll believe me. I just thought I would give you a heads-up."

In an instant, it felt like the walls were collapsing around me. My hands involuntarily started to shake. Was I really just another name on a long list of potential submissives? Was I a total idiot to never even consider that he might have been pursuing other women? Other women in this office, no less? And against their will? Who? Why? I wanted to run out of the room and straight into the comfort of my own bed, but Octavian clearly wasn't done talking business.

"When the employee in question comes forward with the story of her sexual assult, the board will have no choice but to oust him. I will be ready and waiting to take the reigns. And I want you to be my number two."

My ears were buzzing as thoughts swarmed my mind, but—wait…what? Did I hear him correctly? I thought Octavian hated me, and now, he was asking me to be his right-hand woman?

"Of course, to ensure your name doesn't get tangled up in the whole ordeal, you would need to end your personal relationship with Percy."

I jumped up from my chair, and Octavian mirrored my action.

"I'm sorry, but—I just remembered I need to be somewhere."

"Will you consider?"

This was a much less tempting offer than the one I was given the night before. Would I consider it? What choice did I have when I might soon be jobless and dom-less?

"Yes. Goodbye, Octavian." I ran out of the room before he saw any of the tears that started to spill out of my eyes.

I paced my neglected apartment. I didn't know what to think or do. Occasionally, I stopped at my kitchen counter to shove a handful of popcorn in my mouth before resuming my pacing. I desperately wanted advice, but from who? My dad would be horrified. My brother would grab a pitchfork and head straight for Percy's house. My mom…well. I really wished I could talk to her right now. She always knew what to say. But the truth was, I needed to speak to someone who knew Percy well…someone who could offer some insight on his moral character. In a flash, a name popped into my head: Reyna. That's it!

I didn't have her number, but I had access to Nico's contact list through our company server. With the whole company on the verge of falling apart, I was sure Nico wouldn't mind this slight invasion of privacy. I dialed her, and sure enough, she picked up on the first ring.

"Hello?"

"Reyna. Hi. It's—"

"Annabeth! I would recognize that voice anywhere. I've been meaning to call you to arrange a little lunch between you and me."

"Yes, that would be great. But…um, I have something urgent I want to talk to you about. Do you have a second?"

Reyna's POV

As Annabeth launched into her story, I tried my best to keep breathing long and steady. I learned in my hypnobirthing class that deep breaths reduce stress. And I couldn't afford to be stressed. It could negatively affect the baby's development. But it was hard to keep my cool when she sounded so distraught. And, trust me, I understood where she was coming from. It was not easy getting involved with one of the Jackson boys. They were constantly subjects of news, rumors, and lies.

"So, I just don't know what to believe anymore," Annabeth finished her rant after several minutes.

"Can I be honest with you, Annabeth?"

"Please," she begged.

"I know your career is very important to you. I respect that so much."

I really did. That woman had a crazy work ethic.

I continued. "And I also know that this relationship, or whatever it is, with Percy is very new. But I've known him for six years, and I've never seen him as happy as he was that night, standing in the living room, introducing you to his mother."

I heard a soft sound coming from the other side of the phone. I wondered if she was holding back a sob.

"I don't want to tell you what to do, Annabeth, but I believe you should talk to him. Just give him a chance to explain his side of things before you make your decision. Some things are more important than business."

She took her time in replying. "I'll think about it."

She thanked me profusely and hung up the phone. I was left alone to consider a scary truth: Annabeth and I could either wind up family…or enemies.

Percy's POV

There was a loud knock at the door. My housekeeper was out for the day, so I felt my way toward the sound. Another series of knocks—faster this time, more frantic.

"Hello?" I called out to the unannounced visitor on the other side.

"It's me."

The 'me' in question was undeniably Annabeth. Why would she be back at my door? And why did she sound so upset?

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