Malcolm's POV

Night club. Sports games. Bethany bent over the couch. Work. Greek Salad. Concert. Bethany kneeling on my bed, ass up.

My mind switched thoughts like images on a slide. I opened my eyes and took my face from ym palms, my train of thought interrupted by a particularly loud beep of the heart monitor hooked up to my mother. I'd been in the hospital all week. I had one date with Bethany, and the sweet relief from my sexual frustrations was still very much on my mind. But for most part, I'd been here. The while walls of Mom's hospital room were starting to feel like a cell in a mental asylum. Thankfully, Mom had woken up and made nearly a full recovery since she'd been admitted at the beginning of the week. We had finally been given the green light to take her back to her care facility.

"Where are we, Malcolm?"

I looked up to see my mom sitting up in bed, finally awake after another long sleep.

"We're at the hospital, Mom," I said softly. She looked at me strangely.

"Where's Malcolm?"

Malcolm?

"I am Malcolm, Mom."

My mother laughed. "You're not my Malcolm. My Malcolm is wee big."

I smiled a little as she demonstrated the height of an elementary school kid with her hands. Her memory was in and out like a bad FM signal. It used to make me sad, but now, I just tried to help her enjoy the memories as they came.

"What did you and Malcolm used to do, Mom?"

"Well, we used to go to the park…and…Annabelle…"

"Annabeth," I helped.

"Annabeth. That's right. Annabeth and Malcolm would go on the swings."

"What else would you do?" I was starting to get emotional, but this was life now. I had to accept it.

"Malcolm?"

"Yeah, Mom?" My voice trembled.

"I want to go home now."

She fixed me with a sad look that reminded me of her old self. I took her hand in mine, like Dad always did when they were driving, or walking, or watching TV. I think the worst part of all of this was watching Dad lose her and not be able to do anything to stop it.

"We're going home very soon," I said, with a smile.

Just then, the door suddenly swung open and Annabeth walked into the room.

"Sorry I'm late, are we good to go?"

"Yeah, they said we can take her anytime," I confirmed.

"Oh, hi, Annabelle!" Mom turned around, excited to see the familiar face, and I watched as Annabeth smiled sadly.

"It's Annabeth. Hi, Mom."

Annabeth's POV

I stood at the front desk holding firm eye contact with the facility manager. "You need to make sure we have an update on her at least every other day."

"I understand, ," she replied. "I apologize again. We were understaffed that night your mother wandered out onto the street. But we have hired additional security. It will not happen again."

"It better no," Malcolm seethed. "My sister is breaking her back to pay for this. Our mother's safety needs to be a priority."

"It is. Of course. And thank you again for choosing to keep her here. We just received your payment this morning, so you're all set."

What?

"I haven't paid yet…I was waiting for my check to clear."

She scanned the computer screen in front of her. "It says here that all services have been covered for the next three months."

Seriously, what the fuck?

I turned to Malcolm. "Do you know anything about this?"

The look on his face told me he was just as confused as I was. "Of course not," he confirmed. "Do you think it was Dad?"

"How could Dad afford this? He already drained his savings and retirement on medical bills."

My brother and I stared at each other, flabbergasted. But then, like a bullet, it struck me. I felt my temper begin to boil.

Percy Jackson.

"I think I know who did this," I mumbled to my brother.

"Who do you know with pockets that deep?"

"My boss," I grunted, pulling out my phone.

"Really? That's so nice!" Malcolm exclaimed.

Nice?

Sam didn't understand. He couldn't. This was far from nice—it was betrayal. I'd told Percy to stay out of my family matters, and he'd said he would. If there was one thing in life I couldn't accept, it was a handout. And now, Malcolm might suspect something was happening between me and Percy. I mean, what kind of boss would take special interest in their employee's personal life? I fired off a few choice texts to Percy.

Annabeth: You have some kind of nerve.

Annabeth: I told you not to pay for the facility fund.

Annabeth: What will my family think?

Annabeth: You have put me in a tough position.

Annabeth: Why on earth would you do that?

Annabeth: I might be attracted to you, but I cannot be bought, Mr. Jackson.

Annabeth: I don't need your charity.

I kissed Malcolm goodbye and stormed out of the facility. A text was not enough. I needed to confront Percy in person.

Percy's POV

I hadn't meant to upset her. Paying for things had always been an easy, casual gesture for me—something I was more than happy to do for the people I cared about. Taking care of Annie was all part of convincing her to be my sub. Maybe I misunderstood the seriousness of her refusal.

That said, Annabeth still had far too many barriers up. I had to break them down. Dominating her was a mission I had to fulfill. I reminisced about having her bent over her desk a few evenings prior, promising myself I'd finish what we started.

She was upset that her family might get suspicious. To be honest, it hadn't even occurred to me this might clue them in to our relationship. I felt guilty for being so thoughtless. My apartment buzzer suddenly went off. Who would show up here unannounced? I really hoped it wasn't Red. Not yet. Every time that woman took Thalia away from me it was like watching a piece of heart go with her. And Red had dropped her off only hours before.

I pushed the intercom. "Who is it?"

"Annabeth. Let me up. We need to talk."

She sounded fierce, but I was still relieved to hear her voice. Taking a sip from my half-filled wine glass, I strolled to the door waiting for the knock.

Annabeth's POV

Sixth floor, seventh floor… Why does he have to live so high up? Probably for his ego.

I exited the elevator on the ninth floor and headed down the hallway, making a sharp turn towards his apartment and knocking vigorously. The door swung open. Despite my conviction, I still hitched my breath when I saw him.

God, he looks amazing in a turtleneck sweater. What am I here for again? Who cares? No Annabeth, think!

"Good evening, bella."

He was backed into his apartment. I followed him as if I were hypnotized, shutting the door behind me.

"So…you're not very happy with me," Percy said, hanging his head.

OH YEAH! That's why I'm here…

"Of course, I'm not happy," I said, my tone suddenly agitated. "You did the opposite of what I asked you to do."

"I hated seeing you distressed. I'm so sorry. I'll make it up to you," he promised sweetly. For once, I kept my composure.

"It's not about making anything up to me, it's about you wanting control over me. I'm not sure I like it."

"I still want control over you. But I overstepped your boundaries…I see that now. That's why a contract is always a good idea in arrangements like this."

"And what if I say no?"

"Say yes."

He set his wine glass on a side table, and his hands suddenly pulled me towards him.

Fuck. It's far too hard to be in the same room as this man.

Like alchemy, his touch melted my anger into passion. I was about to give myself to him when I was frozen again by the sounds of soft footsteps approaching from behind me.

We aren't alone. Who's here? Another woman?

I turned sharply, ready for the worst. But instead, I was greeted by a smiling surprise.

Thalia.

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