"I'm still not sure how we got all of that into the car," Reyna commented as she glanced at the others. She was sitting in the passenger's seat and had half of her attention on the receipts in her hand. Running errands for Lupa was something that she didn't mind. It reminded her of simpler times when she first joined the gym.

For the first few months at Lupa's gym, Reyna had kept to herself. She did odd jobs or was a training dummy for the fighters to throw around. It was after the fourth month that Lupa approached Reyna and asked her to run a few errands using the gym's credit card. Octavian had followed behind and looked like he was expecting Reyna to take the credit card and run.

Reyna proved him wrong by getting the shopping done in almost record time. She was put in charge of errands for a time until Nico took over from her. She normally helped Nico out if it was a lot, and it always brought back those good memories.

"Hazel's good at packing," Percy complimented. Reyna nodded and looked to the side. Annabeth was the one who was driving to their last and most important errand: getting food. Reyna could feel her stomach grumbling as they pulled into the parking space.

Reyna slowly got out of the car, and Annabeth handed the credit card off to her silently. The two had not talked since the day before, and while Annabeth acted like everything was fine, Reyna knew it wasn't. It was stupid to think that Annabeth had told Clarisse about the miscarriage, but how the hell did the woman know?

A sigh left Reyna as she looked at the card. Their lunch was already paid for and the receipt just had to be signed after being picked up. Percy and Annabeth were going to get that food. Reyna and Hazel were going to buy milkshakes or ice cream for everyone.

"If you two need help carrying the food, just text me. I'll be right over to help," Hazel promised.

"Same for you," Percy shot back a smile. Hazel nodded and turned away. Reyna walked with her and glanced around the complex they were in. The outdoor shopping mall had a variety of restaurants and clothing shops. There was also a bar or two and even a tattoo shop. Nico always joked about getting matching tattoos with Reyna.

"Should I get some ice cream or a milkshake?" Hazel wondered as she followed Reyna towards the ice cream shop. There were crowds of people almost everywhere. She saw a few paramedics enjoying coffee, officers getting lunch, and even children shopping. Thankfully, no one seemed to recognize them.

"Get both," Reyna replied. "Milkshake for the ride back to the gym and ice cream for after we eat."

Hazel smiled widely. They took their places in line at the ice cream shop. Reyna felt a little bad that they had such a huge order, but she would also make sure to leave a big tip for the workers. Reyna felt tension twist the muscles in her back, like the wind was blowing the wrong way.

"Well, well, well," a cursed voice greeted. Reyna's tension worsened as she recognized the voice. It belonged to a man that was nothing more than garbage. "If it isn't my old friend."

Reyna slowly turned and stared at the man in front of her. He looked the same as the last time she had seen him: eyes the color of pond scum and moppy brown hair that flopped around when he moved his head. His nose was crooked, like it had never properly healed. Reyna could still remember his nose crunching under her fist.

Reyna stepped in front of Hazel and glared at Bryce Lawrence. The man's grin only grew. He was a year or two older than her, and his time in prison left him with a few new tattoos and scars. Bryce scanned her up and down.

"You've made a name for yourself," Bryce commented with a sneer that twisted his whole face. "A famous little fighter. Where's your fuck boy at?"

"Why don't you just leave, Bryce? I'm not dealing with you," Reyna intoned coldly. She could feel anger growing in her chest. Reyna remembered everything that Bryce did to her, from the taunting and teasing all the way to beating her to a pulp. More importantly, she remembered what he tried to do to Nico.

There was also the fact that Hazel was right behind her. If Bryce thought he could say or try anything to her, he was making a huge mistake. Bryce used to rule their old high school with fear and bullying. He would talk down to anyone and hurt whoever he wanted. Most teachers didn't even pay attention. Others turned their backs.

It wasn't until Bryce was shown the consequences for his actions that he stopped for some time. When he retaliated, he really felt the sting of the whip. Bryce then focused on Hazel. Reyna made sure to block his vision.

"So. Where's Nico?" Bryce questioned. That smirk remained on his face. Reyna felt her temper boiling with every second. More than that, she felt a surge of protectiveness in her chest. She knew that Bryce was out of prison, and she did not like that he was already looking for Nico. "You could answer me, or I might just leave you twitching on the ground again."

"Hey Reyna, we need the credit... card," Percy finished in a low tone as he came to a stop near them. He seemed to notice the situation that he had walked into. When his gaze landed on Bryce, his eyes widened. Bryce looked at him.

"Jackson, is that you? I almost didn't recognize you without your bloody face crying for mommy," Bryce taunted, pretending to wipe his eye with a fist. Reyna turned her head to look at Percy. There was a dark look in his eyes, and he seemed like he was somewhere else. "I haven't seen you underground in a long time."

Reyna felt the dots quickly connecting. She remembered Percy telling them that he fought in the underground circuit. There was no doubt now that Bryce was a fighter there too. It made sense that the two would know each other from there. Reyna stepped in front of Percy as well.

"Why don't you just leave," Percy growled. His entire body was tense and ready as if he was about to step into another of those fights. His eyes were more dangerously focused, but still seemed far away.

"I'm just looking for Nico," Bryce admitted with a smirk. Reyna was not going to let this asshole so much as breathe in Nico's vicinity. Once was too much. She would kill Bryce if he tried anything. There was no doubt about that.

"Fuck off," Percy grumbled. He was starting to shake, and out of the corner of his eye, she saw Hazel grab Percy's arm. Hazel stepped in front of him protectively. Reyna blocked her two friends from the monster in front of them. Part of her wished he would do something. Just to give her a reason.

"Oh, are you Nico's boyfriend?" Bryce laughed. The smirk widened into a malicious sneer. Reyna was quickly finding out that she didn't need a reason.

"Bryce, get the hell out of here," Reyna ordered. Bryce shook his head and had the audacity to laugh louder. Reyna felt her temper boiling over inside of her.

"Why don't you tell that little faggot I'm coming for him?" Bryce requested. Reyna stepped forward and got directly in Bryce's face. He still wore that damn ugly sneer. "I know you won't do anything to stop me. You have a career to worry about, right? I'm gonna bend Nico over like my bitch back in prison, and you won't-"

Reyna's forehead connected with Bryce's nose a moment later, cracking it worse than before. Bryce fell back, leaving a trail of blood flying through the air. Someone grabbed her shoulders, but she jerked out of their grasp and grabbed Bryce by his shirt. Reyna pulled the wretch up just enough off the ground to give her ultimatum.

"You will not lay a hand on Nico," Reyna warned dangerously. "You won't go anywhere near him. I don't care about my career. Nico is my brother, and if you think of even breathing near him, I will kill you. Am I understood?"

Bryce stared at her, and genuine fear now twisted his rat-like features. It was the same look he had when she first stood up to him. Reyna let him off easy before, but not this time. She cocked her fist back and crashed it right into his mouth. His head whipped to the side as a tooth was ejected.

Bryce's head hit the ground a moment later. Reyna heard exclamations all around her. She just focused on Bryce. The ache in her knuckles reminded her what she had done. But, Reyna wouldn't regret it. Punching that asshole again was a message that he better remember for the rest of his life.

Reyna heard someone bark an order. Her vision shifted to the side, and she focused on the police officer that was quickly closing the distance between them. Reyna held her hands up, and her gaze moved to the blood on her knuckles. She should have regretted losing her temper again, but there was nothing to regret. This was justified.

Bryce threatened Nico and thought he could get away with it. Reyna had to prove that there were consequences, just like she did before. Even as Bryce shrieked about his lost tooth and pressing charges, Reyna remained silent. She didn't say anything as the police officer read off her Miranda Rights or as they handcuffed her and led her outside the mall and towards the squad car.

Her gaze filtered over the crowds of people that were recording the whole thing. Reyna knew that Lupa would immediately see what had happened, and she would kick Reyna out of the Wolves. That still wasn't enough to regret what she did. She would just have to explain it to Lupa herself, but she would have to be careful about how she worded it.

Reyna was not going to spill Nico's secret. She would always protect him. Reyna felt herself being pushed into the back of the police car. She stared down at her lap. Finding a new team wouldn't be hard. Most of them would love for her to join after she solved her legal issues. She had the money to afford a good lawyer.

But she refused to regret punching that waste of air. Especially if it convinced him to leave Nico alone for good this time. And God help him if he thought about trying to retaliate. Reyna focused out the window and let out a small sigh. Reyna knew how to deal with the bully, and this was the best way. She didn't care about the consequences.

Even if it cost Reyna her career.