Percy felt the rage building up inside of him like a volcano about to erupt. His heart was racing, his fists clenched so tight that his knuckles turned white. He had always been protective of Annabeth, but now, with the news she had just shared, it was a whole new level of fury that he had never felt before. The thought of anyone laying a finger on her, let alone violating her in such a heinous way, was unbearable.
He had met Annabeth at one of the charity events he often attended to keep up appearances for his mafia family. She was a college student, vibrant, full of life, and had a heart of gold. They had clicked instantly, and despite the age difference, they had been inseparable since. He had promised her that he would protect her from the darker aspects of his world, but here they were, and he had failed.
Her trembling voice echoed in his mind as she had told him about Ethan, his best friend, the one person he had trusted implicitly. The betrayal was like a dagger to the heart. How could he have missed the signs? How could he have let this happen?
He took a deep breath, trying to compose himself. He knew he had to be strong for her. The room was spinning, but he focused on the love and concern in her eyes. He had to be the rock she could lean on, the safe haven she deserved.
"It's okay, baby," he murmured, wrapping his arms around her shaking frame. "I'm here for you. We'll get through this together."
Annabeth looked up at him, her eyes filled with tears. "But what about the baby?" she whispered.
The word hit him like a ton of bricks. Baby. A part of him wanted to hold her tight and tell her everything would be okay, that they would raise the child as their own, but another part of him was consumed by the need for vengeance. He had to make the monster who did this pay.
Percy knew he had to tread carefully. He couldn't let his anger cloud his judgment, especially when it came to Annabeth's safety and well-being. He had to be the rational one, the one who made the right decisions. He had the power and resources to make sure she was protected, and he would use them all to ensure that she and their child were safe.
He took her hand in his, stroking her knuckles gently. "We'll figure it out. But first, I need to deal with Ethan."
Annabeth's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"
"I need to make sure he can never hurt you or anyone else again," he said firmly. "You don't have to worry about him anymore."
He could see the fear and uncertainty in her gaze, so he held her closer, his voice a gentle whisper. "I'll handle it. I promise."
With a newfound resolve, Percy stood up, his muscles taut with tension. He walked over to the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the bustling city below. His mind was racing, planning his next move. He had to be strategic, methodical. He couldn't just go out and tear Ethan apart with his bare hands, as tempting as it was. That would only bring more trouble to their doorstep.
He turned back to Annabeth, who was watching him with a mix of hope and dread. He offered her a small, reassuring smile. "Go to bed, love. I'll be back soon."
He kissed her forehead, feeling the warmth of her skin against his lips. He needed to get out of there, to do what had to be done. As he left the apartment, the weight of his promise hung heavy on his shoulders.
Percy's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts as he descended in the elevator. He knew that once he stepped out into the night, there was no turning back. He would have to confront Ethan and make him understand the gravity of his actions. But how could anyone understand something so monstrous?
He arrived at the penthouse suite that Ethan had been living in, courtesy of their friendship. The door was unlocked, which was typical of Ethan's carelessness. Percy stepped inside, the plush carpet muffling his footsteps.
Ethan was sitting on the couch, a bottle of whiskey in one hand, a cigarette in the other. He looked up with a lazy smile, which quickly turned to shock when he saw the look on Percy's face.
"What's up, man?" he slurred.
Percy's jaw clenched. "Where is he?"
Ethan's eyes narrowed. "Who?"
"Don't play dumb with me," Percy growled. "Annabeth told me everything."
The color drained from Ethan's face. "Shit, Percy, I didn't mean to-"
Percy's fist connected with Ethan's jaw before he could finish his sentence, sending him sprawling to the floor. "You didn't mean to what? Rape my girlfriend?"
Ethan scrambled to his feet, his eyes wild with fear. "It wasn't like that, I swear!"
"Tell me where he is," Percy demanded, his voice icy.
Ethan stumbled backward, his eyes darting around the room. "Look, I can explain-"
"There's nothing to explain," Percy said coldly. "You're going to tell me where he is, or I'm going to make you wish you were never born."
Ethan's eyes grew wide as he realized the seriousness of the situation. He swallowed hard. "Okay, okay. He's at the warehouse."
Percy's grip on his temper was slipping. "Take me there," he ordered.
Ethan nodded frantically and grabbed his keys. As they sped through the city in Percy's luxury car, he couldn't help but think about the life growing inside Annabeth. It was a mix of anger and fear, but also a strange sense of protectiveness. He would do anything for that child, even if it meant tearing the world apart.
They arrived at the warehouse, a dilapidated building on the outskirts of town. Percy could feel the darkness emanating from the place. He stepped out of the car, his hand already reaching for the gun in his waistband.
Ethan was visibly shaking as he opened the door. "Percy, man, please-"
Percy didn't bother to look at him. "You've done enough talking."
Inside, the air was thick with the scent of dust and despair. Percy's eyes scanned the shadows, searching for the man who had caused so much pain. He found him in the back, surrounded by his pathetic group of friends.
The man looked up, a smug smile on his face, but it quickly disappeared when he saw the fury in Percy's eyes.
"You have two choices," Percy said, his voice low and deadly. "You can confess to what you've done and face the consequences, or you can lie and make it worse for yourself."
The man's bravado crumbled. "I-I didn't mean to-"
"Take him," Percy snarled, gesturing to his most trusted men who had followed them.
As they dragged the rapist away, Percy turned to Ethan. "You're going to tell me everything you know about him. And then you're going to get the hell out of my life."
Ethan nodded, his eyes never leaving the floor.
Percy felt a twinge of pity for his former friend, but it was quickly overridden by the need for justice. He had to make sure Annabeth was safe, that their child was safe. And if that meant using his power and connections to eliminate the threat, then so be it.
He made the call, his voice cold and detached. "Take care of it," he said, and hung up.
As he drove back to the city, the weight of his decision settled on him. He had just ordered the death of another human being. But in that moment, he knew it was the right choice. For Annabeth, for their unborn child, and for the peace of mind he needed to be the man she deserved.
When he arrived home, he found Annabeth in bed, her eyes red from crying. He climbed in beside her, pulling her into his arms. "It's done," he murmured into her hair. "You don't have to be afraid anymore."
Annabeth sighed, her body relaxing slightly. "Thank you," she whispered.
Percy held her tight, his mind racing with the repercussions of his actions. But for now, all that mattered was the warmth of her in his arms and the promise of a future together, no matter how complicated it might be.
And in the quiet of the night, as they both fell into an uneasy sleep, Percy vowed to be the protector she needed, the father their child would be proud of, and the man who would do anything to ensure their safety and happiness.
