Percy's POV
I'd half-dragged, half-carried Jay out of the car, her weight slumping against my shoulder, her giggles dissolving into mumbled nonsense. She reeked of cheap whiskey and pizza grease — a combination that would've been funny if she didn't look so heartbreakingly tired.
When the door swung open, three faces stared back — a tall guy with a tense jaw (David, I'd later learn), a tall dude in a hoodie (Cole), and a girl with sharp eyes who looked like she'd already judged me six ways (Stella).
They froze, blinking at Jay clinging to me like a sleepy sloth.
"Uh—hi," I said, trying for my usual grin but failing halfway. "Delivery service. One drunk Jay, extra toppings of regret."
Cole moved first, helping me get her inside. "You—who are you?"
"I could ask you the same thing," I shot back, setting Jay gently on the couch. "uhmm looking at you three I'm guessing you know Jay because this isn't her house but she told me to drive here soo what are you???"
Stella crossed her arms. "We live here. With her."
That hit like a slap.
"You what?" I blinked, looking between them. "Wait, hold up. She lives with you guys? Since when? Did Angelo kick her out or something?why didn't I know about this?"
David frowned. "You know Angelo?"
"She's my sister," I snapped — a little sharper than I meant. "Step-sister, technically. Met her right after she bolted from... everything. So yeah, I know the name. But what I don't know is why she's in a house with three people I've never met in my life."
They all looked at each other — that silent exchange that screams we're hiding something.
I exhaled, running a hand through my hair. "You're kidding me. She's drunk out of her mind, crying about people betraying her, and now I walk into some sitcom setup where three strangers are playing family? Man, New York was easier to deal with than this."
Cole sighed. "Look, we're her friends—"
"Friends don't usually live together and panic when someone new walks in," I said lightly, though my eyes never left them. "But hey, not judging. Just... surprised."
Jay stirred then, mumbling incoherently, something about love not being real and everyone lying.The room went still.
I crouched beside her, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Hey, sistahh... sleep now, existential crisis later, yeah?"
She blinked up at me, eyes glassy. "You'll leave too, like they did."
That broke me a little.
I looked back at the trio — all standing there like ghosts. "I'm not going anywhere," I said quietly. Then, with a forced grin, "Though if someone could get her some water and maybe a bucket, I'll start believing this isn't a fever dream."
Cole moved to the kitchen. Stella still stared at me like she was assessing my threat level. David exhaled, rubbing his temples.
"So... stepbrother, huh?" he muttered.
"Yeah," I said, leaning back against the couch. "And you three are... what, her guardians, secret agents, emotional support squad?"
Stella muttered, "Something like that."
"Cool," I said with a lopsided smile. "Well, whatever it is, you better start explaining soon — 'cause I've got questions, and tomorrow morning, so will she... So can we like introduce each other perhaps? "....
Jay's POV:
I didn't move. I didn't let them know I was listening. But I could hear everything.
Percy: "Wait, let me get this straight — she's been living here? With… you three?"
Stella: "Yes. She asked Angelo if she could stay somewhere safe. Away from Aries, her mom… from everything suffocating her."
Percy: "She asked Angelo?" His voice was equal parts disbelief and that dry humor he always used to soften serious stuff. "That guy doesn't just let anyone call the shots."
Cole: "He didn't. He only agreed because it was Jay. He rarely gives in. She's the only one who could convince him."
David: "Angelo let her go. Just for a while. So she could have peace. That's it."
Percy: "Of course he did. Only she could persuade the unconvincible."
I pressed my face deeper into the pillow. My chest felt tight. I couldn't let him know I was awake.
Percy: "So let me clarify. I show up, and my stepsister — yes, my stepsister — is living with three strangers instead of the guy who's supposed to watch out for her. Got it. Makes perfect sense."
Stella: "We're not strangers to her. We're… trying to be family. At least, for now."
Percy: "Trying is a start," he said softly, almost to himself. "But she's been through hell. You can't just give her a new space and expect the past to stay buried."
David: "We know. We're not pretending the past didn't happen. We just want her safe while she figures out how to stand again."
Cole: "And we've agreed — all four of us — that we'll work together. Protect her from everything, make sure no one manipulates or hurts her again. We're a team."
Percy's voice dropped. "She just wanted somewhere she could be loved unconditionally. That's all she ever wanted."
I felt my chest tighten, a lump rising in my throat. He was talking about me — about what I had wanted all along. And I didn't move.
Percy: "I know I'm not supposed to be the only one who worries. But she's my sister now — and I'm not letting anyone else decide what peace means for her. Not you, not Aries, not anyone. From now on, we work together. You four. She stays safe. That's it."
There was silence, except for the faint clinking of mugs and footsteps. I stayed still, listening. I didn't want them to know I could hear — didn't want them worrying about me.
Sometimes the safest thing you can do is pretend you're asleep.
And yet, in the quiet, I heard Cole saying something that made my heart pound like a drum:
"No matter how dark the world gets, I will never let them take her light again.... "