Peter POV:
The Parker house was unusually quiet that evening as we had came back from the expo to take care of some things back at NY. Uncle Ben and Aunt May had just settled in with tea, while Gwen sprawled on the couch with her laptop. I sat at the dining table, my attention divided between holographic projections of weapons schematics, production figures and global defense news feeds.
The knock at the door was brief and rhythmic.
When I opened it, Colonel James Rhodes stood there in full uniform, posture rigid but his eyes weary.
"Colonel." I greeted. "Didn't expect you at this hour."
Rhodes stepped inside without waiting. "We need to talk. Now."
The Living Room:
"You're painting a massive target on your back." Rhodes said, voice stern. "Between your toys, your contracts and that stunt at the Expo. Half the military wants you on a legal leash, the other half wants you gone. And the politicians… they're circling like vultures."
I didn't argue with him as I simply rose, crossed the room and returned carrying a massive, leather-bound book. I set it on the coffee table with a heavy thud. The words DIRT BOOK were etched into the cover.
Rhodes frowned. "The hell is this?"
I opened it and slid it toward him. "My insurance policy."
The colonel flipped a page. His eyes widened. Another page. His jaw clenched. Names, dates, accounts. Personal dirt on generals, politicians, CEOs. Hidden scandals. Fraud. Lobbying schemes. Backroom deals laid bare in meticulous detail.
Rhodes closed the book slowly, his expression unreadable. He let out a low whistle.
"You've got enough here to sink half of Washington."
My tone was calm, measured. "And that's why they won't be able to touch me. Every threat they make, every knife they sharpen, I already know where it's coming from and how to cut deeper."
Gwen added from the couch, sipping her latte. "He's scary when he's thorough."
Rhodes leaned back, rubbing his forehead. For once, the ever-composed officer looked rattled. "Kid… I wouldn't want to be on your bad side."
I closed the ledger with a firm thump. "Then don't be."
---
The room went quiet. Uncle Ben's calm gaze lingered on Rhodes. Aunt May set down her tea with a small sigh.
Rhodes finally shook his head, half in disbelief, half in reluctant respect. "You're playing a dangerous game, Parker. But damn if you aren't playing it well."
I gave him a thin smile. "That's the point, Colonel. Dangerous games are the only ones worth playing."
Later – The Kitchen
Colonel Rhodes lingered after I left the room. Uncle Ben entered quietly, pouring himself another cup of coffee before sliding into the chair opposite him. His calm eyes studied the colonel with unnerving patience.
"You're wondering if Peter knows what he's doing." Ben said gently.
Rhodes sighed. "He's smart. Too damn smart. But this? Blackmail, counter-leverage… this isn't a path you walk without consequences."
Ben took a slow sip, then set his cup down. "Every generation faces wolves in different clothing. My nephew doesn't just chase power. He protects with it, keeps it from being abused by those who already have too much. If the system won't shield him, then he'll shield himself and us."
Rhodes frowned, leaning forward. "And you're fine with that? Him holding the kind of dirt that could topple governments?"
Ben's voice was steady, almost chilling in its certainty. "I've buried friends who trusted the system to do the right thing. Peter doesn't trust, he verifies. That's why he survives."
The colonel sat back, uneasy. He had faced combat zones and terrorist cells, yet somehow this conversation with a kindly old man unsettled him more. Because he was right.
Uncle Ben gave a small, knowing smile. "You're a good man, Colonel. But don't mistake my nephew for a boy playing soldier. He's already playing a different game and he knows the consequences."
Rhodes exhaled slowly, the weight of those words settling in. "Yeah… I see that now."
Read 60 chapters ahead on P.A.T.R.E.O.N
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