Page 32 of Leashed

Chapter Twelve

Aweek later, Bo pulled up behind Ryan’s import and slipped his phone into the glove box. “Couldn’t have found a closer place than Tiger Mountain?” he called out as he swung his door open and sauntered over to his brother.

“No easy out for you here,” Ryan stated, leaning against his door. “I figured the farther from a bar you were, the better.”

He glanced into the packed back seat, the neat piles of boxes at odds with their usual clothes-on-their-backs moves. “Joke’s on you, then,” he mumbled, the reality of Ryan’s leaving hitting him in the gut. “I haven’t had a drink in weeks.” He shoved his hands into his back pockets. “You have time for a run?”

Ryan scanned the empty roads and pulled his shirt over his head. “Lead.”

He was naked and howling before Ryan had a chance to get his jeans off of his ankles. He ripped across the road and beelined it into the forest, listening as his brother closed in on him. Pushing as fast as his muscles would allow, he dodged fallen trees and low-slung branches, picking up the scent of a rabbit and following it deep into the woods.

It would be a long time before they hunted side by side again.

Closing in on his prey, he flattened his ears and crouched, nudging Ryan forward to take the kill and sitting back on his haunches when his older brother’s large jaws snapped shut on the game.

*

Bo hiked hisjeans over his hips and zipped the fly, one eye on the road to ensure they weren’t spotted. “So where are you headed?”

Ryan leaned into his car and started the engine. “Working the trail from Minnesota,” he said, looking around expectantly. “You get that this isn’t about you, right?”

“Nothing ever is,” he grunted, yanking his shirt over his head. “Rent paid up in that place for the month?”

“Two.” Ryan nodded toward the passenger side. “Get in for a minute.”

Grabbing his boots, he padded over to the car, avoiding the sharpest stones in his path until his bare feet were securely inside. “What’s up?”

“I saw Seph a few nights ago,” Ryan said slowly, adjusting his rearview mirror. “Dio’s coming topside today to deliver a few things for me.”

Dio.

Fuck.

Ryan looked over at him. “I need the wealth he’s bringing, and he only agreed to it if you were here too.” He stared out the window. “I’m not meant to be up here, Bo. I’m ready to return home for good, back where I belong.” The trees swayed, and he straightened in his seat. “Incoming.”

Dionysus strode through the clearing, clasping his hands on the roof of the car. “Boreus, my boy. Get your ass out here.”

He closed his eyes for a moment before he exited, his back hunching slightly as Dio gave him a rough scratching through his hair. Ryan rounded the back of the car and joined him, his eyes flicking to the satchels crossing the god’s body.

“Orion,” Dio nodded, pulling one bag off his shoulder. “I traded a lot of wine with Plutus for this. There’s a chance I also bartered away my first-born as well. Use them wisely.”

Ryan opened it up and looked inside before he sealed it quickly and popped the car hatch. “I appreciate it,” he said, busying himself with rearranging the small storage space. “I should be able to sell these off for a decent amount, hopefully not dip into the savings so there’s backup in case it takes longer to track the Pirithous down than I expect.”

Dio turned his attention back to Bo. “Brought a little something for you too.” He grinned, producing two bottles of wine and holding them out. “One for now, one for later.”

He gave the god a tight smile as he accepted the bottles. “Both for later, Dio. I need to drive.”

“Nonsense.” Dionysus laughed, reaching over to pop the cork. “We’re saluting your brother’s adventure in style.” Taking the first drink, he grinned. “May the Fates smile on you, Orion.”

Ryan got back into the car. “Bo?”

He leaned in. “Updates, right?”

“From you too,” Ryan stated, glancing back at the god. “I need to do this.”

Lifting a brow, Bo straightened up. “Last time one of my brothers said that, he was enchanted by a succubus.”

“Her name’s Charlotte, and Alex will kill you if he hears you call her that.” Ryan grinned, holding his fist out until Bo bumped it with his own. “I’m off.”

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