Page 55 of Leashed

Chapter Twenty-One

Seph brushed Bo’s hair back and swung his chlamys around his shoulders, standing on her toes to fasten it around his neck. “Such a handsome boy,” she murmured, stepping back to appraise his appearance. “Hades, honey. Isn’t our boy stunning?”

He looked over at his master, who merely grunted in agreement, his attention on adjusting his own clothing.

“Hades.” Persephone’s voice brokered no argument, her bright eyes turning to her husband.

“He looks exactly as my representative should,” Hades agreed immediately. “I’m glad it makes you happy, dear.”

Pleased with the response, she patted Bo on the shoulder. “We’ll meet you in the great hall.”

He waited until the heavy doors clanged shut and flopped onto the chaise, shaking his immaculately brushed hair out and tucking it behind his ears.

He’d never been brought to the underworld without his brothers, and it fucking sucked. Without the assistance of a god or goddess, travel between the realms could only happen for him when he was united with his brothers, a whole being. But that rule didn’t apply if Seph or Hades accompanied him.

Or Dio.

But Dio always came with a price.

Ryan had spent the most time alone in the underworld, given his status as top dog. He was the organizer. The middleman between Hades and the twins. But Bo had never had a need to be formally pulled down without the others.

He liked it that way.

Sitting in his quarters alone was unnerving. More so than being in his apartment without Ryan or Alex nearby. Without the stabilizing presence of his brothers, Dio’s influence was stronger than ever and permeating every thought in his head. Even the stray images of Sage his traitorous mind dredged up were becoming tainted, her face blurring while the beer glasses on the table behind her came into crystal clear focus.

Didn’t fucking matter.

Seph wanted a production, and come hell or high water, she always got what she wanted.

His mood darkening, he glared at the doors as they opened and Dionysus strode in, fully adorned in his best.

“Boreus, my boy. Let me hide out in here until the banquet begins,” he said, his booming voice ricocheting through the marble room. “Your mistress is on the hunt for me for putting her guest of honor at risk for alcohol poisoning.”

He motioned toward an empty seat. “I’d take the poison over the feast,” he muttered, closing his eyes.

“A wife isn’t so bad,” Dio sighed. “And you’ve had a good run. I’m surprised this didn’t happen centuries ago.”

Running his hands through his hair, he groaned. “Goddamn Alex put this in Seph’s head. And since he hasn’t proposed, all the pressure’s coming down on me. I’m gonna kill him when I see him again.”

“Well, choose wisely tonight,” Dio warned. “I’ve heard Persephone has favorites and has assembled a contract of duty spanning a millennium, so whoever you select is going to be tied to you for a long time.”

He could feel the color draining from his face. “You’re joking.”

“Wish I was, Bo. But that goddess is determined to have her pretty boy taken care of, whether you like it or not.”

Sitting up, he hunched over his knees and stared Dio down. “How do I get out of this?”

Dionysus smiled. “Now you’re asking the right question. You think I want to lose my drinking buddy?” He dragged his chair closer. “You’re her favorite. Her prize. Tonight is more about putting her show dog on display and witnessing the battle over him than it is about getting you married off.” He glanced toward the door. “Feed her ego, create as much gossip as possible, and you’ll be on your merry, unleashed way.”

He nodded slowly, internally debating how far he could go under Hades’s watchful eye, and how far he was willing to go to get topside again.

Reaching over to him, Dio opened his hand. “The bauble you requested. Should make a nice little talking piece with the ladies.”

*

Persephone linked herarm in Bo’s, adjusting the hang of his belt before they entered the hall. “Now remember to spend time with each of the prospects,” she whispered. “Mingle, be charming, and stay away from Dio for the evening.”

“Of course, Seph,” he replied, placing his hand over hers and leading her through the doors. “You look absolutely stunning this evening.”

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