Page 63 of Leashed

Double-checking she’d buzzed the right apartment, she pressed the “talk” button. “Um, it’s Sage. Is Bo there?”

There was a rustling and the sound of a growling dog before the unfamiliar voice replied. “Come up.”

She flinched at the volume of the door signal in the silent night, taking her time walking up the stairs so she could compose her thoughts and kicking herself for forgetting Bo’s uncle was in town.

Her hand hesitated at the door as she listened to the sounds of heavy footsteps in the apartment, the uneven clicking of a dog’s nails on the floor growing closer until the door was flung open and a huge man grinned down at her. “Come on in, little girl.”

Glancing back into the hall, she stepped inside, keeping one hand on the knob as she eased the door closed and extended her other. “Hi. I’m Sage.”

“Dio,” the man replied, clasping her hand with both of his. He openly appraised her, his dark eyes scanning her over thoroughly before he yelled over his shoulder, “Get in here, boy!”

She crouched down to unzip her boots, falling against the door when an enormous black dog stumbled out of the living room, its head hung low while Dio’s large hand gave it a good scratching behind its ears. She rose slowly as Bo’s uncle cupped the dog’s head and turned it toward her, taking hold of the leash. “You know this girl, boy? Go say hi.”

The animal balked, arching out of Dio’s hold and backing away as far as the leash would allow, his steps faltering until he leaned against the wall for balance.

“Is he okay?” she asked, attempting to keep her nerves under control to avoid spooking the dog.

Dogs scared her a little.

And gigantic dogs scared her a lot.

Dio gave the animal a rough rubdown and dropped the leash as he walked into the living room. “He’s fine. Just overindulged a bit. Come sit.”

She followed him, clinging to the opposite wall as she passed the dog. “Hey, boy.”

Dio took up position on the recliner, his huge form almost comical in the chair. She sat on the sofa and set her purse beside her, one eye on the entrance where the dog’s hind legs were still visible. “So is Bo around?”

The guy smiled at her, perfect teeth on display. “He will be shortly. How do you know my boy?”

There was a soft chuffing from the hall as she replied, “We’re, um, friends.”

Dio tilted his head. “Friends. Interesting. Come here, boy.” He patted his thigh and waited while the dog slunk over and lay at his feet, his eyes hidden by his long jet-black fur. “You two been friends long?”

Tearing her attention off of the beast on the floor, she shook her head. “A couple months. Bo mentioned you’re a collector of artifacts. The amphorae he showed me are truly incredible.”

The man hunched over to place his hand on the dog’s head. “He did, did he? Yes, I have quite the collection of trinkets.” He rose to his feet and stepped over the animal. “Care for a drink?”

“I’m good, thank you,” she replied, her attention reverting to the dog. “He’s friendly, right?”

“Apparently so,” Dio murmured as he passed her. “I’ll be back.”

He looked far younger than she had expected Bo’s uncle to be. Dio appeared to be closer to her age than the elderly man she’d envisioned when Bo had mentioned him. He had the same long hair Bo did, though his was black as coal. He was probably a good three inches taller and broader, way more imposing.

Her eyes flicked to the dog crouched by the recliner. Its huge head bobbed, dropping to the ground before it would snap up, swaying as though intoxicated or drugged. The beast’s paws were probably double the size of her hands, claws at the ready for attack.

She shivered and the animal lowered its muzzle to the floor.

Dio strode back into the living room, a wineglass in one hand and an ornately jeweled dog bowl in the other. She watched him set the bowl down, doing her best to hide her disgust when she saw inside it. “Is that wine?”

Dio dipped his finger into the bowl and slipped it into the dog’s mouth, his brows rising when the animal bowed away. “He likes it.” Looking between the two of them, a strange expression crossed his face. “Usually.”

“I’m not…” She paused, uncertain about offending him. “Is that good for him?”

Bo’s uncle sat back and emptied his wineglass in a single gulp. “Few things that are fun are good for you,” he posited. “And this beast doesn’t always know what’s good for him. So if I can slide a little fun in there for him, no harm.”

The dog’s head lifted and lolled toward Dio, dropping back onto his paws and turning his nose away from the bowl. Dio shook his head and stood again. “I’m off. Was a pleasure to meet you, Sage.”

As he strode down the hall, she scrambled to her feet and chased after him. “Bo?”

---