Chapter 18
18
A ll Leo wanted to do was keep Chrissy home and under his watchful eye all day. But he knew that changing their routine, letting Zack and his evil-hearted sub shake their confidence or send them into hiding was a mistake. They couldn’t let Zack win, and he couldn’t let Chrissy be afraid. They had to move on.
They’d both taken some time in the morning, though, and he’d bought Chrissy a new phone before sending his boy off to work. Right now, only he had the number.
He knew he should probably talk to Neil and get the full story, but it was taking all his self-control not to find Zack and knock on the man’s door himself.
Like, now.
Just because Chrissy had refused to let himself be, what? Second fiddle? The son of a bitch had broken up with Chrissy.
Broken up. Thrown him out. Told him he’d failed.
As if it was possible to fail. Submission wasn’t a fucking test.
Ooh. He was thinking in curse words. Wow.
They were Doms for chrissake. They were supposed to be better. They were supposed to have self-control.
He pulled out his phone before he lost what was left of his and called Neil.
“Hey, Dr. Leo. Everything okay with Chris?”
“He’s at work, with a new phone. Good might be a stretch, but he’s okay. I’m the one who’s off, I think. Were you able to reach anyone who could help?”
“I turned the phone number over to a friend, but it’s likely a robocaller. Someone who’s paid a number of services to send the texts.”
“Someone. We know who it is, Neil.” He sighed. “I’m usually better at rolling with things, but this has me angry.” He was sure he had a vein popping out on his forehead.
“We know it’s either Zack or his sub, possibly both. I may have to go have a discussion with them. Express my displeasure.” Neil sighed. “Basically, the party line is going to be what has been done. New line. Don’t give out his number.”
“Yeah. Only I know it right now.” He was glad he sent Chrissy off to work because his boy shouldn’t see him angry. Chrissy had had enough of that. “Hopefully, they back off.”
“If they don’t, you and I and Cyrus and Isaac and Les will make a visit.” Neil’s voice was serious as a heart attack.
He nodded, even though Neil couldn’t see it. “That’s what I wanted to hear. Thank you, Neil.”
“We’re not going to let anyone hurt him.”
“I know these things in my head, but sometimes, you need to hear something out loud, you know?” He took a breath. “I think I can go to work now.”
“Good. Tell him he can call me, if he needs to.”
“Will do. Thanks so much.” He hung up and texted Chrissy as he headed into his office.
Leo
I love you.
Chrissy
Love. Feeling off balance. Dogs know it. Buttheads.
Leo
Animals are smart, right? That’s why you do what you do. Try to focus. I’ve got your back.
Even from a distance.
Chrissy
Never doubt it. Not ever. You’re my Master
Leo
Have a good day. Bring home sushi.
That was normal. Ish.
Leo
And ice cream.
There. That was normal.
Chrissy
Bossy. Spicy tuna and rocky road?
He grinned. That was his boy.
Leo
Do you really need to ask, brat?
Chrissy
Nope. :P
Oh, there was that tongue.
Leo
I didn’t think so. I will check in with you later.
Maybe he could make it a whole hour.
“Hey, Doc.” Lexie stood as he walked in. “Bruno is in bad shape.”
“Oh. I’m sorry to hear that.” Bruno was an elderly chihuahua he’d been looking after the last few years. He belonged to one of the subs he’d met at Les’s bar. “How is Andrew?”
“Quiet.”
“Hm. Thank you, Lexie. What else is on my calendar?”
“Milo.”
“Who?”
“He booked an appointment. There’s no pet. Milo.”
“Oh. Uh.” Les’s Milo? Interesting. “Well, send him back whenever he arrives.”
“Of course. I’m assuming to your office.”
“Yes, please. I’m going to go see Andrew and Bruno. Thanks, Lexie.”
He spent a good forty minutes with Bruno, gave him fluids, and ended up sending him home. He was dehydrated, but otherwise just an old dog. Andrew was relieved, and honestly, he was too.
Once he sent them on their way, he headed for his office. For some weird reason, he felt like he should knock first, so he rapped on the door before going in.
Milo was sitting there, and he launched into Leo’s arms. “Master Leo!”
Whoa. “Hello, boy.” He gave Milo a hug. “This is a… surprise.”
“I know! I have two things to talk to you about—one is professional, and one is personal.”
“Okay. Have a seat. Are you thirsty? I have a fridge.” He pointed to his little square fridge in the corner of his office.
“No, Sir. Thank you.” Milo sat, smiling at him. “I want a dog. I want to know what kind of dogs a sub with a Master who isn’t into dogs might like.”
His first thought was a well-trained one . He voiced his second thought. “Does your Master know you’re here?”
“Sort of?”
His eyebrow went up reflexively. “Sort of means… what, exactly?” He could recommend a dog. Chrissy might even be better at it. But first, he needed some clarity.
“Sort of means that he knows I’m here to tell you that Ed is telling lies about Chris. I told Master Les, but I wanted you to know.”
There was no stopping his anger this time. It just welled right up and shot out his mouth.
“Jesus Christ. Now what?” He paced across his office and turned to find Milo staring at him. “Sorry. I’m—sorry, boy. This nonsense with Edward and Zack has me a little—off.”
“No. No, I totally understand, Sir. I just—It’s creepy. I’m worried that there’s going to be a fight. I’m going to ask Master Les to ban them both from the bar.”
There was going to be a fight all right. And he didn’t plan to stand by and watch.
“My guess is that’s already in the works.” He pulled out his phone. “Thank you for letting me know, Milo. You’re a good friend to Chrissy and I appreciate it.” He texted Neil next.
Leo
The sub is at it again.
Neil
Of course he is. I’ll talk to Isaac.
“What about a dog? Is there a certain type? Like a purse dog?” Milo asked.
Leo
Keep me in the loop
“Les? Purse dog? These terms should never be used anywhere near each other. Les needs a shepherd. Or maybe a hound. Big, loyal, takes no shit, but likes to snuggle.”
“Okay. Yes, Sir. Shepherd or hound. Big, loyal, snuggly.” Milo was actually taking notes on his phone.
“And you’re not going to even consider finding a dog without your Master.”
“Not even as a surprise? A present?”
“Dogs are not presents, boy.”
“Yes, Sir.”
He put a hand on Milo’s shoulder. “I’ll see if I can’t put a little bug in his ear.” He didn’t see Les being a dog guy, but then Milo wasn’t the sort of sub he’d have expected Les to fall for either, so what did he know?
“Thank you, Sir. I want a fuzzy buddy. Dex says I can’t bring him to Master Cyrus’s apartment to visit, but I’ll change his mind.”
“Good luck with that.” Milo would have to get a dog first, and that was going to be tough enough. But changing Cyrus’s mind once he’d said no would be damn near impossible.
Hell, he wasn’t sure Dexter would want a dog around his cookie-making business…
“Chrissy and I will be happy for you to visit. Even if you don’t have a dog.” Leo winked at him. “Is that all, boy?”
“Yes, Sir. I just… Chris is good. He’s a good friend, and he’s not a pain in the butt. He’s good, okay?”
“He’s my boy, and I love him. I know how good he is.” And sometimes Chrissy could be a pain in the butt too, but that was part of their deal. Leo wasn’t perfect either. “I have his back.”
“We do too.” Milo hugged him and kissed his cheek. “Yours too.”
“I appreciate that, boy. Ask your Master.” He winked at Milo. “It’s okay if you tell him you talked to me.”
“Oh, he knows that I was coming, Sir.” Milo beamed at him. “He probably knows about the dog, but this is a lovely opportunity for us both to pretend he doesn’t and have a nice scene, isn’t it?”
He laughed. “A lovely opportunity. Did you expect a spanking?”
“Expect, no. Hope for?” Milo twirled for him.
“I’ll be sure to tell Les you need one. Naughty.” He knew Milo was kidding, but if he’d offered, he also knew Milo would shuck those jeans for him in a hot second. “Off you go, boy.”
“Have a good day, Master!” Milo bounced out, his eyes alight. That boy was a handful, but loyal as the day was long.
He let the door close behind Milo, then pulled his phone out and texted Chrissy.
Leo
Milo wants a dog.
Chrissy
Oh good lord. Seriously? A poodle to decorate?
Leo
If he had his way… I told him Les was more of a shepherd or a lab kind of guy
Chrissy
I can see them with a bar lab. It totally works
Leo
Let’s see if Milo gets his way. I’m skeptical.
He had no intention of telling Chrissy why Milo really came by; his boy sounded like he had no idea.
Chrissy
Yeah. Not mine to worry about, huh? Gonna take off early. Wanna meet?
Leo
Sure. Meet me at the bar.
Chrissy knew which bar “the bar” was, everyone around him did. Of course now that he’d said that, Chrissy was bound to find out what was going on.
Leo
There’s some talk, apparently. Ignore it. We’re on it.
Chrissy
You want me to bring a big stick? ;-P
That was a fairly relaxed answer, and it made him feel better.
Thanks. I think mine is big enough for both of us.
Oooh… big stick man! CUSoon! Beer ahoy!
He chuckled and left his office. “Lexie, can I take off early?”
“Let me check the schedule. I think it’s all vet tech work.” She stopped and leaned in. “Is everything all right? Do you need help?”
“Thank you.” He shook his head, answering her in a low tone. “I’m good. Milo had some news for me, and I’m just taking a couple of hours off for my boy.”
“Okay, because if you need anything, you know we all love you. We’ll help.”
He gave her a thoughtful look. “I look that bad?”
“You seem really upset, super stressed.”
Well, that wasn’t good. If she saw it, Chrissy would see it. “It’s been a rough couple of days. I am a bit stressed.” He supposed it was unusual for Lexie too, because before Chrissy, he didn’t have anything to stress about. “Great responsibility and all that.”
“Yeah, well…” She came in, hugged him tight. “Let me clear your schedule. Two minutes.”
He took those two minutes and took a few deep breaths. This nonsense with Edward was obviously weighing on him more heavily than he knew, or than he wanted to admit. It was personal now, and he was going to deal with it that way. He needed to put a stop to it.
His boy deserved it. He deserved it.
But first, he wanted a hug.