Neon Gods (Dark Olympus 1)

I’m aware of Gayle moving back to the computer with the woman who must be her mother, giving us space and at least the illusion of privacy. “It happens a lot, especially if they aren’t purebred. They’re essentially worthless to breeders and just more mouths to feed. It’s crappy.”

“Crappy,” Hades echoes. The puppy nuzzles his chest and settles into his arms with a sigh. He strokes its head with a single finger like he’s afraid of hurting it. “It’s a terrible thing not to be wanted.”

My heart gives a painful twist. I speak before giving myself a chance to think. “You should adopt one. She’s right about that big, empty house, and no one loves like a dog. He or she will win you over before you know it.”

He contemplates the puppy, still petting it methodically. “It’s not a good idea.”

“Why?”

“It’s easier not to care.”

I might laugh if there was any air left in the room. Hades might pretend he doesn’t care, but this man cares more than any other I’ve ever met. He tries too hard to hold people at a distance, but he obviously hasn’t noticed how epically he’s failed. I’m not sure I should be the one to tell him, that it’s my place to pull back the curtain and show him the truth of his circumstances. I’m not a permanent fixture in his life. The thought leaves me feeling hollow.

Suddenly, I’m determined to convince him to buy this puppy. The thought of Hades wandering the halls of his house alone after I leave, a lord of emptiness and sorrow… I can’t stand it. I can’t let it happen. “Hades, you should adopt the puppy.”

He finally looks at me. “This is important to you.”

“Yes.” When he just waits, I give him a sliver of the truth. “Everyone should have a pet at least once in their lives. It’s such a blessing, and I think it would make you happy. I like the thought of you happy, Hades.” The last comes out almost like a confession. Like a secret, just between us.

He stares at me a long time, and I’m at a loss to guess what’s going on behind his dark eyes. Is he thinking about the deadline looming over us, too? Impossible to say. He finally nods slowly. “Maybe a dog wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

I can’t help holding my breath. “Really?”

“Yeah.” His attention tracks down to the remaining two pups. “He’ll be awfully lonely without his littermates.”

“Um.” I’m pretty sure my eyes are in danger of popping out of my head. “What?”

Instead of answering directly, he raises his voice. “Gayle?” When she reappears, he nods at the puppies. “We’ll take them all.”

She presses her lips together. “I’m not one to tell you how to do your business.”

He arches a brow. “When has that ever stopped you?”

“Three dogs is a lot, Hades. Three puppies? You’re biting off more than you can chew.” She points at the puppies. “And they will chew the shit out of your expensive shoes.”

He’s undeterred. He’s put himself on this path and he won’t be dissuaded. “I’ll give the staff hazard pay. It will be fine.”

For a moment, I think she’ll keep arguing, but she finally shrugs. “Don’t come crying to me in a week or two when teething really sets in.”

“I won’t.”

One final look and she shakes her head. “Better call some of your people to come help fetch and carry. You’re not set up for puppies, so we’ll need to load you up.”

“Consider it done. We’ll get whatever you think is best.”

She walks away, still shaking her head and muttering about stubborn men. I turn back to Hades and can’t stop from grinning widely. “You’re buying three dogs.”

“We’re buying three dogs.” He pushes easily to his feet, the pup still cradled in his arms. “You should know by now that I can’t say no to you, Persephone. You turn those big hazel eyes on me, and I’m putty in your hands.”

I snort. I can’t help it. “You’re so full of shit.”

“Language,” he murmurs, mirth lighting up his eyes.

I burst out laughing. The giddiness soaring through me is pure, undiluted happiness. A feeling I have no right to, not with everything hanging over our heads, but somehow that makes it more precious. I want to cling to this moment, to shove reality away and let us have this time uninterrupted.

Because no matter what he says, these dogs aren’t really mine. They’re his, the way it should be. I’ll get them for the rest of the winter, but that’s it. Then I’ll leave and they’ll be Hades’s little pack. Companionship that he’ll hopefully allow even if he holds the humans around him at a distance.

My little bubble of happiness deflates instantly. He deserves so much more than the hand life has dealt him. He deserves to be happy. He deserves to be surrounded by friends and loved ones who will fill his giant house with laughter and experiences. He’s such a good person, even if he’s a villain as far as Olympus is concerned—at least the parts of Olympus that even believe in him.