Free Big Bad Bear by Terry Bolryder

place, and in less than a minute, she was back downstairs, ready to go.
    Zeus had a backpack and one large suitcase and was standing by the door, waiting for her.
    “Emergency kit, for situations when I need to leave in a hurry,” he said, ushering her through the door and out to Ares’s large black truck. Zeus tossed their things in the back and opened the passenger door, helping Carly get in before getting in the backseat of the cab.
    When they reached town, Ares called 9-1-1 so the police and paramedics could make their way up and tend to the wounded. After a few more minutes of driving, they arrived at a surprisingly large house surrounded by a tall, concrete barrier with a metal gate. With the press of a button, Ares pulled into a private driveway and closed the gate behind them.
    They were safe. For now.

8
    T hey got out of the car quietly. Ares carried the bags and led the way up his drive and toward the house, which was tall and foreboding, with no decorative frills. Probably two stories high, made of solid concrete, reinforced windows. It definitely stood out in the small town, or would if anyone had the guts to look over the huge concrete barrier that surrounded it.
    Ares unlocked and opened the door, and Carly gasped at the difference in the interior. Pure luxury, from the beautiful rugs to the hand-carved furniture that looked much like the stuff in Zeus’s cabin. It made sense, since Zeus had told Carly Ares constructed the furniture.
    Right now, she was just grateful Ares had been able to come and help. She was in awe of the way he called Zeus boss and had said he’d do anything for him. Clearly, there was still a lot to learn about the man she was falling in love with.
    That’s right. She was already falling in love with him. From the moment he’d touched her, back on their walk in the woods, she’d realized something powerful and dangerous was forming between them. Something she wanted to keep exploring. But first, she had to make sure Zeus was okay.
    Ares tried to help him to the nearest couch, but Zeus pulled away, walking on his own to a hard, wooden chair.
    “I’m fine,” he said wearily, slumping into it. “I don’t want to get blood on your couch.”
    “Fuck it. I can buy another,” Ares said, sitting down and running a hand through his ruffled blond hair. His bag of weaponry sat beside him, making Carly slightly nervous.
    “Can you put those back in the safe?” Zeus asked with a raised eyebrow. “They’re making Carly nervous.”
    “No, it’s okay—” she said.
    But Ares had already nodded and was walking away in the direction of the doorway. Zeus gave her a tired smile, looking her over as if making sure she was okay, when he was the one who was injured.
    She walked over to him and reached for his shirt, but he caught her hand and lifted it to his lips, kissing it slowly in a way that sent heat sizzling through her. Still, she pulled back and gave him a frown. “I need to look at your wound. I’m worried about it.”
    “I’m fine,” he said. “I heal quick.”
    “You were shot,” she said. “I don’t understand why you won’t let me look at it and help you. I’ve stitched up my brother before when he fell.”
    “I’m afraid this is different,” Ares said, cutting into their conversation as she struggled with Zeus to try and see his injury. Stubborn man was going to get an infection if he didn’t let someone take a look at it. Ares put a hand on her shoulder and pulled her back. “I got it, sweetness,” he said gently, and she stepped aside.
    Zeus let out a low growl, and Ares laughed, kneeling in front of him. “Cool it, big guy. You know I call all women sweetness.”
    “Not Carly,” he said.
    “Yeah, yeah, I get it, boss,” Ares said, lifting his shirt and blocking her view of the wound. He let out a low whistle. “He’s gonna be fine. Just a flesh wound.”
    “Doesn’t he need stitches? It was bleeding so bad before.”
    Ares shook his head and