Six Weeks of Seduction by Ellis O. Day
CHAPTER 53: NICK
The pound was ready to close when Nick and Mattie showed up. Luckily, Bob, the guy who worked there, was a regular customer at Mattie’s garage so he let them into the building.
Nick wandered up and down the lines of cages. This was the saddest place he’d ever been.
“You need to hurry,” said Bob.
“What about this one?” asked Mattie. “He looks so sad.”
Nick walked over to the cage where Mattie was crouched trying to coax a brown and white, long haired dog over.
“That’s Diamond,” said Bob.
“What’s the matter with her?” asked Mattie.
“Heart-broken,” said Bob. “Her owners surrendered her and another dog. The other dog got adopted and Diamond has been like this ever since.”
“Why would they only take one?” asked Mattie.
“Happens a lot,” said Bob.
“You shouldn’t let them separate the dogs,” said Nick. It was wrong to break up a pair.
“Then they’d both be dying tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” said Nick and Mattie.
“Yep.” Bob pointed to the sign on the cage. “Due out date is today. Today was her last chance to get a home.”
“Shit.” Nick didn’t need another fucked-up dog. He bent and called to her. She turned her head to stare at the wall.
“You have to take her,” said Mattie. “We can’t let them kill her because she’s sad.”
He stood. He was a sucker. “Fine. We’ll take this one.” Now, he’d never have sex again. Diamond and Tank would team up against him and get too upset any time he looked at Sarah.
“You sure?” asked Bob.
Mattie had wandered over to a lone puppy. “This one is due out today too.”
Now, this was more like the kind of dog he needed. It was a young, all black puppy. That would keep Tank busy. “Okay. I’ll take this one instead.”
“What other ones are going to be killed tomorrow,” asked Mattie.
Nick wanted to beat the shit out of his brother. He didn’t need to deal with this. “We don’t have time—”
“This one.” Bob pointed to an old, black dog with a gray muzzle. “And this one.” It was a brindle pit-bull type dog. “He’s scared of everything, poor guy. Found him running the streets. Had some cuts that weren’t accidents.” He moved down the line. “And this one.” He pointed at a hound dog, with floppy ears and a bouncy attitude. He moved to the next cage. “This one has tomorrow before he has to go.” It was a Rottweiler. “People are afraid of him because of how he looks, but he’s just a big baby.” He opened the cage. “Aren’t you, fella?” The rottie almost knocked him over as he clamored for attention.
“I need a drink,” mumbled Nick.
“Sorry, can’t help you with that.” Bob pushed the rottie back into the cage and closed the door.
“The limo,” said Mattie.
Bob’s eyes brightened. “I wouldn’t say no to a drink while you decide.”
“Let’s go,” said Mattie.
The three of them left the kennels and headed to the limo. It was probably the worst mistake he’d made in a day full of mistakes.
