Page 36 of Brutal Savage

“How much to make that dog ours? I’ll write a check to the shelter right now.”

“Uh, we don’t do?—”

“Everyone has a price, Miss…” I glance down at her name tag. “Nancy.”

“We have never had someone offer money before. I…I just don’t know.”

She’s considering it. Of course she is.

“How’s one hundred thousand?”

Her eyes pop. I’m afraid they’ll fall out. Nancy has never seen money like that. If she had any business sense, she would’ve countered. I was ready to offer a million if it went there.

“Are you sure?” she whispers.

“For him, yes. Now, do we have a deal?”

She nods. “I’ll let the other family know after we’re done.”

“Great.”

“You two may follow me so I can get the papers in order for you to sign.”

“I’ll go tell Brody the good news.”

I head back to him, and he doesn’t even look up at me.

“Hey, bud. Bubbles is coming home with us. But I have to sign some papers before we can take her home.”

He starts walking beside me, holding on to the dog even tighter.

“I think we have to have a talk about that name, though,” I tell him as we enter a small corridor.

With a sharp look, he eyes me and slowly shakes his head.

Oh, hell no.

“You mean you like the name?”

He nods.

Jesus Christ. I guess we’re gonna have a dog named Bubbles.

We finish the paperwork while Brody kisses the top of the dog’s head, and I know instantly I’m making the right decision.

After my check has been written, we are good to go.

The woman gives us a collar, a leash, and a small bag of puppy food.

I plan to head to the store and buy some toys and treats for her.

As we start toward my SUV, I take the dog from him so Brody can get into the booster, but when I do, the dog growls and barks at me.

I narrow a glare in her direction.

Really? The dog doesn’t like me either?

Wonderful. What else is new?

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