Fake Wife (Taming The Bad Boy Billionaire 8)
Chapter 1
“I’m afraid we’ll have to euthanize him. It’s the only rational and kind thing to do.”
I looked at the poor baby pit bull that had been used as bait for dog fighting. Gosh, he never even had a chance, I thought grimly, as the unfortunate pup’s tragic story tugged at my heartstrings. How cruel people can be, to so callously waste a life. Tears welled in my eyes as I gazed at Lisa in her colorful scrubs with much happier cartoon puppies all over her shirt. A kind thing to do? How could she even say such a thing? For that matter, how can she do this shit for a living? Doesn’t she have a heart at all? I wondered, shaking my head as I looked down at the unfortunate little one again, a quivering, whimpering, furry mass on the table. “There’s no reason for that,” I argued, knowing the animal did not deserve such a fate.
I was not about to leave him. No way in hell.
She cleared her throat. “He can’t walk now, and he likely won’t be able to ever again. He’ll be maimed for life, and no animal should suffer like that. I’m sorry, Jaime, but it’s better this way. It will be quick and painless, and he’ll—”
“Quick and painless!?” I yelped. “No! You can’t just give up on this sweet guy. This little dude has heart.”
“Jaime, I know how much you love dogs. You show it every day by volunteering here, but I’m afraid it’s too late for this one. There’s nothing more we can do for him, so—”
“Bullshit! Give him to me. I’ll take him.”
“But you’ve already rescued three abandoned dogs. And that’s more than enough.”
“I can’t just let him die. Please let me adopt him.”
“Didn’t you hear me? He’ll be crippled forever. What kind of life is that for a dog to have?”
“You tell me, Lisa. Would you rather be in a wheelchair or on crutches or dead?” I spat. “Listen, I just got laid off, and my temp work is dwindling. I’ve got nothing but time on my hands, and I know I can rehabilitate him.”
“But what if you can’t?” she asked firmly. “He’ll be a special needs dog for the rest of his life.”
“Then I’ll make sure his special needs are met and give him the best life I possibly can.”
“You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into, Jaime. Even with rehabilitation and love, his chances are pretty slim.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’ve heard that before,” I said. I couldn’t help putting myself in the puppy’s shoes, so to speak. Just like him, I’d been abandoned, broken and left to die. I was only two then, deserted at a bus station, of all places, and I was also told I’d never walk again. Fortunately, I was adopted by a wonderful family who gave me a great life filled with relatives and friends. Still, though, I was no stranger to the sting of abandonment. It took two years of physical therapy, but I finally managed to walk when I turned four, and by age seven I was the fastest runner in my class. I could now run marathons, something I did every chance I got, just to give the world a big middle finger and say, “See? You didn’t get the best of me, and you didn’t stop me with your grim diagnosis! Not only did I learn to toddle like any toddler. Now, I can run like the wind!” Every time I crossed a finish line, it was a testament to my survival, a way to prove them all wrong, and I was more than ready to do the same for the little pit bull. “A lady a few streets over from me specializes in canine rehab,” I said, nodding assuredly. “This little fella will be happy and spunky in no time.”
She tapped her fingers on the counter as she stared at the pup. “Okay, fine. He’s all yours then.” She then unlocked the kennel and the pit hobbled out until she scooped him up in her arms, and then gently handed him over to me. “What are you going to name him?”
I stroked him softly on his head and laughed when he licked my face. “He looks like a Max to me.”
“Well, Jaime, you just saved Max’s life. If you hadn’t come, he would’ve been put down within the hour.”
I held Max tighter as he continued to lick my face as if he knew exactly what I stopped from happening. “Don’t you worry now, Max,” I said. “You’re going to grow up to be something special!”
“Wow. He loves you already,” Lisa said.