CHAPTER 54 Too Late, Too Late

　　~ CARA ~

　　“The Animal Shelter is on exit forty-three. It’s right off the highway. It’ll take five minutes,” I said, hoping he didn’t hear the hitch in my breath.

　　“Cara, I’m not taking your cat to the Animal Shelter,” he said, shaking his head.

　　“We don’t all have the options you’ve got, Rig,” I muttered, livid that he was making me talk about it in light of everything that had happened. “I can’t take him to the dorm, and I don’t know anyone else who has—”

　　“I’ll take him,” Rig said quickly.

　　I heard Natalie give a little cough in the backseat. Rig’s shoulders tensed, but his jaw was set.

　　“No,” I said.

　　Rig frowned. “You’d rather risk him getting put down than let me take him?” he said, incredulous.

　　“No, I’m saying you can’t—”

　　“I can. I own my house. I can have as many pets as I want. I’ll take him.”

　　“No, Rig, I’m not letting you—”