She groaned at his stupidity, at knowing that whatever came next would undoubtedly be worse still. “Go on.”
“There were a bunch of cages lined against a wall. Dogs jammed into them so tight most of them couldn’t stand. And—” His voice broke. It took him a moment to compose himself again.
Sofia waited. There was nothing she could say until Matt told her his full story.
At last, he continued. “A guy at the door was collecting money. He asked me to place a bet. I still didn’t know what was going on, so I said, ‘against the odds.’ He laughed and took my money, then pushed me toward the small crowd gathered around the center of the room. They brought out two of the dogs, and…”
Sofia was startled when D-Man began to cry. She wished she could offer him a hug or provide some greater comfort than simply just listening on the other end of a cell wave.
“I-I-I watched as this huge sled dog ripped off the muzzle of a smaller mutt. He just—He just tore off part of its face. Blood was everywhere, and I—”
“Matt, stop. I don’t want to hear anymore.” Sofia hated that an illegal dog ring was operating so close to her own home, hated that D-Man had stumbled upon such a gruesome scene, and hated that there was nothing she could do to help.
D-Man wept openly, still gasping for breath. “I can’t stop picturing it. It was the most awful thing I’ve ever seen.”
“I know. I’m so sorry.” Sofia couldn’t stop picturing it, either. She imagined Wolfie in the ring, scared for his life, and had to hold back tears of her own. Matt needed her to be strong now. That is why he called… Right?
“C-can you help me?” Well, apparently not.
“Help? With what?” A weight formed in her stomach, pulling her down deeper into the seat. If only she could sink, sink so far into the depths that no one knew where to find her. That things like this would stop happening, stop pulling her in.
Matt’s voice held hope. “Blinky told me you saved a dog that was being abused.”
“I don’t actually know what Wolfie’s story was. I don’t think I—”
“There were so many dogs, and there will be more. We could—”
“I’m not an expert or anything.” She rushed to cut off every single argument he made. She could not get involved. They could not mount such a dangerous rescue. How could she make D-Man understand?
“I’ve only taken a couple dogs from people’s yards,” she tried. “Never anything like this.”
After a pause, Matt spoke again, his voice now steady, sure of its path. “We have to rescue them, Sofia. I didn’t know who else to call, and I’m going to find a way to help the dogs with or without you. But I’d rather it be with you. Please say you’ll help.”
Sofia felt the grip on her heart tighten, tighten, squeeze. These dogs needed her. Her friend needed her. If she refused to help, the dogs would die. Matt would have a difficult time rescuing them on his own. If he was caught, would the ringleaders punish him? Would the cops pick him up, find out about his drug-dealing business, and lock him away forever—all because he wanted to do something good?
There wasn’t a choice here. Not for Sofia.
“Okay,” she said at last. “When?”
Sofia left the ranch shortly after her call with D-Man. Not too long ago, she’d vowed to extricate herself from Blinky’s group and stop committing crimes, allowing herself and Wolfie to finally move on with their lives.
But how could she refuse to help the poor dogs D-Man had discovered? They had it even worse than Wolfie did, and if they weren’t rescued, they would all die horrible, violent deaths.
And it would be entirely her fault.
So, of course she’d agreed not only to help, but to orchestrate the rescue herself. It would happen on Saturday night. She’d come along to the Ridge as invited, but she and Matt would leave early together. This would provide them with the alibi they needed in case things went sour.
D-Man would secure the supplies—crates, food, a pair of cargo vans. Sofia’s only condition was that he not tell her how he obtained them. She’d already willfully broken enough laws to last a lifetime.
Another task that fell to Sofia was to find a place they could take the dogs once rescued. And, thanks to Hunter, she already knew exactly where to go—the old textile factory. D-Man said he could easily shimmy the lock, and Sofia would sneak in the supplies before heading to the Ridge on Saturday night.
It all made perfect sense.
The only thing they hadn’t planned was the long-term effects of the rescue and where the dogs would eventually end up after she and Matt removed them from the fighting ring. Many would presumably be too far gone to find new homes, but Sofia vowed to try and save them all.
Maybe if she gave herself a couple weeks, she could train and rehabilitate them enough that someone would be willing to give each of them a second chance at forever. She hoped this would be the case, but if nothing else, the poor abused dogs could at least find merciful, comfortable deaths in the arms of a caring veterinarian rather than being torn to shreds for the amusement of the very worst kind of human beings.
Considering either of these possibilities brought tears to her eyes. She hated that she might not be able to save them all, but if even one dog moved on to a better life, then this would all be worth it.
Wolfie nuzzled her palm and smiled at her. She loved his doggie grins, especially since he always seemed to know exactly when Sofia needed one. Midnight had arrived, and though Sofia doubted she’d catch any sleep, she invited Wolfie into the bed and cuddled him through the night.
The next morning, Sofia went to work, praying there would be no more surprises—no more shoplifting, dogfighting, lying to friends—nothing. Miraculously, she made it through the entire work day without any added drama, which was good since she could barely grapple with the heavy anxiety that weighed her down already.
Just as she planned to declare this day a good one, another friend decided to call in a favor. This time, it was Elizabeth Jane.
Sofia took a deep breath before answering. Please just let this be a happy, catch-up call and not the start of a new crisis. “Hey, Liz. How’s Foxie… I mean Delilah doing?”
Liz’s voice came out quiet despite the excitement of her words. “Oh my gosh, she is just wonderful. Samson and I love her so much already, but that’s not why I’m calling.”
Oh, no. Oh, no. Oh, no. Please don’t let it be about Joe Collins.
“Remember my friend, Scarlett?” Liz asked.
Sofia let out a huge sigh of relief. “Yeah, what’s up?”
“Well, today she got offered this huge book deal for writing about her real-life Iditarod adventures.” Elizabeth Jane’s voice warmed with pride, as if the accomplishment had been her own rather than that of a good friend.
“Whoa, that’s huge. Congratulations!” Sofia could only imagine how ecstatic Scarlett must be. Although books weren’t her thing, a big fashion deal was top of Sofia’s dream list. It could change Sofia’s entire life for the better. Actually, it could fix everything.
“Yeah, right? I’m really proud of her. Anyway, Lauren and I want to throw her a surprise party to celebrate and we were hoping you could help.”
Crap. She wished life were simple enough to accept an impromptu party invite, but no, she already had plans to take her dognapping career to the next level this weekend. Too late to turn back on that now.
She pretended to think it over, then made her voice suitably sad before answering with, “Umm… I’m busy Saturday.”
Liz didn’t give up. Instead, she just sounded happier. “Not Saturday. Tomorrow. Friday. You’re not busy then, are you?”
Sofia’s mind churned, but she just couldn’t bring herself to lie to Liz yet again. “No,” she said after admitting she truly had no other option.
Liz’s satisfaction came through loud and clear. “Great, here’s the plan…”
Sofia listened carefully as Liz revealed the details of her so-called “evil plan.”
If only she knew Sofia’s other plans and how tame these were by comparison.
Sofia would need to brace herself for a very busy weekend ahead…
The next evening, Scarlett and her two huskies came to Sofia’s apartment for Wolfie’s first ever doggie playdate. Sofia worried after the negative experience with Foxie that Wolfie wouldn’t want to spend time with any other dogs, but the two lively sled dogs immediately brought him out of his shell.
No peeing or hiding under the table required.
Sofia invited Scarlett to sit with her at the table while the dogs ran loops around the living room.
“I have to admit, I didn’t think you were ever going to call,” the fair-haired Scarlett said as Sofia handed her a bottle of water from the fridge.
“What? Why not?” Sofia hadn’t planned on calling, but she needed to act otherwise in order to carry out her part of the surprise.
The other girl shrugged and fixed her eyes on one of the many stains that now decorated the apartment’s carpet. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but I got the impression that you didn’t like me very much. That maybe you don’t like most people very much.”
Sofia laughed. “You’re right. I don’t like most people, but you seem pretty okay.”
“You know what? I’ll take that.” Scarlett raised her bottle in salute, and Sofia clinked the edge of her diet coke can against it.
“So, what have you been up to?” Sofia asked casually. She hated making small talk, given how much she had to do it every day for her job, but she also needed to keep Scarlett talking for at least an hour to give Liz and Lauren the time they needed to set up the surprise party.
A pink glow lit Scarlett’s pale cheek. “Actually, something amazing happened just yesterday.”
“Oh?” Sofia feigned surprise even though Elizabeth Jane had already told her the full details of Scarlett’s six-figure book deal.
“Yeah, so earlier this year I self-published a memoir about my year as a musher. It was pretty short but laid out the important facts. Anyway, this big New York publisher came across it somehow and apparently fell in love. They asked me if I’d be interested in expanding my story and turning it into a three-book fiction series. I said yes!” Scarlett let out a big breath and sank back into the couch cushions, beaming at Sofia as she did.
“That’s awesome. Congrats!” She patted Scarlett on the knee, even though she knew most women would hug under these circumstances. She couldn’t act too out of the ordinary without giving away Elizabeth Jane’s surprise, especially since Scarlett already seemed to have her figured out.
“Thanks. It still doesn’t feel real.”
“I bet. I know it’s not the same thing, but I still remember when I sold my first dress to a stranger on Etsy. It was a big moment for me, and I only made forty bucks.”
Scarlett nodded, a wistful smile on her face. “It never gets old, does it? Living the dream.”
“You might be living it, but I’m still dreaming the dream.” Sofia couldn’t help but roll her eyes at that one. If she were living the dream, she wouldn’t be living in this crappy Mountain View apartment complex and playing nice to strangers at the mall for little more than minimum wage.
“Ha!” Scarlett pulled both of her legs up beneath her so that she was now sitting crisscross applesauce. She seemed much more comfortable that way, too. “Are you a fan of Les Mis, too? I like the book so much better, but the musical was pretty good, too.”
Sofia shrugged. She’d never been a fan of musicals or books, so didn’t know what to tell her new acquaintance. Could she somehow become friends with Scarlett as a way of distancing herself from Blinky’s gang? This evening felt forced, largely because it was, but maybe in the future…
Scarlett laughed again and crinkled the half-empty water bottle between her knees. “I’m guessing perhaps you’re not. That’s okay! Tell me, what do you like?”
Sofia didn’t hesitate. “Fashion and animals, especially dogs. Not really into anything else.”
“So I think, if you can find a way to combine those two passions into one thing, then you’ll be living your dream, too. It’s what happened with me, books, and sled dogs… and bam!”
Sofia had heard plenty about Scarlett from their shared friend and could now finally see why Liz found her so inspiring. Even if Sofia didn’t much care for books, both women did love their dogs. Studying her more closely now, she also noted Scarlett’s well-tailored clothes and perfectly coordinated accessories. Their fashion tastes might not match up, but they both seemed to know the confidence-boosting power of finding the perfect outfit.
Sofia had already chosen to combine her dark aesthetic with fairytale inspiration. Adding yet another element to the mashup seemed like overkill. She wouldn’t be caught dead in a cheetah print or any other animal skin for that matter. She pretended to think Scarlett’s suggestion over before saying, “That’s an interesting idea, but I’m anti-cruelty, so no furs for me.”
But Scarlett was not easily discouraged. Now that she had an idea, she wanted to see it through. That kind of stick-to-it-iveness is what Sofia needed in her life.
Scarlett grinned, now talking with her hands. “Who says they have to be real? Or that they even have to be fur at all? What about taking colors, shapes, feelings, inspired by dogs and see what you come up with?”
Wow, why hadn’t Sofia thought of this before? Oh, right, because she’d only just become a dog person less than two weeks ago. Still, Scarlett made a remarkable point…
“Hmmm… That’s a good idea. I’ll think about it and see what I come up with.”
Her guest—and now mentor, apparently—nodded vigorously. “Yup. And when you’re a famous designer with shows in Paris, Milan, and Tokyo, remember that I helped give you the idea and maybe give me a place in your next runway show.”
Sofia laughed, but Scarlett regarded her with a serious expression.
“It’s this bucket list thing my fiancé Henry and I have,” she explained softly. “When we met, he had this list from his grandpa, and then we fell in love, we decided to make a new list together. One of my more ambitious items is to model in fashion show. But, hey, you can do anything if you set your mind to it. Just look at me and my book deal.”
Sofia had to admit, Scarlett’s enthusiasm was infectious.
What would life be like if she committed to her own decisions more?
Well, she would find out soon enough. Her big rescue now loomed less than twenty-four hours away.
After discussing dreams and aspirations for the next hour, Sofia found herself firmly in the pro-Scarlett camp. By the time Elizabeth Jane texted the all-clear, Sofia had already formed the perfect plan to deliver the guest of honor to her party.
“Hey, so do you have any books I can borrow to help me learn more about training this guy?” She hooked a thumb toward Wolfie who’d decided to take a break from playing to drain his water dish.
Scarlett’s eyes grew wide. “Do I ever! At least ten or twelve. Maybe even more. How about we set a playdate for next week and I’ll bring them to you then?”
Sofia crossed to the door and rummaged for her keys. “Actually, I kind of need all the help I can get now. Do you mind if I follow you home now to grab at least a few to help get me started?”
“Sure! Looks like our doggos are getting worn out anyway.” Scarlett stood, too, and stretched her arms overhead.
“Great, thank you.”
Sofia refilled Wolfie’s water dish, then took him for a quick pee break before following Scarlett back to her apartment complex.
When they stepped through the door, everyone jumped out to yell surprise. Scarlett’s fiancé, Henry, lifted her into the air and spun her around before dropping her back into his arms for a kiss. It reminded Sofia a bit of the scene everyone loved from Dirty Dancing.
She’d never met Henry in person before but had seen many a news story about his billionaire bucket list challenge. Up close, his bi-colored eyes and posh mannerisms had her absolut
ely mesmerized. She couldn’t stop staring as the couple shared this happy, effortless moment.
“Are you surprised?” Elizabeth Jane asked breathlessly, breaking Sofia’s trance by taking first Scarlett then her in a hug.
“Uhh, yeah!” Scarlett squealed and did an excited little hop. “I just got the deal yesterday. How did you even have time?”
“Lauren was a huge help!” Liz said as the tall, athletic brunette hugged Scarlett to her chest. “By the way, Sofia, this is Lauren Ramsey. So glad you two finally get to meet!”
“Hello!” Lauren extended her hand toward Sofia and gave it a firm shake. “I love your dress!”
Sofia did a small curtsy, showing off one of her latest designs. The energy in the room had her smiling from ear to ear. She almost forgot about her plans for the following night. That is, until another familiar face found hers.
A handsome pair of hazel eyes connected with hers across the room, and now that she’d been spotted, there was no getting away. Hunter excused himself from his conversation with Liz’s fiancé Dorian, not removing his gaze from Sofia for even a second. It was just her luck that these two men knew each other. Of course. Anchorage PD wasn’t that big, after all.
So stupid! She should have delivered Scarlett to the party, then hightailed it out of there. Seeing Hunter in person made it harder to resist him. She could risk everything for a man like that—everything except her Wolfie. She needed to be strong. She would be strong.
“Sofia, you look… well,” Hunter said with a wink as he pulled her in for a hug.
“Thanks,” she muttered as her entire body melted into his like butter. Apparently her brain had done a poor job communicating their new position on this man.
“Wait a sec.” Elizabeth Jane looked from Sofia to Hunter and back again. “Do you two already know each other?”
“A little,” Hunter said with a sly smile. “But definitely not as much as I’d like.”
“Oh my gosh, Sofia!” Liz cried with a look of sheer delight splashed across her freckled face. “This is one of the hot cop friends I was telling you about.”
Season of Mercy: The Sled Dog Series, Book 4 Page 8