Page 14 of A Cobbled Conspiracy

The tension in the shop ratcheted up several notches. Penny clutched his pendant and took a half-step closer to me, seeking security in a way that was entirely unlike his usual confident demeanor.

“Perhaps we should discuss the commission,” I said quickly, trying to diffuse whatever undercurrents were flowing between them.

“Of course.” Victor turned his attention back to me, but I caught the way his gaze kept flickering toward Penny. “The Thomas Wong shoes. As I mentioned, they would be perfect for our centennial exhibition.”

Victor slipped a photograph onto my workbench. The paper whispered against the wood as he released it. "Aunt Adelaide made this copy for me. She's combing through more documents from that era, hoping to uncover additional images of the shoes." His fingers tapped the edge of the photo. "Perhaps your grandfather kept shop records from back then?"

I glanced down at the image, my fingers hovering over the familiar photograph. It was a copy of the same one that Penny and I had viewed in the Historical Society hallway during the fundraiser planning—the same one Richard Fairfax had demanded Adelaide remove.

"Yes, it's all in storage." My voice softened with reverence as I traced the contours of the craftsmanship. The silver buckles gleamed even in the faded reproduction, their intricate patterns catching my eye. "These buckles required both leather work and silver smithing."

“A rare combination of skills.” Victor said, moving closer to examine the image. “The silver work especially. It’s almost like jewelry integrated into footwear. Very avant-garde for the period. Your grandfather had quite a talent.”

“Hopefully, I can live up to his legacy.” His knowledge seemed genuine, which surprised me. Most people wouldn’t notice the technical complexity of the metalwork integration, especially in a faded photograph.

My fingers traced the curved lines of the silver buckles, my eyes narrowing as I absorbed every detail of the pattern that I could manage to make out. “The commission timeline would depend on research and sourcing materials,” I said. “Work like this can’t be rushed if you want accuracy.”

“Naturally.” Victor’s smile returned, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Though I should mention that the Centennial Celebration is scheduled to start six weeks from now. The boutique opening is the centerpiece event, so timing is somewhat crucial.”

The celebration was just weeks away? Days had slipped through my fingers like fine sand. Granted, my thoughts had been absorbed with a certain silver-eyed alpha.

Six weeks to recreate shoes that had probably required months of custom work in the 1970s. The timeline was tight, but I needed something to occupy my hands and mind.

I could make it work.

The shop bell chimed again, and Sebastian Fairfax-Saunier entered. Where Victor was all sharp edges and calculated charm, Sebastian moved with gentler energy, his honey blond hair slightly mussed and his amber scent carrying warmth that immediately eased the tension in the room.

“Victor, your Tata said I’d find you here.” Sebastian’s face lit up when he spotted Penny. “Penny! What a wonderful surprise.”

The transformation in my best friend was immediate—his shoulders relaxed, his scent sweetened, and color returned to his cheeks. “Sebastian,” he said softly. There was something in that single word that bothered me.

Victor’s posture shifted subtly, becoming more territorial as he moved closer to Sebastian. “Darling, I was just discussing the commission with Leo here. The Thomas Wong shoes we talked about.”

“Oh, the ones from the photograph!” Sebastian’s enthusiasm was genuine and infectious. “Ils sont absolument magnifiques! The silver work alone must have taken weeks to complete.”

As Sebastian and I discussed the technical aspects of the shoes, I became aware of the silent drama playing out beside us. Victor watched every interaction between Sebastian and Penny with laser focus, while Penny seemed caught between genuine happiness at seeing Sebastian and obvious discomfort with Victor’s presence.

“Perhaps I should show you some leather samples?” I suggested, trying to focus on the practical aspects of the commission.

“Please.” Victor said. “Do you have any records of the original materials your grandfather used?”

“Likely, yes,” I nodded. “In storage—he kept meticulous records. I’ll draw up a list with the corresponding samples. When’s a good time to show them to you?”

Victor’s eyes narrowed in calculation, his fingers drumming against the top of my worktable. “I’ll be at the new store all day Friday. Is 3pm good?”

I hesitated. I really needed to clear it with Blake first. “Actually, I need to check my calendar before committing to Friday. Could I get your number? I’ll confirm tonight or first thing tomorrow morning.”

Victor reached into his jacket, the expensive fabric rustling as he extracted a cell phone.

We exchanged numbers, Victor’s fingers moving swiftly across his phone screen. He tucked the device away with a crisp motion, chin dipping in acknowledgment. “Until then.”

As the two alphas prepared to leave, Sebastian turned back to Penny with a warm smile. “It was lovely seeing you again.”

“M-me too,” Penny said, his cheeks the same hue as his hair.

My best friend was being uncharacteristically demure, almost… shy.

Victor’s scent sharpened noticeably, and I caught the way his hand moved possessively to Sebastian’s lower back.