Page 27 of A Cobbled Conspiracy
Blake nodded approvingly. “Good. I just hung up with Katherine. We’ve been reviewing what we know about Brian’s financial trail, trying to figure out where he might have gone.”
Jake looked up from his notes. “The shell companies that paid him have connections to organized crime families in several different countries. He could be anywhere.”
“The important thing is that we have enough evidence to clear Dominic, right?” Penny asked, settling back into one of the oversized armchairs. “Everything else is just details for law enforcement to handle.”
“Right,” Blake said, his voice carrying the kind of certainty that had made him successful in corporate warfare. “Let’s focus on tomorrow—getting Dominic home.”
The mating mark on my neck pulsed with warmth that felt like encouragement. I smiled as my fingers drifted to the mark on my neck, tracing the indentations where his teeth had sealed the claim.
Tomorrow, I thought.Tomorrow, I’m getting you back.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Five weeks.
Thirty-five days of separation, and when Judge Patterson’s gavel fell with the words “charges dismissed with prejudice,” I thought I might actually collapse from the sudden release of tension.
I watched from the gallery as the bailiff immediately moved to remove Dominic’s restraints, the metallic click of the handcuffs opening the sweetest sound I’d heard in weeks. Dominic stood straighter as the chains fell away, his shoulders rolling back as if shaking off the weight of the false accusations along with the shackles.
“Mr. Steele, you’re free to go,” Judge Patterson said with what might have been the ghost of a smile. “The court apologizes for the inconvenience.”
Katherine Morrison was already at Dominic’s side, her professional satisfaction evident as she handed him a garment bag. “I took the liberty of having Blake’s assistant bring you aproper suit,” she murmured. “You’ll want to look the part when we address the media.”
The next hour crawled by as Katherine handled the paperwork and property return process. I paced the courthouse lobby like a caged animal, the bond pulling me toward the processing area where I couldn’t follow. Blake kept checking his watch and fielding calls from his security team, who were managing the growing crowd of reporters outside.
“They’re almost done,” Penny said for the third time, though his own nervous energy was making his sweet scent sharper than usual. “Just a few more minutes.”
Jake nodded, his sneaker dragging restlessly across the polished marble floor with a soft squeak. "Yeah, a few more minutes."
When Dominic finally emerged from the administrative offices, my breath caught in my throat. He’d changed into the navy suit Katherine had brought—perfectly tailored, making him look every inch the successful businessman he was. But I could see the changes weeks of imprisonment and bond stress had wrought: his face was leaner, his cool gray eyes carrying a wariness that hadn’t been there before.
Our eyes met across the lobby, and the bond surged between us with such force that I had to grip Blake’s arm to stay upright. Dominic’s familiar scent reached me even across the distance, calling to every omega instinct I possessed.
“The media is waiting outside,” Katherine said quietly, approaching our group. “I’ve prepared a brief statement, but they’re going to want to see you both together. The vindicated alpha reuniting with his mate—it’s powerful imagery for the cameras.”
“I don’t think it’ll be too difficult to give them a show.” Blake's eyes darted between Dominic and me, his lips curving into a knowing smile. “I’ve got security positioned to control the crowd, but it’s going to be intense. Are you ready for this, Leo?”
I barely heard him. All I could focus on was Dominic, standing twenty feet away and looking at me like I was the only thing anchoring him to the earth.
“The statement can wait,” I said firmly, surprising myself with the authority in my voice. “He’s been locked away for over a month. The media can have their photo opportunity, but first…”
I didn’t finish the sentence. I simply walked across the lobby, my steps quickening with each foot of distance I closed. Dominic moved toward me at the same moment, and we met in the middle of the courthouse lobby with a collision that was part desperation, part relief, and entirely necessary.
His arms closed around me like he was afraid I might disappear, and I buried my face against his neck, breathing in his scent and feeling the bond truly settle for the first time in weeks. He was thinner, more angular than before, but he was real and warm and mine.
“Leo,” he whispered against my hair, his voice rough with emotion.
“Never again,” I said fiercely, not caring that we had an audience. “Never again.”
After a moment that felt both eternal and too brief, Katherine cleared her throat gently. “I hate to interrupt, but we should address the media while the courthouse steps are still manageable.”
The courthouse steps were indeed crowded with reporters and cameras, but Blake’s security team had managed to create a clear path and speaking area. Katherine positioned herself at a podium someone had hastily set up, while Dominic and I stood slightly behind her, his arm around my waist in a gesture that was both protective and possessive.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Katherine began, her voice carrying easily over the crowd. “Today, justice has been served. All charges against my client, Dominic Steele, have been dismissed with prejudice. Mr. Steele has been completely vindicated by forensic evidence proving systematic document forgery by a corporate conspirator who has since fled the country.”
The reporters shouted questions, but Katherine raised a hand for silence.
“Mr. Steele maintains his innocence and looks forward to returning to his business and community. He and his mate have endured five weeks of forced separation during what should have been their bonding period, and they ask for privacy as they rebuild their lives together.”