Page 3 of A Cobbled Conspiracy

Jake glanced up from where he was methodically demolishing a bagel, his movements precise and controlled in the way that meant he was fighting anxiety. “Any word from the lawyer?” he asked Blake.

“Katherine’s meeting us at the courthouse at noon,” Blake replied, not looking up from his tablet. His usually immaculate appearance showed signs of strain—wrinkled shirt, hair that looked like he’d been running his hands through it, the kind of exhaustion that came from trying to manage a legal crisis while simultaneously watching a political campaign implode. “She’s reviewed all the evidence they’ve shared so far. The documents they claim Dominic stole…”

He paused, choosing his words carefully. “Let’s just say there are questions about their authenticity.”

I immediately perked up. “What kind of questions?”

“The kind that might get charges dismissed if we can prove what we suspect.” Blake’s smile was sharp. “But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Today’s about bail first.”

I slumped onto one of the bar stools, the ache of separation making my joints feel loose and unstable. “I can’t keep doing this,” I admitted. “Being away from him. It hasn’t even been a week and it’s getting worse, not better.”

“You need to eat something,” Penny patted me on the back. “Want me to make some toast?”

I nodded, the small gesture taking more energy than it should. As Penny busied himself with the sleek chrome toaster, I shifted my gaze back to Blake.

“Speaking of things getting worse,” I said, choosing my words carefully. “The District is abuzz with election gossip.”

Blake sat down his tablet. “About that… my campaign is essentially over. I think I’m going to forfeit.”

The words hung ominously in the air. Penny’s hand went to his lucky penny pendant, and Jake’s chewing slowed as he processed the implication.

“Blake—” I started, but he held up a hand.

“Less than three weeks before the election—with two candidate forums, three campaign events, and a debate to go. Meanwhile, Adelaide’s been making the rounds, expressing sympathy for our ‘difficult situation’ while reminding voters about the importance of steady leadership during uncertain times.”

His laugh was bitter. “Turns out having your business partner arrested for corporate espionage isn’t an effective closing argument.”

Guilt crashed over me in a nauseating wave. “This is my fault. If I hadn’t gotten involved with Dominic?—”

“Stop.” Blake’s voice cut through my self-recrimination with unexpected firmness. “This is not your fault. The only people responsible for this mess are the ones who framed Dominic and the criminal organization behind it.”

“But your campaign?—”

“Was probably a long shot anyway.” Blake shrugged, though I could see the disappointment in his eyes. “Adelaide’s got decades of experience and genuine community support. I was the outsider trying to buy my way into politics. Maybe this is better.”

“Better?” Penny asked, his voice squeaking slightly.

“Better because now I can focus entirely on clearing Dominic’s name instead of trying to balance legal strategy with campaign damage control.” Blake’s expression hardened. “The people who did this thought they could destroy our lives as collateral damage in their scheme. They’re about to learn that was a mistake.”

I felt a complicated mix of admiration and guilt watching Blake pivot from political ambition to protective determination. He was sacrificing everything he’d worked toward to help us.

“What about Adelaide?” Jake asked quietly. “She’s Leo’s friend, right? Could be good for us if she wins.”

“Or it could complicate things if she gets in the way of our investigation,” Blake interrupted. “Politicians tend to prefer conventional solutions, even when the problems aren’t conventional.”

“The community’s already starting to see her as the safer choice,” I said, thinking about the text messages. “After everything that’s happened, they want stability.”

“Can’t say I blame them,” Blake said. His phone buzzed, and he glanced at the screen with a frown. “Adelaide’s campaign manager,” he said. “Probably calling to offer condolences while they prepare their victory party.”

He declined the call and turned back to us. “But that’s a problem for later. Today is about getting Dominic home.”

Penny sat a plate of toast in front of me. “Jelly?”

I shook my head. “I don’t think it’d agree with me.”

Penny’s expression softened with understanding. As an unmated omega, he couldn’t fully comprehend the reality of a stressed mate bond, but he knew enough about alpha-omega couples to sympathize. “How bad is it?” he asked me.

“Nausea, insomnia, feeling like my skin doesn’t fit right.” I rubbed at the mating mark, which had started throbbing again. “I couldn’t even finish a cup of coffee.”