Page 21 of The Sole Suspect
I gestured at the trunk, steering his attention toward an alternative, less emotionally charged topic. “What are you wearing?”
“This.” Penny pulled out an emerald silk suit with art deco detailing along the lapels. “Found it at an estate sale last month. The woman practically gave it away—didn’t realize it was a 1920s Savile Row original.”
Trust Penny to find treasure in others’ trash. He pressed the fabric to his chest, twirling once. “I added the art deco elements to the lapels—going to do the cuffs too.”
“Perfect with your coloring.” I settled into his worn leather armchair. “But are you sure about this? After what happened with that alpha at the summer fair…”
Penny’s smile flickered. His fingers found his lucky penny. “That was different. This is a controlled environment. Besides...” He draped the emerald suit over his dress form. “Adelaide wouldn’t let anything happen to us.”
“Like she protected you at the summer fair?” The words slipped out before I could stop them.
“What do you mean?”
“I saw what happened.” I leaned forward, lowering my voice though we were alone. “The way that alpha cornered you behind the candy apple stand before Minnie intervened. The bruises on your wrist lasted for days.”
I hated to remind him, but it was the harsh truth for omegas like Penny and I.
His scent soured with distress. His fingers traced the tender skin where purple marks had bloomed. “You don’t think he’ll show up at the auction?”
“I hope not, but I think we need to be prepared for any scenario at this point.” I leaned back in the chair with a sigh. “I mean, we’ve had vandalism, corruption, threatening notes, graffiti...”
“And mysterious figures in rain coats.” Penny added. “But that’s why we need this auction to succeed. Show them we won’t be cowed.”
I regret having to share that information with him. It’s left us both unsettled, but I couldn’t keep him in the dark... just in case something were to happen.
The quiet dragged between us. Penny broke the silence with a small cough.
“These suits need pressing.” He pulled a garment bag from beneath his workbench. “And you need to try on these shirts I’ve been saving for a special occasion.”
“Penny...”
“Don’t ‘Penny’ me.” He thrust a crisp white dress shirt into my hands. “If we’re doing this auction, we’re doing it right. Those rich society bastards won’t know what hit them.”
My fingers traced the shirt’s mother-of-pearl buttons. I chuckled. “I think that’s what scares me.”
“The rich society bastards?” Penny paused in his rummaging. “Or one rich bastard in particular?”
My face grew warm. “I saw him yesterday. He came to my shop.”
Penny dropped the garment bag. “And you’re just telling me this now?”
“Nothing happened.” I focused on the shirt’s buttons, avoiding Penny’s knowing look. “He just... stood there in the rain. Said I could be in danger.”
“Danger?” Penny’s scent sharpened with concern. “What kind of danger?”
“People in power… Holloway’s criminal connections. He insisted on accessing my security system.” The memory of Dominic’s rain-soaked form, his vest clinging to his chest... I shook my head. “Then he kissed me.”
“He what?” Penny bounced to his feet. “Details. Now.”
“It was a mistake.” But my fingers touched my lips, remembering the heat of Dominic’s mouth, the possessive growl that rumbled through his chest. “He disappeared for two months after... after what happened. He doesn’t get to just walk back into my life.”
“Not after he vanished like that.” I added, the words tasting bitter on my tongue. “No note, no call, nothing. Until yesterday, when he shows up claiming he’s trying to protect me.”
Penny’s expression softened. He took my hands in his. “Oh, honey. No wonder you’re scared about this auction.”
“I just... what if he’s there?” My voice shook. “What if he bids? What if?—”
“What if he doesn’t?” Penny squeezed my fingers. “What if some other handsome alpha wins your time? Someone who won’t disappear?”