Page 26 of The Sole Suspect

He shook his head. “I didn’t see any texts about destroying any property.”

“What about the figure in the raincoat stalking Leo?” Penny demanded.

“What figure in a raincoat?” Dominic’s pheromones sharpened as his head snapped toward me, jaw tight.

Blake’s brow furrowed. “I had nothing to do with that.” He scrolled through the phone’s texts. “See for yourself. Just the poster arrangement.”

My nails bit into my palms. Dominic’s familiar scent called like a lifeline against the growing unease in my gut, but I fought back the instinct that demanded I move closer to him for support and protection.

If Blake wasn’t behind the vandalism or the stalking, then who was?

The office door opened with a brief knock. Brian reappeared, carrying a sleek leather portfolio. “Mr. Steele, the property acquisition report you requested,” he said professionally, placing the folder on Blake’s desk. “I’ve highlighted the areas requiring your attention.”

“Not now, Brian,” Dominic said, his irritation evident.

Brian nodded, accepting the dismissal without any visible reaction. “Of course, sir. Should I have Abigail reschedule your call with the investors?”

“Yes,” Dominic said tersely. “And tell her we’re proceeding as planned.”

“Right away, sir.” Brian nodded and retreated, closing the door quietly behind him.

“We’re done here.” Dominic’s voice held an edge I’d never heard before. His hand found the small of my back, protective and warm. “But this isn’t over, Blake. You and I will discuss this when I get back.”

“Oh, I know.” Blake’s smile never wavered as Dominic ushered us toward the door. “And Leo? Give my regards to Councilwoman Fairfax. I look forward to seeing her at the auction.”

The drive back to the Historical District passed in tense silence. I glanced in the rearview mirror to find Penny clutching his lucky penny. He appeared lost in thought, his usually animated face drawn and serious.

After our confrontation with Blake, Dominic refused to let us take a cab back. His steel-gray eyes left no room for argument as he dangled his car keys, insisting he take us home. The sleek, silver Aston Martin purred to life, its leather seats cool against my skin in the late afternoon heat. A far cry from my usual bus commute, but the tension crackling through the vehicle made luxury feel like a prison. The scent of pine and sandalwood filled the enclosed space, making my heart race despite my best efforts to stay focused.

“Blake’s methods were wrong,” I finally said, watching the modern buildings of downtown give way to familiar cobblestone streets. “But his points about the district’s needs...”

“Make sense,” Penny finished, his fingers still wrapped around the silver chain at his neck. “God, I hate that he makes sense.”

“I didn’t know he defaced the posters.” Dominic barked a laugh. “That’s Blake’s style, though.”

“But you knew about the pressure tactics?” I studied Dominic’s profile in the dim light.

His hands tightened on the steering wheel, knuckles white against the black leather. “I did, but I can’t imagine he’d stoop to flat-out property destruction.”

“Defacing posters is still property damage,” Penny pointed out.

“And petty, I know,” Dominic acknowledged. “But he’s not the sort to hurl bricks through an omega’s window.”

“The pressure tactics,” I said. “Is that the ‘just business’ you were talking about?”

Dominic’s countenance darkened. “It is.”

“Well, now that we exposed his tactics, he has less power to wield against us,” Penny chimed in from the back seat.

“He’s still dangerous,” Dominic said. “More so now if he’s going to play it straight. I prefer when he’s cavalier.”

We pulled up to Vintage Vogue just as the sun dipped behind the buildings, casting long shadows across the Historical District’s brick facades. Through the shop window, Penny’s latest window display caught the golden light—a parade of mannequins dressed in 1950s pastels, each posed as if caught mid-dance ata sock hop. The sight brought a bittersweet ache to my chest, reminding me of everything we stood to lose.

“See you at the auction, Mr. Steele.” Penny leaned down to peer through the passenger window, his pink hair catching the last rays of sunlight. “You are coming, right?”

“I wouldn’t miss it,” Dominic replied, his voice carrying that smooth confidence that still made my stomach flip despite everything I knew about him. His eyes met mine, and for a moment, I could almost believe he genuinely cared about our little district’s fate, not just its potential market value.

Penny’s usual sparkle returned as he winked at me. “I’ve convinced Leo to let me dress him. He’ll be ravishing!”