Chapter 8
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 a proper 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.”
More shouted questions, but Katherine was already stepping back. “That’s all we have time for today. Thank you.”
Blake’s security team immediately moved to escort us toward the waiting car, but even in the controlled chaos, I could feel the weight of cameras and attention. Dominic’s arm tightened around me, his alpha instincts clearly on high alert after weeks of essentially being held in a cage.
“Just a few more steps,” Blake murmured as we reached his car. “Then we can get you both home.”
The car door closed behind us, finally giving us privacy from the cameras and chaos. Dominic immediately pulled me against his side, his face buried in my hair as if he needed to reassure himself I was real.
“I can’t believe this is over,” he said quietly, his voice rough from weeks of careful control finally breaking.
“It’s over,” I confirmed, pressing closer to him. “You’re free. You’re innocent. And you’re never going back.”
Dominic held me close, his scent enveloping me—stronger now, edged with lingering notes of stress, but fundamentally him.
It brought such relief that I gasped against his neck, feeling the separation anxiety dissolve into fierce contentment.
His arms constricted around me, his grip turning iron-tight until my ribs protested and I had to tap his forearm.
He released me instantly, that familiar crooked smile tugging at his lips as a low, rumbling sound of apology escaped his throat.
“Leo.” My name on his lips sounded like a prayer answered.
He pulled back just enough to look at my face, his gaze searching mine with an intensity that made butterflies dance in my belly. The wariness I could see there made my heart ache for what he’d endured. “Are you all right? Blake said you’ve been to the doctor twice due to stressed bond symptoms—”
“I’m fine.” I reached up to cup his face, feeling the sharp line of his jaw. “What’s important right now is that you’re here with me. We’re going to talk about everything, but first…” I leaned toward him, and his mouth met mine halfway.
The kiss tasted like five weeks of longing and the promise of never being separated again. Around us, I dimly heard Blake clearing his throat and the distant sound of traffic, but the bond hummed with such contentment that everything else faded to background noise.
When we finally broke apart, Dominic rested his forehead against mine. “I missed you so much it felt like losing half my soul.”
“You’re never losing me,” I said fiercely. “And we’re going to make sure no one can do this to us again.”
Blake’s throat clearing grew more pointed. “As touching as this reunion is, we should probably get out of here before someone with a camera realizes where we are—these windows aren’t tinted.”
The drive back to Blake’s building was quiet except for the sound of our breathing and the city traffic outside.
I found myself more interested in the solid warmth of Dominic beside me than in anything else.
His hand found mine, fingers intertwining with a grip that suggested he was as reluctant to break contact as I was.
“Are you hungry?” I asked quietly. “When’s the last time you had a real meal?”
“Ravenous,” he said, his attention focused entirely on me. His thumb absently traced patterns on the back of my hand. “Prison food isn’t exactly… but I don’t want to talk about that right now. Food can wait.”
I squeezed his hand, understanding. Five weeks of institutional hell, and now he was free. The last thing he needed was to relive it by explaining the details.
When we finally reached Blake’s apartment, I could see the exhaustion weighing on Dominic’s shoulders despite his obvious relief. His eyes kept tracking to me, as if he needed constant visual confirmation that I was real, that we were together.
When we entered the door, Dominic briefly glanced at the investigation board with its spiderwebs of red string connecting photographs and documents we’d gathered, but I could feel through the bond that his focus was elsewhere.
His fingers fidgeted against mine, his gaze darting around the room and then back to me like a man trapped in a body suddenly two sizes too small.
Blake's eyebrow arched, his gaze flicking between us with amused interest.
“There’s probably a lot to catch you up on, Dom, but I think you need some time to decompress first.” Blake waved Penny and Jake to the door.
He gestured vaguely, but his meaning was clear.
“Why don’t you two take some time to reconnect while we go get some food?
We can brief you on everything later tonight. ”
“Yeah,” Penny added. “We can go check on the shops, make sure everything’s secure. And Dominic will need clothes. We can pick up a few things before grabbing some takeout for everyone.”