Mine (5 page)

She wrapped her arms around herself, trembling deep in her soul. “Please don't leave me now.”

“That was unforgivable. Completely fucking despicable.” His shoulders slumped before he added softly, “You deserve better than this. I can't give you what you need right now.”

“No!” she shouted at him, chilly to her bones. “I didn't safe-word to create more distance. I safe-worded to bring you back to me.” She had wanted to show him how lost he was and how broken he'd become. More important, she wanted to stop him from touching her without emotion and forcing him to realize how much she needed him to touch her the way he usually did.

But it was too late.

He opened the front door and left.

She slid to the ground, grabbing the robe from the floor and wrapping it around her shoulders. Coldness sank into her as she stared at the shut door, absorbing the silence in the room and feeling more alone than ever. Tears spilled over her cheeks, and then hard sobs broke free from her chest.

You promised you would never hurt me.

You lied.

Driving along the quiet streets of Las Vegas, Dmitri downshifted his black BMW sports car. Usually he enjoyed the low purr of the engine, but not tonight. Kyler's phone call twenty minutes ago indicating that he'd discovered who was behind the leak made Dmitri clutch the steering wheel, looking for the speed and power he was anxious for. He preferred to be on the road right now rather than in his office, reeling with culpability. One question playing over and over in his mind:
What the fuck had he done to Presley?
He'd taken all his stress, worry, and upset out on her, and she deserved none of it. And she'd safed out. She had never done that before, and the thought that he had brought her to that level sickened him.

This situation
was
fucking with his head.

He'd built Club Sin to honor his mentor, Charles, who'd passed away from cancer nearly six years ago. All the lessons he'd learned from Charles rushed through his mind. Dmitri had had the utmost respect for Charles. His behavior tonight would have disappointed Charles terribly.

Dmitri had placed himself over his submissive's needs, something he hadn't done since before Charles began mentoring him. Christ, he had entered the BDSM lifestyle to ensure that he kept a firm grip on himself. Through his teen years, he'd been emotionally unstable—one second happy, the next flying off the handle in annoyance. Charles had helped Dmitri became centered. The BDSM lifestyle had helped Dmitri become a man.

Tonight, his head hadn't been focused on
her.
As a Dom, he knew that was despicable. More important, he had used her for his selfish needs, which was something he'd sworn he would never do.

Guilt and anger had him pressing the brake and slowing the car. The dark night lay close around him, with only streetlights cutting through the blackness on the quiet road. Cursing to himself, he parked at the curb next to the Spanish-style house.

He sighed, leaning his head back against the headrest.
She'd pulled her safe word.
Disappointment ached in his chest, yet he remained proud that Presley knew to use it. She knew what she deserved, and it wasn't him fucking her like a horny teenager unable to control himself. Pulling in his emotions, he knew he had to fix what had happened tonight with Presley.

He owed her an apology…and so much more.

With his heart clenching in his chest, he stared at the house. The living room lights were on, while the rest of the house was bathed in darkness. Dmitri knew he had something to finish before he returned to Presley. There was more to do tonight before he took her in his arms, sharing the depth of the guilt he suffered now over Club Sin's problems and admitting to her that the world that he'd expertly crafted was falling apart. And that he also felt like he was spiraling out of control, with the concern for his members and his beloved club ripping him apart.

Perhaps he hadn't realized how closed off he'd been, but not sharing with her hadn't done him any good either. And, more important, it had forced his submissive to push him away. He'd seen the devastated look in her eyes before he left—a horrified look that would forever haunt him.

One that he would ensure he never saw again.

Determined to get back to her, he exited the car and approached Kyler and Ella's house. He moved toward the front door, having noticed the other Club Sin Masters' vehicles parked at the curb.

He knocked on the front door, probably louder than was necessary. The door immediately opened to Kyler. The other Club Sin Master's eyes were tight with concern. “Good. You're here.” Kyler stepped away from the door, allowing Dmitri entrance.

Dmitri took off his shoes at the door, and then strode behind Kyler into the large living room. He noted the change in décor since he'd been here last and assumed Ella had been decorating the home. It had a much more comfortable feel. Dmitri couldn't imagine Kyler shopping for the large mirror above the fireplace, nor could he picture him buying the vase of flowers resting on the coffee table in between the dark gray couches. He glanced around the room at the other Club Sin Masters, either seated on the couch or in the chairs. Everyone looked about as tired as he felt.

“All right.” Kyler dropped down onto the loveseat next to Porter. “No matter what I say here, we need to be quiet. Ella and Andie are sleeping.”

Dmitri nodded in understanding. Kyler's young daughter, Andie, was awake more than she slept, and even Dmitri had noticed the signs of Ella's fatigue. Dmitri lowered himself onto the couch next to Aidan. “Go ahead.”

Kyler scanned the faces around him before his gaze settled on Dmitri alone. “Prepare yourself. You're not going to like who's behind this.” Names of suspects began to rush through Dmitri's mind, but none was the name Kyler said next. “It's Steven Moser.”

A hot rush flooded Dmitri's blood. “Presley's ex-boyfriend?”

Kyler gave a grim nod. “That'd be the one. From what I've learned, in his early twenties Steven was arrested and sentenced to community service. Apparently, he set a bush on fire, which spread to an abandoned garage and burned it down, and that's why we had his prints on file.”

A thousand thoughts rushed through Dmitri's mind, but only one held most important.
Presley.
If she became aware that her vengeful ex-boyfriend was the reason everyone in Club Sin was worried about being exposed to the public, the guilt she'd feel would consume her.

Steven had cheated on Presley, ending their engagement. But when Steven had learned Presley was going to a BDSM club, he'd disapproved, sparking a confrontation between Dmitri and Steven. To Dmitri it seemed like a lifetime ago. He'd believed that Presley had finally been freed from a lifetime of pleasing others who didn't deserve their trust. But Steven had accused him of corrupting the innocent Presley and turning her into a whore. And now, apparently, Steven was on a rescue mission.

Dmitri rubbed a hand across his closed eyes, knowing that of all the situations that had gone through his mind, this was the worst-case scenario.

From the beginning, this had all rested on Dmitri's shoulders, and now it was all becoming too heavy to bear. The thought of Presley taking all this on was something he couldn't accept. Christ, he'd already made things bad enough for her. Adding this to the pile was unthinkable.

Porter's rough voice broke Dmitri out of his thoughts. “Why the fuck would he do this?”

Dmitri didn't need to think about it. “Revenge.”

“Revenge for what, exactly?” Miles quipped.

Body burning with tension and concern over Presley, Dmitri rose and paced, finally coming to a stop in front of the fireplace. “I suspect he feels that I've ruined Presley. He wasn't happy knowing that she belonged to Club Sin, and perhaps he wants to see it closed, thinking he's protecting her. I imagine this has nothing to do with any of you, and it's all to get back at me.”

“Fucking prick.” Aidan rested his arms on his thighs, head slightly bent, looking at Dmitri through his dark lashes. “What are we going to do about him?”

Dmitri realized he couldn't return to Presley tonight. He also was well aware of the repercussions of that—she would be further devastated. But he had to protect her from this, had to protect her from even learning about it. He couldn't bear to hold her while knowing Steven was behind this and knowing he would have to lie to protect her. “Our only recourse is to find out what it will take for Steven to back off.” Though the more he thought of this, the more he knew what needed to be done. And his next words made his entire body tense. “As much as it pains me, I think it's wise for us to find a new location for Club Sin.”

Silence.

While he understood the shock his words had caused, he was Club Sin's leader, and deep down he knew the right path to take now. “It's not safe anymore. Even if we find a way to get Steven to leave this alone, the club has been compromised. No one will feel safe there after this.”

Aidan finally broke the silence. “I happen to agree with you there. We can't trust that Steven hasn't told others about the club. And I, for one, will not take the chance of being exposed. Cora is a mess.”

“Ella as well,” Kyler added grimly. “She's worried about me and everyone else. And she doesn't need this added stress.”

Dmitri felt the worry thick in the air, and it all landed right back on his shoulders. Presley, his friends, his members—he had failed them all. And now, he knew, he was going to break Presley's heart further by not returning to her tonight. Yet he would not allow her to feel anything like the soul-crippling guilt he was experiencing.

“What will we do, then?” Miles interjected. “There is no way in hell that I'm going back to a public club.”

Dmitri returned to his seat next to Aidan, rubbing the ache building at the back of his neck, attempting to fight through the emotions to find logic. He needed advice, that was for sure. And there was only one place he trusted to get it. “Leave this with me. I'll need to go away and speak to a few friends who might be able to come up with a solution.”

Eager eyes watched him. Dmitri suspected they all wanted to know whom he was planning on speaking to, but some things he wasn't free to share. “For now,” he said to Porter, “could you possibly contact Sarah and set up a meeting between her and Steven tomorrow morning?”

“Yes, I can arrange that.” Porter glanced to Kyler sitting across from him. “Can you get his phone number?” At Kyler's nod, Porter addressed Dmitri again. “I'll have Sarah call him directly to set it up—she can play it as though she wants to discuss the photos.” He hesitated before adding, “What's your plan after she sets up the meeting?”

“I'll meet with him alone and talk this out,” Dmitri told them. He slid his glance to Kyler. “But I would ask that you join me, Kyler.”

“I'm working the day shift tomorrow.” The light from the lamp on the table revealed Kyler's tight jaw. “But I'm sure I can get away for an hour or so.”

Dmitri ran his hands over his face, thinking only of Presley now. Of what this would do to her. He'd fucked up, and he didn't want her accepting the blame. Once he brought his emotions under control, he dropped his hands. “I will do whatever I can to keep those pictures from getting out.”

“We don't doubt that.” Aidan placed a hand on Dmitri's shoulder. “If it's money he wants, I'd be willing to offer up what I can.”

Dmitri shook his head, allowing the frustration to yet again engulf him. “This is my problem, and mine alone.”

“It's not
only
your problem,” Kyler told him. “Club Sin belongs to us, too.”

The statement was made with a bite of annoyance, and while Dmitri did believe that Club Sin belonged to everyone in this room, it was Dmitri who had started it. He, and only he, needed to figure out where to go next. “Please just leave this with me.” That got him some disgruntled looks, but he pushed on. “Also, don't tell the girls about Steven.” Heaviness settled in his heart. “Presley will blame herself, and that is not something I can allow.”

Kyler raised his brows. “It appears she isn't the only one blaming themselves.”

Dmitri stared at the men around him. They were his friends. But it wasn't about him now. His only thoughts were about fixing this for Presley. No matter that his heart broke at having to leave her tonight, knowing she would be hurting. He'd done enough damage already and wouldn't add to it.

Ignoring the concerned gazes around him, Dmitri rose, saying to Porter, “Just set up the meeting for the morning, and text me the location and time.”

“Will do,” Porter agreed, though he watched Dmitri with concern.

He didn't doubt they all read his strain, but he was also glad no one pressed him. Before he exited the room, he turned back to the group. “I'll deal with Steven tomorrow. I need you all to take care of Presley over the next day while I'm away. Promise me you will do so.”

Aidan frowned. “You're not taking her with you?”

“Tonight…I…” Dmitri hesitated, then decided they deserved the truth. “I lost control with her. I treated her like nothing more than a whore to satisfy my needs. I will
not
let that happen again.”

Silence and shocked expressions surrounded him.

Hoping now they understood his position, Dmitri added, “It's best if she stays behind.” Not only because he wanted Presley far away from this, but because those he was meeting with in San Francisco wouldn't appreciate an outsider showing up.

“Fuck that,” Kyler said heatedly, fisting his hands on his lap. “Don't cop out on her when she needs you the most.”

Dmitri deserved that, but at the moment, all he could think of was how the news of who was behind this would destroy her. He'd failed her tonight. He couldn't fail her again.

“Dmitri,” Aidan interjected softly, “Kyler is right. You need to be there for her now.”

He raised a hand, ignoring Kyler's fierce glare and the others' grave expressions. “I know what is best for my submissive.” His hard voice left no room for argument. “Just do as I ask and look after her.” Not waiting for anyone to object, he wasted no time exiting the house and returning to his car.

Once he dropped into his seat, he grabbed his cell phone from the cup holder, and fired off a text to the private pilot he used on occasion:
Schedule a flight to San Francisco tomorrow afternoon at 2:30.
After that he scrolled through his contacts until he found the name,
Micah.
His fingers hurried across the screen as he sent:
Need to meet. I'll be arriving in San Francisco just after 3:30.

A beep followed, and Dmitri read the text, surprised how quickly the response had come, considering the late hour.

Micah had texted:
Come to my office. I'll bring the others for a meeting at 4:00.