“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 ha
nds 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.