Mine (Club Sin 7)

“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.

Dmitri sighed in almost relief. If anyone could help him now, it was the men that Charles had once introduced him to so many years ago, giving him deeper connections in the BDSM community. Men whom Dmitri had gone to before he opened Club Sin. They’d offered advice on how to shape his dungeon, the practices to use to keep it safe, and how to keep it concealed.

He texted back: Thank you. I’ll see you then.

Another beep echoed in his car before Micah’s message appeared: Is everything all right?

No, was all Dmitri typed back.

A car will be waiting for you at the airport.

Having a plan brought relief. Perhaps that was the worst part—the unknown. But before he could return to the house to pack a bag for his trip, he knew he needed to send one final text—the most important one he could send before he left for San Francisco.

He scrolled through his contacts again. Finding Cora’s name, he typed: Please go to Presley in the morning. She’ll need you.

—

“Wakey, wakey, buttercup.”

Presley opened an eye, finding Cora smiling next to the bed with a Starbucks cup in her hand. The sun shone through the window, highlighting the hints of red in Cora’s dark hair, which she was wearing down today. “Coffee is the best way to wake up.” She winked. “Well, maybe second to waking up to a naked and sexy Dom.”

The instant reminder of last night sank deep into Presley’s heart. Dmitri hadn’t come back, and her already broken heart now shattered. She’d taken a sleeping pill at midnight, knowing she’d never sleep otherwise. The haziness from the medication made her mind slow, but she forced herself to shake it off.

Presley suspected that Cora’s appearance now was no coincidence. “How did you get in?” she asked.

“Dmitri called the manager of the hotel this morning.” Cora placed the coffee cup on the bedside table. “He texted me last night and asked if I could come over to be with you.” Concern tightened the corner of her eyes as she dropped down onto the bed next to Presley. “What’s going on?”

Presley reached for the coffee cup and took a sip, relishing the warmth. “Things are…bad.” The memory of last night horrified her now as much as it had after Dmitri left. He had been such a solid feature in her life. His emotions never wavered. He always seemed in control, but he wasn’t being himself. She had no idea how to bring him back from all this. She’d never met this side of Dmitri, the part that was spiraling into despair.

“Okay, before you explain to me exactly what that means, I’ve got something else for you.” Cora offered a folded piece of paper. “Dmitri left this with the manager, who asked me to bring it up.”

Presley’s heart banged against her chest as she put her coffee cup down on the table and grabbed the note with shaking hands.

Presley,

I’m going out of town. I will be back as soon as I can. Last night was nothing I’m proud of, and I know we need to talk. Please be patient and trust in us.

I love you.

—D

She stared at the note, a cold wave of shock blasting into her. While the message showed he was sorry and that he did still love her, nothing about this note pleased her. Last night he’d heard how upset she was about being ignored, and yet he’d done it again.

Tears welled in her eyes as the note fell from her hand. She couldn’t stop the sob from breaking free from her throat.

Cora immediately grabbed Presley’s hands. “What did it say?”

“He left.” Presley lifted her head, not bothering to hide her tears and her sadness from her best friend.

“What do you mean, he left?” Cora’s eyes went huge. “Where did he go?”