The noise in the club raised the hairs on his nape. He became all too sensitive to the activity around him. How had he failed to miss something so intense? Heat swept over his face, as did tingles.
What else had he missed?
Pain formed in his jaw from the clenching of his teeth. He shook his head, blinking into the present. Once Presley finished with another round of sputtered nonsense, he stated, “Time’s up.”
She cringed. “Please don’t ask me these questions, Master Aidan.”
“I’ve already asked the question,” he retorted. “Answer it.”
When she lifted her head, her eyes widened at something over Aidan’s shoulder. “Oh, shit. I’m so, so dead.”
“Problem?”
Aidan glanced over his shoulder, discovering Dmitri. His blue eyes narrowed on his submissive. While Aidan noticed Dmitri’s concern for Presley, she wasn’t the source of Aidan’s alarm. “It’s Cora.”
Dmitri gave Presley a quick once-over before he turned to Aidan. “What about Cora?”
“I found her a moment ago, very upset,” he said.
“Upset?” Dmitri asked, his posture mirroring the tension Aidan suffered. “Is everything all right?”
“I haven’t a clue.” Aidan gestured to Presley. “Which is exactly what I’ve been trying to find out. Presley has been”—he hesitated, choosing his words carefully so as not to get the sweet Presley into trouble—“reluctant to answer.”
“You don’t say?” Dmitri looked to Presley, and he firmed his voice. “Tell me what’s going on with Cora.”
“I …” Presley avoided his gaze, looking to the hardwood floor. “I can’t tell you.”
Dmitri grimaced.
Aidan might’ve been amused that his friend appeared shell-shocked at his submissive’s response. That was, if his frustration wasn’t coiled tight inside, threatening to explode. His only focus remained on Cora and her well-being.
“Try again, Presley,” Dmitri said in a stern voice.
She hurried to his side and placed her hand on his forearm. “Please don’t make me tell you. I promised Cora that I wouldn’t say anything. Don’t make me break a promise to my best friend—”
Dmitri pressed a finger against her mouth. “First, you are damn lucky, doll.” He tilted his head, his features softening. “Next time, lead with what you just said. Then I won’t have thoughts of a punishment that would not be enjoyable for either of us.” His posture loosened with a long exhale. “Second, if something is a private matter between two friends, you don’t have to tell us.”
Color returned to Presley’s cheeks. “Thank you.” Her eyelids lowered, and she gave Aidan a quick look beneath her long lashes. “She made me promise.”
Dmitri brushed his knuckles over her cheek and murmured, “I can appreciate that. It means you’re a loyal friend.”
Fuck that. Aidan didn’t appreciate it, as it confirmed his worries that Cora was in trouble. If there was nothing wrong, Presley would have nothing to hide. While they were play partners, Cora was also a good friend. He protected his friends. In the club, she was his submissive, and he wanted answers. His heartbeat pounded that she had such dark emotions in her soul. It raised every Dom instinct to hunt down the source and remove it.
Turning to Aidan, Dmitri raked a hand through his stylish blond hair. “I won’t force Presley to share. You’ll have to talk this out with Cora.”
Aidan jerked his chin in understanding. They were Doms, not assholes, and wouldn’t make a submissive break a secret. But damn it all to hell, he’d rather be an asshole with answers than a clueless idiot.
A loud slap of skin, followed by a sharp scream, drew his focus to the flogging scene. While he watched a Dom turn his submissive’s skin a deep shade of red, question after question raced through Aidan’s mind.
What hurt her?
How could he fix it?
He didn’t appreciate the sense of uselessness he was now feeling, and he’d not sit idly by knowing she suffered. As her friend, he owed her that much. If he could somehow make whatever troubled her better, he would.
No questions asked.
He glanced away from the flogging and noticed Dmitri caressing the side of Presley’s cheek. She leaned in to his touch and stared at him with such devotion. A headache loomed right alongside the ache in Aidan’s body. Though it pleased him that his friend had found happiness, he also didn’t need the reminder of what being loved by a submissive looked like.