Presley dropped down onto the couch near the bondage area, absentmindedly adjusting her black corset. An hour ago, she and Dmitri had been playing together when Sarah had suddenly interrupted their scene. One short private conversation later, Dmitri had pulled all the Club Sin Masters from the dungeon, saying nothing to Presley.
Cora lowered herself onto the couch next to Presley. Her bright blue eyes radiated the same concern Presley felt. “I’ve never seen the Masters leave the dungeon like that.”
“Yeah, I know. It was beyond strange.”
Presley scanned the dark dungeon. Without the Club Sin Masters in attendance, the dungeon lacked order; the members moved around, looking a bit lost. Something bad must have happened, she thought.
Swallowing her worry, she glanced around the room. The couches and chandeliers remained the same, as did the BDSM stations decorating the room. But the members were only chatting among themselves, refraining from playing. And that never happened.
“Do either of you know what’s going on?”
Presley glanced to her right, spotting Ella and the other pregnant submissive in Club Sin, Kenzie, dressed in a black lace bra with panties. Three months along, Kenzie hadn’t started to show in any significant way. “Nope, I haven’t a clue. But don’t worry, I’m sure it’s not that bad.”
Their anxious faces disagreed.
Ella, dressed in cherry lingerie, took a seat across from Presley. Ella had given birth to her daughter, Andie, nearly a year ago, and Presley noted subtle changes to her body: her hips were wider and her face was fuller, radiant with natural beauty. “I hope the guys come back soon,” Ella murmured. “Things are…tense.”
“No kidding.” Kenzie took a seat. “Everyone is on edge.” Her eyes scanned the crowd as she gathered her strawberry-blond hair in one hand.
Noticing the alarm in Kenzie’s hazel eyes, Presley attempted to stay positive. Nevertheless, one question lingered in the air: why had Dmitri called for a private meeting of the Masters during Club Sin hours?
Luckily, she didn’t need to wonder long. The dungeon’s steel door opened, and in stepped the one man who could make Presley’s heart flutter, even from a distance. Powerful and enigmatic, Dmitri entered Club Sin, his stride sure. Blond, tall, muscular, he was gorgeous.
The crowd silenced as Dmitri stepped onto the stage, gesturing the crowd to come toward him. Presley rose, unable to look away from her Dom, as the other Masters circled behind him. Her man had that authoritative power. When he walked into a room, either in the dungeon or in his professional life, he commanded attention. People respected him. They admired him. Presley loved him for those reasons and more.
She rose from her seat, moving toward the stage without thinking. The closer she got, the more evident the dark worry in Dmitri’s eyes became, causing her steps to falter. Because she knew him so well, she saw that when he glanced out over the crowd, he took a deep breath. It made her nervous, because she’d never seen him rattled before.
Just then, he called in a strong voice, “Friends, I have news that disappoints me.” His piercing blue eyes briefly flicked to Sarah, the submissive who had interrupted their scene, before returning to the crowd. “It’s been brought to my attention that an unknown source has captured photographs of the Club Sin Masters, their submissives, and a few other members, whom I will talk to separately.” Loud gasps cut into the air, and Dmitri inclined his head, acknowledging their concern. “These photos and our names have been sold to a tabloid magazine that intends to publish them.”
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“Who would do this?” the Dom Max called from the crowd.
“I’m afraid I don’t have an answer to that.” As voices around Presley rose with urgency, Dmitri raised his hand, hushing them. “Believe me, we will find out who’s behind this.”
Presley’s heart went out to Dmitri as he lowered his head. He never averted his gaze from anyone. Ever. When he raised his head again, his face wore a wrath that she hadn’t known existed in him. “I’ve always promised you the highest level of protection, but this is out of my control. I will do everything in my power to ensure that those pictures are never published and your identities are kept safe.”
When those eyes that could arouse Presley with a simple look met hers, her heart sank further. His look was so disconnected that it shook her bones. No warmth exuded from him. No love was visible in his eyes. She swallowed the sudden tears prickling her eyes. He’d been something solid in her life. Yet now he eyed her like a stranger would, disconnected and drawn into himself.
Cold shock blasted through the room; Presley could almost feel the chill. She wrapped her arms around herself. Someone wants to expose us? Sickness rolled through her at the horror of this terrible reality.
She was startled out of her shock when the Dom next to Presley called, “Do you need anything from us?”
“Not at this time,” Dmitri replied. “For now, our only option is to close Club Sin. We must make sure no other photos are captured.”
“Close Club Sin?” a submissive squeaked in concern.
Presley hugged herself, reeling in uncertainty as she saw Dmitri’s jaw tighten. “I wish it weren’t so, but this is the right decision for now,” Dmitri said. Turning, he addressed the Masters behind him. “Anything you’d like to add?”
Each Master—all of them dressed in black, all powerful, all strong—shook his head. The haunted expressions on their faces indicated the gravity of the situation. Presley felt the weight of it with each slow breath she took.
Dmitri lifted his shoulders and faced the crowd again. “Please gather your things and go home. I’ll be in contact with you as our investigation continues, and I will inform you of any new developments.” His voice warmed slightly. “If you have any concerns, please contact me. I hope you know that I’m here for you.” When he saw nods from the members, he continued, “I promise you I’ll handle this matter with the greatest care possible. It will be dealt with immediately.” Then he narrowed his eyes and, lowering his voice, gave a Dom order: “Please go home.”
It took a moment for the crowd to respond, but soon they dispersed. Presley, however, stood frozen, unable to grasp what this meant for the future. Club Sin was an extension of Dmitri. What would happen to him if the club he’d built to honor Charles was gone?
Presley was jolted out of her reverie when Cora reached for Presley’s hand and exclaimed, “Oh my God! I can’t believe this.”
Presley twined her fingers with Cora’s, squeezing tight in an effort to hold on to some sense of normalcy. “This is awful,” she whispered.