Her muffled groan bounced against his hand.

He couldn’t leave her in pain, and, what the hell, he needed to feel her. “I’ll heal it.”

His tongue traced over her lips which the tape had left tender, soothing first the lower one, then the upper one. A moment later he found himself kissing her and pressing his body against hers. For a brief moment he enjoyed her closeness. He wanted this to last an eternity, but as quickly as he’d kissed her, he released her.

Amaury hadn’t forgotten about what he’d done to her. Having saved Nina’s life didn’t change that. She wasn’t his to keep, because he’d never asked her to be his, not in a way she would have understood anyway.

“I’m sorry.” Amaury averted his eyes and looked back toward the mausoleum. It still stood. Why hadn’t it blown up too?

“Quinn, the mausoleum didn’t blow.”

Over his mic he could hear Quinn’s labored voice. “Sorry, buddy; Luther crossed the wires on purpose. I cut the one for the mausoleum, thinking it was for the podium. He thought of everything.”

“You okay?”

“Could use some help back here: he’s got another friend.”

“On my way,” Amaury confirmed. He stood and cast a glance at Nina. “Stay here.”

***

Nina watched as Amaury rushed toward the building. She looked to her side and caught how Samson kissed Delilah softly. His tender voice carried to her.

“I almost lost you.”

“Everything’s alright.”

“And the baby?”

“She’s fine.”

“She?” Samson’s voice was filled with surprise.

“I’ll explain later. Can you get these cuffs off me?”

Nina felt her own wrists being chaffed by the handcuffs. “Me too. Amaury chose to run off before he untied me.”

Delilah sent her a pitying look. Yes, it hurt, the fact that while Samson took care of his wife, Amaury had chosen to continue to fight rather than take care of her.

“Oliver will bring metal cutters from the van,” Samson said.

Nina turned back to the battlefield. Behind the wrecked podium, a dark figure emerged from the mausoleum. Luther. Nobody had spotted him yet.

Her eyes searched for Amaury.

The remnants of the podium were still burning. With difficulty, she was able to make out the different figures fighting in the vicinity. She recognized Johan who fought with Gabriel. Others were obscured by the fire that raged as a result of the explosion.

Nina saw Amaury head toward the back of the building. Unfortunately Luther spotted him at the same time. She saw how his gaze followed him, and his body started moving into Amaury’s direction. Amaury couldn’t see him since he looked into a different direction.

If she didn’t warn him, Luther would strike him from behind without warning.

Nina spun back to Samson. “Samson! Luther—he’s after Amaury.”

She couldn’t point into the direction she’d seen him, because her hands were still restrained behind her back.

“Where?” Samson’s eyes travelled swiftly over the scene.

“To the right, there, next to the building. Please help him.”

Samson touched his ear then recoiled in shock. “My mic’s gone! Fuck!”

Nina’s stomach twisted.

“Amaury!” Samson yelled out, but his friend didn’t turn. There was too much noise on the battlefield. “He can’t hear me.”

Panic ripped through her. “Oh, God, no.”

She watched as Luther stalked Amaury.

“You have to warn him, Nina—do it!”

Panic made her brain freeze. If he couldn’t hear Samson, whose voice was louder than hers, how would he hear her warning? She felt her heartbeat pound into her throat, the lump in it tightening. Desperation immobilized her.

“Amaury!” she croaked.

“The bond,” Samson instructed. “Use the bond.”

Nina blinked once, then concentrated.

Amaury, behind you, Luther is behind you.

A split second later she saw him spin around and face his opponent. Luther dealt the first blow, but Amaury instantly countered. They were evenly matched, dealing each other blow after blow.

Nina’s stomach twisted painfully as she tried to watch their fight. With every blow Amaury absorbed, she flinched. Who was stronger? Would Amaury win?

She was startled when she suddenly felt somebody’s hands on hers.

“I’m Oliver. I’ll cut your cuffs. Keep still.”

A moment later she felt cold metal against her skin. A snapping sound followed, and the cuffs fell into the grass. Without turning to thank the man, she ran toward the scene in front of her. She had to help Amaury, no matter what.