Damn, his woman had balls. And she used them to defy him. If he weren’t so busy with keeping his knife at Luther’s throat, he’d grab her right now and bend her over his knee for a well-deserved ass-paddling.

Nobody other than Samson had ever truly stood up to him. And he was a six-foot-something tough vampire, not the delicate human woman whose fists where trembling at her waist. No, he hadn’t missed that. Nina was nervous, but at the same time she was willing to go through with this. He had to admire her, even if he didn’t agree with her this time.

Amaury caught how Samson opened his mouth to speak, but was held back by Delilah. A soft shake of her head and a touch of her hand on his arm stopped him.

“Luther,” Nina addressed the vampire at the end of Amaury’s knife, “I despise you for what you tried to do to me and Delilah, but I can understand the pain in you. But you should know neither Amaury nor Samson is the source of that pain. It was Vivian who didn’t want to be turned even though she was given the choice.”

An instant roar tore from Luther’s chest as he tried to grab for Nina. “You’re lying!” He struggled against Amaury. “You’ll pay for that lie!”

Luther’s kick landed in Amaury’s groin before he could avert it. The pain shot through Amaury’s entire body and made his hand release the silver dagger, before he doubled over. Luther escaped from his grip and lunged for Nina. A startled scream burst from her lips.

Despite the pain and nausea his body was fighting, Amaury jumped after Luther. With horror he saw his enemy clutch Nina by the shoulder.

“No!” A scream ripped through the night, and Amaury realized it was his own. He had to save Nina.

His friends were faster. Within seconds, Zane and Samson had pried Luther off her and had him restrained.

Like a wild man Luther stared into the round, looking from one to the other then back at Nina.

“You’re lying! Admit it—you’re lying!” he demanded.

Nina shook her honey curls, her face sad. “I wish it was a lie.”

Amaury noticed a solitary tear dislodge from Nina’s eye and run down her cheek. Luther had seen it too.

“No!” A violent scream came from Luther’s chest and echoed in the night. “No! No!”

A moment later, Amaury saw him break. Luther’s entire body collapsed as he sank onto his knees. “Oh God, no.”

Samson turned to his men. “Quinn, you and Yvette, take Delilah and Nina back home. We have to take care of things here.”

Quinn nodded.

Amaury noticed Nina send a questioning look first into Eddie’s, then Luther’s, direction. He took a step toward her. With his voice lowered, he addressed her. “Eddie is safe with us. I promise.”

“And Luther?” she asked.

“We won’t kill him. But he will be punished.”

For a long moment she looked at him then nodded. He motioned to Quinn and Yvette, and the two led the women away. Amaury followed Nina with his eyes. Would he have a future with her?

When he turned back, he saw Samson crouching next to Luther, a hand on his shoulder.

“We couldn’t tell you; I’m sorry.” Samson’s words were spoken softly.

“I loved her.” Luther’s voice was laden with unshed tears.

Amaury understood his pain only too well. He turned away. Samson would have to deal with Luther. He didn’t have any strength left. It would cost him enough to make it through the next few hours and make things right with Nina.

“What’ll happen now?” Ricky asked next to him.

Amaury looked up. “Luther will have to go before the council. He’ll have to stand trial for having created new vampires. And for the murders of those humans the bodyguards killed.”

“Do you think we can keep Eddie and Kent out of the proceedings?” Ricky asked.

“They’ll have to testify, but they’ll be held blameless. They were under Luther’s influence when they committed those murders which means the crimes became Luther’s.”

“What’ll happen to him?”

“I don’t know, but I know the council is fair. They’ll look at motivation.”

Amaury looked back at Samson, who’d helped Luther up.

“Are you ready?” Samson asked.

Luther looked first at Amaury then back at Samson. There was something Amaury couldn’t put his finger on, but he could see Luther’s mind clicking.

“I want to say goodbye to Vivian.”

With a nod from Samson, Zane released Luther’s arm and allowed him to turn toward the mausoleum. Amaury caught hate glinting in Luther’s eyes and realized instantly that this would be no loving goodbye to his dead wife.