The blue of his eyes couldn’t hide the sadness in them.
“But why, when you couldn’t do anything?”
“We could have turned her into a vampire to save her.”
She hadn’t thought of that possibility. “Oh. He wanted you to do that?”
“Yes. He wanted to be with her for eternity. He loved her.”
Eternal love—what a frightening, yet strangely exciting concept.
“But if you knew that, why didn’t you turn her?”
Amaury’s eyes had a sad look in them. “Because she didn’t want to.”
Realization set in. “She didn’t?”
“No. We offered it to her, but she said if she was a vampire, she couldn’t have children. She’d just lost the baby. She preferred to die.”
Nina pulled back from him slightly. “But then why is he still blaming you when it was her choice? I don’t understand. You and Samson did nothing wrong.”
“He doesn’t know that she refused.”
“You never told him?” Why would they keep such an important detail to themselves?
“No. How could we? He loved her. Do you know what it would do to him to find out that his mate, the woman he loved more than anything else in his life, chose death over him?”
Suddenly she understood, and tears welled up in her eyes. “Oh my God, so you and Samson decided it was better he hated you than her?”
Amaury nodded his head. Nina touched his cheek in a tender caress.
“Does he hate you and Samson enough to want to destroy you and Scanguards?”
“I’m afraid that’s possible.” He paused. “I think we’d better go and talk to Samson. He needs to know that Luther is in town.”
She sat up. “Yes. I think you’re right. Besides, we’d better get out of here before somebody finds us and throws us out.”
Amaury gave her a roguish grin. “I doubt that’ll happen. I own fifty percent of the club.”
Nina’s mouth dropped open, then she boxed him in the chest. “How many more secrets do you have up your sleeve?”
He raised his hands. “No sleeves, see? I’m naked.”
She let her eyes gaze over his body. “I can see that.”
“Uh-oh. You’ve got that look to you. We’d better get dressed before you have your way with me again.”
“Me? Me have my way with you? Now if that’s not the pot calling the kettle black!”
His response was a throaty and way-too-sexy laugh. This vampire was seriously dangerous.
Nineteen
Never in her wildest dreams had Nina imagined entering Samson’s house on Nob Hill. But there she was at the entrance door, Amaury a step ahead of her, waiting for the door to open. She shifted nervously from one foot to the next. Was this a good idea? Amaury she could handle. He lusted after her and was therefore not interested in hurting her, but what about the others? Nina hadn’t forgotten the order Amaury had received to wipe her memory.
A beam of light illuminated Amaury as the door opened halfway.
“Forget your key?” a male voice asked.
“I didn’t want to intrude unannounced. I’m not alone.”
The door opened wider, and light flooded onto her as Amaury pulled her next to him. She met their host’s gaze and recognized him as Samson. Her pulse fluttered.
She noticed him raise an eyebrow at Amaury, as if to chastise him. But a second later he turned into the perfect host.
“Please, do come in. I don’t think we’ve met.”
Samson stretched his hand toward her, and she shook it, wondering if he noticed how damp her palms were.
“Good evening,” Nina said. She hoped that was appropriate; what exactly was the correct greeting when being introduced to a vampire?
“Samson Woodford.” His introduction was formal, as if they were at the Queen’s tea party.
“This is Nina.”
“Pleased to make your acquaintance.” Samson led them into the living room. He remained stiff then turned to Amaury. “May I have a word with you in private?”
Yes, Samson was clearly displeased about her presence. She didn’t have to be a mind-reader to figure that out.
“That won’t be necessary.” Amaury’s reply elicited a frown from his friend. “Nina knows who we are.”
There was silence so thick she could have cut through it with a knife as Samson eyed her up and down, pressing his lips together tightly. His displeasure with Amaury was evident. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea after all. What if he expected Amaury to “take care of her” now that he’d given away their secrets?