“Piss off.” He was his own master and didn’t need anybody to tell him where his loyalties lay.

“Stop it!” the determined female voice cut through the tension.

And there he’d thought Yvette would love to see a physical fight between the two.

“Dial down the testosterone and let’s get to work.”

Or maybe she didn’t want Gabriel hurt? He cut her a quick glance, but her face was impermeable. If she had any feelings for Gabriel, Amaury couldn’t pick up on them.

“After you.” Amaury waved his hand to the door of the private office where the interrogations would take place. His head was hurting again, other people’s emotions bombarding him as if the short reprieve from earlier hadn’t even happened. And he still hadn’t had sex. Seventy-two hours and counting. This was not good.

He should have just taken what Nina had offered him, her legs spread for him, her pussy wet and quivering. But no, when had he suddenly developed scruples? He’d never cared much before if a woman felt discomfort or even pain because he was too big for her or riding her too hard. And for sure, he would have ridden Nina hard, because when it came to her, he had no control over his body.

“Let’s do this. I haven’t got all night.” Gabriel’s voice cut through the fog in Amaury’s head. Neither did he. After all, he had a woman waiting for him in bed. A most enticing one at that.

For almost two hours they interrogated employee after employee without any real results. Neither he nor Gabriel found anything that would have turned any of them into a suspect. Gabriel instructed for the last guy of the night to be brought in and let out a deep sigh.

“Ready for the last one?”

Amaury raised his head to meet Gabriel’s gaze. “Sure. Bring ‘em on.” He knew he was all bravado, but he wouldn’t admit to Gabriel how drained he was. It wasn’t good to show weakness, especially not to a fellow vampire. Not only had he not had sex in far too many hours, he hadn’t fed since Thomas had untied him from his bed.

He was running on empty and getting decidedly grouchy. Before he went back to Nina, he would have to go on a quick hunt to feed. He didn’t like the idea. The fact that Mrs. Reid was in the hospital because of him still gnawed at him. What if he was careless again and killed somebody?

“And who have we here?” Gabriel addressed the employee who Yvette led into the room. As the man sat opposite of Gabriel and Amaury, Yvette took her observation seat next to the door.

“Paul Holland.”

Amaury instantly sensed fear in the man. He gave Gabriel the prearranged sign of lifting the water glass to his lips to alert him.

Alternatively Amaury and Gabriel went through questions about his job and his relationship with the two dead bodyguards, giving each other time to use their powers while the other asked the question.

“So you only knew them casually?” Gabriel asked.

“Yes, occasionally we’d go out for a beer with a whole gang of our colleagues, the usual.”

Amaury sensed Paul’s fear growing. But it didn’t seem to be directed at him or Gabriel. The man was afraid of somebody else.

“Where would you guys normally go?” It was Amaury’s turn to ask a question to give Gabriel occasion to delve into his memory bank.

“Just some sportsbar.”

Gabriel’s sign that he had everything he needed was subtle, but Amaury picked it up.

“Thanks, Paul. I don’t think we have any more questions.”

Paul rose and left the room.

“He’s afraid of somebody, and it’s not us. What did you get?”

“Not much. It’s almost as if somebody is running interference, like static on a cell phone.”

“You think a vampire is controlling him?” Amaury asked.

Gabriel nodded. “I’ll have Zane tail him. He’s right outside.” He dialed a number on his cell phone. “Zane, we’ve got a suspect. He’s leaving the office now. Follow him and keep me posted. If you need support, call Quinn.” He flipped the phone shut.

“I’ll call it a night.” Amaury got up and made for the door, nodding at Yvette who stood.

“Amaury.”

He turned back to face Gabriel.

“I trust you’ve taken care of the girl?”

Shit. He’d better suppress his memories so Gabriel couldn’t figure out that he’d taken care of Nina, but not in the way Gabriel had demanded. “It’s all done.”

Quickly, he spun back to the door and left, feeling Yvette’s disbelief following him. She knew he was lying. He couldn’t get out of the building fast enough. The moment he stepped out into the cool night air, his cell phone vibrated. Damn, that had better not be Gabriel demanding he’d come back!