Wes lifted his hands and made a grimace. “I can keep a secret, you know.” He jerked his thumb toward Haven. “I knew how he’d react.”

Haven glared at his brother. “And rightly so! Do you really want your sister to be influenced by somebody like him?” He pointed at Luther. “He’s a convict. A murderer.”

Katie glanced at Luther, but he took the accusation in stoic silence, his jaw set in a grim line, his eyes watching Haven. She felt the need to defend Luther.

“He isn’t the only killer in this car,” she said and locked eyes with Haven. “So don’t be all righteous now. You were a vampire hunter for over a decade and killed your fair share.”

“I killed for you, Katie!” he hissed. “To find you and get you back! And now you throw that in my face?” He jerked the car door open and jumped out.

“Ah, shit!” Katie cursed and undid her seatbelt.

Luther put his hand on hers, but she shook her head and opened the passenger door. She jumped out and ran after Haven, who was marching along the deserted sidewalk.

“Haven!”

He looked over his shoulder, a wounded look on his face, but he stopped. When she reached him, she took a deep breath.

“You did so much for me,” she started. “More than any brother should ever have to do for his sister. You sacrificed for me and for Wes. And I know you think I’m ungrateful. I’m not.” Tears stung her eyes, but she pushed on. “When we found each other twenty years ago, you gave me the family I always wanted. And what did I give you? Only trouble.”

“Oh, sweetheart,” he murmured, shaking his head. “The trouble is all worth it as long as I know you’re happy.”

A tear ran down her cheek. “But I’m not happy, Haven. I’ve never been able to forgive her for what she did to us. For what she did to you.”

Haven reached his hand out and wiped away her tear with his thumb. “You have to move on. Our mother was consumed with the need for power. She paid for it.”

“Have you forgiven her?”

“In my own way.”

Katie hadn’t. “Then you’re a better person than I. How can a mother do that to her children? How could she do that to us? To rob us of our powers and claim them for herself, knowing it would endanger us all? I can’t forgive her.”

As a result of her mother’s actions, they had all suffered. Her father had disappeared one night never to return, and a vampire had killed her mother and abducted Katie when she was just a year old. At age twenty-three she’d been reunited with her two brothers.

“I still blame her for taking my powers away. Because if I’d had powers, I would have been able to prevent him from—”

Haven put a finger over her lips. “Don’t, Katie. Five years have passed. What happened to you was terrible. But you have to let it go. He’s dead. He’ll never hurt you again.”

“But the fear is still with me.”

“I’m so sorry, sweetheart.”

She slowly shook her head. “When I’m with Luther, that fear… it disappears. When he’s near me, I’m not afraid anymore. I can breathe again, live again.” And forget the nightmare that had rocked her world five years earlier and made her turn her back on Hollywood and her former life.

“Oh Katie.” Haven sighed. “Why him?”

“I don’t know. But with him I feel safe. Please don’t take that away from me.” Tears now streamed down her face, blurring her vision. “I need him.”

Haven’s arms came around her, pulling her to his chest. A sob tore from her throat, while Haven caressed her back, comforting her.

“And what if he doesn’t want you?”

“I don’t know, Hav.”

“Okay,” he agreed. “He can stay with you. When he leaves, I’ll be there to catch you.”

“Like you always are,” she murmured, but hoped that this time she wouldn’t have to rely on her brother’s help. “I love you, Haven.”

“I love you, too, sweetheart.”

32

Luther followed Haven to the door that led down to the garage in Katie’s Victorian mansion. Katie was already walking upstairs to the second floor.

“I’m taking a shower,” she announced and disappeared.

The moment she was out of earshot, Haven cleared his throat. “If you hurt her, I will kill you.”

“I’d do the same if I were in your shoes,” Luther admitted.

“Good. Then we understand each other.” Haven reached for the doorknob.