“This is ludicrous and we both know it,” Ronan muttered. “I can’t imagine in what world Aiden would agree to this. What exactly are you planning to whisper in his ear to convince him of this so-called wisdom?”
“I don’t know. What are you planning to whisper in his ear?” Mara countered.
“No!” Ronan launched himself off the bed and to his feet. He took a step toward Mara, and Michael finally moved a muscle for the first time since Ronan had entered the room. The tall vampire took a step toward Mara as well, as if he planned to place himself between Mara and Ronan. It was on the tip of Ronan’s tongue to dare the vampire to take a fucking swing at him. At this point, he was so pissed, he was sure a little physical violence was the only way he was going to calm down again.
But he didn’t. He stalked toward the door to his room, putting some much-needed distance between himself and Mara.
“That was not part of the job description when I was assigned to this little emissary mission. I’m supposed to back you up, make sure you don’t get your head removed from your body,” Ronan snarled as he turned and walked toward the bed. There wasn’t nearly enough room to properly pace.
“Yes, support me,” she repeated, her smug smile still firmly in place. “As part of that support, you’re going to use your obvious influence over Aiden to sway him in the right direction. Since you’ve known each other in the past, it will be much easier for you to speak with him and convince him of the wisdom of aligning with the European Ministry’s wishes.”
Ronan was gritting his teeth so hard, he was sure one of the molars was about to crack. This was complete and utter bullshit. Even if by some wild and insane coincidence Ronan agreed with this stupidity, there was no way in hell Aiden was going to listen to him. Yes, they had some long and distant past that had at one time bonded them as friends, but the vampire clearly didn’t trust him now.
The reason for that lack of trust was blatantly obvious now.
Aiden was a freaking genius for not trusting him. The Ministry might have zero clue as to the extent of their history, but at just the barest whiff of a past and they were practically tripping over themselves to use Ronan against Aiden. Fuck Aiden’s wishes. Fuck what was best for the Variks and all of the Americas. It was all about what they wanted.
There was no doubt in Ronan’s mind that Mara had already called her contact in the Ministry to report that Ronan was familiar with Aiden. Ronan would also have to face some kind of hell for not coming forward with his past knowledge of the new king. Not that he was worried about it. They’d made some vague threats in the past, but not one of them had the balls to try to back any of it up with more than talk.
But now was not a good time to test any of them.
“What happens if I fail to convince him of the Ministry’s wisdom?” Ronan ground out between his teeth.
Mara uncrossed her legs and pushed to her feet. “Obviously if Aiden refuses to pardon the clan and allow them to remain in this territory, the Variks will need to be removed from power.” The vampire’s tone was casual and indifferent, as if she’d been discussing where she planned to dine later that night. As if she hadn’t just spoken of the execution of more than a dozen clan members because the Ministry couldn’t get its way.
“If Aiden balks at your suggestion, maybe you could tell him about the neat little jobs that you completed for the Ministry. Maybe that would convince him.”
Sickening cold swept through Ronan, freezing the blood in his veins. While he wanted to share everything with Aiden, he didn’t want to talk about the kinds of jobs he completed for the Ministry. His friend didn’t need to know how much blood was on his hands. Too much, even for a vampire of his advanced years.
A vampire didn’t live as long as he did without killing. Aiden had undoubtedly killed to survive, but what Ronan had done over the past few decades wasn’t about survival.
Ronan mutely stepped out of her path as she walked toward the door of his hotel room with Michael following in her wake.
As she reached the door, her cold voice drifted down the short hall to him. “Of course you understand, if you warn him of the Ministry’s plan, we’ll have to kill you and the Variks. The Ministry doesn’t appreciate loose ends.”
No, that parting threat wasn’t a shock in the least.
At the click of the latch, Ronan shuffled over to the bed and sat on the edge. With his elbows on his knees, he placed his face into his hands and groaned. What the hell was he supposed to do? Well, there was no way in hell he was going to try to convince Aiden to listen to the European Ministry and their nonsense. Not only did it undermine any kind of authority the vampire had, but it left him and his family open to attack in their backyard. It was insane!
But if he didn’t, the Variks were still under threat from the European Ministry.
And if he told them, they were going to be threatened. At least then, they’d understand what the danger was and could do something about it.
Ronan snorted. Saving his ass hadn’t even entered the equation in his mind. He’d picked a lot of fights in his existence, but never one as large as standing against the entire European Ministry. He might have bitten off more than he could chew.
Should he have not come to the US to see Aiden?
No, even if it was the last time he ever got to see him, at least he could warn the man and his family. No one else the Ministry could have sent would have given him the same courtesy.
Chapter Eight
Ronan stood outside the Varik home, feeling both exhausted and wired. He’d not gotten nearly enough sleep during the day as he endlessly debated what to do about Aiden and the wishes of the Ministry. Did he warn Aiden and then run to save his own hide? Did he say nothing and work in secret to undermine the Ministry while protecting Aiden and his family? Did he tell Aiden and return to Europe to face the punishment that would be waiting for him? Did he advise Aiden to follow the Ministry’s wishes while secretly plotting to take out Christopher and his clan?
The only thing that was utterly out of the question was going along with the Ministry’s wishes. Doing nothing wasn’t an option, though he could hear in his mind Aiden saying as clear as the vesper bells that he didn’t need Ronan’s help or his protection.
And maybe he didn’t. He had four quite capable and clearly dangerous sons. Those four sons had some equally dangerous and capable mates. There were also several other strong vampires that filled out the ranks of the Variks, not to mention the standing alliance the Variks had with the Montgomery clan and many other clans.
What good could one man do?
Enough. He’d seen it often enough on the battlefield. One good fighter smart enough to seize a critical opportunity could tip the scales in any fight.
Clenching his fists at his sides, Ronan swore softly under his breath. Was it so wrong of him to have wanted just a little time with Aiden without the world threatening to end around them? He’d lost the man for so damn long already.
With a shake of his head, Ronan stabbed the doorbell. No, he couldn’t think like that. He’d told Aiden that he would treasure each and every moment they had together. He would be happy with what he had and not curse the world if they didn’t get to have more moments.