“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.