than just coding in my classes. I’ve got some friends who’ve been teaching me some hacking techniques. The European Ministry has been building a database for all its vampires, but they have some really shitty security.”
“You hacked the European Ministry?” River gasped.
“Yep.” He did another wiggle before continuing. “Looks like the database is relatively new. Not nearly as many entries as I would have expected, but they have lots on the vampires who work for them.”
“Did you find out about him?” Rafe demanded, pointing directly at Ronan.
Ronan’s heart skipped a beat at the thought. Did the Ministry have a file on him? What in God’s name would be in it? Nothing good, he was sure. This was not how he wanted Aiden and his children learning all his secrets. He wanted to talk to them, explain things. At least cushion the blow. If that were even possible.
Panic tried to seize him, but Ethan was already saying, “I didn’t look at his file to find out how old he is and by relation, Aiden. And even if I did find it, I’d bow out of the bet.”
“But there is a file,” Ronan said softly, the words nearly getting caught in his throat.
Ethan lifted large eyes up at him and winced. “Sort of. Not much on your background or anything to give a hint of your age. Mostly it’s just jobs. A lot of jobs. Vampires you’ve hunted down. They also had the complaints and charges against your targets. It reads like a freaking list of demons and monsters.”
“Okay. Thanks,” Ronan murmured. He dropped his gaze to Aiden’s shoulder rather than looking at everyone in the room. Discomfort churned in his stomach, and he could feel their eyes on him.
“No, thank you. I know you were doing a job, but you likely saved lives by getting rid of those monsters.”
He grunted but couldn’t bring himself to say more than that. He was no hero. He’d just been doing a job, passing the time. It hadn’t been about saving innocent lives.
“What about the other one with Mara?” Sofia inquired.
Ronan shook his head, relieved they were moving on from his past. “Michael barely has more than a century on her, but he’s nothing more than muscle. He’d attack if the Ministry told him to, but they would know he had no chance of making a dent. After everything the Variks have survived, they have to know that they can’t fuck up their first attempt on Aiden’s life. It will just force you to strengthen your defenses. Each attack will become progressively more difficult.”
“Why not send an entire army of vampires from Europe against us?” Wyatt inquired.
Ronan grinned. That was such a shifter thought process. They were all about brute force and power through numbers.
“One reason is that the Ministry has no army to send. It relies on the agreement of the various clans, and there are very few clans who would be willing to send most of its members overseas to deal with a Ministry problem, thus leaving their own clan and territory vulnerable to attack by another rival clan.”
Sofia suddenly hummed. “I suddenly wish they would.”
“What?” Bel squawked.
She chuckled, her dark eyes sparkling with her mirth. “Can you imagine a faster way to unite all the various clans in the Americas under Aiden’s banner? Announce that the European Ministry is trying to take over the Americas and kill their king.”
“Hating a foreign leader trying to steal power will always trump hating the leader you have,” Winter added.
“Your faith in my ability to win over our fellow vampires is so touching,” Aiden grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest. He rested against back of the couch, and Ronan slid a consoling hand over his shoulders while still smiling.
“You will win them over, but it’s a long process,” Ronan said.
“And we’re short on time,” Sofia added. “I have members of my clan watching the emissaries at the hotel to make sure they don’t go anywhere but the airport. Jake has offered up a couple of wolves to take over if they’ve not left by sunrise. Do we still want them to leave? Should we try to hold them here?”
“No, we let them go,” Aiden answered decisively. “I want them gone as soon as possible rather than risking them stirring up trouble here.”
“What about anyone else in the area who might be working for the Ministry? You know, besides Ronan,” Winter tossed out.
“Is it because I called you kid?” Ronan teased. Winter glared back at him,