“What do you plan to do now?” Aiden inquired.
Ronan lifted the hand he was still holding and brushed his lips across Aiden’s knuckles. For just a moment, Aiden closed his eyes, savoring the feel, not caring what Marcus or Winter could see. His Ronan was in danger, and he could steal this small moment for himself.
“I’ve still got a few tricks up my sleeve. But it would give me some more breathing room if you might allow me to find exile in your domain.”
Aiden’s head popped up, and he gawked at Ronan for a second like the man had lost his mind. “Of course you’re staying here. As if I’d let you anywhere near Europe again.”
Ronan grinned, and Marcus cleared his throat, interrupting them.
“Do you still want to call a clan meeting to discuss what we learned about the European Ministry?” he asked.
Aiden sighed softly and nodded. “Yes, please. Can you also reach out to Sofia? It would be best if she or a trusted representative from the Montgomery clan were present as well.”
“I’m sure Sofia will make time for this meeting after she learns what occurred.”
Aiden narrowed his eyes on Marcus. “She doesn’t need a full report.”
Marcus shrugged. “I can tell her, or I can leave it to Rafe. God only knows what that will sound like since he’s already getting the story secondhand.”
“It must be a full moon. You’ve never been such an evil child.”
His son chuckled. “Blame it on the fact that you’ve never been quite so easy to tease.” Clearing his throat, Marcus’s expression turned serious again. “However, what I was going to suggest was that, since it will be a few hours before we can get everyone gathered, maybe you could show our newest exile to where he will be staying with us. You can talk. Maybe Ronan knows something more of the Ministry’s plans that we don’t yet.”
“Oh? Do you have a dungeon?” Ronan asked playfully.
Marcus glared at Ronan but said nothing.
“Thank you, Marcus. Message me when the others are to arrive.” Aiden turned his attention to Winter, who was watching both him and Ronan with a strange expression, as if his youngest son were still trying to process that he had kissed the other vampire. “Thank you for acting so swiftly and protecting Ronan.”
Winter groaned. “Yeah, well…you seemed fond of his face.” He paused and rolled his eyes, though it seemed to be directed at himself. “A lot more than I was expecting.”
Aiden nodded. He didn’t want to try to explain the emotions tangled up in his chest. At least, not until he started to work them out.
He led the way out of his office and up the grand staircase to the second floor, Ronan following behind him on silent footfalls.
“You know, if your family is not comfortable with me staying here, I can arrange for other safe lodgings,” Ronan offered.
“You’re new to this city. You have no idea what’s safe,” Aiden scoffed. He paused outside a pair of double doors and turned to face Ronan, his heart hammering in his chest. “Besides, I’ll never be able to sleep during the day unless I’m sure you are safe.”
Turning back toward the doors, he pushed them both open and stepped inside. There was a small sitting area that led to the rest of the bedroom with its large bed and thick canopy. The decor was a mix of white, silver, and cool shades of blue. A simple, understated elegance. To the left was a private bath done in white and gray marble with silver fixtures.
“It’s beautiful,” Ronan murmured. “Far better than I’ve enjoyed in a long time.” He stepped up behind Aiden and wrapped his arms around his waist, resting his chin on Aiden’s shoulder. “But you could always save the cleaning crew the work and let me stay in your room.”
Aiden pulled away from Ronan enough so that he was facing him. “This is my room.”
Ronan’s head jerked around, taking in the space with fresh eyes. From where they stood, he might be able to see some of his personal grooming products on the bathroom counter. There were a few pictures of his sons on the bureau as well, but there wasn’t a lot of evidence that it belonged to Aiden.
“Really? Are you sure?”
Leaning in, Aiden lightly brushed his lips across Ronan’s. “Stay,” he breathed.
“Yes,” Ronan whispered before seizing his mouth in a blistering kiss.
Aiden let the kiss consume him for only a moment, and then he was pushing Ronan away with a grin. “Go shut the doors,” he instructed as he backpedaled. Aiden shrugged out of his suit jacket and tossed it over a chair while he toed out of his shoes. Ronan nodded and darted away, pushing the doors closed.
When Ronan moved toward him, it was more like watching a large cat on the prowl. Sinewy muscles rolled and flowed, bringing them closer while those dark predator eyes narrowed on him. He wanted to be this man’s prey at last. He wanted to feel his mouth, teeth, and hands all over him.