“You make me a fool,” Rafe murmured when he could get his tongue working again.
He didn’t want to talk of hearts and love. Not with Philippe. They had no future together. No hope. The best they could have was an eternity of stolen moments and desperately whispered prayers that their clans would never be on the opposite side of any matter. But even that seemed impossible as the Ministry faced more attacks and more clans tore each other apart.
Closing his eyes, Rafe roughly captured Philippe’s lips in a kiss to silence them both. No more words about hearts and beds. He didn’t know what to say that wouldn’t break his own heart. But he could always show Philippe how he truly felt with his body. He poured himself into their kiss and Philippe responded, pressing into him. Soft little whimpers of need and pleasure crawled up his throat to sweeten the kiss.
When they broke apart, Philippe smiled, and Rafe felt a little more settled.
“You said something about brainstorming,” Philippe murmured and Rafe chuckled.
“I’m not sure what I said when I walked in that damned door. I just needed to see you.”
They laughed and separated, though Rafe would have much rather stayed wrapped around him. But he did need to help Philippe find his killer, even if it meant pointing a finger at someone within the clan. He had to put Philippe and his clan’s safety first. Above even his own love for the man.
Philippe walked over to the desk where he picked up a piece of paper and handed it over to Rafe. There were nine names on it. Two of the names he’d mentioned earlier as potential targets had stars placed next to them along with stars next to Jullien and Ezra.
“I think they are the most likely to be targets,” Philippe said.
The paper crinkled in Rafe’s hand as he looked over the vampires who had been sadly reduced to simple prey by some fucker. Reining in his temper, Rafe forced himself to concentrate on the list itself. “I don’t understand why you’ve marked Jullien and Ezra. They strike me as being quite strong and capable. Jullien makes regular appearances at my clubs. Has for years.”
“Ming and Peter are my most vulnerable members, yes. But Ezra and Jullien are my oldest and strongest. Th-this bastard has succeeded in picking off three of my clan members,” Philippe stammered. He paused and drew in a deep breath before continuing, his voice calmer. “He’s going to grow bolder soon. If he has us so well scouted, he must realize the importance of Ezra and Jullien. If they’re taken out, I will have no way of protecting my remaining members.”
“I’ll grant you that it’s critical to identify who might be the most vulnerable to attack, but we’ve also got to uncover the killer and stop him.”
Philippe looked up at him, his eyebrow raised in clear irritation. “I thought we’ve been doing that.”
Rafe’s heart kicked up, and he rubbed his suddenly sweaty palms on his slacks. It was kind of ironic that in all his years of expressing distasteful and upsetting thoughts to his brothers that he would struggle now with Philippe, someone who was not his family. He’d spent a lifetime ruffling feathers and pissing people off. But things were so very different when it came to the leader of the Arsenault clan.
“I wonder if maybe we haven’t been fully honest with ourselves about the potential killer.”
Philippe turned and leaned against the edge of the desk, his arms folded over his chest. “I really thought we were past the diplomatic coddling. What’s on your mind?”
Oh yes, Philippe made it all sound so simple and easy. But if roles were reversed, Rafe knew he would not take these next accusations calmly. It didn’t matter who was delivering the words. “Have you considered all the people who know your clan the best?”
“Who have I missed?”
Rafe licked his lips. “What about your own clan?”
Philippe laughed, but it sounded forced as he shoved away from the desk and paced to the middle of the room. “My own clan? You think someone within the Arsenaults would turn on their own people. You think someone within my family would betray us.” His voice grew louder with each word.
“Philippe…”
“How dare you! I have carefully interviewed and researched each person that has been brought into the Arsenault clan. I trust my people.” Philippe turned toward Rafe and curled his lip at him. “But that’s not something the Variks understand. You don’t believe in trusting outsiders. You’re not a clan.”
Rafe flinched at the harshness of his words. They weren’t wrong. He and his brothers were very good at trusting each other, but it was not something that touched many others outside their family. “It’s something I’m trying to remedy now. I talked to Marcus yesterday. It’s why I didn’t come to see you sooner.”