Page 15 of Night's Reckoning
Ronan nodded to Ben’s face. “I can see that.”
“Trust me, I’ve heard all the jokes.”
“I’m sure you have.” Ronan’s eyebrow went up. “I know you were down in Naples. I don’t suppose you’d tell me why.”
“No, but I appreciate that you’re direct about asking.” Ben waited for the server to set down Ronan’s wine and the prosciutto-wrapped melon he’d ordered. “Help yourself.”
“Thank you.” Ronan leaned forward and picked up a fork. “I’m not going to be anything but direct with you, Ben. I’ve known you for too long to be anything else. I know you’re a professional at keeping confidence. That’s partly why Emil likes you.”
“That’s nice to hear.” Ben took a bite and didn’t offer anything. Ronan was here to deliver a message, and he’d listen.
“As long as your work for Filomena doesn’t undermine Emil in any way—”
“It doesn’t.”
“Then we have no interest in her internal politics.” Ronan sipped his wine. “You know, you were right to order a white with this.”
“How are your parents?”
“Doing very well. My mother is partly retired now. She had the more stressful job of the two of them, so I was glad.”
“She was a courier, correct?”
“Correct.”
Ben nodded. Couriers often lived very dangerous lives, so for Ronan’s mother to make it to retirement, she had to be good. “And your dad is in accounting?”
“Something like that. He’s still working. And my mother has become an avid gardener.”
“Really?”
Ronan cocked his head. “Avid, mind you. Not necessarily successful.”
Ben smiled. “I’m glad they’re doing well.”
“She had a harder time with it than he did. With me making the change.”
Ben looked up and caught Ronan’s eye. “She’s seen more.”
“Yes.” Ronan set his fork down and sipped his wine. “But they’re both at peace with it. And they’re happy I’m staying in Rome.”
“I imagine so.”
“You’ve been in Rome for some time now.”
Ben smiled. “Don’t worry. It’s not permanent.”
Nothing was permanent.
Ronan folded his hands. “It could be. If you wanted.”
Ben finished the food and picked up his wine. “Do you think so?”
“Emil considers you part of the city.” Ronan raised his hands. “Not in a proprietary way. He knows that you remain under your uncle’s aegis, and he has no problem with that.”
“Even if I were to remain?”
Ronan chose his words carefully. “Someone with your skills and connections is always welcome in a city if they operate in good faith. Which you are known for. Emil would be very interested in having you be part of his organization. No aegis. No allegiance. Just… good faith. You have a home here. You have friends here. You could stay in Rome, Ben.”
