Page 64 of Coming Up Aces

Major ran to his cousin, grabbed his hands, and began jumping up and down. Marshall sedately joined the boys, but their joy was infectious, and soon the trio was hopping as though they were in a mosh pit.

Kyllian rose, swaying Daisy, as he walked over to where Hayden was hugging his mate. “Do Mom and Pop know about this?”

Hayden pressed a kiss to Sadie’s hair before saying, “You know mom can sniff out a baby within a hundred-mile radius, so I told her before she could come at me with her claws.”

When Daisy scrunched up her face, Rhi took her from Kyllian before she got wound up. “Let’s get you fed.”

In all the excitement, Ace tugged Rayna toward the door. “This is going to turn into a party, so how about we head home?”

“Do we need to say bye?” Rayna asked, smiling at the Lazlo clan.

“Nah. I’ll call Hayden later.” They made it to the car before the front door opened.

“Ace,” Ryker called out. “Y’all don’t have to leave.” It was odd hearing the Texas twang slip into Ryker’s speech.

“I’m ready to get home and get off my feet, and Rayna needs some downtime after the shootout.”

“Shootout? What the fuck?” Ryker jogged down the steps to where Ace and Rayna were standing. “What happened?”

“I was headed to Lucy’s last night with evidence against the deputy director when he and another agent ran me off the road. If I weren’t a shifter, I probably wouldn’t be alive.” Rayna told him how she took down the two agents, then explained Tamian’s assistance.

“Zeus, that’s…” Ryker shook his head. “I’m glad you weren’t hurt, or worse, and I’m really sorry about how I acted before.”

“I get it. Listen, don’t let Rhiannon listen to Spencer’s message alone. I spent many hours interrogating the man, and he always came across as sincere. Unless he’s a psychopath, he believes what he says.”

“Is it that bad?”

“Depends on if Rhiannon believes him or not. If she does, it could offer closure.”

“Yeah, okay. Thanks. We’ll have a barbeque later after the two of you have time to rest up. Welcome to the family.”

“Thank you, Ryker. I look forward to it.”

Ace held open the driver’s side door for his mate. Once she was seated, he closed it, then went around and got in. He was more than ready to be home alone with Rayna. He was looking forward to locking the door, turning off their phones, and just being. That couldn’t happen until after he called Con and Regina or until Rayna turned in her notice. He was ready to see what the future held for them.

He should have known they wouldn’t get downtime straight away. Conrad called when they were two blocks from the house. When he went to check on Ace that morning, Rev filled him in on the events of the previous night, and Con invited himself and Regina over to “take care of their kids.” Ace couldn’t be mad about that even though he wanted Rayna to himself.

Since the hotel where they were staying was closer to Ace’s house than Ryker’s, his pseudo parents beat them there. Ace and Rayna found the older couple on the patio. They didn’t have a key to get inside, but they weren’t afraid to walk through the gate to the backyard.

Regina jumped up and stopped in front of Ace first, holding onto his upper arms as she looked him over. Then she did the same to Rayna before pulling her into a hug. Rayna embraced her back, and as the older Gryphon fussed over his mate, Ace took one of the patio chairs, letting them have their moment.

When she turned loose, Regina asked, “Are you hungry?”

“I could eat,” Ace admitted. Lucy’s pancakes had been delicious, but he was ready to eat again. Rayna concurred, so Regina went inside to busy herself in the kitchen. Rayna followed to help, and Ace didn’t complain. Rayna had her grandmother, but he wouldn’t begrudge her having the warmth of a mother’s love and guidance as well.

“How are you doing, Son?”

Ace rolled his head toward Conrad. “Better. Rib is still tender, but I’m not nearly as sore as I was.”

“I was referring to the near miss with Rayna and her boss last night.”

Ace looked out over the yard, specifically at the ground Rayna had turned for their garden. It seemed a lifetime ago since they discussed what to plant. “I’ve never been so scared in my life. I just found her, and I almost lost her before we could complete the bond.” Ace closed his eyes. He hadn’t let himselfdwell on what could have happened. Rayna was alive and well. She was tough yet gentle. Kind yet fierce. She was perfect.

“I don’t think Zeus would be so unkind. He wouldn’t bring the perfect person to you only to take them away so quickly.”

“Now I know how Ripley felt when Glory was taken. I texted Rip, and he sounded like he had his hands full.”

“It was touch and go for a minute, but Marjorie and that bitch Helen are going back to Haven today, and Ripley is taking Glory and her family to Florida tomorrow.”

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