Page 8 of Coming Up Aces

“What type of information would that be? The type that tells a government agent what really happened to Josiah Talbert? Are you willing to share the truth, Mister…?”

“Asher McMurray, and yes, I’ll tell you the truth if you promise to do the same with me.”

Asher. What a fabulous name.

Ignoring her Cat, Rayna asked, “So?”

“Why don’t you go first?”

Rayna knew a diversion when she heard one, so she admitted, “I overheard Ripley and Glory talking in the loft after she killed Josiah.”

“Fuck,” he muttered as he scrubbed at his face. “Are you going to arrest Glory?”

“No.” Rayna sat in one of the overstuffed chairs, crossed her legs, and propped her elbows on the chair arms. “Josiah Talbert was an evil man, and from where I’m sitting, the world is better off without him. But I am in a pickle, Asher. What Sutton told the congregation happened and reality are two different things, yet I can tell my boss neither. I also can’t explain what Ripley’s mother was doing in the loft as I didn’t see her, but from what I overheard? It sounded as though she took out Thomas. And then her mate had to take her clothes to her.” Rayna arched a brow and waited to see if he would confirm her suspicions.

“What do you mean what Sutton told the congregation and reality are different?”

“Come on, Asher. You were there. Sutton told Haven that one of the guards killed Josiah and that Thomas ran away. We both know that’s nowhere near the truth. I thought it odd how everyone went along with his words, then I realized he was voicing them.”

His eyes narrowed. “Voicing?”

“Isn’t that what the Hounds call it when they’re manipulating others?”

Asher’s eyebrows rose. “How do you know that?” His face was so expressive. Rayna usually enjoyed making those she interrogated uncomfortable, but she felt bad doing it to this male. Not that she was interrogating him per se.

“I wouldn’t be a very good agent if I weren’t aware of all the players and what they’re capable of,” she hedged.

“True, but I’m curious as to where you learned the term.”

“Ripley used it when he and Glory were talking in the loft, and for the record, it doesn’t work on me.”

“Shit. I apologize for trying to do so earlier, but I didn’t think you would let me in to speak with you otherwise.”

Rayna waved off his apology. “No harm done.”

“I need you to keep that information to yourself.” The air rippled again, and Rayna kept her face impassive, waiting. Asher thunked his head against the sofa and stared at the ceiling. When he returned his gaze to hers, he swallowed hard. “Melinda—”

“Rayna. My name is Rayna Bellamy.”

“Oh, that’s a beautiful name.”

“Thank you. And don’t worry. I won’t spill the Hounds’ secrets. Speaking of secrets, I’m assuming the Hounds, at least some of them, aredifferentif they have mates, and before you deny it, I’ll admit I’m also different.”

Asher leaned forward, propping his forearms on his thighs. “That explains it.”

“Explains what exactly?”

“Why you sniffed the air when Glory introduced you. It was subtle, but I noticed.”

Rayna studied the male her Cat was so interested in. Since King Cheetahs were rare, it made sense they wouldn’t have to find another of their kind to mate with. Rayna’s grandfather had been a regular Cheetah, and her father was human. He and her mother never secured their bond. They met while Rayna’s mother, Colette, was filming a movie in Italy. Colette was more interested in her career than having a mate or a child, so she never informed the man he was going to be a father. She said it was because he was human and couldn’t know the truth about them, but it still hurt Rayna’s heart that she didn’t know him. Hell, Rayna didn’t even know his name. Colette left Raynawith her grandmother while she continued seeking fame as an actress.

“When you borrowed Branson’s phone, he overheard you use the term Sir, and that sent up a red flag. Since you know the truth, you can understand why we wanted to find out who you were speaking with. Again, I’m curious as to why you were undercover at Haven.”

So polite, and Rayna was enamored. She was more interested in what he was than discussing Haven. “Are you dodging the elephant, Asher? How about I go first? I’m a King Cheetah.”

“Oh, wow. That’s a new one.”

“Are you some other type of cat?”

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