Page 3 of Coming Up Aces

Sutton placed his hands on the lectern, looking around the congregation. “I’m here tonight because your former leader, Josiah Talbert, kidnapped Glory Yearwood, and brought her back to Haven where he intended to trade her for a woman you know as Anna Spencer.” Some of the congregation murmured, and Rayna expected Nadine to stand and defend her husband. She didn’t. Nadine wasn’t sitting with the married women. Instead, she was with the unwed females. That would be strange if the leaders didn’t discard their wives for younger ones.

Sutton commanded the crowd to get quiet, and they did. “Josiah had Glory call her boyfriend and demand the exchange, and when she made the call, Glory alerted us to where she was being held. While we were on our way, a guard confronted Josiah, and the two got into an argument where the guard stabbed Josiah.”Okay, so that’s how they’re playing it to protect Glory.“Thomas, who was in on the kidnapping, took off through the woods. You are now without a leader, and your guards have been relieved of their weapons. My family and I welcome anyone who wants to leave Haven to come with us. We are not here to take over, only to help those who were held against their will, like Anna, or those who wish to have a different kind of life, like Glory. We have a safe place for you tostay while you get back on your feet. Clothes, food, and shelter will be provided. Life skills will be taught for those who need them, all at no cost to you. For those of you who want to leave, meet us outside after gathering anything you wish to take. If you’re staying, remain seated until I dismiss you.”

Rayna looked around, unable to believe the men who served under Josiah weren’t moving. Weren’t complaining. They sat like zombies. A handful of single women rose from their seats and headed to the door. This was her chance to leave. Now that Talbert was dead, there was no need to stick around, no matter what her assignment had been. Besides, there was something off about the whole situation, and she couldn’t figure out what that was if she remained. Rayna turned to Lisa Ann. “Come with me.”

“What? I can’t, Melinda. This is my home. I thought it was yours too.”

“I came here hoping to find something, but it didn’t happen. It’s been great having you for a cabinmate, but this is what’s best for me.”

Lisa Ann nodded, her eyes misty. “I understand.” Rayna hugged the older woman, then slid out of the row and made her way to the door. She glanced over at Ace, but he was talking to Ripley. Sutton’s next words caught Rayna’s attention before she exited the building. She stopped at the door to listen.

“For those remaining, you will not remember we were here. What you will remember is the police came and took Thomas away, and when they left, they offered for those who wanted to leave to do so. While you are waiting for Abraham to find a new leader, all of you men will be respectful of the women. You will not engage with them if they do not wish you to. If one of the elders holds bible study, you will read from the New Testament, telling of Jesus’s love, not God’s damnation. Bible study will not be required of anyone who doesn’t wish to participate. Thechildren will spend time daily with their parents, and they will not have to memorize scripture as part of their lessons.”

What the hell?Rayna looked over the congregation. Everyone sat stone still. No one contradicted the man. If Abraham did show up, it wouldn’t be to the same Haven he’d tasked Josiah and Thomas with leading. She had no idea how Sutton was mesmerizing the crowd, but he was doing something to them. Rayna was torn between going back to stand by Ace and leaving. If her Cheetah was right, Ace was their mate. Still, she needed to get while the getting was good, so she exited the building and joined the others who were leaving. She could find Ace once she was free.

It didn’t surprise her that the women leaving were all younger, and she couldn’t blame them for wanting to get away from the cult. In the few months she’d been inside Haven, Rayna had witnessed how they were treated as nothing more than hired help, only they didn’t get a wage. Not only that, but they were chosen as wives for the older, single men, whether they wanted the male or not. None had gone back to their cabins to retrieve items they wanted to take with them. They weren’t allowed to have anything of value. Rayna had been permitted to keep her purse, but her fake ID had been confiscated upon arrival. She didn’t bother retrieving it.

Glory and Ripley exited the church and met up with her mom and sisters as well as her sister Hope’s husband. They piled into a waiting van, while Rayna and the single females were escorted into another. She didn’t see Ace, but she couldn’t worry about the hot male. Rayna had a job to do.

A pretty redhead named Kerrigan drove the van. She reiterated what Sutton said about Providence House, the place she was taking the women to stay until they were ready to get back out into the world. Rayna wondered where they got the money to fund such a place. Kerrigan also explained howshe’d been taken to Sanctuary, The Ministry compound run by Josiah’s brother Gideon, then rescued by Warryck Lazlo. David Spencer was adamant the Hounds weren’t good people, but hearing how the Lazlos banded together to rescue a woman they’d never met put a check in the positive column.

Most of the women were silent, so Rayna chatted with Kerrigan who talked about helping others who’d been taken against their will. By the time they arrived, Rayna felt as though she’d made a new friend. The two vans pulled into the driveway at the same time, and they all piled out. Rayna was curious about the place but not enough to hang around all night. She was ready to go home, soak in her tub, drink a beer, and eat copious amounts of junk food even though it was late.

The couple who ran Providence House, Lynette and Branson Miller, met them outside. Before greeting everyone, the couple rushed to Glory and hugged her. Only after being assured she was okay did they welcome the others and usher them inside. They were introduced to a young woman named Julia who was also a resident. Lynnette gave them a quick tour since it was late before showing them to the rooms where they would live for as long as they wanted to. Rayna followed along, taking note of the conditions. The house was spotless, and each room was well-appointed with its own en suite. No one would have to share. Lynette explained that each woman’s suite was their sanctuary, and no one was allowed inside without permission. Rayna was impressed.

As the others were choosing their bedrooms, Rayna made her way downstairs. She spotted Branson in the kitchen and strode his way.

“Excuse me, Branson. Do you have a phone I can borrow?” He set down the mug he was holding and retrieved a cell from his back pocket, handing it over. “Thanks. Providence is great, but I have a place to stay with a friend.”

“That’s wonderful. If it doesn’t work out, you’re welcome to come back.”

Rayna smiled. How could she not? He and his wife were amazing. Spotting the back door, Rayna exited the house. Her Cat wanted to shift and run through the woods. Having spent months at Haven, she’d not been able to let her animal free, and it was itching to do so. It also wanted her to find Ace.

Soon,she promised. Rayna knew better than to bypass her boss. Assistant Director Frederick Hanson was a hardass, but after the way he dismissed her from interrogating David Spencer, well, he could go fuck himself. Instead, she called her partner, Seth McCauley. When he didn’t answer, she left a message. “It’s Rayna. Please call me back on this number.” She ended the call and waited. It took less than a minute for him to call back.

“Rayna, are you okay?”

“Yes. I’m no longer at Haven, and I need a ride. I’ll explain later.”

Seth hesitated. “Did you call Hanson?”

“No. I’m not sure I trust him.”

Seth sighed. “Okay. Send a pin of your location, and I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

“Yes, Sir,” Rayna quipped. Seth was her partner, not her boss, but she still respected the hell out of him. Rayna opened the map app, dropped a pin, and sent it via text message. She then cleared the text as well as the call from the device. Sure, that would look suspicious, but if asked, she would say she was protecting her friend. Rayna needed time to get her story straight. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Seth. She did, but outing the Hounds if they were shifters wasn’t something she could trust anyone with. She returned inside and handed the phone to Branson who was leaning against the kitchen counter once again sipping from his mug.

“Thanks. My friend will be here in about forty-five minutes,” she said, estimating the drive time.

“Would you like some coffee while you wait?” he offered after subtly sniffing the air.

Shit. He was a shifter too. She hadn’t sensed that about Lynette, but she was more focused on leaving than those around her. Rayna was slipping. It was probably from spending too much time at Haven and not using her skills as an agent. Time to get her head back in the game.

“Thank you for the offer, but I’d like to wait outside and get some fresh air.” Rayna calmly walked out the back door, but her nerves were frayed. She prayed Seth hurried the hell up.

Chapter Two

Ace

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