Page 26 of Coming Up Aces

“I’m glad you told me. I can carry a tune, but I’m nowhere near good enough to sing with someone like her.”

Asher reached over and squeezed Rayna’s arm. “I bet you are.”

Rayna’s Cat rumbled in her chest at the praise. After yawning, she downed the last of her margarita. “I’m going to turn in. Maybe we can do this again tomorrow night? I really enjoyed it.”

Asher rose and stood inches away. “Anytime you want. I enjoyed it too.”

Rayna went to grab the empty pitcher, but Asher stopped her. “I’ll take care of that when I lock up.”

“If you insist.” Rayna pressed a hand to Asher’s cheek, and he turned his head, kissing her palm. Rayna swallowed a gasp.

“Good night.” Asher grabbed the pitcher and retreated into the house without looking back. Rayna stood there, momentarily stunned. Her Cheetah itched to be released, and that was the impetus to get her moving. Rayna waited until she was behind the closed door of her bedroom before she did a little shimmy, biting the inside of her cheek to keep from squealing aloud. It wasn’t a kiss on the lips, but it was affection.

Since she showered after working outside, Rayna brushed her teeth, changed into her pajamas, then slid under the covers. She pressed the same palm Asher kissed to her lips before turning onto her side and closing her eyes. She thanked her goddess for bringing Asher into her life and prayed he felt the same connection she did.

Ace

Ace washed thepitcher and dried it, then returned it to the cabinet. His heart hadn’t stopped racing since he pressed his lips to Rayna’s palm. He had never been so bold, but he’d turned his face without thinking, as though it was the most natural thing in the world. If Rayna hadn’t been affected, he might regret it, but the little hitch in her breath was the sign he needed to know he hadn’t screwed up. What was it about this female that had his cock stirring, even if it was a twinge? Those he had been interested in previously were all human, so could it be because she was a shifter? Ace had been around other Gryphons his whole life, and none of them caused a stir in his Gryphon.

Instead of standing in the kitchen questioning why, he turned out the lights, locked the doors, and retreated to his room. Ace paused outside Rayna’s door, listening. The shuffle of bedding was faint, indicating she was already in bed. He continued to his room and closed the door. As he went through his nighttime routine, Ace decided he wasn’t going to question his body’s reaction to Rayna. Everyone’s sexual experiences were different, even those like him who were demi. He had been on many forums over the years searching for answers to his sexuality. It took some longer than others to get to the point where they wanted sex. Some felt the connection quickly when they and their person clicked. His Gryphon already said Rayna’s Cheetah was onboard, so did that mean the human was as well?

Ace climbed under the covers and slid one arm behind his head, staring at the ceiling. He had a job to do tomorrow, and then he was going to focus on spending as much time with Rayna as possible. They still had to figure out what was going on with her boss and David Spencer, but in the meantime, he was going to focus on his pretty Cheetah shifter.

When the clock rolled over to five a.m., Ace got up and dressed. He had a couple of hours ride ahead of him, and he was ready to get it over with. He set the coffee pot to come on at sixand left a note for Rayna. He’d prefer to tell her goodbye, but he didn’t want to wake her.

Where Haven was west of New Troy, Oasis was southeast. The ride wasn’t a bad one with all the backroads he could take, but he wanted to get there and get back quickly, so Ace took highways as much as possible. When he was half a mile away, he parked his bike next to Viper’s. Ace climbed off his Harley, searching the area for his fellow Hound. He checked his phone for a message, but there wasn’t one.

He waited a half hour, and when Viper still didn’t show, Ace stripped, stowing his clothes in his carry pouch, then shifted to his Eagle. He wasn’t going to storm the castle without knowing whether Abraham was there. Maybe Viper had found Abraham alone and decided to voice him. Ace flew over the compound several times, not seeing either male. He landed on top of the chapel, waiting and watching. People came and went, including Ruth, but Abraham was nowhere to be seen. Ace followed Ruth to the larger house at the back of the community. There was a guard stationed at each door, and the one at the front didn’t speak to Ruth as she passed him.

“Where have you been?”Ruth asked someone inside.

“Hiding, same as your husband.”

“If you hadn’t got yourself arrested, he wouldn’t need to hide. You had one job.”

“And I did that job. For ten fucking years, I played both sides, and for what? I’m done being the good little sheep. Abraham has lost control of not one but two of the compounds. It won’t be long until Oasis is also out of his hands.”

“Is that what you think?”a male asked. “I’m still in control, and you’d do well to remember that.”

Abraham was there.Where the hell was Viper?

“You’re fooling yourself if you think you have things under control. And you’d do well to remember what I’m capable of.I no longer care about you or your shitty cult. Youwillleave Rhiannon alone.”

“Watch your mouth, David,”Ruth scolded.

“No, Mother. I will no longer do his bidding. I wasted ten years of my life behind The Ministry’s walls, thinking Rhiannon was safe only to find out Josiah used my baby for his own gain.”

“And now where is she? With those heathen bikers. If you’d done what you were supposed to, she never would have run off.”

“I did what I was supposed to. I married someone I didn’t love. I elevated Haven’s financial status. I provided weapons. And for what? To lose my daughter as well as my job with the GIA? I’m warning you now, Abraham. Leave Rhi alone, or the Feds will be the least of your worries.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“Fucking right I am.”

Ace flew to the ground at the side of the house, shifted to his skin, and dressed quickly. He skirted the side of the house, ducking back to keep from being spotted by the guard at the front door.

“Guard!”Abraham demanded. Ace peeked around once more to see the male entering the house. Ace crept closer and looked in the window. The guard and David were in a standoff, both with handguns pointed at the other. If he could get in there before they fired shots, he could voice them all. Ace eased his way up the steps, but his Gryphon growled, stopping him from going farther. Ace glanced over his shoulder to find the guard from the back of the house bearing down on him with a pistol.

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