Page 35 of Coming Up Aces

“Created?” Rayna didn’t understand.

“You’ve heard of Jonas Montague?”

“Sure. He cloned the first baby.”

Lucy grinned. “Tamian was that baby.”

“No freaking way. I’ve never met a clone. Not that I know of, anyway.”

“They’re just like anyone else. There are two mates in Tamian’s Clan who are also clones. One didn’t know it until she was an adult, but Trevor, he always knew. His story is sad, really. He was created because his older brother had a heart defect.”

“So, he was considered spare parts? That’s awful.”

“They’re each other’s champion now.” Lucy pulled up to the gate, which was already open. As she eased through, there were no men standing guard. Lucy continued as though she knew where she was going. She ended up at the back of the compound where Tamian was standing outside a square, block building. Rayna jumped out of the vehicle before Lucy put it in park and rushed toward the building.

“How is he?”

Tamian smiled softly. “Not bad considering. He’s in and out of consciousness.”

Rayna pushed open the door, not stopping until she was beside her mate. Her Cheetah howled upon seeing Asher bandaged and pale with an I.V. in his hand. Whoever operated hadn’t removed his jeans or boots, but he was naked from the waist up. She brushed her fingers through his hair as she studied the ink on his chest. “I’m here, Asher. I’m going to take care of you. I promise.”

“Rayna?” His eyelids fluttered.

“Yes, it’s me.” Rayna did her best to smile, but it was hard, knowing she’d almost lost him.

“Y-you’re not Rayna,” Asher whispered.

“I—” It was then she remembered the mask and wig. “It is me, Asher. Lucy brought the prosthetic you asked for.”

“Am I dreaming?”

“No, Gorgeous. Maybe a little groggy from whatever is in your I.V., but I promise I’m real.”

“Okay.”

Tamian entered the building with King behind him. “Rayna, the door isn’t wide enough to push the bed through, so I’m going to carry Ace, and I need you to hold the I.V. bag. King is going to take the mattress and put it in the back of my SUV.”

“Got it.” Rayna removed the bag from the stand, then Tamian carefully lifted Asher into his arms. King slid themattress off the bed and carried it outside with Tamian and Rayna following. The back seats had been folded down to accommodate Asher. Once King had the mattress situated, Tamian handed Asher off to the male, then took the bag from Rayna until she could climb in beside her mate. She retook the bag from him.

“My phone,” Asher husked.

“Where is it?”

“Bike. I think.”

“I’ll get it,” King offered. He was back after a couple of minutes, handing the device to Rayna. “It was on the ground covered in blood and dirt, so I cleaned it off.”

Tamian had run off while King was looking for Asher’s phone, and when he returned, he had the metal bar from the I.V. stand, which he bent to hook over the “oh shit” handle above the door. Tamian helped Viper climb in, so Rayna squeezed in behind Asher to make room for the biker.

“What about King?” Rayna asked as soon as Tamian and Lucy were buckled in.

“He’s hanging back to wait on Fury. Depending on where Abraham ended up, Sutton might have them take the man down,” Lucy explained.

“He’s the least of our worries,” Rayna said, scooting around so Asher’s head was on her lap. “Spencer’s still out there.”

“Lachlan Rokesby agreed to help eliminate Spencer,” Tamian said. “If anyone can find Rhiannon’s father, it’ll be him”

Rayna prayed he was right. She knew nothing about this Gargoyle, but if Lucy’s family trusted him, Rayna would do the same.

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