Page 39 of Coming Up Aces

“Bethany left sandwiches, pasta salad, and fruit in the breakroom fridge. There’s also soup broth to heat up for you. If you hold that down, then you can try something heavier. I don’t think you’ll have an issue since you’re a shifter, but it’s better to be safe than have you puking.”

“I’ll go heat the soup for you.” Rayna pressed a kiss to his forehead, then left the room with Rev following.

Ace watched her go, and when Con cleared his throat, Ace asked, “What?”

“It’s good to see you smitten, Son.”

“It’s good to be smitten. I never thought I’d get this, especially with someone like Rayna.”

“She’s something else, all right. We had a nice talk at your house earlier, and it was clear then she was all in. I especially like how she planted a garden for you since she can’t cook. She’s willing to contribute to the relationship in other ways. And being an FBI agent means she’s tough. Add in that she’s a shifter? Nothing against human mates, but this way you don’t have to worry about her lifespan.”

Once again, Ace thought about the serum Lucy and Jonas Montague were working on. Not that he would need it for Rayna, but the other Hounds with human mates like Ripley could possibly have extended years with their partners.

Rayna returned carrying a tray and placed it on the rolling cart. She adjusted the height, then moved it over Ace so he could reach the bowl of broth.

“Where’s yours?”

“I’m going to fix me a plate. Be right back.” Rayna ran a finger down his cheek before leaving again.

“She’s crazy about you,” Con said.

“Which is crazy in itself. We’ve only known each other a few days.”

“That’s the beauty of meeting the right person. When you know, you know.”

“Yeah.” Ace lifted a spoonful of broth and sipped it. It was surprisingly flavorful instead of the bland crap he’d expected. He crushed the crackers Rayna had added to the tray over the soup, mixing it together. He’d finished the bowl by the time she returned.

When Rev came back, he had some toast and another bowl of broth. It wasn’t the sandwich and pasta Rayna was eating, butit was something on his stomach. By the time he downed the second bowl, he was full.

Conrad promised to return whenever Rev released Ace to escort him and Rayna home before saying goodnight. Rev checked Ace’s bandages, then he too left them alone, only he went to his office where he was spending the night. Rayna kicked off her shoes, lowered the bed, and climbed on next to him. There was no TV in the room, so they snuggled and recounted their own versions of the day. With his mate by his side, Ace slipped into a dreamless sleep.

Chapter Fourteen

Rayna

Asher was readyto go home the next morning, but Rev wanted to keep him at least one more night, shifter healing or not. Conrad and Regina came to visit, helping keep Asher’s spirits up. They filled Asher in on what Ripley and Glory were going through with Glory’s mother after Rayna explained about the prosthetic and wig they found in the chair.

When Regina offered to take Rayna to Asher’s so she could shower and change clothes, Asher convinced her to go. Ripley’s mother was a hoot, dressed the same way Rayna preferred in cut-off denim shorts and a rock band tee. Her arms were covered in ink. If Rayna didn’t know she was a Gryphon, she would assume Regina was a cool, young woman in her forties. She sure didn’t act like Colette. Regina was loving as well as funny. Then Rayna remembered Regina was the one who killed Glory’s father as well as Thomas, and she had an even deeper appreciation for the female. Glory deserved to have a fierce mother figure.

Rayna trusted Regina, so she explained her situation from going undercover, to leaving Haven, to hiding out with Asher, and everything happening with Spencer and her boss. When they arrived at Asher’s house, Rayna rushed through her shower, not wanting to be away from the clinic too long. When she pulled clothes out of the drawer, she picked up the burner Seth had given her and powered it on. By the time Rayna was dressed, the phone showed several missed messages. Instead of reading themthen, she shoved the phone in her pocket since she figured he was calling to catch up. After slipping into her shoes and tying them, she made her way to the living room, where she grabbed one of Asher’s books in case he wanted to read later.

As Regina drove back to the clinic, Rayna read Seth’s texts.

Seth:We have a problem. Grissom wants me to bring you in from Haven.

So much for speaking in code. Rayna checked the time on the message. It was from yesterday morning at 8:22. The next one was about an hour later.

Seth:Grissom is sending me to get you, and Perkins is going with me.

“Shit.”

“What’s wrong?” Regina asked.

“The deputy director sent my partner to Haven to pick me up.”

“And you aren’t there. I thought your partner knew this.”

“He does, but he’s the one who suggested I pretend to still be undercover, thus the burner phone.”

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