Page 61 of Coming Up Aces

“Just waiting for Seth to finish up a call with his wife,” Lucy explained.

“I’m here.” Seth stared at Rayna and Asher’s clasped hands, but she didn’t pull away. Her partner would have to get used totheir affection. “Do you have a suit to put on for the interview?” he asked Rayna.

“I’m going to sit this one out.” Rayna released Asher’s hand and stepped closer to her partner. “Considering Hanson’s dead and Grissom’s going to jail, I’ll tell you now. I’m resigning. I’ll type up a formal resignation letter for whomever the director puts in charge.”

“Rayna, no. You’re one of the best agents we have. Don’t throw away your career for…” Seth glanced at Asher, and that pissed her off even more.

“I was a great agent, but after being sent to Haven for months, it gave me time to reassess how I want to spend my future. I’m not throwing away anything. I’m moving forward with my life. You know I don’t need the money, and now that I have Asher, I don’t want to put myself in the line of fire if I don’t have to. Last night was a close call. One I’d prefer to never endure again.”

“But you just met him. Or is there something more you haven’t told me?”

“We did meet recently, but that doesn’t mean what we have isn’t serious. Now, there’s somewhere Asher and I need to be.” Rayna turned and held out her hand to her mate. “Let’s go home.” Before they were out of the room, Rayna remembered something she wanted to ask. “Seth, if Spencer was working against Grissom, why did he manipulate the cameras at the hotel so Grissom could get away without being seen?”

“What are you talking about?”

“I followed Grissom from the office to the hotel where he was staying. The computer specialist who was helping me figured out his room number, but when I went to confront him, he wasn’t there. When they searched further, the camera feed had been set on a loop so it didn’t show Grissom going out aside door immediately after entering the hotel and getting into Perkins’s car.”

“If he had a hacker putting together shell corporations, he could have asked him to manipulate the cameras.”

“Yeah, you’re right. I still have a hard time trusting Spencer. Well, I’ll let you get on with it.” Rayna tugged Asher toward the front door, but she stopped before opening it. As soon as Seth walked away with Tamian, Rayna led Asher back to the living room where she guided him to the same chair he’d sat in the evening before. “Hang out here for a few minutes. I want to make a copy of the thumb drive, plus I need to grab my bags from upstairs.”

“Why don’t I get your bags while you talk to Lucy? My rib’s a little sore, but I’m a Gryphon, Rayna. I’m tougher than I look.”

Rayna grinned while wrapping her arms around Asher’s neck. “You look pretty damn tough.”

Asher grasped her hips, his fingers skimming bare skin beneath her T-shirt. He lowered his face to hers, pressing their lips together. It wasn’t passionate, but it was full of something akin to love, and she relished it. When he leaned back, his eyes were shiny. “I’m so thankful for you,” he whispered. “Now go find Lucy.” Asher squeezed her waist before walking away. Rayna touched her lips as she watched him go. When he was out of sight, she went back to the kitchen where Lucy was preparing a cup of tea. “If you don’t mind, I’d like a copy of the thumb drive. I want to give it to Rhiannon so she can hear her father’s words.”

“I can do that. I also just realized you don’t have a vehicle here. You can borrow one of mine.”

“Oh, that’s kind, but we can call for a ride.”

“Nonsense. Your car is out of commission, so you can use mine until yours is fixed or you get a new one. Tamian didn’t sayhow much damage yours incurred, but if it needed to be towed, I’d say it’s extensive.”

Rayna wouldn’t hesitate to accept such a gracious gift from Vanessa, and that’s what this was – a favor from a new friend. “Thank you. I would appreciate that.”

By the time Asher returned with Rayna’s things, Lucy had made a copy of the thumb drive. “I made two. One has all the evidence, and this one only has the voice recording plus the bank account information for Daisy’s trust fund. I’m sure David will send the originals to Rhi at some point, but at least she’ll know what he did for her daughter.” She held out a key fob. “It’s the black Benz. Keep it as long as you need it.”

“Thanks again.” Rayna gave the female a hug, then she and Asher made their way to the large garage. She pressed the button to open the trunk, where Asher tossed her bags. Once they were both seated and buckled in, she turned to her mate. “I could use a few quiet days before going to see Rhiannon, but I’m not sure I trust Spencer was telling the truth about leaving her alone.”

“How about we head that way and get it over with and then spend a few quiet days alone? And yes, I feel up to it,” he added sternly.

“I won’t apologize for worrying about you, but I will stop nagging,” she promised.

Asher’s face softened. “You aren’t nagging, and I apologize for being an ass. Thank you for worrying.”

“No thanks needed. Now, tell me where I’m going.”

Chapter Twenty

Ace

Ace didn’t wantto show up at Ryot’s without calling first, so once they were on the road, he phoned the male. After telling him why they wanted to visit, Ryot cursed a blue streak, then said he would be waiting. By the time they arrived, the driveway was filled with bikes.

“Are they having a party?” Rayna asked.

“No. It’s not unusual for the brothers to gather when something is going down though.” Ace pointed at the bike with the painted-up sidecar. “I hope Mayhem brought the twins. They’re a hoot.”

The front door opened, and one of the twins ran outside. Ace knew by the mischievous grin it was Major. Marshall was more laid back. When the boy noticed Rayna, he froze and cocked his head to the side. “That’s Major, and there’s no telling what will come out of his mouth.”

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