Page 68 of Coming Up Aces

Pressing a kiss to the boy’s head, Ace said, “This is River, and that’s his sister, Aria.”

“Arson’s kids?” Ripley asked.

Rory nodded, blowing out a breath while swiping at her face.

“What happened?” Ace whispered.

Sutton handed the little girl over to Regina when she held out her arms, then he walked over and tugged Rory to his chest. “I’d rather tell this when little ears aren’t listening.”

Gran stood and gently pried River from Asher’s arms. “I think there are some cookies in the kitchen. Let’s go see.” Regina followed with Aria.

“Yesterday, Arson went to pick Cora up at work. When she didn’t come out of the bank, he texted, but she didn’t respond. After another ten minutes, he went in to see what was taking so long. The door was locked, and when he looked inside, he couldsee three armed men. One of them was pointing his weapon at Cora, so Arson busted out the glass. He was shot before he could get to her. When she tried to run to him, the bastard shot her too. Cora died instantly, and Arson… He was shot multiple times when his fangs and claws came out.” Sutton closed his eyes and shook his head. “One was a head shot, so he didn’t stand a chance. We got lucky that one of the cops was a Hound. He was able to voice everyone in the bank, and he called Bishop to have him wipe that part of the security video.”

“Please tell me he killed the bastards,” Ripley seethed.

“Two are dead, and one is in custody.

“Do they have family to take them in?” Rayna asked, looking toward the kitchen.

“No. Arson’s parents have been gone a while, and Cora was raised by her aunt, but she’s in her eighties and in an assisted living facility. Ace—”

“We’ll take them,” Asher blurted. Then he turned to Rayna, his eyes begging her to agree.

“If that’s an option,” Rayna added, “Absolutely.”

Sutton smiled, but it was sad. “That’s why we’re here. Ace had mentioned adoption, and we’d rather they go to someone in the Hounds than be put in the system. Since they have no close relatives, Arson listed Rory and me as emergency contacts. The social worker said we can keep the kids until other arrangements are made, so we have time to get things squared away.”

Asher turned to Rayna and held her face in his hands. “You sure about this?”

“Yes. Those babies need a home, and we have one.”

Asher kissed her softly, then took her hand and led her into the kitchen. Regina held Aria out to Rayna, and she snuggled the little girl to her chest. She didn’t know anything about raising kids, but with all the parents currently in the house, she and Asher would have plenty of guidance. He sat next to River whowas munching on a cookie. River held it out, and Asher took a nibble. The boy gave a tremulous smile.

“Momma and Papa are gone.”

“I know, Buddy, and I’m so sorry. Rayna and I have this big ole house, and we would love it if you and Aria stayed here with us.”

“Can I bring my toys?”

“You can bring anything you want. Your toys, clothes, pictures of your momma and papa. We can even bring your furniture.”

“And sister’s things too?”

“Yep.”

River leaned against Asher, who wrapped his arm around the boy. Rayna’s heart ached for the siblings.

Ripley stepped into the kitchen. “Dad, Sutton, Rory, and I are going to start gathering their things, if that’s okay?”

Asher nodded. “Thanks, Brother.”

“No thanks needed.” Ripley eyed the little boy, and when he turned away, he wiped his face. Rayna got it. Losing parents at any age would be hard, but these two were just babies. Aria tugged on Rayna’s hair, and she smiled down at who would soon be her daughter. Goddess, that sucked. She wanted to be a mother. Wanted to give a child what she didn’t have from her own mother, but not this way. Rayna glanced at Gran, who nodded. She got it. She had taken in Rayna and loved her like her own. If Rayna was half the caregiver Fern had been, Aria and River would never know anything but unconditional love.

Things moved quickly after that day. The kids had gone to stay with Rory and Sutton while Rayna and Asher got their rooms ready. She and Asher spent as much time with the children as possible at the elder Lazlos’ home. When the court date was set, the kids came to stay in their new home, and Roryspent the night in the guest room, just in case the children felt more at ease with her.

Rayna didn’t know who facilitated the expediency, but the adoption was approved two days before Christmas. By then, the little ones were used to being in their new home. Aria, being eighteen months, didn’t appear to understand what was happening, but little River who was four… He cried for his parents, had bad dreams, wet the bed, and had several meltdowns.

Asher was patient and loving. He was soft-spoken. He contacted a child psychologist to help navigate River’s issues. Gran offered to move in for the time being so she could be another set of hands, and they took her up on it.

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