Page 6 of Coming Up Aces

“Since Viper is watching Abraham’s compound, I’d like you to keep an eye on Haven. Now that Josiah and Thomas are dead, I want to know if Abraham shows up or sends someone else in to lead.”

“I can do that. As soon as we’re finished here, I’ll head that way.” It had been almost five months since they began patrolling Oasis, the compound Abraham Goodman oversaw. Neither he nor his wife, Rhiannon’s grandmother, had been spotted, and that didn’t bode well for the Hounds. According to Rhiannon, her grandmother was aware of Rhi’s abilities to heal peoplewith her energy. After her mom passed away, her father, David Spencer, had taken Rhi to Haven instead of Oasis. According to him, it was to protect Rhi, but Josiah had used her for the cult’s gain. He brought in new members who had health issues, promising to heal them if they lived at Haven and gave Josiah all their money. With Abraham knowing of her abilities, Rhiannon wouldn’t be safe until the man was found and taken out. Ryot wasn’t letting Rhi and their new baby girl out of his sight, sending other Hounds out on mercenary jobs. Ace didn’t blame him.

“You don’t have to go tonight, but I wouldn’t wait too long.”

“Will do, Boss.”

Sutton clapped Ace on the shoulder before heading to his SUV.

Ace spent a few more hours at Ripley’s, then when everyone left Ripley and Glory to enjoy their new home alone, Branson dropped Ace off at his house. Once inside, Ace called Spyder and asked if he could use BB’s as a hiding spot and why. The Hound assured him Charlie wouldn’t have a problem with it, but he promised to call her and fill her in. Ace hopped in his car and drove to the floral shop. He was cutting it close to getting there before closing time. As he drove, he also called Zander to tell him he’d be parking at BB’s.

The bell jingled when he pushed open the door to the shop. Kristoff was behind the counter, and when he saw who it was, his face lit up. “My Ace of Hearts! I’ve missed you.”

Ace grinned at the young man and sauntered up to the desk. “How are you, Kristoff?”

“Better now.” He fanned his face and batted his lashes. The male was cheeky and cute, but he was too young for Ace.

“Kristoff, what have I told you about flirting?” Charlie asked as she came from the back room where she put together herfloral arrangements. She rolled her eyes as she approached, holding out a set of keys. “Here you go.”

Ignoring Kristoff who had his chin propped on his fist watching, Ace said, “Thanks. I shouldn’t need it too long.”

Charlie waved him off. “Use it as long as you want, and when you’re finished, you should come by for dinner.”

“I can do that.” Ace wrapped his fingers around the keys. “I’ll get out of your hair so you can close up.”

“Come back soon!” Kristoff husked. Ace grinned at the cutie, shaking his head. As he left the shop, he thought about the young man. Kristoff was a force of nature who couldn’t sing for shit. He was funny and talented in other ways, but Ace hadn’t given into the flirtations while he and Rip were guarding BB’s. It wasn’t that Ace didn’t find Kristoff attractive. He did, but he worried the man wanted that instant love, the kind he probably read about in romance novels where Ace would sweep him off his feet. Then again, maybe Ace wasn’t being fair. Either way, he had someone else he needed to focus his attention on.

Not wanting Kristoff to know Ace was hanging around, Ace got in his car and drove across the street, parking at the end of a strip mall. When Charlie and her assistant left for the evening, Ace returned. He parked around back, then went inside to wait until dark since he didn’t want to chance anyone seeing him shift into his Eagle. He sat in the breakroom until the other stores closed for the night, then locked up behind him. Once again, he stripped and shifted, heading to the house a few miles away.

Chapter Three

Rayna

When Seth finallypicked Rayna up from Providence, the first thing she did was ask about his wife and kids. Vanessa was Rayna’s best friend and had been for years. Only after he assured her they were all good did Rayna tell him what she’d found at Haven. It wasn’t anything they didn’t already know. What she didn’t tell him was that Talbert was dead.

“What took you so long?” Before Seth could answer, Rayna eyed the exit leading home, which he passed. “You missed my exit.”

“I know. I’m taking you to Delia’s.”

“Delia’s? Why?” Delia was Seth’s sister. Rayna had hung out with the woman, her husband, Joseph, and their two kids several times over the years. Her house was a good thirty minutes away from Rayna’s.

Seth let out a deep breath. “Because David Spencer was released after you went undercover. According to Hanson, Deputy Director Grissom and someone at the GIA made a deal.”

“What kind of deal? And released to whom?”

“That’s above my paygrade, but I’m assuming he’s in GIA custody.”

“Then why are you taking me to Delia’s?”

“After he sent you to Haven, Hanson stopped allowing anyone else into the interrogation room. When I tried to accessthe recordings, I was told they were locked down for security purposes.”

“And you think what?”

“I think it’s possible Hanson and Spencer are working together. Call it a gut feeling, but until I know for certain, I don’t think you should come in. There was no good reason for you to go undercover, Ray. I think Hanson did it to get you out of the way.”

“And what about you? Why aren’t you hiding?”

“As far as the higher ups know, I’m being a good little sheep. Between cases, I’ve been trying to find out if the GIA really made a deal, or if Hanson let Spencer go free. So far, I’ve hit nothing but dead ends. I’ve also been watching the Hounds, and there’s nothing about them that indicates they’re bad people.”

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