Coming Up Aces (The Hounds of Zeus MC #9)

Chapter One

Rayna

BOOM!

The unmistakable sound of a rifle blasted from somewhere on the compound, followed by glass shattering. Rayna jumped out of the chair where she was knitting. Tossing the yarn aside, she rushed out of the cabin she shared with a woman named Lisa Ann.

“Melinda!” her cabinmate called after her, using the alias Rayna had given when coming to Haven. Rayna didn’t stop. She ran barefoot down the dirt road toward the other end of the compound where the sound had come from. Haven, one of The Ministry’s locations, was heavily guarded, and Rayna’s skin crawled at not having her FBI issued weapon. Being undercover sucked ass, especially in a cult where Rayna had to pretend to be a subservient female. Fuck that noise.

Speaking of noise, her King Cheetah rumbled in her chest.

Down, girl.

A few more shots were fired in quick succession, and Rayna dove to the ground on instinct, covering her head with her arms. After a few seconds with no further shots, she looked around, using her cat’s superior vision. When she didn’t see a shooter, she climbed to her feet and took off behind the cabins so she could run without being seen. When she got to the area where the barns were, Rayna skirted behind the closest building. She edged her way to the corner and sneaked a peek. What she witnessed didn’t make sense. Haven’s guards were on their knees with their hands clasped behind their heads, and holding them at gunpoint was a group of men in jeans and T-shirts. She recognized some of the men as members of the Hounds of Zeus MC. Had the bikers killed some of the guards?

GIA agent David Spencer had a shit-ton of information on the club, and he readily turned it over after he was taken into custody for kidnapping his adult daughter, Rhiannon, who the members of Haven called Anna. David claimed the bikers were mercenaries instead of the do-gooders they were purported to be. He also had a shit-ton of information on Haven and Josiah Talbert. David alleged he had been undercover at Haven, but Rayna found that hard to believe. Ten years on a UC operation wasn’t the norm. At least it wasn’t in the FBI. Still, Spencer claimed he was innocent of any wrongdoing, vowing he took his daughter to keep her safe. However, when Special Agent Seth McCauley arrived at the scene, Rhiannon gave a different account. The FBI had received evidence against David Spencer, albeit anonymously, and were holding the man until they could figure out the truth.

Voices in the loft of the barn caught Rayna’s attention. She glanced up at the shattered window.

“Glory! Oh, Sunshine,” a male rasped . Glory? What was she doing back at Haven? According to Sandra, Glory had run away from the market a couple of weeks ago when she’d gone with others to help sell items they made to earn money.

“I’m okay,” Glory assured the male . “I’m fine, Rip. Look at me. I knew you’d come for me.” After a few seconds, she added , “And thank you for saving me.”

“I’m sorry you had to see that, Sunshine,” Rip said .

“I’m not. Thomas was going to kill me.”

“But you threw up.”

“Not from that. My stomach is wonky. I also threw up on Josiah’s face.” Josiah was back? The leader hadn’t been seen around Haven lately. If he had returned, Rayna needed to get eyes on the man.

“Glory, who saved you from Josiah?”

“I saved myself.”

“You killed him?” Rip asked, his voice awe-filled . Wait. Glory killed Josiah? Oh, shit.

“If he’s dead, then yes. He was going to force Rhi back here, and I couldn’t let that happen. What’s going on outside?”

“We voiced the guards and took their weapons. I’m so sorry we missed that one.” Voiced them? What did that mean? And who else was up there? Rayna needed to get inside to see for herself.

“I’m just glad he couldn’t aim,” Glory muttered . “Can we get out of here? I want to check on my mother. She agreed to come with us if you managed to rescue me.”

“Anything you want.”

Rayna eased her way around the building, intending to enter from the front. She needed to get inside, but there was someone standing guard. He turned when Glory and Rip exited the building. Rip and the man had to be brothers. Rip led Glory over to the other one, who grabbed Glory and wrapped her up tight. While he was hugging her, he asked, “Where’s my mate?”

“In the loft waiting on you to bring her clothes. She was something fierce,” Glory told him.

Mate? And why was she waiting on clothes? What the hell was going on? Rayna sniffed the air, and there was something different about them. Then why wasn’t her Cheetah on edge?

“Glory?” Marjorie, Glory’s mother, called out to her. Marjorie, like most women at Haven, was meek. Even though her husband had disappeared, she was a good little sheep, behaving the way Josiah, then Thomas, instructed.

The older man kept his arm around Glory when her mom approached. Glory jutted out her chin. “I told you Ripley would come for me.”

Marjorie eyed the man. “Thank you for taking care of my girl.”

“Oh, no. I’m her father-in-law.” He gestured toward Rip. “This is her husband, my son, Ripley.”

Marjorie did a double take. Rayna didn’t blame her. The man didn’t look much older than his son. If the female upstairs was his mate, she could be a shifter. They all could be, and that would explain why father and son appeared close in age. In the cheetah world, they stopped aging in their forties. Were these creatures also cats? Rayna’s grandmother had said those of their species were rare, but wouldn’t it be wonderful to find more of her kind?

“Oh, uh, well, thank you. Glory told me you and your wife bought her a piano. That’s very nice of you.”

“It was nothing. Glory deserves everything this world has to offer, and we were more than happy to provide for her. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” The man took off toward the barn with a bag in his hand. Rayna listened in on Glory’s conversation with her mother as she waited for Ripley’s father to come back outside. When he did, he was holding hands with a pretty blonde who also appeared too young to be Ripley’s parent.

Rayna went back around the building to observe the men holding the guards at bay. They weren’t speaking, and the guards weren’t moving. A man Rayna recognized, Sutton Lazlo, father to five of the Hounds of Zeus, approached from the woods and gestured to one of the kneeling Haven guards.

“You will gather everyone to the church, then you will return to this spot, and you won’t move.” The air shifted with his command. The guard rose and went to do as he was told without question. Rayna darted between the buildings, then made her way back to her cabin for her shoes.

Lisa Ann was waiting in the open doorway. “What’s going on? Who were the guards shooting at?”

“I’m not sure, but it appears there’s been a takeover. We’re supposed to meet in the chapel.” She found the simple shoes they were provided and slipped them on. The meeting bell rang, and when she and Lisa Ann stepped outside, other doors were already opened with people looking out.

“Meeting in the chapel. Now.” The guard stood in the middle of the road until every cabin was empty. Rayna kept an eye on the guard, and when he got to the chapel, instead of entering, he walked toward the barn. She and Lisa Ann followed other Haven members into the large building where the elders had their version of church. Rayna spotted Glory and Ripley against the back wall, so she veered off, putting on her game face, and rushed to the younger woman.

“Glory! Oh, my god. What are you doing here? Sandra said you ran off from the market.” Rayna sniffed the air, but doing so didn’t give her a hint as to what Ripley was. Her Cat purred.

Yum. He smells delicious. Like our mate.

Who? Ripley?

No, the other one.

Rayna turned to face the male standing on the other side of Glory. Hooded eyes met hers as she took in his spiked hair and stacked body covered in ink. Yum indeed.

“I did run off, and now I have a new family. This is Ripley.” Glory patted her man’s stomach. “And this is his best friend, Ace.” Glory thumbed Yummy’s direction.

Rayna stepped toward Ace, and his scent washed over her. It was all she could do not to throw herself at him. She maintained control and extended a hand. “Melinda. It’s a pleasure.”

It would be a pleasure to get him naked.

Melinda ignored her Cheetah as Ace gripped her hand between both of his. “The pleasure’s mine.”

“If I could have your attention, please,” Sutton called out when he climbed onto the stage. Rayna didn’t want to move from Ace’s proximity. She wanted to bask in his arousing scent, but she had a part to play, so she excused herself even though she wanted to remain at Ace’s side. When she found her seat next to Lisa Ann, she turned and looked at Ace over her shoulder. She couldn’t help but smile at the man. Instead of returning her smile, he inclined his head, then focused his gaze on the man at the podium.

Sutton placed his hands on the lectern, looking around the congregation. “I’m here tonight because your former leader, Josiah Talbert, kidnapped Glory Yearwood, and brought her back to Haven where he intended to trade her for a woman you know as Anna Spencer.” Some of the congregation murmured, and Rayna expected Nadine to stand and defend her husband. She didn’t. Nadine wasn’t sitting with the married women. Instead, she was with the unwed females. That would be strange if the leaders didn’t discard their wives for younger ones.

Sutton commanded the crowd to get quiet, and they did. “Josiah had Glory call her boyfriend and demand the exchange, and when she made the call, Glory alerted us to where she was being held. While we were on our way, a guard confronted Josiah, and the two got into an argument where the guard stabbed Josiah.” Okay, so that’s how they’re playing it to protect Glory. “Thomas, who was in on the kidnapping, took off through the woods. You are now without a leader, and your guards have been relieved of their weapons. My family and I welcome anyone who wants to leave Haven to come with us. We are not here to take over, only to help those who were held against their will, like Anna, or those who wish to have a different kind of life, like Glory. We have a safe place for you to stay while you get back on your feet. Clothes, food, and shelter will be provided. Life skills will be taught for those who need them, all at no cost to you. For those of you who want to leave, meet us outside after gathering anything you wish to take. If you’re staying, remain seated until I dismiss you.”

Rayna looked around, unable to believe the men who served under Josiah weren’t moving. Weren’t complaining. They sat like zombies. A handful of single women rose from their seats and headed to the door. This was her chance to leave. Now that Talbert was dead, there was no need to stick around, no matter what her assignment had been. Besides, there was something off about the whole situation, and she couldn’t figure out what that was if she remained. Rayna turned to Lisa Ann. “Come with me.”

“What? I can’t, Melinda. This is my home. I thought it was yours too.”

“I came here hoping to find something, but it didn’t happen. It’s been great having you for a cabinmate, but this is what’s best for me.”

Lisa Ann nodded, her eyes misty. “I understand.” Rayna hugged the older woman, then slid out of the row and made her way to the door. She glanced over at Ace, but he was talking to Ripley. Sutton’s next words caught Rayna’s attention before she exited the building. She stopped at the door to listen.

“For those remaining, you will not remember we were here. What you will remember is the police came and took Thomas away, and when they left, they offered for those who wanted to leave to do so. While you are waiting for Abraham to find a new leader, all of you men will be respectful of the women. You will not engage with them if they do not wish you to. If one of the elders holds bible study, you will read from the New Testament, telling of Jesus’s love, not God’s damnation. Bible study will not be required of anyone who doesn’t wish to participate. The children will spend time daily with their parents, and they will not have to memorize scripture as part of their lessons.”

What the hell? Rayna looked over the congregation. Everyone sat stone still. No one contradicted the man. If Abraham did show up, it wouldn’t be to the same Haven he’d tasked Josiah and Thomas with leading. She had no idea how Sutton was mesmerizing the crowd, but he was doing something to them. Rayna was torn between going back to stand by Ace and leaving. If her Cheetah was right, Ace was their mate. Still, she needed to get while the getting was good, so she exited the building and joined the others who were leaving. She could find Ace once she was free.

It didn’t surprise her that the women leaving were all younger, and she couldn’t blame them for wanting to get away from the cult. In the few months she’d been inside Haven, Rayna had witnessed how they were treated as nothing more than hired help, only they didn’t get a wage. Not only that, but they were chosen as wives for the older, single men, whether they wanted the male or not. None had gone back to their cabins to retrieve items they wanted to take with them. They weren’t allowed to have anything of value. Rayna had been permitted to keep her purse, but her fake ID had been confiscated upon arrival. She didn’t bother retrieving it.

Glory and Ripley exited the church and met up with her mom and sisters as well as her sister Hope’s husband. They piled into a waiting van, while Rayna and the single females were escorted into another. She didn’t see Ace, but she couldn’t worry about the hot male. Rayna had a job to do.

A pretty redhead named Kerrigan drove the van. She reiterated what Sutton said about Providence House, the place she was taking the women to stay until they were ready to get back out into the world. Rayna wondered where they got the money to fund such a place. Kerrigan also explained how she’d been taken to Sanctuary, The Ministry compound run by Josiah’s brother Gideon, then rescued by Warryck Lazlo. David Spencer was adamant the Hounds weren’t good people, but hearing how the Lazlos banded together to rescue a woman they’d never met put a check in the positive column.

Most of the women were silent, so Rayna chatted with Kerrigan who talked about helping others who’d been taken against their will. By the time they arrived, Rayna felt as though she’d made a new friend. The two vans pulled into the driveway at the same time, and they all piled out. Rayna was curious about the place but not enough to hang around all night. She was ready to go home, soak in her tub, drink a beer, and eat copious amounts of junk food even though it was late.

The couple who ran Providence House, Lynette and Branson Miller, met them outside. Before greeting everyone, the couple rushed to Glory and hugged her. Only after being assured she was okay did they welcome the others and usher them inside. They were introduced to a young woman named Julia who was also a resident. Lynnette gave them a quick tour since it was late before showing them to the rooms where they would live for as long as they wanted to. Rayna followed along, taking note of the conditions. The house was spotless, and each room was well-appointed with its own en suite. No one would have to share. Lynette explained that each woman’s suite was their sanctuary, and no one was allowed inside without permission. Rayna was impressed.

As the others were choosing their bedrooms, Rayna made her way downstairs. She spotted Branson in the kitchen and strode his way.

“Excuse me, Branson. Do you have a phone I can borrow?” He set down the mug he was holding and retrieved a cell from his back pocket, handing it over. “Thanks. Providence is great, but I have a place to stay with a friend.”

“That’s wonderful. If it doesn’t work out, you’re welcome to come back.”

Rayna smiled. How could she not? He and his wife were amazing. Spotting the back door, Rayna exited the house. Her Cat wanted to shift and run through the woods. Having spent months at Haven, she’d not been able to let her animal free, and it was itching to do so. It also wanted her to find Ace.

Soon, she promised. Rayna knew better than to bypass her boss. Assistant Director Frederick Hanson was a hardass, but after the way he dismissed her from interrogating David Spencer, well, he could go fuck himself. Instead, she called her partner, Seth McCauley. When he didn’t answer, she left a message. “It’s Rayna. Please call me back on this number.” She ended the call and waited. It took less than a minute for him to call back.

“Rayna, are you okay?”

“Yes. I’m no longer at Haven, and I need a ride. I’ll explain later.”

Seth hesitated. “Did you call Hanson?”

“No. I’m not sure I trust him.”

Seth sighed. “Okay. Send a pin of your location, and I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

“Yes, Sir,” Rayna quipped. Seth was her partner, not her boss, but she still respected the hell out of him. Rayna opened the map app, dropped a pin, and sent it via text message. She then cleared the text as well as the call from the device. Sure, that would look suspicious, but if asked, she would say she was protecting her friend. Rayna needed time to get her story straight. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Seth. She did, but outing the Hounds if they were shifters wasn’t something she could trust anyone with. She returned inside and handed the phone to Branson who was leaning against the kitchen counter once again sipping from his mug.

“Thanks. My friend will be here in about forty-five minutes,” she said, estimating the drive time.

“Would you like some coffee while you wait?” he offered after subtly sniffing the air.

Shit. He was a shifter too. She hadn’t sensed that about Lynette, but she was more focused on leaving than those around her. Rayna was slipping. It was probably from spending too much time at Haven and not using her skills as an agent. Time to get her head back in the game.

“Thank you for the offer, but I’d like to wait outside and get some fresh air.” Rayna calmly walked out the back door, but her nerves were frayed. She prayed Seth hurried the hell up.