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

Chapter Nine

Ace

It was well past suppertime when Ace pulled into his driveway. He sent Rayna a text earlier on the burner phone apologizing for being gone all day. When she didn’t immediately reply, he almost called one of the Hounds to go check on her, but she finally responded, saying she was fine, making him curious as to how she spent her day. After parking his bike in the garage, Ace entered the house to find Rayna sitting at the island, her hair wet, as she ate takeout.

She wiped her mouth with a napkin. “How was your day?” she asked with a smile. He had never had that – coming home to someone asking about his day.

“Long.” Ace sniffed the air. “Is that Korean?”

“Good nose. I ordered plenty, and it should still be warm enough.” Rayna slid off her stool and got another plate, bringing it to the counter for Ace. “Chopsticks or fork?”

“Fork, please. I’m too tired to work at keeping rice on chopsticks.” Ace plugged his phone into the charger, then washed his hands before plating some beef bulgogi and kimchi fried rice. Rayna grabbed him a beer out of the fridge, then retook her seat, expertly scooping rice with her chopsticks. He’d never really gotten the hang of using them. He dug into his meal, eating half before coming up for air.

“I take it you didn’t stop long enough to eat lunch?” Rayna asked.

“No.” Ace took a long pull off his beer. “Abraham showed up at Haven. It was rather comical. He didn’t know what to do with a compound filled with happy people mingling. I left to call Sutton, and by the time I returned, Abraham was gone. I was able to spot him driving away, so I followed him to Oasis. Viper is there, so he’s going to keep an eye on him. I had to fly back to my bike, and that took all day.”

“I’d love to have seen that. Now what happens?”

Ace picked up his fork and scooped up some rice. “I’ll have to ask Sutton, but I suppose we’ll go in and voice Oasis like we did Haven. The main goal is to ensure Rhi is safe from Abraham and Ruth, then find out if they confided in anyone else about her abilities. With David out there somewhere, we need to eliminate all possible threats as quickly as possible.” Ace took a bite. As he chewed, he studied Rayna. She was calm, and if he wasn’t mistaken, content. “How was your day? Did you find something to do so you weren’t bored?”

“I, uh…” She took a drink of water, then cleared her throat. “I may have started a garden in your backyard. Just a small one,” she assured him like he would mind her digging in his yard.

“Really? That’s amazing. What did you plant?”

“Nothing, yet. I wanted to ask what you’d like. I did get the ground ready, though.”

“I don’t know anything about what to plant when, so I’ll leave that up to you. Thanks for getting it started.”

Rayna relaxed. “You’re welcome. I enjoy getting my hands in the dirt. Gran and I used to have a big garden every year, and I’ve missed it. There’s nothing like eating something you grew yourself. And I’ll pay you back for all the supplies I bought.”

Ace waved his fork. “I’m not worried about the money. Besides, I plan to take advantage of the vegetables, so I should probably pay you for your time.”

Grinning, Rayna shook her head. “How about we call it even? Your land for my time?”

“Sounds good.” Ace pointed to the containers. “You want some more?”

“I’m full. It’s all yours.”

As Ace dished out another helping, Rayna placed her chopsticks on the side of her plate and leaned back. “I called Gran earlier, and we had a good chat. After I told her what was going on, she encouraged me to retire and find something different to do, but I have no idea what that would look like. I don’t need money, but I’m not good with sitting around. She said for now to do something productive, and that led to making a garden. So, I made a list of things I needed, and I went to the garden center, but on my way back, I had a feeling I needed to talk to Seth. I drove over to Harristown before I called him. If someone can trace the burner, they won’t find me here,” she assured Ace.

“He said Deputy Director Grissom showed up at the office looking for Hanson, and things went downhill from there. He also asked if I was still undercover, and Seth told him I was. If things are as chaotic at Haven as you said, no one will be aware I left other than Seth and the women who also left. I couldn’t tell you a single one of their names, so I doubt they know mine either. Well, my alias. I didn’t tell him I’m considering retiring, but I did ask how Vanessa and the kids are. He said they’re good, but I wanted to hear her voice, so I called her. She was at her shop, so we could only talk a few minutes.”

“Does she know you were undercover?”

Rayna took a sip of water. “Yes. We talk at least once a week, and we get together often, so if I went radio silent, she would have worried. I told her that I’m undercover, and if anyone asked, she hadn’t heard from me.”

“Did she ask where you are?”

“No. Being married to Seth, she knows not to ask questions.”

“I’m glad you have someone like Vanessa in your life. Ripley is that for me. He and—” Ace’s phone rang. “Excuse me.” He lowered himself off the stool and walked over to the counter to where his phone was charging. “Hey, Sutton.”

“What a fucking day.” Sutton explained what was happening with Sultan and the mob. No wonder he was stressed. “Please tell me you have good news.”

“I think it is. I followed Abraham to Oasis. He was pissed about how things were being handled at Haven and insisted one of the men go there to take over. Not that it’ll do any good.”

“No, it won’t. I’ll call Viper and have him voice Abraham before he has a chance to go into hiding again. I’d appreciate it if you would head that way in the morning in case he needs backup.”

“It’d be my pleasure. Once that’s done, we’ll only have Spencer to worry about.”

“I spoke with Ryot earlier. We have several Hounds guarding him and his family. I’ve also called Lucy and told her we need her on this. Henry and Bishop are helping Sultan, so their focus is going to be there. Jonas Montague can follow up on any further trials with the serum.” Ace was one of the few Hounds outside the Lazlos who knew what Lucy was doing in New Atlanta. Her adopted father left behind a journal that worked with shifter DNA to prolong human life. Lucy and Jonas had tweaked the formula and were successful. It was in the testing phase. Ace had no idea where they found test subjects, but it would be a life changer for the human mates of the Hounds.

“Lucy needs to be careful. She’s good, but we both know she isn’t on Spencer’s level.”

Sutton heaved a sigh. “I know, but this shit with the mafia is a definite, where Spencer is an unknown. Lucy will be home tomorrow or Wednesday at the latest.”

“I’ll reach out to her, and I’ll call you when Abraham’s taken care of.”

“Thanks, Ace. I’m going to snuggle my mate. I will talk to you later.” Sutton disconnected, and Ace felt a pang of jealousy. He wanted someone to snuggle with. He glanced at Rayna who was studying him. “What?”

“I wish I could go with you to Oasis.” When he opened his mouth to argue, she raised a hand. “I know I can’t, but I’d like to have your back.” Rayna slipped off her stool and took her plate to the dishwasher.

“I appreciate that,” he said earnestly. Ace’s heart warmed at the sentiment, and he wished it as well. But there was no way…Actually, there was a way, but he didn’t know whether he could make it happen. He tapped out a text to Lucy. She responded almost instantly.

Lucy: I’m on it.

Ace wondered what it would be like to have someone like Rayna for a mate. She was a warrior and a shifter who could hold her own. Would she be fierce and protective, the way Natalia was with Mayhem? Ace had no doubt, especially since his Gryphon had been chatting in his head all day, encouraging Ace to give her a chance. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to. He wanted it more than anything, having felt the spark when they first shook hands, which had never happened. Her being in his home was different. Maybe that’s where he screwed up before. With her in his space, spending more time together than he had with previous prospects, he would get to know her quicker. He already liked coming home and finding her smiling at him. The fact that she had started a garden for him was a plus. Sure, it was to give her something to do, but she could have found a hobby that didn’t benefit Ace.

“What types of vegetables can you plant late in the season?” he asked.

Rayna returned to the island with a notepad in hand. She pushed it over to him, and Ace was impressed with all the notes and diagrams. Rayna had put a lot of thought into the garden, including where to place it in the yard for maximum sun.

“This is a list of veggies, but I didn’t know what you actually use in cooking.”

“Everything but kale.” Ace shuddered. “I know it has health benefits, but I find it’s too bitter.”

“Perfect. I won’t be able to grow everything in the small area, but—”

“We can make it larger if you’d like. I’m happy to do the digging or whatever you need.”

Rayna beamed. “I’d love for this to be a joint project, but I don’t want you to neglect your duties to the Hounds. I honestly enjoy digging. What I do need is to either rent a truck or have the compost delivered. There was no way I was putting it in your trunk.”

“We can borrow Brick’s truck.”

“Brick?”

“Sorry, Branson. Brick is his biker name.”

“He and Lynette seem like nice people. I didn’t sense that she’s a shifter.”

“Lynette is human, and they are one of the best couples I know, and I know many. As for the garden,” Ace tapped the diagram. “Could we make it wider to include more rows?”

“Absolutely.” Rayna picked up the pencil and sketched how it would look. “I didn’t want to dig up half your backyard without asking.”

“It’s not like I use the space for anything. The more garden, the less mowing I’ll have to do.”

“I love to mow. Honestly, I love anything to do with the outdoors. It stems from my childhood. I couldn’t help Gran cook since I sucked at it, so while she was in the kitchen, I took care of the yardwork.”

“Who does that for her now?”

“She does. Gran might be close to three hundred, but she’s active and able to do anything she pleases.”

“That’s wonderful. Say, what time does the garden center close?”

Rayna glanced over at the stove. “In about an hour.”

“Let’s place an order for everything you need, and I’ll ask Branson to pick it up in the morning and deliver it to you while I’m at Oasis. I shouldn’t be gone all day, and when I get home, I’ll help.”

“He won’t have a problem with me being here?”

“Not after I explain who you really are and why you’re staying with me.”

“If you’re sure. I don’t want to cause trouble.”

“Branson and Lynette take in those who need a place to hide out, so he’ll understand.”

Ace led Rayna to his office and booted up his laptop. He had her place the order with the garden center while he called to ask Branson if he minded picking up their order after he explained who Rayna really was. Branson had questions, and Ace answered them all honestly. Once he was satisfied they could trust the agent, Branson said he was glad to do it.

With that taken care of, Rayna asked, “What do you normally do at night? Do you read or watch TV?”

“I drink and look at the stars. It’s not very exciting, but…” Ace shrugged. He wasn’t an exciting male.

“I could use a drink.” Rayna winked at him, and something fluttered in his gut. Plenty of people flirted with him. Hell, Kristoff had, but never had Ace felt a stirring from a wink.

“Then follow me.” Ace led her to his den where he told her to pick her poison.

She opted for tequila and asked, “Do you have limes in the fridge?”

“I do. Warryck Lazlo’s mate taught me how to make delicious margaritas, so I try to keep the ingredients on hand for when I’m not drinking straight from the bottle.”

“Do that often, do you?” Rayna didn’t sound judgmental, just inquisitive.

“More than I should,” Ace admitted. “But with my shifter metabolism, I never get sloshed.”

“I’d love for you to teach me the recipe. I do love a good margarita.”

“No time like the present.” Ace grabbed the Casamigos Blanco, and they retreated to the kitchen.

“You’re talking about Kerrigan, right?” Rayna asked as she settled next to Ace to watch.

“Yeah. How did you know?”

“She drove the van from Haven to Providence House, and we chatted on the drive. Her story was unbelievable. I already knew she was Warryck’s wife from when I investigated the Lazlos, but to hear how he saved her? Remarkable.”

Ace stopped mixing. “You investigated their family?”

Rayna placed her hand on Ace’s forearm. “It was my job, Asher. I already told you Spencer made some wild accusations, and before I was sent undercover, I was tasked with looking into their family. Nothing I found was incriminating. On the contrary. Hell, even Seth said the same thing. He also looked into the Hounds after I went to Haven.” It took Ace a second to focus on her words instead of her touch because his dick twitched at the contact. That never happened before. Ever.

When she pulled her hand away, Ace wanted it back. “No, I get it. A GIA agent is supposed to be respectable. But if he and your boss are working together, it would make sense that Hanson had you both researching the Hounds, if for no other reason than to take your focus off Spencer.” Knowing how much Rayna loved fruity cereal, he didn’t hesitate to substitute the orange liqueur for the raspberry flavored one. When the pitcher was full, he sliced a lime, then grabbed two large margarita glasses from one of the cabinets.

“Salt or sugar rim?” he offered.

“Ooh, I’ve never tried it with sugar.”

Ace retrieved the plain rimming sugar from the pantry, forgoing the flavored type since he’d already used raspberry liqueur. Rayna leaned her elbows on the counter, watching as he ran a lime slice around the glass before twisting the rim into the sugar crystals. He poured her margarita and handed it over while he prepared his own glass.

“Holy shit, that’s good. Beats anything I’ve ever ordered. What did you do different?”

Ace grinned without looking at her and rattled off the recipe. “Kerrigan was a bartender before she was kidnapped. She has all sorts of tips for taking regular drinks and making them into something different.”

Ace poured his drink and held out his glass. “Here’s to new friendships.”

Rayna tapped his glass with hers, her eyes twinkling as she took a sip. “Can we go outside and look at the stars?”

“Lead the way.” Ace grabbed the pitcher, and Rayna opened the back door for him. He set the pitcher on the short, round table between two lounge chairs. Neither one spoke for a while as they sipped their drinks and gazed at the sky.

When Ace refilled her glass, Rayna muttered, “I could get used to this.”

Ace could too.