Chapter Thirteen
Ace
Either Ace was still floating from the pain meds, or he was the luckiest bastard alive. After a handful of days, Rayna was claiming him, and she was willing to wait for his romantic feelings to catch up to hers. Ace never understood why all his previous attempts at a relationship failed. Until now. He had to go through the heartache to get to his perfect mate. And Rayna was perfect. He knew he needed to rest, but he wanted to remain alert so they could talk. That was the main reason he didn’t want any pain medicine.
“Ripley’s dad stopped by earlier to invite you to lunch. I had just finished getting the rest of the dirt turned, so I showed him the garden spot, then he and I chatted.”
“You chatted, or he interrogated you?”
Rayna scrunched her nose. “A little of both. It was evident he cares for you. Before he left, he invited both of us to join him and Regina for a meal.”
“That’s good. Like I said before, they basically adopted me, so I’m glad you got along.”
“We did. I’m happy for Glory, having someone like him as a father figure considering the one she had growing up. I’m looking forward to hanging out with her outside of Haven. I really like her.”
“I’m happy she and Rip got together. They both deserve to have someone special.”
So do we .
Ace agreed with his Gryphon. He had prayed for a mate, and now, here she was.
“I agree. Maybe once you’re all healed up, we can invite them over to hang out. From what Rev said, you’re in good shape considering. We’ll get you home, and you can rest on the patio while I do the planting. You can supervise from the lounge chair.”
“That sounds like an excellent idea,” Sutton said, entering the room.
“Hey, Boss.” Ace tried to sit up, but Rayna’s hand on his shoulder stopped him.
“Let me.” She pushed the button on the side of the bed, raising the back.
Sutton stepped closer to the bed. “How are you feeling?”
“Not too bad. Honestly, I thought that was the end for me, and if their guard hadn’t gotten me to the clinic, I probably would have bled out.”
“Thank Zeus for that. Lucy already told me the rest, so you don’t need to rehash it. Fury found Abraham’s newest location. It’s smaller than the others, and there are no guards with guns. It looks like he’s starting from scratch. When you overheard his new compound was south, he didn’t mean the South. It’s only about four hours away. I instructed Fury to voice him, which he did, so we shouldn’t have any more trouble out of him. Fury convinced him to go to the local FBI office and admit to everything he ever had a hand in that wasn’t legal.”
“Did Fury ask if Abraham told anyone about Rhiannon’s gift? Because if he did, she’ll still be a target.”
Sutton cut his eyes toward Rayna, and Ace got it. Rayna was new, but if they were going to be mates, Sutton needed to know he could trust her. “Rayna’s one of us now.”
“Is that right?” Sutton asked, his eyes dancing with mirth.
Rayna faced Sutton. “Yes. Asher and I haven’t had a chance to talk about the future with everything going on, but as soon as we track down David Spencer and ascertain whether my boss is on the take, I’m resigning from the agency. I have a nice nest egg, so I don’t need to work, but I do like to keep busy. If there’s anything I can do to help the Hounds, I’ll be glad to do so.”
“For now, just take care of Ace. Fury did ask Abraham about Rhi, and he said neither he nor Ruth told anyone about her abilities. He also admitted there were a few outlying compounds, and we now have all their locations. At least those on this side of the country. Abraham admitted he answered to a man named Isaac Brown, who is the leader over all of The Ministry in the states.”
Ace eased his head back onto the pillow. “At least we can now manage the ones around here.”
“And I have plenty of other Hounds to do that. Your job is to get well and spend time with your female. Ripper and Glory are planning a trip to Florida to take Glory’s sisters to their grandmother’s. In the meantime, Regina will need someone to dote on, so if you need help with anything, maybe reach out to her.”
“Yeah, Con stopped by the house earlier and invited Rayna and me out to eat. I guess I should call them and let them know what happened. Then again, if I do that, Regina will tell Ripley, and I don’t want him to put off his trip.”
Sutton patted Ace’s leg. “If he knows you are on the mend with someone taking care of you, he’ll be fine. But he’s your brother, so do whatever you think is best. I’ll leave you now so you can rest. If you need a ride home, let me know.”
“Thanks, Boss.”
Once the door closed, Rayna resumed brushing her fingers through Ace’s hair. “When I researched the Lazlos, I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that Sutton was old enough to be a father to Ryker and the others. Now that I know he’s a shifter, it makes sense.”
“He’s actually a great-grandfather. He and Rory have three sets of twin daughters down in Texas who are in their eighties. Rory was satisfied with all girls, but Sutton wanted a boy. He got five of them.”
Rayna sighed wistfully. “I can’t imagine having such a large family. I always wanted a sibling. Don’t get me wrong; I love my grandmother, and she made my life fun, but it wasn’t the same as having someone my age to play with.”
“You’ll have that with the Hounds. We might not all be related by blood, but we are a family. With Ripley and Glory, you’ll get Regina and Conrad, so be ready to be adopted by them. You’ve met Kerrigan, and the other Lazlo mates are friendly as well. Rhiannon is probably the sweetest human I’ve ever met. And little Daisy is just precious.” Ace wanted to know how Rayna felt about having kids, but he was afraid to ask. Then again, if they were going to be mates, it was important he knew where she stood. “I love kids. I bought the house I’m in hoping to fill it with a family one day. And since I didn’t think I’d find a mate, I started looking into adoption.”
“Really? Asher, that’s wonderful. You’ll make an amazing father.”
“I appreciate you saying that, but if we’re going to be mates, how do you feel about being a mother?”
Rayna pressed her hand to his cheek. “Hopefully, we’ll have children of our own someday, but that doesn’t mean you can’t adopt a child or children who need a home now. Asher, I’m all in. My Cheetah knows you’re our mate, but if we try this and you decide I’m not who you want, I’ll still be your friend. It won’t be easy, but I want you in my life however I can have you, and if that means being the cool aunt to your adopted kids, I’ll happily play the part.”
That was when Ace knew what his Gryphon had been telling him – Rayna Bellamy was theirs. Someone willing to put her own feelings aside for his? “Instead of being the cool aunt, how about being the cool mom? I can’t promise being with me will be easy in the beginning, but I’ll get there. I know that in my heart, Rayna.”
“And I know in my heart being with you will be the easiest thing I’ve ever done in my life. We’re meant for one another. Maybe my goddess knew you’d be at Haven, and she had a hand in my going undercover even though it didn’t make sense at the time. Whatever the reason, I’m now glad I was there. I say we take it a day at a time. We’ll get you home where you can recover. I’ll plant the garden, and… Can Regina cook? I don’t want you trying to feed us, and goddess knows we don’t want me in the kitchen. Maybe she can prepare some casseroles to freeze that I can pop in the oven. Surely, I won’t screw those up. If not, I could always ask Gran to come stay with us for a week or so.”
“If you want your grandmother with us, I’m good with that, but yes, Regina is an excellent cook. Conrad isn’t bad either. Besides, I shouldn’t be laid up too long. Once Rev says it’s okay, I’ll shift to help the healing process.”
“Then let’s ask Regina for help. Not that I don’t want Gran here, but if that were to happen, she’d stay with us, whereas Regina will just come by for a little while.”
It took Ace a few seconds to understand the implications of her grandmother staying with them. She would be there twenty-four seven, not giving them alone time. Not that they would be having sex anytime soon, but it would be easier to be intimate in other ways – snuggling in bed, cuddling on the sofa – if they weren’t entertaining the older woman.
“Regina it is.”
Rayna stretched out beside him on the bed, insisting he get some rest. It didn’t take long for him to fall asleep, secure in the knowledge he had someone in his life who wouldn’t leave him because of his issues. When he woke, Ace was alone with only the beep of the monitor keeping him company. His chest and back ached something fierce, and he pulled the sheet down to look at the damage, but there was a bandage covering the exit wound. If the scar messed up his ink, he’d be pissed. No, he was already angry. David fucking Spencer. Not only had the male killed a guard but his own mother. Sure, it was an accident, but still, Ace couldn’t imagine how that would affect someone. Someone already unhinged. Was it because he’d lost Rhiannon? If so, that was his own fault. Ace couldn’t imagine having a child and allowing him or her to be used for profit.
Parents were supposed to protect their children. Love them unconditionally. They didn’t ask to be brought into a cruel world. Was Ace doing a disservice to any future kids he and Rayna had by doing the same thing? Adoption was taking those already in the world and setting them up with a family. Things were shitty, no doubt about that, but if no one had kids, civilization would cease to exist. At least if he and Rayna had children, they would be loved and sheltered. Taught how to make life better for those around them.
Rayna had that love with her grandmother since her mom had been selfish. Ace had it with his parents until they passed away. He did his best to honor their memories by being kind and protecting those who couldn’t protect themselves. Now he had love from Ripley’s parents, and he would continue to be the best Gryphon he could. He and Rayna would pass on that same love to children, whether adopted or biological.
His stomach rumbled from hunger. He had no idea what time it was since the room didn’t have windows. He reached out with his senses, listening to see who was close by. Rayna’s soft laughter was joined by Conrad’s deep voice. Ace smiled, glad his loved ones were close by and getting along. He wanted Rayna to know a father’s love since she’d never had that. She and Glory were lucky to have Con in their lives. Ace’s own dad had been one in a million, and Conrad Davidson was equally as wonderful.
“He’s been asleep a while. I only got up because I had to pee,” Rayna said. His sweet female. Ace turned his eyes toward the door, waiting to see her face. It didn’t take long until she entered the room followed by Rip’s father.
“Oh, you’re awake,” she cooed, rushing to his side. “How’s your pain? You want me to get Rev in here?”
“What time is it?” he asked instead.
“Going on ten.”
Conrad stood with his arms crossed over his chest. “You didn’t answer the question, Son. How’s your pain?”
“On a scale of one to ten, about a seven. But I can handle it.”
“You can, but you don’t have to.” Conrad turned and left the room.
Ace squeezed Rayna’s hand. “Hi.”
“Hi, Gorgeous. Sorry I wasn’t here when you woke.”
Ace lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it. “You need to look after yourself. I heard you say you only got up to pee. You need to eat.”
Rayna shrugged one shoulder. “I was comfy next to you.”
“Ace? Ready for some pain meds?” Rev asked.
“I’d rather have food. And Rayna needs to eat.”
“Bethany left sandwiches, pasta salad, and fruit in the breakroom fridge. There’s also soup broth to heat up for you. If you hold that down, then you can try something heavier. I don’t think you’ll have an issue since you’re a shifter, but it’s better to be safe than have you puking.”
“I’ll go heat the soup for you.” Rayna pressed a kiss to his forehead, then left the room with Rev following.
Ace watched her go, and when Con cleared his throat, Ace asked, “What?”
“It’s good to see you smitten, Son.”
“It’s good to be smitten. I never thought I’d get this, especially with someone like Rayna.”
“She’s something else, all right. We had a nice talk at your house earlier, and it was clear then she was all in. I especially like how she planted a garden for you since she can’t cook. She’s willing to contribute to the relationship in other ways. And being an FBI agent means she’s tough. Add in that she’s a shifter? Nothing against human mates, but this way you don’t have to worry about her lifespan.”
Once again, Ace thought about the serum Lucy and Jonas Montague were working on. Not that he would need it for Rayna, but the other Hounds with human mates like Ripley could possibly have extended years with their partners.
Rayna returned carrying a tray and placed it on the rolling cart. She adjusted the height, then moved it over Ace so he could reach the bowl of broth.
“Where’s yours?”
“I’m going to fix me a plate. Be right back.” Rayna ran a finger down his cheek before leaving again.
“She’s crazy about you,” Con said.
“Which is crazy in itself. We’ve only known each other a few days.”
“That’s the beauty of meeting the right person. When you know, you know.”
“Yeah.” Ace lifted a spoonful of broth and sipped it. It was surprisingly flavorful instead of the bland crap he’d expected. He crushed the crackers Rayna had added to the tray over the soup, mixing it together. He’d finished the bowl by the time she returned.
When Rev came back, he had some toast and another bowl of broth. It wasn’t the sandwich and pasta Rayna was eating, but it was something on his stomach. By the time he downed the second bowl, he was full.
Conrad promised to return whenever Rev released Ace to escort him and Rayna home before saying goodnight. Rev checked Ace’s bandages, then he too left them alone, only he went to his office where he was spending the night. Rayna kicked off her shoes, lowered the bed, and climbed on next to him. There was no TV in the room, so they snuggled and recounted their own versions of the day. With his mate by his side, Ace slipped into a dreamless sleep.