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

Chapter Twenty

Ace

Ace didn’t want to show up at Ryot’s without calling first, so once they were on the road, he phoned the male. After telling him why they wanted to visit, Ryot cursed a blue streak, then said he would be waiting. By the time they arrived, the driveway was filled with bikes.

“Are they having a party?” Rayna asked.

“No. It’s not unusual for the brothers to gather when something is going down though.” Ace pointed at the bike with the painted-up sidecar. “I hope Mayhem brought the twins. They’re a hoot.”

The front door opened, and one of the twins ran outside. Ace knew by the mischievous grin it was Major. Marshall was more laid back. When the boy noticed Rayna, he froze and cocked his head to the side. “That’s Major, and there’s no telling what will come out of his mouth.”

“I can’t wait,” Rayna said. When she opened the door, Major started bouncing.

“Who are you?” he asked.

“Major Lazlo,” Natalia chided from the front porch.

Major whipped around and spread his little arms out. “But Lolly! I don’t know her.”

“No, but we talked about this. Manners—”

“Maketh the man. But I’m not a man, Lolly. I’m just a kid. And maketh is a stupid word.”

Natalia rolled her eyes as she approached her son, gripping his neck, and giving a gentle shake. “He overheard that in a movie. I thought it was a teaching moment. Guess I was wrong.” Releasing her grip, she held out her hand to Rayna. “I’m Natalia Lazlo, Maveryck’s wife.”

“Rayna Bellamy. Asher’s—”

“She’s my mate.” Ace stepped up and wrapped an arm around Rayna. “Everyone here is family, and the kids know better than to share what we are.”

“Are you like my daddo?” Major asked.

Rayna glanced at Ace, the question clear in her eyes. He nodded, so she told Major, “No. I’m a King Cheetah shifter.”

“But you’re a girl. Wouldn’t that make you a queen?”

Rayna giggled. “You would think so, but that’s just a different type of Cheetah. You know how there are different types of whales? Blue whales, killer whales, humpbacks, and so forth?”

Major nodded, then stepped forward with his little hand out. “Major Lazlo. Nice to meetcha.”

Rayna shook his hand, still laughing. “Nice to meet you too.”

“Come on in,” Natalia said. “Ryker told us you were on your way. Something about Rhi’s father?”

“Oh. Let me get the thumb drive.” Rayna dipped back in the car for it. When she closed the door, Ace took her hand and led her toward Ryot’s house. Ace pulled Rayna to a stop when he noticed Ryot standing on the porch, his arms crossed over his chest. He didn’t look happy. He glared at Rayna. “Agent Bellamy.” Ryker practically spit her title.

“Rayna, please. I’ll be turning in my resignation soon, so—”

“So, say what you came here for, then you can go back to spying on others and leave us alone.”

“Ryker,” Rhiannon chided, coming around to stand in front of the large male. “Please forgive my mate. He can be a little gruff.”

Ryker uncrossed his arms and put one around Rhi’s shoulders. “I asked you to let me handle this.”

“And I didn’t listen. Please come inside,” she offered.

Rayna didn’t move, and Ace didn’t either. He wasn’t going to subject her to Ryker’s wrath.

Ryker sighed. “Come on in.” Rhi smiled up at him, patting his chest.

When they got to the front door, Major was waiting. He put a finger over his lips and whispered, “Daisy’s napping.”

Natalia grinned at her son. “She is, but she’s up in her room, so we don’t have to whisper.” She led them to the living room where all the Lazlo brothers were gathered with their mates and kids. Rhi was now sitting on the sofa with Ryker behind her.

Major whisper yelled, “She’s a King Cheetah.” He turned to Rayna. “Uh, I don’t know what that looks like.”

Maveryck grabbed his son and picked him up like a sack of potatoes. “We’ll look it up later. How about you and Marsh take Mateo outside?”

“Okay, Daddo.” Major giggled when Mav flipped him upside down and swung him by his feet before flipping him upright. Major and the other boys took off through the house.

When the back door closed, Ryker said, “I would make introductions, but Pop said you spied on our family, so I’m sure you know who everyone is.”

Ace bristled. “Did Sutton also tell you Rayna was at Haven and overheard Glory admitting to taking out Josiah, but she conveniently forgot to mention that to her boss for Glory’s sake? Did he mention that Rayna is my mate?”

Rhi reached up and threaded her fingers with Ryker’s. “Again, forgive my mate. He’s a little protective.”

Rayna waved her off. “There’s nothing to forgive, Rhiannon. I won’t lie and say I didn’t research the Hounds because I was ordered to after David mentioned what some of the Hounds do for a living. What I found was a strong family unit. An honorable one at that.”

“Ace mentioned you have something you want to show me?”

Rayna held out the thumb drive. “It’s a message from your father. I’m not sure how truthful he was being, but I’ll let you be the judge. I won’t interfere further with your family time. Asher and I will—”

Rhiannon stood and approached Rayna. “Stay. Please. You’re Asher’s mate, which makes you family.”

When Ryker scoffed, Natalia turned on him. “Have you forgotten how Maveryck and I met? Or do you still hold that against me and not consider me part of this family?” Asher wasn’t surprised at the Russian’s outburst. She was one of the fiercest when it came to welcoming the other females into the fold.

Ryker scrubbed a hand down his face. “Of course you’re family. Forgive me, Rayna. Like Rhi said, I’m a little protective.” All of his brothers laughed out loud, garnering a stern glare from the eldest Lazlo. “Fine. I’m overprotective. Sue me.”

Rhi took the thumb drive from Rayna. “You’ve listened to this?”

“I have. The message was to me, but he talked about you and your mom. Also, David set up a trust fund for your daughter. The information is on there too.”

“I’m not taking his money. Does he think he can buy my love?”

“I don’t think so. He didn’t mention the money in his message, but… Well, I’ll let you be the judge of his actions. For what it’s worth, I know all about having a parent who sent money instead of being there for me.”

“Did you keep the money?”

“My gran used very little of it to help raise me. The rest she invested. Now it gives me the opportunity to retire from a job I no longer enjoy and relax while Asher and I navigate our future.” Rayna took Rhi’s hands. “I can’t imagine what you went through, Rhiannon, and I won’t tell you that you should keep the money, but it is a large sum. If you don’t want it for Daisy, I’m sure you can think of a worthy cause where it would be useful. It’s not something you have to decide immediately. The longer it sits, the more interest it gains.”

“How much is a large sum?” Mav asked. “Because I’ve got a set of twins who are growing out of their clothes too fast.”

Kyllian smacked the back of his brother’s head. “Behave.”

Before Mav could retaliate, Daisy started fussing, and four large males jumped to their feet, each vying to get to the baby first.

“Children,” Quinn muttered, rubbing her belly, which was getting rather round. Ace wanted to watch Rayna as their child grew inside her tummy.

It was Kyllian who carried Daisy as the brothers returned downstairs after a few minutes. The brothers were grumbling, but Kyllian said, “I need practice. The rest of you don’t.”

“Speak for yourself,” Hayden countered.

Kyllian narrowed his eyes at his younger brother. “Something you forgot to tell us, Havyk?”

Hayden rubbed the back of his neck, glancing at his mate. Sadie, who was curled up in an armchair, arched a dark brow. “Uh, we were going to wait until Sadie was further along, but yeah, we’re pregnant.”

The room erupted, startling little Daisy. Kyllian cradled her closer, covering her ear with his big hand. He rocked the baby back and forth as the younger boys came running inside.

Rayna stepped out of the fray, backing up against Ace’s chest. He wrapped his arms around her and placed his chin on her shoulder. He was happy for his fellow Hound and Sadie, but it made the longing that much worse. Rayna leaned away and glanced up at him. “That’ll be us one day. Right?”

Ace squeezed her a little tighter. “Yes.”

“What’s all the noise for?” Major asked while Marshall padded over to Kyllian. He reached up and took Daisy’s tiny hand in his small one, rubbing his thumb over her fingers. Kyllian knelt, and Marshall pressed a sweet kiss to Daisy’s forehead.

Mateo went to his mom when Sadie gestured for him. “Do you want to share the good news with your cousins?”

Mateo’s eyes got big. “Can I? Really?”

Sadie ruffled her son’s hair. “Really. It’s time.”

The adults got quiet, and Mateo patted Sadie’s belly. “Mama’s got a baby in her tummy. I’m going to be a big brother.”

Major ran to his cousin, grabbed his hands, and began jumping up and down. Marshall sedately joined the boys, but their joy was infectious, and soon the trio was hopping as though they were in a mosh pit.

Kyllian rose, swaying Daisy, as he walked over to where Hayden was hugging his mate. “Do Mom and Pop know about this?”

Hayden pressed a kiss to Sadie’s hair before saying, “You know mom can sniff out a baby within a hundred-mile radius, so I told her before she could come at me with her claws.”

When Daisy scrunched up her face, Rhi took her from Kyllian before she got wound up. “Let’s get you fed.”

In all the excitement, Ace tugged Rayna toward the door. “This is going to turn into a party, so how about we head home?”

“Do we need to say bye?” Rayna asked, smiling at the Lazlo clan.

“Nah. I’ll call Hayden later.” They made it to the car before the front door opened.

“Ace,” Ryker called out. “Y’all don’t have to leave.” It was odd hearing the Texas twang slip into Ryker’s speech.

“I’m ready to get home and get off my feet, and Rayna needs some downtime after the shootout.”

“Shootout? What the fuck?” Ryker jogged down the steps to where Ace and Rayna were standing. “What happened?”

“I was headed to Lucy’s last night with evidence against the deputy director when he and another agent ran me off the road. If I weren’t a shifter, I probably wouldn’t be alive.” Rayna told him how she took down the two agents, then explained Tamian’s assistance.

“Zeus, that’s…” Ryker shook his head. “I’m glad you weren’t hurt, or worse, and I’m really sorry about how I acted before.”

“I get it. Listen, don’t let Rhiannon listen to Spencer’s message alone. I spent many hours interrogating the man, and he always came across as sincere. Unless he’s a psychopath, he believes what he says.”

“Is it that bad?”

“Depends on if Rhiannon believes him or not. If she does, it could offer closure.”

“Yeah, okay. Thanks. We’ll have a barbeque later after the two of you have time to rest up. Welcome to the family.”

“Thank you, Ryker. I look forward to it.”

Ace held open the driver’s side door for his mate. Once she was seated, he closed it, then went around and got in. He was more than ready to be home alone with Rayna. He was looking forward to locking the door, turning off their phones, and just being. That couldn’t happen until after he called Con and Regina or until Rayna turned in her notice. He was ready to see what the future held for them.

He should have known they wouldn’t get downtime straight away. Conrad called when they were two blocks from the house. When he went to check on Ace that morning, Rev filled him in on the events of the previous night, and Con invited himself and Regina over to “take care of their kids.” Ace couldn’t be mad about that even though he wanted Rayna to himself.

Since the hotel where they were staying was closer to Ace’s house than Ryker’s, his pseudo parents beat them there. Ace and Rayna found the older couple on the patio. They didn’t have a key to get inside, but they weren’t afraid to walk through the gate to the backyard.

Regina jumped up and stopped in front of Ace first, holding onto his upper arms as she looked him over. Then she did the same to Rayna before pulling her into a hug. Rayna embraced her back, and as the older Gryphon fussed over his mate, Ace took one of the patio chairs, letting them have their moment.

When she turned loose, Regina asked, “Are you hungry?”

“I could eat,” Ace admitted. Lucy’s pancakes had been delicious, but he was ready to eat again. Rayna concurred, so Regina went inside to busy herself in the kitchen. Rayna followed to help, and Ace didn’t complain. Rayna had her grandmother, but he wouldn’t begrudge her having the warmth of a mother’s love and guidance as well.

“How are you doing, Son?”

Ace rolled his head toward Conrad. “Better. Rib is still tender, but I’m not nearly as sore as I was.”

“I was referring to the near miss with Rayna and her boss last night.”

Ace looked out over the yard, specifically at the ground Rayna had turned for their garden. It seemed a lifetime ago since they discussed what to plant. “I’ve never been so scared in my life. I just found her, and I almost lost her before we could complete the bond.” Ace closed his eyes. He hadn’t let himself dwell on what could have happened. Rayna was alive and well. She was tough yet gentle. Kind yet fierce. She was perfect.

“I don’t think Zeus would be so unkind. He wouldn’t bring the perfect person to you only to take them away so quickly.”

“Now I know how Ripley felt when Glory was taken. I texted Rip, and he sounded like he had his hands full.”

“It was touch and go for a minute, but Marjorie and that bitch Helen are going back to Haven today, and Ripley is taking Glory and her family to Florida tomorrow.”

“Good. I’m glad that’s settled. Once they get back and I know they aren’t using your house in New Boca, I want to take Rayna there for some downtime.”

“What about her job?”

“She’s resigning. I can’t say I’m unhappy with her decision, especially after last night.”

“I’m sure, and I agree. It’ll give the two of you time to get to know one another when you aren’t off searching for Ministry assholes.”

Ace chuckled. “All the assholes are now accounted for on this side of the country. Unless Sutton gets involved on the West Coast, I’m out of a job. I’m calling it early retirement. Both Ray and I have plenty of money, and we’ve talked about starting a family. Whether biological or adoption, I think we’ll focus on us for a bit, then give you and Regina grandkids.”

Something crashed in the kitchen, then Regina let out a whoop.