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

Chapter Twenty-Two

Rayna

December

When Rayna and Asher visited Fern in Arizona back in August, it took less than half an hour before her grandmother was ready to pack up and move to New York. Since she and Asher had purchased a new home not far from Glory and Ripley, Asher’s house was sitting empty. They had planned to sell it, but once Fern decided to move, they’d gifted the house to her. Although she was older than Regina, Fern and Rip’s mom got along too well. She and Rory had also struck up a tight friendship, comparing notes as the two eldest females of the bunch.

She and Asher along with Glory, Ripley, and Gran were at their new home, getting the house ready for Christmas. The males had gone out and cut down a tree from the woods on their property. Rayna shook her head at her grandmother as she leaned around Rayna to get a good look at Asher and Ripley. Fern Bellamy was just as in love with Ash as Rayna was, and the older woman wouldn’t stop ogling the male. Glory giggled at Fern’s antics, especially when she turned her eyes toward Ripley and let out a “hubba hubba” at his popping biceps as he carried in the large cedar tree.

The last few months had brought many changes to Rayna’s life. While she and Vanessa were still close, Rayna now had more friends than she knew what to do with. When she resigned from the FBI, she had no idea how she would fill her days, but Rayna didn’t have time to be bored. The Hounds rode often, sometimes in large groups, sometimes just a few couples. December temps had already dropped, but that didn’t stop them from taking the bikes out often. She and Glory were tight, and Rayna spent many hours listening to her friend sing and play piano. Rayna and Rhi joined in whenever a large group was gathered.

At Ripley’s birthday party in October, Glory announced she was pregnant, and Rayna couldn’t be happier for the female. Rayna and Asher had been trying for their own little one, but so far it hadn’t happened. They were married in a small ceremony in their new backyard. Gran and Ripley’s parents, as well as a few of the Hounds and their mates were present. Rhiannon gifted Rayna with a stunning floral arrangement she’d made herself. Marshall and Mateo carried their rings, while Major came behind tossing pink rose petals in the air, garnering laughs from the crowd. Glory sang acapella as Conrad escorted Rayna down the aisle toward Asher.

The ceremony was short yet sweet, and after, a party ensued as it often did when their group gathered. Regina and Fern provided the food. Kerrigan set up the bar, playing mixologist. Sadie and Hayden tag-teamed a stunning three-tier cake, which Hayden had airbrushed with lifelike renditions of Ace’s Lion and Rayna’s Cheetah. Lucy played DJ, running the songs from her laptop, which was connected to speakers Tamian had placed around the yard. The only downside to the day was not having Vanessa with her. Both kids had come down with a virus, giving it to Vanessa in turn. Seth, who had been promoted to assistant director, was home taking care of his family. Rayna had forgiven her former partner for lying because he was trying to protect her.

“Rayna, is this okay?” Asher asked, bringing her back to the present. He and Ripley had the tree in the stand set up in the corner of the room. Since they were in the middle of fifteen acres, there was no one around to see the tree through the front window, and Rayna wanted it where she and Ash could enjoy it while lounging on the sofa.

“Perfect.” Rayna couldn’t wait to decorate the tree with the blue and silver baubles she and Gran had purchased Saturday when they’d spent the day together in New Latham. They first visited Vanessa for a mini spa day, then they had lunch at a new bistro. Afterward, they drove to Albany and bought enough decorations for both houses. Seth had dropped by the salon with the kids so they could visit with their Auntie Rayna. He asked her several times if she was certain she didn’t want to come back to the FBI. As much as she missed working with her old partner, she was happy with her new life.

The front door opened, and Regina called out, “The party can start now.”

Glory jumped to her feet and ran to her mother-in-law as though she hadn’t seen her the day before. Rayna got it. Growing up with a mother like Marjorie, Glory hit paydirt when Rip’s mom came into her life.

Gran was kicked back on the sofa, her socked feet on the coffee table, with a glass of wine in hand. She didn’t bother to get up when Regina entered the room. Instead, Fern raised her glass in greeting.

“You started without me?” Regina chided.

“Yep. I figured you and that hot mate of yours might be delayed.”

Glory giggled, and Regina elbowed her playfully. “Don’t encourage her.” Then she whispered in Glory’s ear, “She’s not wrong, though.” Glory slapped a hand over her mouth, trying to smother her laugh. The older couple were still crazy in love, and Rayna knew she and Asher would be the same when they too were looking at being grandparents.

Rayna followed Regina into the kitchen and poured her a raspberry margarita. Asher had taught Ray how to mix the delicious drink since it was her favorite. Gran preferred wine over fruity drinks, and Glory was sipping ginger ale. Rayna was topping off her own glass when the doorbell rang. They weren’t expecting anyone else, but it also wasn’t unusual for one or more of the Lazlo couples to drop by. They usually called first, but Rayna didn’t mind having more company. She and Regina returned to the den to find Sutton holding a toddler and Rory holding a little boy’s hand.

When Asher and Ripley joined them, the little boy turned loose of Rory’s hand and ran to Asher, who picked him up, no questions asked.

“Let me get his coat off,” Rory said. Asher held the boy while Rory unzipped the small coat. Once it was off, the boy shoved a thumb in his mouth and laid his head on Asher’s shoulder. Rayna’s heart melted seeing her mate’s inked hand stroking the boy’s back.

“Who are they?” Rayna asked. Rory’s eyes were wet, and she tried to blink back the tears but failed.

Pressing a kiss to the boy’s head, Ace said, “This is River, and that’s his sister, Aria.”

“Arson’s kids?” Ripley asked.

Rory nodded, blowing out a breath while swiping at her face.

“What happened?” Ace whispered.

Sutton handed the little girl over to Regina when she held out her arms, then he walked over and tugged Rory to his chest. “I’d rather tell this when little ears aren’t listening.”

Gran stood and gently pried River from Asher’s arms. “I think there are some cookies in the kitchen. Let’s go see.” Regina followed with Aria.

“Yesterday, Arson went to pick Cora up at work. When she didn’t come out of the bank, he texted, but she didn’t respond. After another ten minutes, he went in to see what was taking so long. The door was locked, and when he looked inside, he could see three armed men. One of them was pointing his weapon at Cora, so Arson busted out the glass. He was shot before he could get to her. When she tried to run to him, the bastard shot her too. Cora died instantly, and Arson… He was shot multiple times when his fangs and claws came out.” Sutton closed his eyes and shook his head. “One was a head shot, so he didn’t stand a chance. We got lucky that one of the cops was a Hound. He was able to voice everyone in the bank, and he called Bishop to have him wipe that part of the security video.”

“Please tell me he killed the bastards,” Ripley seethed.

“Two are dead, and one is in custody.

“Do they have family to take them in?” Rayna asked, looking toward the kitchen.

“No. Arson’s parents have been gone a while, and Cora was raised by her aunt, but she’s in her eighties and in an assisted living facility. Ace—”

“We’ll take them,” Asher blurted. Then he turned to Rayna, his eyes begging her to agree.

“If that’s an option,” Rayna added, “Absolutely.”

Sutton smiled, but it was sad. “That’s why we’re here. Ace had mentioned adoption, and we’d rather they go to someone in the Hounds than be put in the system. Since they have no close relatives, Arson listed Rory and me as emergency contacts. The social worker said we can keep the kids until other arrangements are made, so we have time to get things squared away.”

Asher turned to Rayna and held her face in his hands. “You sure about this?”

“Yes. Those babies need a home, and we have one.”

Asher kissed her softly, then took her hand and led her into the kitchen. Regina held Aria out to Rayna, and she snuggled the little girl to her chest. She didn’t know anything about raising kids, but with all the parents currently in the house, she and Asher would have plenty of guidance. He sat next to River who was munching on a cookie. River held it out, and Asher took a nibble. The boy gave a tremulous smile.

“Momma and Papa are gone.”

“I know, Buddy, and I’m so sorry. Rayna and I have this big ole house, and we would love it if you and Aria stayed here with us.”

“Can I bring my toys?”

“You can bring anything you want. Your toys, clothes, pictures of your momma and papa. We can even bring your furniture.”

“And sister’s things too?”

“Yep.”

River leaned against Asher, who wrapped his arm around the boy. Rayna’s heart ached for the siblings.

Ripley stepped into the kitchen. “Dad, Sutton, Rory, and I are going to start gathering their things, if that’s okay?”

Asher nodded. “Thanks, Brother.”

“No thanks needed.” Ripley eyed the little boy, and when he turned away, he wiped his face. Rayna got it. Losing parents at any age would be hard, but these two were just babies. Aria tugged on Rayna’s hair, and she smiled down at who would soon be her daughter. Goddess, that sucked. She wanted to be a mother. Wanted to give a child what she didn’t have from her own mother, but not this way. Rayna glanced at Gran, who nodded. She got it. She had taken in Rayna and loved her like her own. If Rayna was half the caregiver Fern had been, Aria and River would never know anything but unconditional love.

Things moved quickly after that day. The kids had gone to stay with Rory and Sutton while Rayna and Asher got their rooms ready. She and Asher spent as much time with the children as possible at the elder Lazlos’ home. When the court date was set, the kids came to stay in their new home, and Rory spent the night in the guest room, just in case the children felt more at ease with her.

Rayna didn’t know who facilitated the expediency, but the adoption was approved two days before Christmas. By then, the little ones were used to being in their new home. Aria, being eighteen months, didn’t appear to understand what was happening, but little River who was four… He cried for his parents, had bad dreams, wet the bed, and had several meltdowns.

Asher was patient and loving. He was soft-spoken. He contacted a child psychologist to help navigate River’s issues. Gran offered to move in for the time being so she could be another set of hands, and they took her up on it.

Christmas morning, Gran was up early, preparing breakfast, when Rayna came downstairs with Aria. “Good morning.” Gran set down the spatula, and once Rayna had the little girl in her highchair, kissed her dark curls. Aria pounded on the tray, bouncing. Rayna walked to the pantry and grabbed the round oat cereal, placing a few in front of her daughter. Her daughter. Yep, that still hadn’t sunk in yet. Instead of grabbing a handful, Aria pinched one piece between her chubby thumb and pointer finger, then placed it in her mouth. She nodded her head as she chewed, grunting at its goodness.

Arlo, a.k.a. Arson, and Cora had already bought a bunch of presents for the kids. Rayna and Asher added a few of their own but didn’t go overboard. They were piled under the tree, waiting for River to wake up and see what Santa brought. Asher was waiting upstairs for the boy as was his habit. He didn’t want River to be alone when he first woke. He also made sure River hadn’t wet the bed. If he had, he would get him cleaned and changed before they came downstairs.

It was a learning curve for everyone involved, but Rayna wouldn’t change anything about it other than wishing she could take away River’s confusion and sadness. All she and Ash could do was love the kids and give them the tools necessary to move forward without their biological parents. After the adoption, they sat with River and Aria, playing on the floor, and explained how they were now the kids’ parents. That they were a family. It was a lot for the little boy to take in, but he asked Asher, “Do I call you Papa and Momma now?”

“If you want to.” That’s what he had called Arlo and Cora. “Or you can call us Dad and Mom, or anything else you pick. Just know we love you very much, so it doesn’t matter what you choose.”

As of that moment, River hadn’t called them anything, so when he ran down the stairs ahead of Asher, he rushed into the family room where the tree was and yelled, “Momma Ray, look! Santa comed!”

Rayna’s eyes filled with tears, but she wiped them before meeting her son in front of the tree where his presents were on one side with Aria’s on the other.

“I see that.” Rayna felt Asher behind her before he wrapped his arms around her.

River grabbed one of the miniature cars and pushed it along the track. “Daddy, will you play with me?”

“I sure will, Buddy.” Asher kissed Rayna’s temple before dropping to the floor beside their son.

From the kitchen, Aria banged on her tray, yelling, “Mama!”

“I think you’re being summoned.” Asher smiled, his eyes glassy.

Rayna went to the kitchen and lifted Aria from her highchair, then took her to the family room and placed her on the floor next to her toys. Gran followed with her phone so she could take pictures and video. Aria toddled into the middle of her things, plopped down, and chose a stuffed rabbit. “Bun?”

“Yes, that’s your bunny.” Rayna sat next to her daughter. Aria passed the bunny over, then grabbed another present. This one was a hardcover book featuring animals. Aria climbed into Rayna’s lap and patted the book. Rayna opened the cover, and as she pointed out each baby animal, Aria did her best to mimic the names and the sounds they made after Rayna made the noises. The kids played with their new toys for an hour before Gran announced breakfast was ready.

“Pancakes?” River asked.

“With smiley faces,” Gran assured him. River loved bananas on his, so Gran added them in fun ways. Rayna had always been grateful for her grandmother, but having Fern help her and Asher with their new family gave Rayna insight into how Fern had dealt with Rayna as a small child. She was loving and patient. She wore a perpetual smile and gave the best hugs. Even Asher got in on Fern’s embraces.

A few hours later, they were getting ready to go see Glory, Ripley, and his parents, when Gran’s phone rang. Rayna figured it was Regina, but after a few minutes, Fern’s raised voice carried from downstairs.

“Why would I tell you I moved, Colette? You haven’t been a part of my life in years.”

Rayna wondered why her mother was calling now. She hadn’t spoken to the female in… Damn, she couldn’t remember how long it had been. Five, six years?

“Rayna’s fine. Actually, she’s better than fine. She has a wonderful mate and two beautiful children.”

Rayna hadn’t bothered letting Colette know about her new status of being unemployed, married, moved to a new town, anything. She didn’t feel her mother had a right to know. She also hadn’t informed her of her new phone number, so Colette couldn’t contact her if she wanted to.

“Why would she tell you? You abandoned her a long time ago.” After a beat of silence, Fern huffed, “No, I’m not telling you where she is. If Ray wanted you in her life, she would have called you herself. I have somewhere to— Don’t you threaten me. You have no idea the family Ray and I have now. Stay the hell away from us, or I promise things won’t go your way. Ray is my daughter, not yours. You gave up the right to make demands when you left her with me to traipse around the world seeking fame. So go back to your friends, if you have any, and leave us the hell alone.”

Asher and River met Rayna in Aria’s room where she was getting the girl’s coat on. “You okay?”

“I’m better than okay. I have the best mate in the world, two beautiful children, and the fiercest Gran in existence. What more could a girl ask for?”