Page 111 of Double the Redemption

“And he yelled at you about the ranch?”

“No, he called someone. Told them to get to the ranch. And whoever on the other end must have questioned him about it because he called them an idiot and told them the one in New Mexico. The one he called Rancho, because it was so easy that no one would think anything about it. The cartel always came up with elaborate names or something. Then he left. I had had the water running, so maybe he thought I couldn’t hear him. It was the only time he ever mentioned it.”

He pressed a kiss to her temple. “And this is why I love your big brain. So damn smart.”

She ignored him, but her lips twitched. “What about my father? Was he there too?”

“I’m afraid not, baby. No one has seen or heard from him in a long time. And Diego isn’t talking. The Feds think that he’s either dead or running Diego’s operation for him and staying underground.”

She frowned. “So he wasn’t at the ranch?” Her eyes went flinty. “So we’re not safe yet? Are they looking for him?”

“They are, but their focus was Diego, so I don’t know how much effort they’ll be putting in to find him.”

“They’ll want him,” Naomi stated, and he could see her mind already spinning. “He’s Diego’s right-hand man, and he’s the one that knows where the bodies are buried. He’d oversee the day-to-day. But I also don’t know that Diego would want him to run the show.”

“Why? I thought they were good friends.”

“I don’t know if you’d call them friends, but they worked well together. But Diego never trusted my father completely.”

“He thought he would try to overthrow him?”

She nodded. “My father never outwardly acted or gave the impression he wanted to run things, but every man wants more power. At least, that’s what Diego told me when I had to attend a meeting between him and someone he was looking to align himself with. It struck me then that he didn’t just mean that man. He meant every single one in that room. That would have included my father.”

“And with Diego in prison, now’s the chance for your father to seize control?”

She nodded. “I need to think about this. My father wasn’t as careful about saying things around me as Diego. He took for granted that I would have some kind of tie to him and wouldn’t ever turn him over. Or maybe he thought even if he did, he’d still control me so it wouldn’t matter.” Her eyes were bright with determination. “I can find him.”

“Baby, I don’t want you going off the deep end over this again. No, I’m not saying that to make fun of you,” he rushed out when she glared at him. “I just mean I don’t want you to overtax yourself because of him. He’s not going to find you here, and with Diego behind bars, you can finally relax. Don’t let them screw with your head.”

“Look, I already admitted I went a bit overboard last time.” He snorted and grunted when she pinched him in retaliation. He grinned at her, unrepentant. Narrowing her eyes at him, she lowered her voice she warned, “Are you trying to cock block yourself, Ink?”

“Baby, if I thought you might actually do that, then I’d be shaking in my boots, but we both know that you love my cock too much for that. Or wasn’t that you this morning trying to muffle your screams as I took you from behind?” She shivered, and his cock hardened at the memory.

Damn, he couldn’t wait to do that again. The two of them were discovering just how well they worked together and how adventurous Naomi was becoming.

“Shhh.” Asher was thankfully still occupied with his toys, so she pressed her mouth to his, kissing him desperately.

He wasn’t going to complain. She tasted so fucking good, and he barely managed to contain the moan building in his throat.

It took all his self-control not to toss her over his shoulder and carry her down the hall. Was it always going to be like this? He really fucking hoped so.

She smiled at him, climbed off his lap, and said, “That will have to wait until tonight.” He gave her a heated stare full of dark promises. “So you and Asher have a fun time, but I’m getting to work on finding my father.”

Nothing like the reminder of reality to douse some of the fire burning in his veins, but there was no use in arguing. When the woman had an idea in her mind, there was no changing it.

“Don’t overtax yourself, baby, or I’m not going to be happy,” he warned her, getting to his feet. She smirked. He gripped her hair and yanked her head, making her gasp. Her pupils dilated. “Because we both know what happens when I need to teach you a lesson, don’t we?” he whispered, nipping at the underside of her jaw. “I’ll enjoy keeping you on the edge for hours, baby girl. Until you beg me with that pretty mouth, just like you did last night.” She shuddered, and he let out a low chuckle. “I’m taking our boy out for a ride, and we’ll be back in an hour.”

“Ink, please be careful,” she warned, glancing at Asher.

“Babe, I’ve done this with all the kids, I promise we’re perfectly fine. I also got him a helmet, so he’ll be extra protected. And if he’s too frightened of it, I’ll bring him right back.” With how excited Asher’d been every time he sat on the bike, he didn’t expect that to happen.

She looked at Asher then back at him. “Alright. One hour. And make sure someone is with you. I know you don’t think anyone would come on the grounds, but it would make me feel better.”

“I’ll message and ask Ice to come with me. You’ll be good? Jag is on the roof, but he should be switching with Karissa soon.”

Jag replaced Vulture earlier in the week, and he’d mostly kept to himself, other than the occasional sparring session with Karissa or Glitch. And he never pulled any punches. He was pretty sure Karissa was sporting more than a few bruises after the last one.

“I’ll be fine, Ink. Go and have fun, and don’t worry about me.”