Page 38 of Double the Redemption

“Naomi, I⁠—”

“Just stop, Ink. I don’t need you to try to make more excuses right now. Asher is my only priority, not easing your feelings or guilt.”

Well, wasn’t that straight to the point? He sighed, leaned his head back against the wall, and closed his eyes as defeat washed over him. That was that.

“Ink.” He opened his eyes to Rogue standing there, a cool expression on his face and Scarlett beside him. Ink jerked his head, and Scarlett gave him a small, reassuring smile.

I’ll try to talk to her Scarlett mouthed. Ink sighed and got to his feet. Glancing back at Naomi, he got ignored, and she closed her eyes and cradled the back of her son’s head like she was afraid to let him go.

He supposed she was with what she’d been through at Diego’s hands.

Following Rogue into the living room, they found Savage, Fury, and Ice standing there, all wearing grim expressions.

“Simba is threatening to skin us alive if we don’t figure out how to fix this,” Savage growled. “And Taz has been blowing up Glitch’s and Karissa’s phones, trying to figure out what the hell is going on too. With some creative threats and punishments thrown in there if they don’t fix this with Naomi.”

“So they’re not coming?”

“They’ll be here in the next eighteen hours. They told her twenty-four to buy some time.”

“They still want her to stay here?” Ice asked, expression cool, gaze thoughtful.

“They think this is the safest place for her. They have a couple of safe houses, but they’re on back-to-back rescue missions, and those are full of other people while they sort them out. But they’re going to take them if Naomi wants to go and really doesn’t want to stay here. She’s too important to a lot of people to risk.” Savage glanced back at the room. “I don’t know what the story is there, but I’m getting the sense there’s more going on than her just having a good fucking memory and knowing their business.”

“What makes you say that?” Ink frowned, looking over his shoulder to the open door. Scarlett was murmuring, but he couldn’t hear what was actually being said.

“Simba said that Diego’s been looking hard for them and made it clear he wants her dead but nothing should happen to the boy.”

“Is Diego the boy’s father?” Fury asked, eyes narrowed.

“I asked Karissa and Glitch what they knew or whether the Devil’s Predators had said anything, but all they said was that Naomi said she didn’t know who his father was.”

The tension between them increased. Ink’s stomach sank, and his fists clenched at his sides. He shouldn’t be surprised, especially since the cartel was well known for its reputation, but the implication was still hard to swallow.

Now they’d scared the shit out of her, and she was terrified the cartel would find them.

“But if Diego might not be Asher’s father, why would he care about the boy?” Rogue asked, blue eyes sharp.

“Maybe he’s trying to sell him?” Savage suggested.

Ink’s gut recoiled. “Like fuck is that going to happen,” he spat.

“I think you’re right, there’s more going on there,” Fury agreed. “If Esme wasn’t so tired and didn’t have her hands full with Jett, I’d offer to let us talk to her.”

“We might not have a choice if we need to plan for the cartel sending men here again,” Rogue pointed out. “Not to mention, Esme will kick your ass, new baby or not, if you leave her out of something that could affect her and the kids.”

“The cartel doesn’t care about them,” Fury argued.

“Brother, you’ve got your head in the sand because you’re all loved up and have a new baby,” Ice said. “The cartel isn’t going to let the daughter and grandson of one of their former leaders skate away. They leave her alone because of who we are and our connections. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t watching.”

Fury’s body stiffened and his expression hardened. “Let them try and come. We’ll obliterate them.”

“We’re getting off track here,” Rogue grumbled. “Look, Esme and the kids are safe. The cartel might be watching them, but they know better than to touch them. But that also means that eventually they’ll start looking more closely here if we don’t figure out how to convince Naomi to stay and show that we’re not a threat.” Then he looked at Ink. “And you’re going to keep it in your fucking pants while we sort this shit out. The club girls are off the property until she’s gone. You want to get your dick wet, go to a damn bar.”

He glared at him, but not because he was pissed about that. The last thing he wanted was another woman.

“Let’s hope Scarlett can get through to her, and this will all be over.” Savage sighed, thrusting a hand through his hair. He glanced at the door. “I still can’t believe she fucking shot at me.”

“You’re lucky she missed,” Ice said. “You’re a big enough target, so I’m surprised.”