Page 49 of Double the Redemption

“Xena!” Taz gasped, his voice laced with what sounded like genuine horror. “How could you? Besides, we both know you’re still pining for me after being with your man for so long. It’s not as nice as mine, is it? You can be honest. Maybe if you’re nice, I’ll give your man some pointers, huh? Really make you happy.”

Naomi bit back a laugh. Okay, they were all ridiculous.

They started arguing again, so she turned away. It was too much for her to handle. She had to focus on getting something ready for dinner. Asher would be hungry once he finished his puzzle.

She browsed the fridge and freezer, but nothing looked appetizing. Shutting the fridge, she froze at a tap on the door. She crept forward and stood on her tiptoes to look through the peephole. Taz was standing there, with someone behind him she couldn’t make out.

She unlocked the door and opened it. Taz nodded. “Up to you if you want to talk to him.” He stepped aside, and Ink was standing there, holding boxes of pizza and a full plastic bag of something she couldn’t make out.

He glared at Taz before looking back at her. “I’d like to talk to you, Naomi, and I thought you guys might like something to eat.”

Staring at him, she wanted to slam the door in his face, but Simba’s and Jag’s words from earlier replayed in her mind. And the pizza smelled pretty damn good …

“Come in.” She opened the door, and Ink walked in with a smile. “Did you get Karissa out of your snare?” she asked Taz.

Taz’s grin was instant. “Yeah, she’s down. Her man came and ruined my fun. It’s fine, though, because I have a few more things planned. Just making sure no one comes up on us unaware.”

“Uh-huh.” Why did she think he was going to set those very things up in places to piss off his friends and probably a few of the bikers around here? “If you put me upside down, Taz, I’m liable to throw up on you.”

“You’re safe, darlin’. But is it only when you’re suddenly put upside down in a trap that makes you sick? Because I know of a great sex swing that⁠—”

“Fuck off,” Ink snapped, glaring at him.

Taz laughed, and Naomi narrowed her eyes at Ink, which he ignored.

“Just asking,” Taz placated. Eyes bright with mirth, he said, “I’ll be up on the roof if you need me.” He saluted Ink then hopped onto the railing and boosted himself up onto said roof.

Her mouth dropped open. “Is he a monkey?” she muttered, thinking about the twins’ comments earlier and shutting the door with a shake of her head.

“He’s a pain in the ass and an idiot for the most part,” Ink griped. She gave him a bland stare, and he had the decency to look contrite, gaze shifting down, ashamed. “Yeah, I know. I’m included in that category.” She remained silent, watching him. “Naomi, I really want to apologize and talk this out. Please.”

“Ink!” Asher shrieked.

Ink turned, and his face morphed into a warm smile. “Hey, buddy.” Moving farther into the room, he crouched down beside him. “What are you working on?”

Asher babbled on, some of the words slurring together and not making much sense, but something softened in her chest as Ink nodded along, pretending to understand whatever Asher was saying.

Damn it, he was making it really hard for her to stay angry with him.

She grabbed plates from the cabinet, and when she turned, she found Ink helping Asher into his chair, still listening to him talk.

He was so natural with him, and Asher clearly trusted him.

God, her head was a mess. She shouldn’t be okay with this after everything that happened. Letting Ink in would only allow her to get her hopes up again, and she didn’t know if she could stand it happening a second time.

Just because a man was good with her son didn’t mean he needed to be in her life, other than a professional relationship or as an acquaintance.

“Let me have those. You sit, and I’ll get everything dished up.” She didn’t protest as he took the plates from her and asked Asher what he wanted then expertly cut the pieces for him. “Baby, sit,” he urged when he realized she hadn’t moved.

“I’m not your baby,” she said, sitting. If he wanted to use this to get on her good side, she’d let him, but whatever else he was going to say, she didn’t have to believe or listen to.

Ink simply handed her a plate loaded with pizza. She took it without a word then waited while he filled his plate and sat beside Asher.

Was this man seriously trying to win her over by being good with her son? She narrowed her eyes at him as she ate, listening to Asher talk to Ink like they were the best of friends. Or as if any of them could understand him.

When they finally finished dinner, she got Asher cleaned up and settled on the couch to watch his favorite show, no closer to figuring out Ink’s angle. There was no way he didn’t have one.

“Naomi, let’s talk,” he murmured, sitting at the table again and watching her.