Page 58 of Double the Redemption

Was there even a point in arguing with him?

“Anything I can do to help?”

She wanted to tell him he could help by leaving her be, but she bit it back. “No, I got it.”

“Ink, color.”

“There are crayons and paper in his play area,” Naomi said. “You two can do that while I get supper going.”

Ink didn’t argue, and soon enough, he was happily chatting with Asher, and she found herself constantly watching them. Ink was infinitely patient with him, showing him different ways to hold the crayons, and Asher soaked it all up like a sponge.

Damn it, she really didn’t want to soften toward him yet. She was still so confused and hurt, even when she really didn’t have a right to be. It was so confusing.

“Mama!” Asher hollered, drawing her attention, but she froze when she realized he was pointing at the picture in front of Ink.

“Yep, that’s your mama. Isn’t she pretty?” He turned his head slightly, winked at her, and lifted his paper.

Despite her better judgment, she walked over to see it. He’d drawn her standing by the stove, lips pursed and shoulders stiff, looking so realistic it was disconcerting.

“Mama ’etty,” Asher agreed. He beamed up at her.

“Thank you, baby,” she said, and gave Asher a loud, smacking kiss on the cheek, making him screech with laughter.

Ink turned his cheek toward her. “And what about the artist? Doesn’t he deserve something too?”

Naomi rolled her eyes and tapped him on the cheek. He laughed, captured her hand before she could pull it away, and pressed a quick kiss to her palm, making her still. When he released her, she didn’t miss the glint in his eyes.

He’d wanted a reaction, and she gave him what he wanted. She tried not to let him see that it affected her, but it was too late. Her hand still tingled from the press of his lips, as her forehead had when he kissed her there the other day.

“Supper is ready,” she rasped, rushing to grab the pan from the oven.

“’Uggets!” Asher shouted, clapping. He dove into them the moment she set his plate in front of him.

“Slow down, bud,” Ink urged. Asher complied, grinning around a mouthful of food.

Naomi brought him a plate, along with her own, and sat across from them.

“I loved these growing up,” Ink said, grinning as he popped one into his mouth. “Missed them too. Being a grown-up sucks.”

“Things were definitely easier back then,” she agreed. “And these were a staple in our house. My father didn’t like to cook.”

Her mood soured at the thought of him. She tried not to. He’d be looking for her, but he didn’t know her well enough. He’d likely think she’d talk to her sister, but they hadn’t spoken in years, and her sister was the last person she’d ever reach out to.

“You okay?” Ink asked, frowning.

“Sorry, yeah. My father is a sore spot.”

He nodded and glanced at Asher, who made dinosaur noises before eating it. “You worried he’s going to show up?”

“He’s Diego’s minion, so he’ll be watching, but he’ll also be furious that I made him look like a fool. If Diego hasn’t taken this whole thing as a slight.” The implication was clear, but she couldn’t bring herself to care.

Her father sold her to a cartel, and he was the one who gave Diego the idea to breed her like cattle so she could keep producing more people like her.

For that, she would never forgive him.

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