Page 28 of Double the Redemption

Ink eased out and headed back to the kitchen as Naomi finished tucking him in. Naomi didn’t like him hanging around too close for too long. Not that he blamed her. The kind of men she’d been around while working for the cartel weren’t the kind he’d want near a child either.

“Thank you,” Naomi murmured, walking into the kitchen. “It’s been a long day.”

“He’s been keeping you on your toes?”

She nodded, sinking into a chair at the table. “He missed his nap today because he was just too busy playing. Even when I suggested it, he threw such a fit that I gave in. I really need to stop doing that, or he’s going to run all over me.”

“Kids do love to test limits, but I’m sure you’ll get back on track tomorrow.”

“I’m just so happy he’s found friends. I hate to ruin his fun or the other kids’ fun. Ronin really likes him.”

“Ronin’s a great kid, and he loves the younger kids. He really loves his sisters too. We all wondered whether he’d get jealous because of how much time and attention the two of them would need, but he’s turned out to be a great big brother. I think he’s learning that from Gabe, who is so patient with him.”

“Gabe’s a really good kid too. All the kids are.” She gave him a shy smile. “Thank you, Ink, for being so patient with him. I know he’s gotten attached to you. I’ve been trying to keep him away, but he always seeks you out.”

“Favorite uncle, remember?” he joked, waving at himself. “He’s no trouble, Naomi. If you need a break and the twins aren’t around, I’m happy to take him off your hands.”

She smiled but didn’t agree. Not that he expected it. A week wasn’t going to change everything. She was still unsure, even as she began to thaw and see them for who they were.

Maybe the fact she was working for them helped. It gave her another view of them. A task to do.

“Oh, I have your paperwork from last night,” Naomi said, getting to her feet and grabbing the dark-red file folder near the sink. “But, um, I did want to mention something, if that’s okay.” She looked at him then away, like she was sure that he was going to be upset with her.

“Sure.” He moved to the table and took a seat, hoping that might put her more at ease.

She sat next to him but scooted her chair away from him a little. He tried not to be annoyed by it. More than that, he was annoyed with himself for caring at all. He didn’t want anything from Naomi except trust and the assurance they weren’t bad guys. Anything else wasn’t for him to worry about.

So why was his mouth watering at the soft, gentle scent of her body wash? She smelled sweet and floral but not overwhelming. It fit her.

“I-I don’t want to overstep, but I saw a couple of things that might help you,” she said, hauling him out of his thoughts. She pushed a few papers aside and showed him a neatly written sheet, with a couple of items circled in red. “I noticed you buy inks individually, but last month, when you switched to the bulk supplier, you saved yourself a good chunk of money. But then you switched back.”

“Yeah, the supplier has great colors, but not all the ones I like to use. Do you think I should switch to the bulk supplier for better deals?”

“Do you often buy the rare colors?”

“Not really. Only for certain artworks, but those have been less frequent lately. And you’re probably right about that anyway, because Tom’s going to be apprenticing with me starting next week. He’ll probably go through some of the basic colors more often, so I’ll have to replace those more frequently.”

“Oh, you’re going to have another employee? I need to calculate that for payroll and stuff.”

“No, he won’t be on the payroll.” She froze, brow furrowed. “Tom’s a prospect here with the club. He just wants to learn a new skill, and he’s already really fucking good at it, so we’re giving him some experience. When he’s eventually fully patched, he’ll already have a job in the club.”

“So it’s more like an unpaid-intern type situation?”

He shrugged. “Call it what you want. He’s not doing it full-time, but he’s going to help me with the shop because we’re busy as fuck.”

She nodded. “I didn’t realize how well tattoo artists were doing right now.” She skimmed over the exposed tattoos on his arms. “But you’re really talented, so I can see why.”

Why did her compliment make him want to kiss her? What the hell was wrong with him?

“Looking for some ink, babe?” he asked, with a teasing grin.

She flushed. “I’ve always loved tattoos, but I don’t have the courage to get one. Needles aren’t my thing.”

“If you ever change your mind, let me know. I’ve already got ideas.”

Hell, he had a full sketchbook of them. He could picture so many interesting ones on her pretty virgin skin. Seeing her in his ink? Fuck, he hated himself for how often he’d dreamed of it.

“You do?” Her eyes widened.