Page 56 of Double the Redemption

“It’s not about her …” Not completely.

“Is it because he’s a horndog who can’t keep it in his pants?” Royal asked. “Though, I’ll say, he’s been keeping it behind the zipper for the last couple of weeks.” She gave her a pointed look. “And I don’t think it takes much to figure out why that is.”

Naomi flushed. “I don’t think he’s after me because he wants to be with me. He told me last night that he realized when I got here he wanted me and only me, but then he invited the club girls and tried to … spend time with them, but he didn’t. That he realized he wanted me. I’m no one’s second choice.”

They all exchanged a look. “Yeah, that tracks.” Harlow sighed. “They’re all idiots who don’t know when to put the filter in place or keep their mouths shut.”

“Did he try to point out that all of us got together with our guys quickly?” Esme asked. Naomi nodded. “He’s right about that, and I can see what he’s trying to tell you, but he’s going about it the wrong way. You’re a logical person, while the rest of us, though logical, lean more toward the emotional side.”

“Are you angry that he tried to, you know, with one of the club girls?” Saylor asked.

Was she? Okay, maybe it hurt that he willingly went to them instead of truly considering her. That he would rather sleep with another woman than face the feelings he had for her.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” Saylor said, with a knowing smile. “I’m not going to give Ink much leeway on that, because that was the coward’s way out, but I will say, I’ve realized pretty quick around here the men never look for the women that come into their lives, but when they do, every single one of those men screwed everything up at least a few times.”

“But when they figure their sh—stuff out, they dive headfirst into it,” Royal finished. “I mean, look at Rogue. He wanted nothing to do with women, not even the club girls most of the time. Then these three come along, and he was always in a bear of a mood or trying to skip out on things to figure out where they were and what they were doing.”

“Or sitting outside in the bushes like the stalker he is,” Wren said, with a laugh. “Not that he was very good at it.”

“But once he and Scarlett clicked and figured things out, the man was locked in. The same went for the others. Even Glitch and Code, and they hated each other,” Karissa said, with a snicker. “I thought a few times they were going to stab each other.”

“Are you all trying to tell me to give Ink a chance?” Naomi asked. “Because even if you are, I don’t know that it’s going to work. And I don’t know that I want a man coming into our lives only to walk back out when our time here is done and I have to start over.”

And she didn’t know that her heart could take it. Not after everything she’d dealt with under her father and Diego.

“We’re just saying it’s clear there’s something between the two of you, and before you write it off completely, think about it,” Esme said. “And if it doesn’t work out, fine. You’ll have us all here to run interference, but don’t let fear hold you back. Maybe it won’t work, but maybe it will. If you don’t take the chance, you might kick yourself.”

“I still think you should make him grovel a bit, though,” Glitch added, with a smirk. “He needs to learn.”

“I can give you a few tips that work for Jax,” Saylor offered. Laughter broke out, and Naomi found herself wondering whether they’d all lost their minds.

Or if their men had knocked a few screws loose at night when they were alone. At this point, she was pretty sure anything was possible with this group.

A brisk knock on the door stopped their laughter, and Karissa and Glitch moved swiftly to answer it. Everyone stilled, and even Asher and Jett went quiet. Karissa looked through the peephole then grinned. Opening the door, she joked, “You knew we were talking about you, huh?”

Ink stepped inside, his brow furrowing as he took in the group in front of him. Behind him stood Razor, Jax, and Fury, all of them grinning, but they quickly moved around him to get inside. Fury went to Saylor, who handed him his son, and Naomi found herself smiling at the sight.

What was it about men holding babies that made women turn into goo?

When she turned back, she realized Ink was heading toward Asher, bending to ruffle his hair and asking him something quietly. The twins were watching the exchange with interest. Then Win lifted her hand behind his back and flashed her a thumbs-up.

Great, now she was getting approval from teenagers. They were just trying to help, but it only confused her more.

“What are you all plotting up here?” Razor asked, wrapping his arm around Karissa, who settled into his side. “And if it’s anything involving a gun and Savage, I want to be in on it.”

“He’s pissed that I sent over the note about needing a shooting range, huh?” Karissa laughed.

“Cursed long and hard the moment the message came in,” Razor confirmed, grinning. “So we figured we should come up and see what you all were plotting.”

Naomi stiffened when Ink eased in behind her. He didn’t touch her or crowd her, but knowing he was so close set her on edge. Especially because she knew how easy it would be to relax into him, like Karissa, Saylor, and Esme were all doing with their men.

“We were just talking about how much of a dumbass Ink is,” Esme said, chuckling.

Naomi’s eyes widened. Did she really just say that?

“I’ll take full accountability for it,” Ink said, his tone devoid of embarrassment or anger. Naomi risked a glance over her shoulder at him, and he was watching her intently. Her gaze landed on the floor, but not before catching the knowing looks and smiles among the other women.

Damn it. She really didn’t need this; she was already confused enough.