Page 9 of Double the Redemption

It seemed to be too much, because his little face crumpled and big tears rolled down his cheeks. The girls’ faces fell, and Naomi reassured them he didn’t understand as she tried to soothe him. Asher wasn’t having it, and the more distressed she looked, the more Ink hated it.

Moving forward, despite telling himself it was a stupid idea, he murmured, “Hey, little man, what’s the matter?”

Naomi looked to Ink when Asher’s cries softened to hiccupped sobs. To his surprise, Asher held his hands toward him.

Ink gripped him under the arms, and Naomi gasped. He offered her a reassuring smile. “I’m the favorite uncle around here,” he said, trying to calm the fear on her face.

“It’s because they want to trace all the colors he decorates himself with,” Wren quipped, twisting her hair with her finger.

Asher continued to cry and struggle, and Naomi fought to keep him in her grip.

“I can take him,” he offered. “And I’ll stay right here so you can take him back.”

Naomi swallowed hard, and Asher’s cries grew louder, angry that he wasn’t getting what he wanted. Finally, she slowly released him, but her whole body trembled.

Ink knew it was a big moment, so he propped Asher onto his hip, keeping him close to his mother, and the little boy quieted, looking up at him with such trusting eyes that Ink’s chest tightened. “See, favorite uncle.”

Naomi wrung her hands and her breathing increased. He didn’t know how to reassure her. Asher gripped Ink’s shirt, his little fist tugging and twisting at the fabric, even as he studied his bare arm, fascinated.

“I-I-I can take him out if you don’t want to hold him,” Naomi whispered. “I’m sorry if he’s bothering you.”

“Nope, not bothering me. I like kids. And pretty soon, the place will be full of them, and he won’t even be the loudest, I promise.”

Her lips pursed slightly, but she didn’t try to take him back. Everyone watched Ink with amusement but also understanding.

This was a hard moment for her, and the sooner she realized there was no threat, the better. Still, he didn’t like seeing her so distressed.

“Did you sleep all right?” he asked her.

“I slept okay. New space.”

He had been on patrol last night, and when he was outside the warehouse, he wondered how she was. There hadn’t been any movement, so he assumed she’d been sleeping.

Before he could press any further, the door swung open, and in walked Esme, Fury, and Gabe. Esme was nearing her due date, and her man and son were never far away if they could help it. No one knew what she was having yet, though Ink’s bets were on it being a girl.

“Gabe, go grab something from the kitchen to take with you to school,” Esme ordered. “And Fury, if you don’t get the hell out of my way, I’m going to punch you in the dick.”

“Dick!” Asher yelled, startling everyone. Ink choked on a laugh, Naomi stared at her son with wide eyes, and Esme and Fury looked at him in surprise, then started laughing.

“Alright, note to self; watch what I say when there are little ears around,” Esme joked. She smiled at Naomi. “You must be Naomi. I’m Esme. If you need any help keeping any of these guys in line, just let me know. I’m hormonal, and they’ve all learned not to piss me off.”

“And we thought Royal was bad,” someone muttered. He stifled a laugh when Royal smacked Razor upside the head, making him grunt and then give her an apologetic smile. “You were always crying, and Savage looked murderous every time. We were afraid for our lives. With Esme, we’re just afraid she’s going to snap and murder us all like she keeps promising.”

“That’s why Savage put the ban on the women having guns around here.” Jax snickered.

Ink glanced back at Naomi, and something flashed across her face, but he couldn’t quite name it. Was that guilt? What did she have to feel guilty about?

“Ignore them. We don’t let them out often.” Esme huffed. Looking at Ink, she grinned. “Should have figured. Kids just flock to you.”

“Favorite uncle, what can I say?” He jiggled Asher, making the boy laugh. He did it again, grinning down at him. Naomi stared at him wide-eyed. Was it really that surprising he was good with kids?

“Kids heading to school, get your asses outside. I don’t have all day!” Rogue barked from the doorway. He pinned Esme with a glare. “And your ass better not be in that seat before noon, or I’ll have your man haul you out. Don’t test me today.” His eyes moved back to Ink, but he said nothing. He gave Naomi a clipped nod before he stalked back out.

“He’s just a regular ray of sunshine,” Taz joked. “Alright, kids, let’s load up.”

“Are you coming with us to drop us off?” Gabe asked excitedly.

“Dude, you’ll be the coolest one there with me showing up.” He headed for the door, even as Wren and Win snickered behind him.