Page 27 of Double the Redemption

“Hundred bucks she’s going to end up punching him in the dick before that baby’s out,” Ice muttered beside him, watching as Karissa hurried to get into the SUV, holding the giant duffle bag she had carted from Esme’s house.

“Dude, I’m not betting against a sure thing.” Ink scoffed. “She’ll punch him and then tear it off. Make sure they’re done with two kids.”

“Nah, Fury will move,” Razor predicted, coming to join them on the porch as everyone hurried to get out of the way as Fury raced down the drive, and Royal and Harlow headed to grab Gabe. “He told me he wants another three if he can convince Esme.”

“Three more?” Ink questioned, eyes wide.

“Three more what?” a soft voice asked, and he turned to see Naomi coming out, holding a quiet and sleepy-looking Asher.

Ink’s heart flipped, and his grip on his beer tightened. Damn it, this was getting out of hand. They didn’t really talk much, but he was constantly seeking her out or playing with Asher because the little guy seemed to like and trust him. Enough that Naomi didn’t hesitate nearly as long when Asher tried to go to him.

Like now.

Asher gave a low whine, reaching toward him. Ink set aside his beer and took him, settling him on his hip and murmuring, “Someone’s tired, huh?”

Asher gave a small nod, nuzzling into his neck and giving a small sigh.

“Sorry, he’s been running around and doing a few of the puzzles that Scarlett found for him, so he’s really tired.” Naomi gave him an apologetic smile.

“He’s fine. We’re good friends now, aren’t we, bud?” He gave another small nod, but his eyes were already drooping.

“What did you say about wanting three?” Naomi asked.

Ink liked how she was starting to come out of her shell. A lot of that was probably the women bringing her into their fold. They were constantly getting her out of the apartment, and Ink had heard she actually let the twins watch Asher another time after the night she learned Rogue’s system.

“Fury wants three more kids after this one comes,” Ice answered, shaking his head. “He’s nuts if he thinks Esme will agree to that.”

“She said she wants five more, so I don’t think there’s going to be much of a disagreement there,” Naomi answered.

They stared at her.

“What the hell? Are they trying to have their own baseball team or something?” Razor asked, eyes comically wide.

“Both of them want a big family.” Naomi shrugged. “But don’t ask Royal that. When someone mentioned that Savage is throwing the hints pretty hard for another one or two, she nearly took their heads off.”

They all laughed. “Yeah, that sounds about right,” Ink confirmed. “He’ll convince her. The man has his ways.” He grinned and winked.

Naomi’s face flushed, but she bit back a smile.

Why did he find that so adorable?

“You know what’s coming next, right?” Ice asked, glancing at Razor. “Esme will insist that Karissa have one so they can be best friends.”

Razor smirked. “I’ve been after her about it already, but she’s not quite at the point where she’s ready to give up the chance that her team might need her. I’m not really in a rush, so I’m good to wait.” He looked at Asher and smiled. “I like playing uncle for now. I can hand them back.”

Asher started to snore, and Ink glanced down and smiled. The little guy’s small mouth gaped open, small breaths escaping and brushing along Ink’s neck.

Naomi inched closer. “I can take him back,” she whispered.

“He’s fine. Is it his bedtime?”

“Yeah, he’s a little past it, but he was having a lot of fun, so I didn’t want to ruin it.”

“I’ll follow you back and put him to bed for you so he doesn’t wake up,” he offered. Naomi hesitated then nodded. “Be right back,” he told the others as he headed down the stairs.

He ignored the knowing grins on their faces. Whatever. They could fuck off. He was just helping her out. It meant nothing.

He followed her up to the apartment then down to the bedroom and eased Asher next to the wall of pillows Naomi had set up for him on the bed. Asher burrowed into the pillows and let out a small sigh.