Page 3 of Double the Redemption

Color him intrigued. He glanced at Karissa, but her face was neutral, giving nothing away. Even more interesting.

“I think we already know the answer, but we have to put it to a vote,” Savage said, his gaze sweeping over everyone to catch their attention. “We agree to bring this woman and her son in, protect them, and keep their identities a secret until the Devil’s Predators say they’re good to go.”

“Will she be staying in the clubhouse? We need to talk to the club girls. Keep them quiet so they don’t say anything they shouldn’t.”

Everyone chuckled and gave Ink a knowing look.

With everyone pairing off, the club girls had only a few options, and Ink had no issue with that since he was often the top choice.

“The apartment above the warehouse is empty again. They can stay there, and it will give them privacy, but it’s close enough that we can keep an eye on them and get to them quickly if we need to lock shit down. As for the club girls, their rules will remain the same unless we have a lockdown.” Savage pinned Ink with a pointed glare. “But keep it behind closed doors.”

Ink rolled his eyes but nodded. He wasn’t shy, but if it kept Savage off his back, he’d use his room whenever this new woman was around. He just hoped she wasn’t a prude with a stick shoved up her ass. Changing who he was for her wasn’t an option.

“All in favor?” Savage asked.

All hands went up, and the tension in the room eased.

“Good.” He looked at Simba. “You can have Glitch and Taz bring them in. Let them meet us.”

“Wait, they’re already here?” Razor asked, eyes wide.

Before anyone could answer, the door to the room opened, and Glitch and Taz entered, flanking a woman who was holding a sleeping toddler with soft-blonde hair. Her body trembled, and her eyes scanned quickly, taking in everyone and everything. Shifting the toddler, she placed her hand on his back and held him close to her chest.

Ink was taken aback. He had never considered himself a judgmental person, but this woman didn’t look the least bit nerdy or bookish like he’d assumed she would. She was small; he guessed her height at maybe five four, with soft-blonde hair similar to her son’s, braided and hanging just above her butt, a few loose pieces framing her stunning face.

Her fingers trembled as she rubbed comforting circles over her son’s back. The terror in her eyes was like a punch to the gut. Ink wanted to reassure her she was safe, but said nothing, only watched her.

“Come on down here, darlin’,” Taz said, with a gentle smile. Gone is the wild, crazy man most see. Now, he’s as docile and kind as a lamb. “Don’t worry, no one is going to bite. You’ll never meet a group of better men and women. Well, maybe not Xena over there. She’s a bit mean to me. So, you’ll have to tell her how wonderful I am to make her stop, huh?”

That gentle teasing seemed to do the trick, and a ghost of a smile flickered when Karissa snorted and said, “Says the man who can’t go one full day without messing something up. Don’t listen to him, honey. Anything that happens to him is well deserved.”

They made their way along the edge of the room, but she stopped just behind Ink’s chair when her son woke up with a jerk, startling her and everyone else. The little boy let out an angry cry and threw himself back. Ink moved before he could stop himself, spinning in his chair and putting a bracing hand on the little boy’s back.

The woman froze, and so did the boy, startled to find someone else there. The woman’s blue eyes went wide and locked onto his. Ink offered her a gentle smile, hoping to reassure her, and moved his hand away from the little boy.

“You’re a wild one, aren’t you, bud?” Ink asked, with a teasing smile. “You’re going to fit right in around here. But how about we don’t scare your mama like that, huh?”

The little boy stared at him with fear in his eyes, then settled back into his mother, his little fist pressed against his mouth, and his face buried in her neck. Ink fought his guilt. He didn’t mean to scare him.

The woman’s throat bobbed as she swallowed hard, her breathing accelerating. “I’m sorry, he didn’t … I’m sorry,” she whispered, stepping back.

“It’s alright,” Ink murmured. Glitch put a comforting hand on her shoulder, and Taz shot him a warning look. Ink ignored them both, focusing on the woman in front of him. “No harm done. I’m Ink.”

She glanced at Glitch and then Taz, who nodded at her. “Naomi,” she finally whispered.

“It’s nice to meet you, Naomi.” Ink turned to Razor and jerked his head to gesture for him to move his ass. He didn’t hesitate, positioning himself behind Karissa, who was sitting on the other side. “Why don’t you have a seat. That might make you feel more comfortable.”

“N-no one has to give up their seat,” she murmured.

“I’d rather sit next to you than that ugly asshole.” Ink flirted shamelessly, trying anything to calm her nerves.

“Oh yeah, that’ll work,” someone muttered, but Ink ignored them. She regarded him closely, as if she were trying to decide whether to trust him.

Finally, she decided it was better than standing there awkwardly, and sat in the chair, adjusting her son, who still refused to look at anyone.

Ink smiled at her, carefully scooting his chair closer to Ice, not wanting to crowd her. That was much better. The little boy snuck a look at Ink, and Ink winked at him before turning his attention back to the conversation.

This was definitely going to be interesting. He just hoped the boy and his mama warmed up to them, or it was going to be a really long six months.