Page 42 of Double the Redemption

“But what if they could replicate me? What if they could create more of me to keep this going for generations? Someone to pass everything down to when the new leader will eventually take over? Or maybe more of me to sell? Because people like me are rare, and even if they can get their hands on someone else, there’s a good chance they won’t be as young as I am or as easily controlled.”

Bile rose in his throat as the pieces started to click. “Asher. They want him to be another you. They want him raised to be like you and then sold off?”

Her eyes burned with cold determination. “They will do that over my dead body. And anyone who tries to get in my way and take my son.”

“So you think they’ll take you back or kill you to teach you a lesson and then train Asher?”

“They’ve been testing him to see if he has the markers of a high IQ like mine, with the same ability to remember things. He’s still too young, but he’s already showing signs, as I did. My father noticed it, even when I tried to hide it. Asher solved a puzzle I gave him, and I didn’t notice he was in my father’s line of sight.” Her tone was bitter, full of regret.

“Naomi, that wasn’t your fault. You wouldn’t have been able to hide it forever.”

“They took him from me. For a week, Ink. A week when I couldn’t find him, had no idea what they were doing to him. He was only a year old. A fucking baby. They took him, ran tests, and brought him back to me covered in sores and bruises, with a diaper rash from hell because they didn’t give a shit about his comfort. They left him sitting in dirty diapers for hours longer than he should have been. He was a shell. It took me months to get him back to where he felt safe enough to trust even me.”

Ink’s fists clenched at his side. “And that was the last time they did that?”

“Yes, because I killed one of the guards who tried to take him from me a second time only a week before I escaped.” Her tone was matter-of-fact, but he wasn’t surprised. Considering how hard she fought him last night, he probably should be grateful not to be six feet under right about now.

“You did the right thing, Naomi. He’s lucky to have you as his mother.”

“He won’t think that when he’s older. Not when he’s smarter than everyone, in advanced classes, and socially awkward. But I’ll spare him the horror of being around Diego or his men. And to your other point, Diego probably won’t kill me right away. He’ll harvest me first, then kill me.”

“Harvest you?” He stared at her, bewildered.

“Why do you think I told Karissa and Glitch I don’t know who his father is? I was beaten, taken to a medical room in Diego’s home, restrained, and forcibly bred using sperm he and his doctors developed. They kept me in the medical bay for weeks to see if it worked. When it failed, I was beaten for somehow causing the procedure to fail. In the second round, I became pregnant with Asher. Now that they know it worked, they’ll want to make more of him.”

“So you think they’re going to take you back, take your eggs, and then kill you?” The horror of it made him want to punch something.

“I know they will. They can always find someone else to handle the business part, but having others like me, like Asher? That’s a long-term plan and a risk.

“Now, do you understand why it’s not fucking safe for me to stay here, Ink? If Diego finds out where I am because of your pissed-off lover, they will take Asher and do unspeakable things to him until he’s old enough and they’re satisfied they’ve broken him. And any other siblings he’ll have. They will not stop until they have us back, Ink. And I’m not willing to let that happen. Ever. I will die first.”

Her eyes flashed cold. “And when the Devil’s Predators get here, I’ll make them understand that. You might not have meant it, but you’ve exposed me, and I have no desire for it to happen again.”

17

INK

Naomi’s words sat heavy in his gut and swirled in his mind like a thunder cloud. They’d dealt with the depraved intentions of these kinds of criminal groups before, but this hit closer to home for him. Knowing it involved Naomi was like a punch in the gut.

And for the first time, it didn’t worry him that he was developing feelings for a woman.

Maybe that was because said woman wanted nothing to do with him. After delivering that information, she refused to talk to him anymore, and he finally realized the only way to stop fucking this up was to leave. Not that he went far. He stayed close to the warehouse, watching over them and trying to wrap his head around all of it.

Now, leaving while a prospect took over—even if it was Tom—didn’t sit well with him. He wanted to jump out of his chair and storm out of the room. Church be damned.

His gut clenched at the realization. Fuck. That … that was a problem. His club came first. Always. No one was allowed to come before it. Especially not a woman. But here he was. Was this how the other guys felt?

He bit back a curse, needing to get a grip.

Naomi’s face flashed in his mind. Fuck. He was screwed.

“We don’t have a lot of time before the Predators get in here,” Rogue stated. “You want to get your stories straight. Figure it the fuck out now.” Then his gaze moved to Ink’s. “And you need to get your head out of your ass and fast. That woman is going to leave if you don’t make it clear what your intentions are.”

Ink stiffened as all eyes pointed his way. Some knew, others were shocked. Damn it. He was just trying to come to terms with it all himself, and now he was on the spot.

“Wait, what am I missing?” Snake demanded. He leaned forward, eyes wide as he stared at Ink. “You got the hots for that chick?”

Ink’s tongue felt heavy. His brain warred with his heart. What the hell was he supposed to say?