Naomi
Some of her nerves settled with Jag close by.
She was still unsure of Karissa, but she mostly ignored her, focusing on Asher and trying to make him comfortable.
Asher wasn’t sure about the other two people in the apartment, so he gave them a wide berth and side-eyed them the way he used to whenever Diego brought random people into their space.
It hurt her heart, but she had to accept this would be their reality for a little longer, at least until things settled down.
She still wasn’t sold on them staying here, but knowing one of the Devil’s Predators, other than Glitch and Karissa, would be around made her feel better.
“Taz will be the one to stay with you for the first leg,” Jag explained. “After that, we’ll all switch out. The constants will be Karissa and Glitch.”
She liked Taz, and he got along well with Asher, so she was happy about that. “Will he be staying here?” She glanced around the small apartment. There wasn’t much room, but maybe they could figure something out.
“He’ll have a room in the clubhouse. He’ll be here at night, but he’ll be patrolling, so no need to clear out a space for him.
During the day, Glitch and I will rotate.
I’ll be taking a leave from the bar until you’re free and clear,” Karissa explained.
She held Naomi’s gaze as she added, “And I know you’re not happy that it’s us because of what’s happened, but we won’t let this shit happen again, Naomi.
” She gave Jag a pointed look. “Getting chewed out by every single man on our team certainly has the effect of making sure we remember our jobs.”
Naomi glanced at Jag wide-eyed. He didn’t deny it.
“You got chewed out; be glad Simba didn’t hand you your asses in the ring,” Karissa added.
Naomi gasped. “You’d beat them?”
“We’re not a normal group, Naomi. Karissa and Glitch are full-fledged members, and we treat them as such. They fuck up, they get their asses handed to them. The same way they would to the rest of us if the shoe were on the other foot. And they can take it and hand it back. Don’t worry about them.”
“We’ve wiped the floor with all of them more than once,” Karissa said, her dark eyes brightening with anticipation.
She was excited at the idea of this? Naomi just shook her head. It shouldn’t surprise her, she supposed. This was a whole other world.
“As long as Asher is safe, I don’t care what you do in your spare time.”
That sobered Karissa. “You’ll probably be sick of us in a few days, but we’ll ensure it. Taz, Glitch, and I will also make sure that no one gets past the gates who shouldn’t.”
She wanted to ask what it meant and why it hadn’t been done in the first place but bit her tongue. Surviving needed to be her only focus. There was only five months until the trial, but it felt like a lifetime.
Boots hitting the steps outside the door jerked her out of her thoughts with a snap.
Asher scampered off the couch and took off toward the bedroom.
Naomi flinched at the closet door being slammed.
She swiftly followed when Jag and Karissa waved her out with hard glares. She wasn’t going to question them.
Opening the closet door, she moved inside and shut it again, easing Asher into her lap.
“Mama, I scared,” he whispered, burrowing into her.
“I know, baby. I’m sorry. I promise you’re safe. Jag and Karissa will make sure of it.”
“Ink.”
“What?” She tried not to wince at the name. Thinking about Ink was a bad idea. Being a mixture of pissed off and hurt was never good. She was liable to throat-punch him if he got too close again.
“I want Ink,” Asher blubbered as he tried valiantly to hold back his sobs, his little body shaking.
Damn it. That was exactly what she had tried to avoid. Her son was hurting, not understanding that Ink was part of the reason for all of this.
The closet door opened slowly, yanking her from her thoughts, and she stilled, waiting. She saw the boots first, the scuffed ends and navy laces instead of black. Ink. His face was ashen, eyes full of pain.
He must’ve heard Asher. She tightened her grip on Asher, who clung to her so tightly the fabric of her T-shirt tore slightly. Her glare was icy as she looked up at Ink. She was so angry that her heart was shattering from the pain this entire situation was causing her son.
“Naomi,” he murmured, crouching down. The apology and regret didn’t move her, but his voice was enough to have Asher turn and look at the man he wanted.
“Ink,” he sobbed, releasing her and trying to squirm away. “Mama, let go. See Ink. I see Ink.”
“Asher, stop,” she ordered, but he was beyond reason, screeching and fighting to get away from her. It only broke her more.
“Naomi, please, let me help,” Ink begged. He cautiously lifted his arms out toward her. “Please.”
She wanted to scream at him to get away. This was his fault. He did this. He caused this. He made himself important to her son, made him trust him.
Asher kicked her in the belly, knocking the wind out of her. Twisting himself, he wrenched out of her grasp, and Ink swiftly moved to grab him to keep him from falling. “Ink!” Asher sobbed, curling into him.
Naomi stared, trying to get her breath back and fighting the sharp urge to snatch her son back, but she knew that would only make things worse.
“Shhh, it’s okay, buddy,” Ink soothed, rubbing Asher’s trembling back, but his eyes never left Naomi. He didn’t try to leave the closet or step out of her line of sight.
A part of her recognized he was doing it for her benefit, but she was too angry. Too hurt that her son didn’t want her to protect him. A hard lump formed in her throat, but she refused to let this man see her cry.
It took another full five minutes before Asher’s sobs finally settled and he lay peacefully against Ink, his little face red and streaked. He twisted Ink’s T-shirt in his grip, and his eyes grew heavy until he went slack in his arms.
No one moved for a few minutes. Then Naomi rasped, “Move.”
He shifted easily, still holding Asher, and got to his feet.
He didn’t protest as she took her son and carried him to the bed then tucked him in.
When she turned, he was by the door, giving her space, but she narrowed her eyes at him.
Leaving, he let out a heavy sigh as he went down the hall.
She followed him out, shutting the door so only a small crack remained.
Whenever Asher had moments like this, he slept for a good hour afterward. It was going to mess up his already screwed-up sleep schedule even more, but she’d handle it.
She stared down the hall at the small group of people in the apartment. Karissa and Glitch stood with Jag and Taz while Savage, Ink, Simba, and Rogue stood near the door. The tension in the room was palpable.
“Naomi,” Savage said, drawing her gaze. “I wanted to apologize. What’s happened in the last twenty-four hours has been unacceptable.
I know you probably don’t believe it, but we’re going to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
The club girls and anyone else who shouldn’t be on the grounds will not be allowed to enter.
The Devil’s Predators will be helping to ensure that. ”
There was a slight tightness to his tone, which told her he wasn’t happy about it, but he didn’t have a choice.
“I want to reiterate that you and Asher are safe here. If anyone from the cartel or any other organization tries to get to either of you, they will be unsuccessful. I hope that in a few weeks you’ll forgive us. ”
“And?” Taz prompted, a smirk forming across his handsome face. He winked at her when her brow furrowed.
Savage muttered something under his breath she didn’t catch, but he reached behind his back and yanked out the same gun she had used the night before.
“And despite my rule about women not having weapons on the grounds, we’re going to make an exception for you so you have the ability to defend yourself if the need arises.
” The words were stiff, like they physically hurt him to say them.
She gripped the gun and gave a small nod. Some of her anxiety about the entire situation eased, but not much.
“He wants to add that you can’t shoot at him with it again, but it seems to be common around here,” Glitch offered, with a soft snicker. Savage glared at her, but she just gave him a sweet smile.
“At least Naomi has a better shot at reaching that giant head of his,” Karissa agreed, with a smirk of her own. “You’re so fucking small you’d be more at risk of getting him in the dick.”
Savage glared at her as the others chuckled. Glitch flipped Karissa off.
Was this their way of trying to lighten the mood? She’d picked up on the fact that the women around here had a humorous streak and kept their men from getting too serious. Any other time, maybe she’d find it amusing, but right now, she didn’t give a damn.
“Thank you for the apology,” she stated.
Savage nodded, but she could tell he didn’t believe it for a second.
“Good,” Rogue said. “Now that that’s all taken care of, I have some paperwork I need you to handle for the garage.”
She whipped her head toward him. “You expect me to still help you after all this?” she demanded.
Rogue held her gaze, unbending. “You want to be pissed at us, fine, but you agreed to help, and I expect you to keep your word. Esme’s not in any position to come back, and Fury will castrate any of us for suggesting it.
Ink’s shop will need help as well, and you’ve already committed to that.
Leaving him in the lurch isn’t in your nature. ”
Her eyes narrowed. “You have a lot of nerve.”
“I have a lot of people who rely on us making sure we run these businesses properly. You have the weekend to get over it.”
“Fuck you, Rogue,” she hissed, infuriated that he would dare act like he could order her around.