22. Naomi
NAOMI
“There’s nothing going on between Ink and me.” She handed Jett back to Esme, but he was snatched away by Scarlett, who cooed at him.
A collective snort echoed through the room. “Babe, if you’re going to lie, you really need to get better at it,” Karissa admonished. “Do we need to add that to your lessons too?”
“There isn’t,” she insisted. “Maybe at one point there might have been potential, but that’s done now.”
“Because of all this club girl business? Honey, those girls mean nothing to any of the guys, especially Kayla. She’s been trying to get with one of them for a long time, but that’s more about rubbing it in our faces that a club girl can become an Old Lady, like Harlow did with Steel,” Esme explained.
“And even that wasn’t a typical situation. ”
“It’s not about her …” Not completely.
“Is it because he’s a horndog who can’t keep it in his pants?” Royal asked. “Though, I’ll say, he’s been keeping it behind the zipper for the last couple of weeks.” She gave her a pointed look. “And I don’t think it takes much to figure out why that is.”
Naomi flushed. “I don’t think he’s after me because he wants to be with me.
He told me last night that he realized when I got here he wanted me and only me, but then he invited the club girls and tried to …
spend time with them, but he didn’t. That he realized he wanted me. I’m no one’s second choice.”
They all exchanged a look. “Yeah, that tracks.” Harlow sighed. “They’re all idiots who don’t know when to put the filter in place or keep their mouths shut.”
“Did he try to point out that all of us got together with our guys quickly?” Esme asked.
Naomi nodded. “He’s right about that, and I can see what he’s trying to tell you, but he’s going about it the wrong way.
You’re a logical person, while the rest of us, though logical, lean more toward the emotional side. ”
“Are you angry that he tried to, you know, with one of the club girls?” Saylor asked.
Was she? Okay, maybe it hurt that he willingly went to them instead of truly considering her. That he would rather sleep with another woman than face the feelings he had for her.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Saylor said, with a knowing smile.
“I’m not going to give Ink much leeway on that, because that was the coward’s way out, but I will say, I’ve realized pretty quick around here the men never look for the women that come into their lives, but when they do, every single one of those men screwed everything up at least a few times. ”
“But when they figure their sh—stuff out, they dive headfirst into it,” Royal finished.
“I mean, look at Rogue. He wanted nothing to do with women, not even the club girls most of the time. Then these three come along, and he was always in a bear of a mood or trying to skip out on things to figure out where they were and what they were doing.”
“Or sitting outside in the bushes like the stalker he is,” Wren said, with a laugh. “Not that he was very good at it.”
“But once he and Scarlett clicked and figured things out, the man was locked in. The same went for the others. Even Glitch and Code, and they hated each other,” Karissa said, with a snicker. “I thought a few times they were going to stab each other.”
“Are you all trying to tell me to give Ink a chance?” Naomi asked. “Because even if you are, I don’t know that it’s going to work. And I don’t know that I want a man coming into our lives only to walk back out when our time here is done and I have to start over.”
And she didn’t know that her heart could take it. Not after everything she’d dealt with under her father and Diego.
“We’re just saying it’s clear there’s something between the two of you, and before you write it off completely, think about it,” Esme said.
“And if it doesn’t work out, fine. You’ll have us all here to run interference, but don’t let fear hold you back.
Maybe it won’t work, but maybe it will. If you don’t take the chance, you might kick yourself. ”
“I still think you should make him grovel a bit, though,” Glitch added, with a smirk. “He needs to learn.”
“I can give you a few tips that work for Jax,” Saylor offered. Laughter broke out, and Naomi found herself wondering whether they’d all lost their minds.
Or if their men had knocked a few screws loose at night when they were alone. At this point, she was pretty sure anything was possible with this group.
A brisk knock on the door stopped their laughter, and Karissa and Glitch moved swiftly to answer it. Everyone stilled, and even Asher and Jett went quiet. Karissa looked through the peephole then grinned. Opening the door, she joked, “You knew we were talking about you, huh?”
Ink stepped inside, his brow furrowing as he took in the group in front of him. Behind him stood Razor, Jax, and Fury, all of them grinning, but they quickly moved around him to get inside. Fury went to Saylor, who handed him his son, and Naomi found herself smiling at the sight.
What was it about men holding babies that made women turn into goo?
When she turned back, she realized Ink was heading toward Asher, bending to ruffle his hair and asking him something quietly. The twins were watching the exchange with interest. Then Win lifted her hand behind his back and flashed her a thumbs-up.
Great, now she was getting approval from teenagers. They were just trying to help, but it only confused her more.
“What are you all plotting up here?” Razor asked, wrapping his arm around Karissa, who settled into his side. “And if it’s anything involving a gun and Savage, I want to be in on it.”
“He’s pissed that I sent over the note about needing a shooting range, huh?” Karissa laughed.
“Cursed long and hard the moment the message came in,” Razor confirmed, grinning. “So we figured we should come up and see what you all were plotting.”
Naomi stiffened when Ink eased in behind her. He didn’t touch her or crowd her, but knowing he was so close set her on edge. Especially because she knew how easy it would be to relax into him, like Karissa, Saylor, and Esme were all doing with their men.
“We were just talking about how much of a dumbass Ink is,” Esme said, chuckling.
Naomi’s eyes widened. Did she really just say that?
“I’ll take full accountability for it,” Ink said, his tone devoid of embarrassment or anger. Naomi risked a glance over her shoulder at him, and he was watching her intently. Her gaze landed on the floor, but not before catching the knowing looks and smiles among the other women.
Damn it. She really didn’t need this; she was already confused enough.
“See? He’s learning. In time, he’ll be as whipped as the rest of you,” Harlow teased.
“Now, I need to get back to my man. He’s probably cursing me for leaving him with a very cranky Harley.
Naomi, we need to get Harley and Asher together soon so they can play.
They’re close in age, so they should have lots of fun. ”
“I’m sure Asher would like that,” Naomi agreed.
“Good. And when I say get together, that means you come to our place or the clubhouse. Get out of this apartment. And, when you’re ready, I’ll even babysit. I might as well get some practice. Steel’s already bugging me for another one.”
Royal snorted. “Like you’re not fully on board and actively trying. I’ve seen the looks you two have been passing between each other.”
Harlow grinned. “What can I say? My man is sexy as hell, even if he does produce giant-headed babies. I’m hoping for a girl this time around, and she takes after me.” She got to her feet, and most of them slowly trickled out behind her, leaving Ink, Scarlett, the twins, Karissa, Razor, and Glitch.
“There’s going to be a whole herd of babies running around here again before long,” Razor predicted.
“And probably another one in six months … Oops. Shit.”
Everyone stared at Win, whose eyes were wide, fixed on Scarlett.
Wren glared at her sister. “Win!” she hissed.
“I’m so sorry. It slipped out.”
Scarlett sighed. “It’s all right. I shouldn’t have asked you to keep it a secret.”
“Wait! You’re pregnant?” Karissa gasped.
Scarlett flushed. “I’m three months along, but I only just confirmed today. The girls found me looking at the sonogram at the apartment, and well, they got excited. I was waiting to tell Rogue tonight.” Her smile was warm and happy.
“Holy shit!” Razor beamed, drawing her into a tight hug. Then he jerked away, alarmed. “You can’t tell him we know. He’ll kill Ink and me if he finds out that we knew before him.”
“Lips are sealed,” Scarlett vowed, and both the girls agreed. “Well, I guess I better go tell him now.”
“He’s either going to freak the hell out or faint. Just wait,” Wren said as she hugged Asher goodbye.
Win did the same and added, “Actually, you guys better be on standby if he freaks.”
“We’ll be here,” Razor promised, then laughed. “Holy crap, what if it’s another girl? He’s going to lose his mind.”
Naomi arched a brow, trying to figure out if that was an insult, but all three women laughed, so she relaxed. “Congratulations,” she told Scarlett. “I’m sure he’s going to be very excited.”
Everyone filed out except Ink. Naomi gave him a pointed stare as he headed for the door, but he shut it in front of him instead of behind him.
“Ink …”
“Naomi,” he returned, giving her an easy smile as he leaned against it. “Sounds like you had a nice visit with all of them.”
“The ambush, you mean.” She tried not to sound sarcastic but didn’t quite manage it. “Though, I will say, they agreed you and the rest of the guys are a pain in the ass on a good day.”
“Ass!” Asher yelled, giggling.
Naomi groaned and sighed as Ink let out a cough that sounded suspiciously like he was trying to cover up a laugh. She narrowed her eyes at him, but he just grinned. “Asher, we don’t say that,” she told her son. “Mama didn’t mean to say it.”
Asher regarded her, shrugged, then got to his feet. “Hungry.”
“Alright, we’ll get you something to eat. Do you want some nuggets?”
“’Uggents.”
“Close enough.” She glanced at Ink. “You’re not going to leave, are you?”
“Not unless you really want me to. And I do love nuggets myself.” The charming, flirtatious smile he flashed her made her want to sigh, but she didn’t have the energy. Instead, she moved to the kitchen and got to work.
Was there even a point in arguing with him?
“Anything I can do to help?”
She wanted to tell him he could help by leaving her be, but she bit it back. “No, I got it.”
“Ink, color.”
“There are crayons and paper in his play area,” Naomi said. “You two can do that while I get supper going.”
Ink didn’t argue, and soon enough, he was happily chatting with Asher, and she found herself constantly watching them. Ink was infinitely patient with him, showing him different ways to hold the crayons, and Asher soaked it all up like a sponge.
Damn it, she really didn’t want to soften toward him yet. She was still so confused and hurt, even when she really didn’t have a right to be. It was so confusing.
“Mama!” Asher hollered, drawing her attention, but she froze when she realized he was pointing at the picture in front of Ink.
“Yep, that’s your mama. Isn’t she pretty?” He turned his head slightly, winked at her, and lifted his paper.
Despite her better judgment, she walked over to see it. He’d drawn her standing by the stove, lips pursed and shoulders stiff, looking so realistic it was disconcerting.
“Mama ’etty,” Asher agreed. He beamed up at her.
“Thank you, baby,” she said, and gave Asher a loud, smacking kiss on the cheek, making him screech with laughter.
Ink turned his cheek toward her. “And what about the artist? Doesn’t he deserve something too?”
Naomi rolled her eyes and tapped him on the cheek. He laughed, captured her hand before she could pull it away, and pressed a quick kiss to her palm, making her still. When he released her, she didn’t miss the glint in his eyes.
He’d wanted a reaction, and she gave him what he wanted. She tried not to let him see that it affected her, but it was too late. Her hand still tingled from the press of his lips, as her forehead had when he kissed her there the other day.
“Supper is ready,” she rasped, rushing to grab the pan from the oven.
“’Uggets!” Asher shouted, clapping. He dove into them the moment she set his plate in front of him.
“Slow down, bud,” Ink urged. Asher complied, grinning around a mouthful of food.
Naomi brought him a plate, along with her own, and sat across from them.
“I loved these growing up,” Ink said, grinning as he popped one into his mouth. “Missed them too. Being a grown-up sucks.”
“Things were definitely easier back then,” she agreed. “And these were a staple in our house. My father didn’t like to cook.”
Her mood soured at the thought of him. She tried not to. He’d be looking for her, but he didn’t know her well enough. He’d likely think she’d talk to her sister, but they hadn’t spoken in years, and her sister was the last person she’d ever reach out to.
“You okay?” Ink asked, frowning.
“Sorry, yeah. My father is a sore spot.”
He nodded and glanced at Asher, who made dinosaur noises before eating it. “You worried he’s going to show up?”
“He’s Diego’s minion, so he’ll be watching, but he’ll also be furious that I made him look like a fool. If Diego hasn’t taken this whole thing as a slight.” The implication was clear, but she couldn’t bring herself to care.
Her father sold her to a cartel, and he was the one who gave Diego the idea to breed her like cattle so she could keep producing more people like her.
For that, she would never forgive him.