Epilogue
NAOMI
One Month Later
“Ican’t believe you convinced me to do this,” she muttered, irritated but also trying not to show her discomfort. She tried really hard not to focus on the buzzing or the fact that Ink was pressing tiny needles into her skin over and over again.
“I didn’t convince you to do anything, baby,” he chided, but the grin on his face didn’t lessen. He was very pleased with himself. “You came here all on your own, if you’ll recall.”
“Only because you promised me endless orgasms if I did.” She gave him a pointed glare over her shoulder, where he just so happened to be working. “And this is not orgasmic, Ink.”
“Considering I just made you come with my mouth and fingers on this very chair before we started, I’d say I’ve lived up to my side of the bargain.
” His grin turned downright wicked. “And if you’re a good girl for me and sit still so I can finish this, I’ll make you come again as soon as we’re done. ”
That perked her up. “You’re going to fuck me on this table? Do you think it’ll hold our weight?” She glanced down at it. It was pretty sturdy, but she wasn’t sure about having two adults on it.
“I’m going to yank your sassy ass up, spank it, and then eat that pretty pussy until you come before I fuck you,” he corrected, eyes heated.
She shivered. “Ink, you need to stop making me horny.”
“But it’s so easy. And I’m not the one who practically dry humped me this morning while Asher was having his breakfast. Which is exactly why your ass is getting spanked, baby girl. You’ll have a hard time sitting down in that class of yours tonight.”
She groaned, putting her face down on the table and trying not to lose her mind. The man was far too good at getting her wound up. Now that her ribs were healed—thankfully only bruised, not cracked or broken—he was done holding back, and she was reaping the rewards.
The last month had been a bit tense, especially as they waited for the trial to be done, but it was over quickly.
The evidence was too overwhelming, and Diego was sentenced to death.
There was a bit of back-and-forth and even an attempted jailbreak, but everything was thwarted.
They also found the doctor and his lab, and reports came in that he was killed trying to escape himself.
The entire lab was destroyed by a fire that was started by one of the doctor’s staff when they realized the jig was up.
A part of her was sad that her eggs, her children when she thought about it, were gone. But it also eliminated the fear of being found again.
So as of two weeks ago, she was free to live her life.
She still worried Asher would be recognized, but from all reports from Glitch and the Devil’s Predators, the Cartel group were being rounded up, and most that saw and knew about him, were among them.
But they would let her know if anything changed. It was all she could ask for.
And already, her life was so much better than she could ever have thought.
She’d figured out she wanted to get a degree, but she didn’t want to leave Asher too often, so right now, she was starting out by doing some night classes at the local community college to figure out what she wanted to do.
It allowed her to be with Asher during the day, and Ink had him at night while she was in class.
She was also determined to get her driver’s license, and Ink had been very patient with her as he started teaching her. Though, she found that she did better when Karissa taught her. Karissa knew how to talk to her for it to make sense.
She also enjoyed being out in public now, new identity and a slight hairstyle change in tow, just in case. Ink wasted no time showing her around town, taking her to the shops with Asher to buy things for the apartment, and letting Asher get some toys.
It was surreal to her, but she loved it. And she loved having her freedom.
“Ink, you’re going to drive me crazy, aren’t you?” she whined.
He chuckled and got back to work on the tattoo, making her hiss. “I’m doing my best, baby. Now, stay still. We’re almost done, and then you’re all mine.”
She grumbled and tried to zone out. The sooner he was done, the sooner he would make good on his promise.
She and Ink had settled into a routine, and she enjoyed it. Without the looming threat of the cartel over her head, their entire relationship felt right. They felt right.
Ink slipped into the role of being a father to Asher immediately, and she was pretty sure Asher preferred him to her.
It hurt her heart a little, but she understood.
Ink was so good with him. Patient, kind, and the fun one of the two.
She was okay with that, though. Asher was the happiest he’d ever been and was showing no signs of trauma from everything that had happened, other than a few initial nightmares.
It was like he’d forgotten about it or maybe buried it deep down.
She and Ink had talked about taking him to therapy but decided against it.
They couldn’t risk Asher or even one of them saying the wrong thing and bringing the cops down on them.
So, for now, they were going to watch him and talk to him as needed.
She knew she’d made the right decision to stay.
Ink and her were partners, and he treated her the way she’d always dreamed.
The kind of dreams she rarely allowed herself.
They were also talking about building a home on the grounds near the others.
She didn’t want anything large, but she wanted it to be their own space.
She was also still working at the shop and garage, doing the books on the nights when she wasn’t in class.
It kept her busy, and she felt like she was helping and doing her part.
Esme was back to work during the day, but she was more than happy to hand over that part to Naomi. It also meant less stress on her.
“All done, baby,” Ink announced.
Naomi jolted out of her thoughts and let out a happy sigh. “Thank God.”
“Wanna have a look?” He helped her off the table and over to the full-length mirror in the corner.
She gasped at the image. Then the tears started.
“It’s so pretty, Ink, I love it,” she whispered, dashing at her tears.
It was black and white, but it spoke so much.
A whisp of a woman surrounded by smoke, breaking free of her cage, reaching for a dragon that breathed the smoke and fire.
It was a mixture of them both, and it felt so right.
And in the dragon’s claw was a key and a rose, Asher’s birth flower. It was them as a family.
“I wanted you to have pieces of Asher and me in your first tattoo,” he murmured.
“Something small and beautiful to look at when you need the reminder.” He cleaned and wrapped it, then pressed a kiss to her neck as he looked at her in the mirror.
“Something that will remind you how much I love you, how I’ll always be there for you both. ”
“It’s so much better than I thought. And I may not like needles, but I love the result.”
He grinned. “Worth the pain?”
“More than.” She turned in his arms. “I love you, Ink.”
“I love you too, Naomi.” He kissed her and groaned when she deepened the kiss.
“I think I owe you a tip after that work,” she joked, sliding her hand down his side before moving between his legs to cup his hardening cock.
Ink groaned, arching into her grip. “I’m not going to say no. Best tip I’ll ever get.”
Her hands moved to his belt but stilled when his phone started ringing. She groaned, disappointed.
“Fuck, it’s Savage,” Ink groaned. “I’m sorry, baby, I have to take this.” She pulled away, understanding. Ink had explained how the MC world worked, and even though the timing wasn’t great, she understood.
“Yeah? Shit, really? Yeah, okay. We just finished. I’ll let Naomi know and bring her back to the grounds.
Rogue good?” He snickered. “Yeah, figured as much. Alright, we’re on our way.
” He grinned. “Scarlett’s water broke and they’re heading for the hospital.
We need to head back to the club and pick up Asher before I drop you off at school. ”
“Oh, that’s so exciting.” She beamed, grabbing her shirt. “Wait, is Rogue freaking out?”
The last few months, Rogue had been overbearingly protective of Scarlett, and everyone was prepared for him to lose his shit the moment she went into labor.
Ink chuckled. “Apparently, he’s been very calm, but the moment Scarlett had a contraction, he nearly lost his shit.
He scooped her up and barked at the girls to get in the truck.
He was breaking the speed limit the minute they were through the gates.
Saylor and Jax followed them to be immediate support. ”
“And to keep Rogue from doing anything stupid,” she added as he helped her into her shirt.
He nodded. “Savage and Fury are going too. If they have to restrain him, they’re the best ones.”
“He won’t be that bad, will he?”
Ink shrugged as he shut down the shop, then they headed for the door. “Hard to say. He’s obsessed with Scarlett, and if anything happens to her or the baby, I don’t know that anyone could contain him.”
Yeah, she could see it.
“They’re having a boy, right?”
Ink nodded. “Don’t tell anyone I said this, but I think he was hoping for a girl. He loves the twins, and as much as they give him shit, he’s a good girl dad.”
She had to agree with that. Ink helped her into his truck, which he didn’t use unless she and Asher needed to be in the vehicle. She scooted forward slightly so she didn’t brush the tattoo on the seat.
They headed back to the clubhouse, and Ink glanced over at her with a smile. “Looks like we’re going to have a new baby to spoil.”
She smiled and nodded. “Do you want kids, Ink?” They’d talked about it before, but it was more about things in the future. It felt right to ask in the moment.
He was quiet for a little bit before he said, “I’ve thought about it, and I’ve figured out that I’m good with either. We have Asher, and if he’s the only one you think you want, then I’m good with that. If you want more, I’ll give you as many babies as you want, Naomi. But it’s your choice.”
“Really?”
He took her hand, giving it a squeeze. “I want you, Naomi, and that includes a future with you. I never thought I would have it, and you’ve given me more than I ever planned. If that includes more kids in the future, then I’ll be happy. If that doesn’t, I’ll also be happy.”
“I can’t decide what I want, but we have time,” she admitted.
“We have as much time as you want or need, baby girl. I’ll never pressure you into something you’re not ready for.”
She squeezed his hand. “I know. Thank you, Ink.”
“For what?”
“For being everything I need, and for giving me the freedom to choose. For trusting me to know what’s needed, and for being the voice of reason when I need it.”
“You mean when you’re possessed once a month?
” he joked, grinning when she withdrew her hand and smacked his arm.
“Babe, I came home last week to you cleaning the entire apartment, hair standing on end, and emptying every single cabinet. You were possessed. I was waiting for you to speak in tongues.”
“I wasn’t that bad.” Okay, she was, but she’d never agree with him.
He snorted. “Yeah, you keep telling yourself that. But I love you too, baby, and we’re just getting started. You and me, we’re forever, and I’m planning on giving you as many experiences as I can.”
“Does that include making good on your promise in the shop?” She gave him a coy smile. “Asher’s going to be going down for his nap soon, and I have a few hours before class.”
His heated gaze met hers, and the truck’s rumble grew as he stepped on the gas.
Guess that was a yes… and she couldn’t wait.