Hidden Ink (Montgomery Ink #4.5)(16)

His first…just his first chance at Hailey.




By the time he made it to Montgomery Ink, his head ached from too many thoughts and lack of coffee. He hadn’t made any at home, and he wasn’t sure if he should go into Taboo and get some from Hailey. Seriously, it was like he was a teenager again.

When he had the time, he should just go over there for coffee and see her.

Things had changed, but they hadn’t. And once he remembered that, everything would be okay. At least he hoped so.

Sloane stretched his back as he took a seat at his station. He had three appointments that day—two smaller ones that he could get done in less than an hour each—and another one that would take most of the afternoon. That one he knew had to be perfect. Not that any of his work was less than perfect, but the one that afternoon had to be better than the rest.

While each of the artists at Montgomery Ink did all kinds of work, they each had some specialties they were known for. Sloane had become known for his remembrance pieces. Those who had lost someone in the service came to him. He’d done ink remembering fallen soldiers—men, women, and dogs—as well as those who wanted to remember their branch in general.

Today he was doing an eagle for someone and wanted to make sure he got the feathers just right. The bird would look as if it were taking off; its wings stretched back, legs bent.

He hated and loved doing these all at the same time.

Maybe, just maybe, if he could help others, he’d rid himself of the stain of blood on his hands. Only he knew that wasn’t an option. He’d be tainted until the day he died—and he refused to let that time be short. The men who had fallen by his side deserved far more than what they’d received, and Sloane refused to give up when they hadn’t had a chance.

He let out a shuddering breath, pushing the memories back. It usually wasn’t this bad, but for some reason, he couldn’t quite get out of this funk.

Of course, he knew the reason, and she was just a wall away, working and probably smiling. Giving in to temptation had done something to him, broken down the barriers that had held the panic at bay.

“So…what happened last night?” Maya asked. He lifted his head to see her leaning against the table in his station, her pierced brow raised.

He leaned back and folded his arms over his chest. Rather than answer, he just stared at her.

She narrowed her eyes. “You’re not going to answer me, are you?”

He remained silent.

She threw up her hands. “Fine. But if you hurt her, I’ll kick your ass. Oh, and if she hurts you, I’ll kick her ass. I’m an equal opportunity ass kicker.”

Sloane smiled then. “I’ve always admired that about you.”

Maya flipped him off then went back to her station, leaving Sloane alone with his thoughts. When he had the time, he should just go over there for coffee and see her. He didn’t like not knowing what to say—hence why most people thought he was the silent type. He only spoke when it was important and he knew the words. This was important. But he didn’t know the words.

So, instead of going next door and seeing her like he wanted to, he stayed put and waited for his first client. He’d go over there eventually. He couldn’t hide from her.

And that’s what scared him.




The day thankfully passed quickly, and he stood up, rolling his neck to try and get the crick out. His stomach grumbled and he cursed himself. Somehow, he’d gone through most of the day without eating anything except the protein bar he’d found in his desk. Who knew how old that thing was. In the past, Callie might have gone and gotten the crew lunch, but now that she was a full-time artist and not an apprentice, she was just far too busy. Autumn, Griffin Montgomery’s woman, worked up front most days, but today had been her day off. That meant he’d been forced to get his own food and hadn’t had the time between clients.

“Go get food or go home,” Austin said from his station.

Sloane looked over at his friend. “What?”

“You haven’t eaten today, and that’s f*cking stupid in our line of work. You don’t have any clients on the docket and the walk-ins aren’t that bad today. Maya, Callie, and I can handle the influx.”

Sloane ran a hand down the back of his neck. “We need more artists.”

Austin nodded. “I’m putting out my feelers for someone who can be here for as many hours as we are. Or maybe I can get another apprentice.”

There were four other artists that worked there on partial shifts, but they weren’t full time since they either lived too far away or had other jobs. What they needed was another full timer.

“If I hear anything, I’ll let you know,” Sloane added.

“Good. Now go next door, see your woman, and get some food. Head home and take her with you. Or at least make her go home. She’s been here as long as you have I bet.”

His woman.

He sure loved the sound of that. But was it the truth? Was she his? They hadn’t truly discussed what they were doing, other than that they were taking it one moment at a time. The fact she’d bared her secrets to him had meant more than anything.

Sloane nodded at his boss, then the others, before cleaning up his station. After, he headed into Taboo through the side door and stopped two feet in.

She was magnificent.