Executive Ink: A Montgomery Ink Romance Read online

Sammy was still in Atlanta, thankfully, but he was hurting for money and threatening to hurt Jessica if Jax didn’t come back to the shop and work. It didn’t make any fucking sense; there were other tattoo artists in the damn city, but no one was stupid enough to work for Sammy anymore, and that meant Jax’s old boss was in deep shit with the mob.

  The damn mob.

  Jax didn’t know how his life had come to this, but he was done with it. He’d left his old home behind and had thought he’d start a new life out here, but the past kept coming back for him. It had even interrupted his time with Ashlynn, and he hated himself for it. He’d never forget the insecurity he saw on her face when he left. They hadn’t made any real promises to each other, but damn if he didn’t want to make them to her. He liked her, wanted her, and saw himself with her beyond a few short hours in bed.

  He just hoped she saw the same in him. Yet with all the things he had going on in his life right now, he wasn’t sure he’d be good for her. He was just a tattoo artist with a crap past, and she was the brilliance behind a multi-million-dollar company with a future so bright it was almost startling.

  They weren’t compatible on paper, yet Jax had felt something different when he was with her.

  He just hoped she would call.

  She had to call, damn it.

  “Jax, do you have that other notebook you were using?” Austin asked from his station. “You wanted to show me that dragon, right?” The other man looked tired, but considering he’d had his own kids plus a few of his nieces and nephews over for the night so the rest of the adults could have a night out, Jax didn’t blame the guy for looking like he needed four cups of coffee.

  Jax rolled his shoulders and looked down at the stack of books in front of him before cursing. “Must have left it in my car. I’ll go out and get it.” Austin didn’t need to double-check his work, but Jax had wanted the advice anyway since it wasn’t the easiest design.

  “You doing okay today?” Sloane asked.

  “Yeah, you’ve seemed in your own world this morning,” Derek added from Sloane’s side.

  Jax shook his head. “Some shit from my old shop keeps coming back, but I’m ignoring it. Hopefully, it will go away.”

  Austin raised a brow. “Think that’ll actually work.”

  Jax shrugged. “Not sure what else to do so, yeah, it better work.” He grabbed his keys and lifted his chin towards the other guys. “I’ll be right back with that notebook.” Yeah, he was changing the subject, sue him. He didn’t know what to say anyway.

  He’d just made it out of the back door and into the private parking lot for Montgomery Ink employees and family when large hands gripped his shoulders and slammed him into the brick wall of the tattoo shop.

  “Shit,” he grunted, trying to fight off his attackers. His keys fell from his hands, and he kicked out, but he was no match for three large men who looked to be bruisers, rather than mere muggers. “What the hell?”

  “Sammy owes the boss money, asshole, and since he’s not paying, you will,” the biggest one growled. Though biggest was a bit of a misnomer since they were each huge. It wasn’t until Jax saw the glint of a knife in one of the man’s hands that he froze.

  Jesus Christ, this couldn’t be happening.

  “I don’t work for Sammy anymore,” Jax said calmly—or at least as calm as he could considering he was being held at knifepoint by three goons.

  “He says differently. He tells us that you’re moonlighting and not paying him so we can’t get our cut.”

  That goddamn bastard. Jax didn’t say that aloud, but he screamed it in his head. He just prayed that these guys were only focusing on him, though, and not his family. Icy dread snaked down his spine at the thought of his mother or Jessica or Ash getting hurt because of his old boss.

  “I don’t work for him anymore. If you want your money, then get it from him. He’s the one who works with y’all.” Jax never had, and never would.

  “Maybe we should make an example of you anyway,” one of the guys whispered. “Teach Sammy a lesson.”

  Jax swallowed hard, trying to keep cool. “Sammy doesn’t give a shit about me. You won’t be getting your money at all if you hurt me. Find Sammy and get what you’re owed. I’m not that man.” He’d never been, no matter how hard his old life had tried to make him be.

  The main goon tilted his head and studied him. “You know…Sammy has been flapping his gums for a while now. Maybe we should pay him another visit.”

  Shit.

  “Is there a problem out here?” Austin asked from right outside the door, Sloane and Derek right beside him.

  The goons dropped Jax quickly, the knife sliding back into whatever pocket it had come out of. One day, the adrenaline might dissipate from his system, but Jax didn’t think that day would be anytime soon.

  “We’re just talking to our old friend out here,” the main goon said smoothly.

  “Seems like he doesn’t want to be talked to,” Sloane said just as simply. Jax’s three friends didn’t move, but they looked damn intimidating with all their ink and muscle. Things couldn’t escalate, though. Jax couldn’t let it because his friends weren’t armed, but he had a feeling all the guys from Atlanta were.

  The main guy held up his hands. “We were just heading out.” He looked over at Jax. “Stay out of trouble.”

  Jax gave them a tight nod, his body as tense as ever, but as the guys from his past walked away, he had an odd feeling that they might be leaving for good. They’d threatened him, sure, but they hadn’t actually hurt him like they could have. And, hell, they had to know by now that he didn’t have a damn thing for them. He’d never been part of that business and had made damn sure that everyone knew that. He just hoped that would be enough. As for Sammy? Well, Sammy had made his own mess and would have to deal with the consequences.

  Jax was done. He held back a wince as he turned to Sloane, Austin, and Derek. Well, he hoped he wasn’t done completely because he hadn’t meant for anyone to know exactly what he’d gone through before he came to Denver.

  “I have a friend I’m going to call to make sure they don’t come back,” Sloane said softly before heading back into the shop, and Jax’s eyes widened.

  Austin shrugged. “We have friends in good places sometimes. Now get that damn notebook and come back inside. We’ll talk about what happened later with Maya because if she hears about this from anyone else, there’ll be hell to pay.”

  Jax would have laughed, but he didn’t have it in him at the moment. Maya was a force to be reckoned with, and you did not mess with Austin’s sister. That was probably why Jax liked her so much.

  “Okay.”

  “We’ll stay out here with you,” Derek added. “Just in case.”

  Jax blew out a breath. “Okay.” He cleared his throat. “Thank you.”

  In answer, Austin raised his chin, and Jax moved quickly to his car, picking up his keys from the gravel on the way. He wasn’t shaking, but he was damned close. He could have died just then, and it wouldn’t have been his fault. Yet, in the end, it wouldn’t have mattered—not when it came to Sammy’s problems.

  By the time he made it back inside the shop, he was ready to sit down and find something cool to drink to help his parched tongue. What he hadn’t been expecting to see was anyone in his booth.

  He damn sure wasn’t expecting Ashlynn in her sexy as hell high heels and stone grey skirt and jacket.

  “Ash?”

  She turned at the sound of his voice and widened her eyes. “Jax. Are you okay?” She rushed to him and cupped his face. “You have a cut here.” Her other hand hovered over his jaw, and he winced. He hadn’t felt it until she pointed it out and now it stung, but he ignored it since she was here and touching him.

  “I’ll be okay,” he whispered, aware that the others were staring at him, but Jax didn’t want to go outside to talk to her privately, not with what had just happened.

  She bit her lip, looking unsure. “If you say so.”

  �
��What are you doing here, Ash?” he asked softly. “Not that I don’t love seeing you.”

  “I wanted to see you,” she whispered. “I didn’t like how we left things last night. I was a little confused, and heck, I’m still a little confused, but I shouldn’t have been so cold when you said you had to go.”

  He cupped her face then, loving the softness of her skin under his touch. “You weren’t cold.” She’d been scared, probably because they were moving so fast, and he’d understood. “I’m glad you’re here.”

  She smiled then. “I could have called, but I wanted to see you.” She cleared her throat. “So…want to go get lunch?”

  He laughed then. “Lunch I can do.”

  “And I want to get to know you more. Not just…you know.” She blushed, and Jax fell a little for her then. He wasn’t ready to fall completely, but with this woman, he knew he eventually could. They needed time together, and then…well, then they’d learn each other even more.

  “That sounds like a plan, princess.” He kissed her softly. “You okay with the fact that I’m a tattoo artist with no degree or fancy car?” He winked. “I have a bike that you’d look fucking sexy on, though.”

  She rolled her eyes. “You okay that I’m kind of icy sometimes and work long hours?”

  “I can work with that,” he whispered before kissing her hard, pulling her so close that he knew his dick pressed into her even through all their layers of clothing. Ashlynn did that to him with a mere glance, and he loved it.

  “Awww.”

  Jax didn’t know which man had said it or if it was more than one of them, so he just flipped off the room even as he kept his lips on Ash.

  Ashlynn pushed away and ducked under his chin. “I forgot we weren’t alone.”

  He kissed the top of her head. “I like that you forgot.”

  She pulled away and frowned. “You’re going to tell me why you’re cut, though.”

  It wasn’t a question, and he didn’t mind. “Tonight. I promise. I’ll tell you everything.”

  “Good,” she said with a smile, and he kissed her again.

  “I could get used to this,” she murmured against his lips.

  “Yeah? Me, too.”

  He kissed her once more.

  He hadn’t planned on Ashlynn in his life. Hell, he hadn’t intended anything but freedom. But now that he had his woman, his executive in his arms, he knew he didn’t mind the surprise.

  Ashlynn was the best shock of his life.

  And he couldn’t wait to find out more.

  A Note from Carrie Ann

  Thank you so much for reading EXECUTIVE INK. I do hope if you liked this story, that you would please leave a review! Reviews help authors and readers.

  This was a fun short story to get to know a couple of Montgomery friends who bounce around the series!

  I’m so honored that your read this book and love the Montgomerys as much as I do!

  A new series begins with Fallen Ink (Montgomery Ink: Colorado Springs Book 1). Adrienne, Thea, and Roxie are Shep’s sisters and ready for their HEAs. Adrienne is up first in FALLEN INK.

  And don’t forget Jake’s brothers from INK ENDURING have their own series: The Gallagher Brothers series. LOVE RESTORED is Book 1. And Tabby’s brothers from INK EXPOSED also have their own series, The Whiskey and Lies series. WHISKEY SECRETS is book 1.

  Don’t miss out on the Montgomery Ink World!

  Montgomery Ink (The Denver Montgomerys)

  Montgomery Ink: Colorado Springs (The Colorado Springs Montgomery Cousins)

  Gallagher Brothers (Jake’s Brothers from Ink Enduring)

  Whiskey and Lies (Tabby’s Brothers from Ink Exposed)

  If you want to make sure you know what’s coming next from me, you can sign up for my newsletter at www.CarrieAnnRyan.com; follow me on twitter at @CarrieAnnRyan, or like my Facebook page. I also have a Facebook Fan Club where we have trivia, chats, and other goodies. You guys are the reason I get to do what I do and I thank you.

  Make sure you’re signed up for my MAILING LIST so you can know when the next releases are available as well as find giveaways and FREE READS.

  Happy Reading!

  Montgomery Ink:

  Book 0.5: Ink Inspired

  Book 0.6: Ink Reunited

  Book 1: Delicate Ink

  Book 1.5: Forever Ink

  Book 2: Tempting Boundaries

  Book 3: Harder than Words

  Book 4: Written in Ink

  Book 4.5: Hidden Ink

  Book 5: Ink Enduring

  Book 6: Ink Exposed

  Book 6.5: Adoring Ink

  Book 6.6: Love, Honor, & Ink

  Book 7: Inked Expressions

  Book 7.3: Dropout

  Book 7.5: Executive Ink

  Book 8: Inked Memories

  Book 8.5: Inked Nights

  Book 8.7: Second Chance Ink

  Montgomery Ink: Colorado Springs

  Book 1: Fallen Ink (Coming Apr 2018)

  Book 2: Restless Ink (Coming Aug 2018)

  Want to keep up to date with the next Carrie Ann Ryan Release? Receive Text Alerts easily!

  Text CARRIE to 24587

  About Carrie Ann

  Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary and paranormal romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Redwood Pack, Talon Pack, and Gallagher Brothers series, which have sold over 2.0 million books worldwide. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over fifty novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not writing about bearded tattooed men or alpha wolves that need to find their mates, she’s reading as much as she can and exploring the world of baking and gourmet cooking.

  www.CarrieAnnRyan.com

  More from Carrie Ann

  Montgomery Ink:

  Book 0.5: Ink Inspired

  Book 0.6: Ink Reunited

  Book 1: Delicate Ink

  Book 1.5: Forever Ink

  Book 2: Tempting Boundaries

  Book 3: Harder than Words

  Book 4: Written in Ink

  Book 4.5: Hidden Ink

  Book 5: Ink Enduring

  Book 6: Ink Exposed

  Book 6.5: Adoring Ink

  Book 6.6: Love, Honor, & Ink

  Book 7: Inked Expressions

  Book 7.3: Dropout

  Book 7.5: Executive Ink

  Book 8: Inked Memories

  Book 8.5: Inked Nights

  Book 8.7: Second Chance Ink

  Montgomery Ink: Colorado Springs

  Book 1: Fallen Ink (Coming Apr 2018)

  Book 2: Restless Ink (Coming Aug 2018)

  The Gallagher Brothers Series:

  A Montgomery Ink Spin Off Series

  Book 1: Love Restored

  Book 2: Passion Restored

  Book 3: Hope Restored

  The Whiskey and Lies Series:

  A Montgomery Ink Spin Off Series

  Book 1: Whiskey Secrets (Coming Jan 2018)

  Book 2: Whiskey Reveals (Coming June 2018)

  Book 3: Whiskey Undone (Coming Oct 2018)

  The Talon Pack:

  Book 1: Tattered Loyalties

  Book 2: An Alpha’s Choice

  Book 3: Mated in Mist

  Book 4: Wolf Betrayed

  Book 5: Fractured Silence

  Book 6: Destiny Disgraced

  Book 7: Eternal Mourning

  Book 8: Strength Enduring

  Book 9: Forever Broken

  Redwood Pack Series:

  Book 1: An Alpha’s Path

  Book 2: A Taste for a Mate

  Book 3: Trinity Bound

  Redwood Pack Box Set (Contains Books 1-3)

  Book 3.5: A Night Away

  Book 4: Enforcer’s Redemption

  Book 4.5: Blurred Expectations

  Book 4.7: Forgiveness

  Book 5: Shattered Emotions

  Book 6: Hidden Destiny

&
nbsp; Book 6.5: A Beta’s Haven

  Book 7: Fighting Fate

  Book 7.5: Loving the Omega

  Book 7.7: The Hunted Heart

  Book 8: Wicked Wolf

  The Complete Redwood Pack Box Set (Contains Books 1-7.7)

  The Branded Pack Series:

  (Written with Alexandra Ivy)

  Book 1: Stolen and Forgiven

  Book 2: Abandoned and Unseen

  Book 3: Buried and Shadowed

  Dante’s Circle Series:

  Book 1: Dust of My Wings

  Book 2: Her Warriors’ Three Wishes

  Book 3: An Unlucky Moon

  The Dante’s Circle Box Set (Contains Books 1-3)

  Book 3.5: His Choice

  Book 4: Tangled Innocence

  Book 5: Fierce Enchantment

  Book 6: An Immortal’s Song

  Book 7: Prowled Darkness

  The Complete Dante’s Circle Series (Contains Books 1-7)

  Holiday, Montana Series:

  Book 1: Charmed Spirits

  Book 2: Santa’s Executive

  Book 3: Finding Abigail

  The Holiday, Montana Box Set (Contains Books 1-3)

  Book 4: Her Lucky Love

  Book 5: Dreams of Ivory

  The Complete Holiday, Montana Box Set (Contains Books 1-5)

  The Happy Ever After Series:

  Flame and Ink

  Ink Ever After

  Single Title:

  Finally Found You

  Excerpt: Whiskey Secrets

  Next From New York Times Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan’s Whiskey and Lies

  Whiskey Secrets

  Shocking pain slammed into his skull and down his back. Dare Collins did his best not to scream in the middle of his own bar. He slowly stood up and rubbed the back of his head since he’d been distracted and hit it on the countertop. Since the thing was made of solid wood and thick as hell, he was surprised he hadn’t given himself a concussion. But since he didn’t see double, he had a feeling once his long night was over, he’d just have to make the throbbing go away with a glass of Macallan.