Love, Honor, and Ink: (A Montgomery Ink Novella)

by Carrie Ann Ryan

  Not that once the police got to know Justin they’d charge Harper—Justin was a fucking menace—but Harper’s brother was the type of guy to cry foul and whine about it until Harper was locked behind bars.

  Fucking prick.

  Okay, so that train of thought wasn’t helping his temper.

  Harper went in and ordered his caramel macchiato since Ari had gotten him addicted to the damn things. As it was, he had to add an extra mile to his morning runs to burn them off, but it was worth it. Ari did yoga and sometimes ran with him to burn off her excess sugar, and he’d gladly give her more caramel so she could run beside him in the mornings.

  Harper closed his eyes and groaned.

  Okay, he really needed to stop sounding like a lovesick fool. He was starting to annoy himself, let alone others around him. Thankfully, he usually only thought it and didn’t act out his feelings. Having him trail behind Ari with a hangdog expression probably wouldn’t endear him to her in any fashion.

  When his coffee was up, he took it and sat at the corner table so his back was to the wall. He wanted to see Justin come in and make sure he was near an exit. It never hurt to be too careful with the bastard. He wasn’t sure there was ever a time he and Justin had gotten along as kids. Even when they’d been younger, Justin had pushed at him, literally and figuratively. He’d lied and whined to get what he wanted, and eventually, became the man Harper despised. When Justin had ended up working with Ari’s father, Harper had almost walked away from it all—and her—before trying to find a new job and a new life outside of Denver. But he hadn’t been able to give up on his best friend, knowing she would need the support to work how she did with her father and Harper’s brother.

  If he’d left Denver, maybe everything would have been different, and he wouldn’t be the man he was today. But he’d be a whole lot emptier. Denver was his home. He loved the mountains, the air, the fact that the weather never stayed the same throughout the day. He had roots here and had made himself a home. If it hadn’t been for the fact that Ari had worked with Justin, he’d have completely cut the ties that bound him to a man he couldn’t respect.

  And hopefully, once he figured out if Justin had other plans up his sleeve, he could walk away completely.

  He sipped his drink and lifted a lip in disgust as Justin walked in. His brother’s gaze landed on him for a brief moment before dismissing him and walking over to the barista. Harper rolled his eyes, used to the way Justin treated him.

  According to his brother, Justin was the suave one, the businessman in an expensive suit. He had important contacts and knew how to get ahead in his world by having his lips firmly attached to the nearest ass that got him places. He wasn’t a wedding planner, but a business mogul who moved people and contracts around like chess pieces. Of course, without Ari there to do all the work—work she actually loved—Justin wouldn’t be anywhere.

  Harper, in contrast, was the blue-collar worker who didn’t want to own his own business and worked in manual labor. Or so Justin saw it. In Justin’s eyes, Harper was one step above a trash collector. Though without that trash collector, Justin would be living in his own filth, so Harper never really got too offended by it. And hell, Harper didn’t want to own his own business because he truly enjoyed what he did, and he wanted the freedom to spend more time using his hands without having to worry about paperwork. Montgomery Inc. took care of him, and he knew he’d be able to work with them for years to come once he finished this first site.

  Harper got to live his dream, do what he wanted, and work with people he trusted. He wasn’t family by blood, but the Montgomerys tended to take in strays—even those that worked for them. He might not have his name on the door, but he sure as hell had a job he could live with for a long damn time.

  He might get dirty and sweaty most days, but he also got to see his work with his own eyes and watch it start from a shell of what once was and grow into what could be—sometimes even making it better along the way. Harper had pride in his work and what he did on a daily basis. Justin only felt as if he’d made something of himself if he were surrounded by people that could ensure his greatness and advancement into the next phase in his career regardless of who he hurt in the process. The other man might work with weddings, but he also did his best to fit himself nicely into the pockets of the elite grooms and brides that came to Colorado for a perfect wedding. Harper wasn’t sure what Justin’s next grand scheme would be since he knew his brother didn’t want to “plan” weddings for the rest of his life, but whatever it was, it would be something the man wouldn’t have to work hard for.

  Harper had no idea how the two of them had come from the same parents, but it was what it was. Nothing could change Justin, and Harper was beyond trying.

  As long as the little prick stayed away from Ari, that was all Harper cared about.

  Justin strode toward Harper’s table, Americano in hand, and his perpetual sneer on his face. Dear Lord, Harper was afraid it would freeze like that if Justin didn’t smile every once in a while. Of course, those smiles usually had to do with Justin getting something he wanted by hurting someone in the process, so Harper should probably be grateful Justin wasn’t smiling at the moment.

  “I see you decided to show up,” Justin said as he sat down.

  Harper rolled his eyes. As he’d been the one to arrive first, Justin’s taunt didn’t make any sense. Leave it to his brother to sound like a bad movie villain when he didn’t have to.

  “I’m here,” Harper said casually, ready to leave for his next meeting. “What is it you wanted to talk about? I’m on a schedule.”

  Justin snorted. “You? A schedule? What important thing do you have to do? Dig a ditch?”

  Considering Harper had dug one the day before to help Wes’s crew work on the new plumbing, he didn’t take the words seriously. If his brother didn’t want to know how his million-dollar house was made, it didn’t bother Harper.

  He deliberately took a sip of his drink, forcing himself not to react. “Time’s wasting. Get on with it.”

  Justin straightened in his seat and took a sip of his coffee, wincing. “God, why did we have to meet here for this sludge? Oh, I suppose you couldn’t afford to go to any of the places I attend for coffee.”

  Harper ground his back molars. At this rate, he’d need to pay a visit to his dentist after his next meeting. “What do you want, Justin?”

  “It’s about your neighbor.”

  I will not kill my brother. I will not kill my brother.

  “What about Ari?”

  “I can’t believe you call her Ari.” Justin sipped his drink and apparently forgot for a moment that he was supposed to hate it because it wasn’t twenty bucks. That only lasted a moment, though, and he scoffed as he set his cup down. “It’s a low-class nickname for a King. When she finally comes to her senses and takes the deal, I won’t call her that.” A light flashed in his brother’s eyes, setting Harper on edge. “Even when I’m fucking her.”

  Maybe not killing, just a little maiming.

  “Fucking talk about Ari like that again, and I’ll wipe that sneer off your face with my fist.”

  Justin looked like he’d gotten the reaction he wanted, and Harper cursed himself for falling into the same traps he always did. “Didn’t take you long to resort to violence, did it? You always were just as low-class as the nicknames you use.” Justin held up his hand, and Harper listened, knowing that whatever his brother would say next would just prolong the meeting. “Good, listen to me. I’m your better. You know this. I know this. Xavier knows this. And soon, Arianna will know this…or maybe she already does. Maybe that’s why you aren’t fucking her now when I will be soon.”

  Harper growled, fisting his hands. He had a feeling Justin had practiced this little speech in the mirror, and he was beyond done with it. But he stayed there, listening to the trash spewing from Justin’s mouth because he needed to see if the asshole actually had a plan to get Ari. Because if he did anything to hurt her…well t
hen, Harper wouldn’t be responsible for what happened next.

  “What did I say about demeaning Ari?”

  Justin rolled his eyes. “Don’t make a scene. You want your precious Ari to know you’ve been fighting? Now, back to what I was saying. This little wedding business of hers? She will fail. She might think she’s the best at doing what she does. But she’s nothing without the King name, and she knows it. Why do you think it took her so long to leave? She’s nothing. Nothing but the little King daughter who wasn’t good enough to please Daddy. I’ll get her and the business in one fell swoop, so don’t stand in my way. I’d hate to leave our parents with only one child.”

  If Harper had any fear whatsoever for his life when it came to Justin, he’d have taken that threat seriously. The idiot in front of him was nothing but a nuisance. He’d be damned, though, if he let Ari get hurt because Justin wanted more than he had.

  “You done?”

  Who knew he could sound so civil when he was picturing smashing Justin’s face into the glass window beside their table?

  “Just watch your step, Harper. Don’t stand in my way to the top.”

  Harper shook his head and stood. “Whatever, Justin. Keep your mouth shut about Ari. If I hear you bad-mouthing her, I won’t be so civil next time.”

  With that, he left the coffee house and got in his truck, heading to his job site a few blocks down. He shook off Justin’s words, leaving them in the back of his mind for later. He’d warn Ari if he felt it was necessary, but he didn’t want to worry her with the first wedding of her new business coming up. He didn’t think Justin would do anything stupid, but he wouldn’t put it past him. Honestly, there wasn’t anything to warn her about yet anyway. Justin was just posturing like a blue peacock that couldn’t figure out that they didn’t have a brain to work with.

  Harper pulled up to the site and turned off his truck. He was already exhausted, and he hadn’t done anything yet except take a quick run and deal with his brother. Wes and Storm were already at the site, checking out what Harper had already completed. Harper had been in charge of preserving what he could and marking things that the brothers would have to look out for. They’d sent over a crew to help Harper out a couple of days ago, and now they were in full swing. He kind of loved that he had first crack at the house, and now he got to work side by side with some of the best people in the business.

  “Sorry I’m late,” Harper said as he met the two men at the top of one of the large staircases that Harper hoped they wouldn’t have to completely replace. “I didn’t realize Justin would take his time getting to the café for coffee.”

  Wes raised a light brown brow. “Really? Justin taking his sweet time and not caring about anyone else? My God, the surprise.” The Montgomery brothers didn’t know Justin all that well, but they knew enough about him to hate him. Harper honestly didn’t mind not being alone in his feelings for the man.

  Harper rolled his eyes and took the tablet that West handed him. “Okay, you got me there. He’s an asshat.” Because he wanted to get another opinion, he explained to them what had been said at the coffee house, and almost had to jump on Storm so the other man wouldn’t live up to his name and literally rage out of the building.

  “I’m going to kill that fucker,” Storm mumbled, his attitude as dark as his hair.

  “Stand in line,” Harper mumbled. “Anyway, let’s get to work since I’m late. What did you guys find on your inspection?”

  Storm narrowed his eyes as if he didn’t want to drop the conversation, and Harper understood that. All of the Montgomerys had a sense of honor that he wished existed within his own family.

  “You got the first things set up. Though, dude, you didn’t have to do it all on your own,” Storm began. “That’s what the crew is here for. You’re not just temp contractor anymore. You’re here to help us keep in line with some of the older foundations and details.”

  “What he said,” Wes put in. “And before we go through the details of what we need to finish up today, tell me what you’re planning to do about Arianna.”

  Thoughts of bending her over the counter while pounding into her, loving the little gasps that escaped her mouth filled his mind, and he cleared his throat.

  Probably not the best place for his thoughts to go while sitting in front of his bosses.

  “Uh, plans?”

  Smooth, Harper. Smooth.

  “Plans. With Ari. Do I want to know what you’re thinking about?” Wes asked.

  “I’m fine. Really. Justin just screwed up my head a bit.” It wasn’t a lie, but Harper wasn’t about to tell Wes and Storm what he’d been thinking about. Though from the looks on their faces, they’d figured it out for themselves. “As for Ari? Well, I’m going to help her in any way I can.”

  Storm nodded. “She’s your best friend so I get that you’re helping her. But at some point, you’re going to have to tell her what you’re feeling. Watching her move on and walk away and her not having any idea what you’re thinking isn’t going to help anyone. It’s just going to make you bitter, and hurt her in the process.”

  Harper pressed his lips together and studied the other man. Storm always had a way of knowing exactly what to say and yet not being an ass about it. Harper had a feeling Storm knew more about what he was talking about than he let on, but from the confusion on Wes’s face, no one else knew exactly what was going on in Storm’s mind.

  With a sigh, Harper ran a hand through his hair. “Let’s get back to work and not talk about our feelings. How does that sound?”

  Storm grinned but didn’t say anything, and Wes laughed. The two were fraternal twins so they didn’t look exactly alike, but when they smiled, Harper saw the resemblance.

  The Montgomerys owned Montgomery Inc. and had since their parents built the place from the ground up. Not all of the family worked there, but many of them did, and now more and more of their spouses had ended up in the company, as well. They were all big, a little gruff, and all inked. It helped that two of their family members also owned a tattoo shop. None of Harper’s ink had been done there, but he had a few ideas for his next tattoo, and he knew where he’d be going.

  He slowly started to relax as he pulled old drywall and sweated through his shirt. Working with his hands had always helped him think when his mind went in a thousand different directions. This was why he’d wanted to work with the Montgomerys and why he was glad he’d stayed in Denver even if he’d have been better off away from Justin and all the crap that came with him. He could focus on what mattered and think about what was important even while doing a damn good job.

  As he worked alongside the Montgomerys and listened to them talk business and their family, Harper knew he had to do something. He’d been standing on the sidelines for far too long, and he knew he’d only hurt both him and Arianna in the end if he didn’t tell her how he felt.

  He’d just have to find a way into her heart and pray he was already there in some way. He loved that woman in every way he could, and he wanted, no, he needed her to know it. Now that she was finally free of the place that had slowly started to eat away at her, he could be the man he wanted, the man he hoped she needed. But revealing what he felt when she was starting her new life could end up hurting them both in the long run. He needed to take his time, wait just a little bit longer, and make sure she knew he was there. However she needed him. And when she had her first wedding under her belt… Then, he’d show her what they could have, what he felt.

  He just prayed she felt the same way.

  Chapter Five

  Six weeks. Six weeks since Arianna had walked away from everything, and she hadn’t had a meltdown. Okay, so not a full one. Not since Harper had kicked her butt in gear, but it could have been worse. Way worse.

  Still in jeans and a long-sleeved cotton shirt, she finished dealing with the last-minute catering issues because really, there were always last-minute catering issues. Her house was wedding central until she moved to the reception site. It was in the
middle of a Denver winter, and yet she couldn’t help but feel overheated. She’d dress a little more professionally later, but working around her home in heels and a business suit while she was running around and sweating like crazy wouldn’t help anyone. Today was the first wedding planned and organized by her new business, and she was going to be sick.

  Anticipation thrummed through her, and she was so excited to see what came of it, but the fear and angst that slammed into her every time she thought about everything that could go wrong never really helped her breathe.

  Since Harper and Colleen had kicked her butt in gear, she’d been in a whirlwind, setting things up and finding out if she could actually handle it all. Her work wasn’t just making lists and phone calls. She’d had to find clients and formulate her business from the ground up. While she’d been with King’s Weddings, she’d already had some of the background done. If she’d been promoted like she’d thought she would be, she’d have been far beyond where she was now. But things had changed, and honestly, even though she might be sick, she knew she was better off now. And even though she was doing most things on her own, she was sleeping more than she had before. It just went to show what happened when she focused on what mattered and did things in small bursts rather than what she thought her father required.

  Arianna hadn’t been alone, though. She was a two-person company, and she knew she wouldn’t have been able to do anything without those who supported her. Colleen had been a lifesaver, but none more than Harper.

  God, she didn’t know what she’d do without Harper.

  While Harper had helped her with her site and some of the background things, Arianna and Colleen had found the storefront they needed. While in some cases, others would have been fine to work from their homes and online, Arianna knew she had to draw the line somewhere. She needed her home to be a place where she rested—or at the moment, worked her ass off on her ‘off’ hours. Still, she had to remind herself that she was sleeping more hours now than she was before. And this company was her baby. Not something her father had destroyed.