If one more crazy-assed motherfucker walked into his shop, Austin was going to throw the damn chair at them. It had been one stupid idiot after another wanting shit ink that morning. These assholes were determined to ruin his good mood from the ride with Sierra the day before.

Fucking pricks.

The first person who walked in that day hadn’t had an appointment, and usually that was fine. Each of them tried to put an hour or two in their day for walk-ins and cover-up emergencies. If those hours weren’t filled, they could sketch or work on the other million things they had to do. What they needed was a damn receptionist, but they couldn’t seem to keep one for longer than a month.

No clue why, but the lack of one was killing his schedule.

That first person had wanted a dragon on his back. Sure, Austin could have done it, but the kid had wanted to start right then. A full dragon piece would take at least three or four sessions of three hours each. Probably more considering the kid kept shifting from foot to foot as if he couldn’t sit still. Moving during a tattoo meant Austin had to stop and start numerous times or bash the kid’s head in.

Not that he’d ever do that, but he’d thought about it.

So the kid had yelled and bitched about time and demanding it right then for a hundred bucks. Yeah, totally not happening. The next one that came in was some really skinny chick who wanted the undersides of her obviously man-made breasts inked up with Playboy bunnies.

Austin wasn’t even going to touch that one.

Well, to be sure he wouldn’t have to deal with her, he showed her what he’d be working with. The woman freaked out when she saw the needles and left. Considering all the needles that must have touched her skin when she’d had the surgeries to make her body the way it was, her phobia made no sense.

Besides, what did she think they used, Paint By Numbers?

It had continued on like that with idiot after idiot until Austin said enough and locked himself in the back. He would just sketch until lunch and then deal with his scheduled clients. Sierra couldn’t make it for lunch since she had to cover Jasinda, who found out it wasn’t the flu but a baby making her ill.

Seriously, Austin wanted to just go back home, throw Sierra on the back of his bike, and forget his troubles.

That wasn’t going to happen though.

His dad had treatment that day, and he wasn’t allowed at the house until the next morning. His parents didn’t want a crowd, and since there were so many Montgomerys, they would be nothing but crowd.

Jesus.

He didn’t think he could take another bomb, not after Sierra telling him her story and his dad dealing with the big C. His siblings were all dealing with their own shit, and their stress was bleeding into him.

Austin closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. He needed to stop freaking out about things out of his control. He couldn’t fix everything, though he wanted to damn well try. He sucked in a breath then let it out slowly.

He would do what he came in here to do.

Work on Sierra’s ink.

He had an idea for the daisies on her scars, and since he knew her body under his hands now, he had a better place to start. They would put her ink on hold with her job and their new relationship, but he wanted to start on it soon. It might take a couple sessions, considering he didn’t know how her skin would react to the ink. They would have to play it by ear and work on it slowly.

He just hoped he didn’t hurt her too badly. She’d been through enough as it was.

Just as he bent over to start focusing, Maya slammed the door open. “What the fuck are you doing back here? We have people coming in, and I need you to get off your ass and actually work.”

“Fuck off, Maya.”

“No. I’m not going to fuck off. You’re in here pouting over some shit, and I can’t do everything out there alone.”

“Imagine that, you saying you can’t do something. And you’re not alone. You have Sloane out there.”

Maya stomped to his side, but he didn’t get up. “What is with you?”

“What’s with me? I had to deal with fucking idiots all morning, I can’t see Sierra until tomorrow most likely, and Dad is in the fucking hospital right now getting treatment that might kill him before the cancer does. So sorry if I’m not in the mood for fucking company.”

Maya hiccupped a sob, and Austin stood quickly. His sister never cried.

“Oh, honey, I’m sorry. I’m an ass. Come here.” He opened his arms, and she threw herself into him.

“Dad can’t die, Austin. He’s not allowed to. He’s the strong one. Well, other than Mom, but they’re a pair. You know?”

He kissed the top of her head, rubbing his hand up and down her back. “I know, Maya. I know. He’ll be okay. I’m just freaking out and taking it out on you.”

“What do you think I was doing?”

He snorted then squeezed her hard before letting go. “We make pretty good punching bags for each other.”

She rolled her eyes then wiped away any remnants that she’d been crying. “That’s why we work so well together. We can yell and beat on each other without hurting feelings. Sorry I cried. I know you hate crying females.”

“Yeah, but if you need to cry, do it. I’m good at holding them when they need to let it all out.”

Maya tilted her head. “Sierra?”

“I can’t talk about it, Maya. If you want to know more about her, maybe you should actually get to know her. You know, instead of giving her the side eye whenever she walks in.”

“I didn’t think she was good enough for you.”

“Seriously? What the fuck, Maya? If anything, I’m not good enough for her. You’ve got a lot of nerve.”

“Hey, I didn’t say I still thought it, did I? She makes you happy, Austin. Anyone with eyes can see that. If she hurts you, I’ll kick her ass, but now? Now she’s cool.”

“She’d be cooler if you actually spent a few minutes with her not scowling.”

She rolled her eyes again then punched him in the shoulder. “I’ll try. If she’s going to be around, I guess I’ll have to get to know her.”

He met Maya’s gaze and nodded. “I think she’s going to be around for a long while, Maya.”

His sister’s eyes widened. “No shit?”

“No shit.”

“So…uh…she doesn’t think your kink is weird or anything? Not like that Maggie chick?”

Austin closed his eyes and groaned. How his little sister knew this, he didn’t know. Nor did he want to talk about it with her. “We’re good, Maya. And that’s the last we’re talking about that.”

“What? We all have kinks.” She winked.

He put his hands over his ears. “I’m not listening. La la la.”

“You’re a riot. I’ll leave you in here to work then get back in. We’ll just be closed to walk-ins for a bit since the crazies seem to be out in full force.”

“Thanks, Maya.”

“Welcome, big brother.”

She left him to sketch, and he felt better just for having said all he had out loud. His sister got him better than most people, and he knew he should have just told her what was on his mind to begin with.

He wanted the daisies to flow down Sierra’s side, delicate like her skin. It was going to hurt like a bitch, but he’d make it up to her. Maybe he’d let her help him sketch his next tattoo. That way she was a part of him always.

Always?

He liked the sound of that. Scary as hell, but good. He could see her at his side as they grew older, raising children—whether through adoption or through the usual method. Even a month ago, he wouldn’t have thought it possible he’d find someone he could potentially spend the rest of his life with. Sure, he’d had an itch to settle down because he knew forty was quickly approaching, but it had been only a dream, not something as concrete as thinking of Sierra as a Montgomery.

Maybe she’d even get the Montgomery Iris tattoo like the rest of his family. Richard and Jessica had never gotten the ink. Richard because he didn’t think of himself as a Montgomery—and he was an asshole. Jessica because she hadn’t wanted to mar her figure—and she was a first class bitch.

Come to think of it, bringing Sierra into the mix was only a good thing. He’d be increasing their clan in a good way, rather than bringing in the idiocy Alex and Meghan did.

Well, that was just cruel of him to think. His siblings had each found someone they loved; just because their partners didn’t fit in with his family didn’t make them bad people. In Austin’s opinion, it was the way they treated their significant others that made them sketchy and not good enough for his family.

Sierra treated him right and trusted him with her past and her body. He had an inkling she trusted him with her heart and soul as well, though neither of them had said the words. Those would come though; he was sure. They were on the good path, and he just prayed nothing pushed them off.

“Yo, Austin, you have a visitor.”

Austin blinked at Sloane’s words and shook his head, clearing his thoughts. Damn it, he had to stop woolgathering. He’d never get this sketch done for Sierra at this rate.

Wait. Visitor? If it was Sierra, she’d just walk back, so who could it be?

A knot formed in his belly. Fuck, he hoped it wasn’t…

“Hello, Austin,” Shannon purred.

“I’m out of here,” Sloane said as he fled.

Fucker.

“What do you want, Shannon?”

She stood in the doorway, her dress too tight, her eyes too bright. He didn’t want to deal with her and was thankful they weren’t still together.

“I wanted to say I’m sorry.”

Austin almost cleaned out his ear with his finger at her words. He couldn’t have heard right. Sorry? Really?

“Seriously? You’re sorry?”

She stuck out her bottom lip and pouted. “Yeah. I shouldn’t have gone to your girl like that. She didn’t do anything wrong but get the toy I wanted, and I acted like a brat.”

“Did you just call me a toy?”

She blushed. “I’m just using the words Tony used.”

“Tony?” She made no sense, and he wanted her out of his office, but if she got whatever she needed to off her chest, then hopefully he wouldn’t have to deal with her again. He’d take the little pain to be free.

“My new man.”

Well, that was fast. And exactly what Sierra had said to him about Shannon needing a new man to get off Austin’s back. He’d just have to kiss his woman when he got to see her again. Hard.

“Good for you,” he mumbled.

She smiled. “Thanks. Tony is just so…well, you don’t care, and I won’t take up more of your time. So I’m sorry for coming in here, calling you, and bugging your girl. I just don’t like being alone, and I took it out on you. So, sorry for being a bitch.”

Austin let out a breath. “You weren’t a bitch, Shannon. You were just…clingy.”

She snorted and shook her head. “I’m a bitch, and I know it. I’m going to try and not be.”

Austin wasn’t too sure she could stop so quickly considering it had been all of two days since she’d acted like that. She couldn’t have been with Tony for long, but if he was going to change her for the better, then good for him.

Good luck with that, Tony.

“Thanks for apologizing,” he said. There really wasn’t more he could say, and he’d rather she left. Call him an ass, but he was over it all.

“Thanks for listening. I would go apologize to your girl, but I don’t think either of you would appreciate that.”

He nodded. “I’ll let her know.”

Tired of sitting at his desk and getting nothing done, he followed her out of the office; he wanted to make sure she was actually gone. Call him a cynic, but he didn’t trust many people these days. Apparently Maya felt the same way, considering she kept her eyes on Shannon until she was out the door. As soon as the door closed behind her, everyone in the room let out a collective breath—including the clients in the chairs.

“She gone for good then?” Maya asked, her focus on the man’s arm in front of her now.

“Yeah. So she says, but it might actually work this time. She apologized.”

“We know,” Callie said with a wink. She sat near Sloane, watching him work on shading for the day. “We had the music down so we could hear what she had to say.”

Austin opened his mouth to yell then closed it, snorting and shaking his head instead. If he’d been in their shoes, he would’ve done the same thing. The crew of Montgomery Ink was a nosey one.

“Brat,” he muttered as Callie fluttered her eyelashes.

“I try.”

He went back to his station and started getting ready for the next client. By the time he was done, they were in an odd lull where they had no clients waiting or in chairs. The next big rush of appointments would be soon, but for now, it was just him, Callie, Sloane, and Maya.

The door opened again, and Austin counted to three before turning. If it was Shannon or another idiot, he was going to scream.

Instead, a man in a nice suit and a briefcase stood in the doorway. God, he hoped they weren’t getting sued for ink. It hadn’t happened to him but it had to others in his profession. Some people were never happy no matter how hard others tried.

“Mr. Montgomery?” the man asked.

Austin frowned. Well, shit. “I’m Austin Montgomery. There’s a few Montgomerys around so you’ll have to be specific.”

The lawyer nodded. “Yes, you’re the one I’m looking for. In fact, it’s been pretty difficult to find you, Mr. Montgomery.”

Something icy went up his spine. “What do you mean?”

Maya came to his side, her arms folded in front of her. Sloane stood up with Callie by his side. They were united against whatever came, but Austin had a feeling they wouldn’t be enough.

“I’ve sent you a letter with what I need to talk to about.”

Austin racked his brain then cursed. There had been that letter from lawyers that he’d put aside because he hadn’t recognized it. Things had been so crazy with dad and Sierra that he’d forgotten about it. Fuck. What had he missed?

“Sorry about that, we’ve been a bit crazy here. What can I do for you?”

“We also couldn’t reach you by phone because your number seems to have changed in the past ten years.”

Ten years? What the hell was this about?

“And now that circumstances have changed, I needed to see you face to face, rather than discuss things through mail or over the phone.”

“Out with it already,” Maya muttered.

“And you would be… miss?” the man asked, his eyebrow raised.

Yeah, they were all tattooed freaks in his eyes, but what the fuck ever. “This is my sister Maya and my co-workers Sloane and Callie. They might as well be family, so say what you need to say. You don’t need to wait for them to leave.”

“If you’re sure. This is quite personal.”

Austin’s stomach clenched, but he didn’t let his nervousness show. At least he hoped not. “They’re family, so they’ll find out anyway. What’s going on? Why are you here for me?”

The lawyer nodded then walked forward, putting his briefcase on the counter. “You might want to sit down, Mr. Montgomery.”

“Call me Austin. Mr. Montgomery is my father, and I’m fine standing.”

“Okay then, Mr. Mont—I mean Austin.” He cleared his throat, and Austin was ready to throttle the man. “Do you remember a Miss Maggie Forrester?”

Maggie. Damn, her name had come up a lot in the past few weeks.

“Yes, I remember her. We dated over ten years ago. I haven’t heard or spoken to her since. What’s up with Maggie?”

Maya’s hand went to the small of his back, and he realized his body was shaking. Something was wrong, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to hear what it was.

“I’m sorry to say Maggie Forrester passed away three months ago.”

Austin blinked, an odd shock going through his system. He hadn’t thought about her often since she’d broken up with him after calling him a freak, but it still hurt to hear she’d passed away.

“Damn. I’m sorry to hear that. What happened?”

“Car accident. She died on impact.”

“Again, I’m sorry to hear that, but I don’t know what that has to do with me. I haven’t seen her in years.”

“Well, she left something behind, Austin.”

Maggie had left him something? Why they hell would she have done that? It made no sense. His confusion must have played on his face because the lawyer gave him a sympathetic smile.

“Austin, she left behind a son.”

He blinked then took a step back, then another. Sloane came up from behind him and helped him sit on one of the stools.

“A son?” he croaked. No, it couldn’t be. Maggie would have told him if he had a son. Wouldn’t she?

Images of her face when she’d screamed at him and called him an abuser filled his mind and he cursed. Maybe not. She might have hidden it from him because she’d been afraid.

Holy fuck.

“I can tell from your face that you understand. Leif is ten years old, and according to his birth certificate, he’s your son. Are you telling me you never knew?”

“Of course he didn’t know, you asshole,” Maya bit out. “You think he would have just stayed away if he thought for a second he had a kid out there.”

“I’ve seen a lot of terrible things in my line of work, Ms. Montgomery.”

“Well, your line of work sucks,” Callie said, tears in her voice.

“Leif?” Austin asked, his voice hoarse.

“Yes, his given name is Leif Forrester Montgomery.”

Montgomery. “She gave him my name? Why?”

“I can’t begin to go into the decisions people make, Austin. Right now, we don’t have DNA to certify her claims, but as you’re listed on the birth certificate, you do have rights.”

“Rights? Wait. Where is he? Where’s Leif? Is he with her folks?”

The lawyer shook his head. “I’m afraid they passed away when Leif was born.”

“So she’s been on her own this whole time. Raising a kid, my kid, this whole time. What the hell? Why didn’t she tell me?”

Tears filled his eyes, and he tried to come to terms with what the lawyer was saying, but he couldn’t comprehend it.

“Where’s Leif?” he asked again.

“We have him in a group home for now. Unless you claim him—and that’s not as easy as it sounds—he will have to find a foster family and stay in the system. As I said, it’s really your choice. Since your name is on the birth certificate, we can make the process easier. However, I don’t want you to make a decision now. Take your time, but remember, the life of a child is at stake.”

Austin couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think.

“Give us your number and how to contact you,” Sloane said, taking charge. Everyone else seemed to be in shock. “We’ll figure it out and let you know. Do you need anything right now for the DNA test?”

“We can do a swab right now and get started.”

“Austin?” Sloane asked, standing right in front of him.

He blinked. “Okay, yeah. Let’s do that.” The kid was his. He knew it deep down in his soul though he’d never met him.

The lawyer swabbed his mouth, and he sat quietly through it. The lawyer said he’d be in touch and left, leaving a broken and confused trail in his wake. Austin didn’t like the idea of Leif staying in a group home while he had plenty of room at his place, but things hadn’t connected in his brain yet. He needed to tell his folks, needed to tell Sierra.

Fuck. Sierra.

Dear God.

What was he going to tell her?

“What are you going to do, Austin?” Maya asked. “Want me to get Sierra?”

He shook his head. “No, let her work. I need to think.”

“You sure that’s the best thing? This affects her too.”

“I know that, but I need to breathe. I can’t just let my kid, if he really is mine, be alone there when I can take him in, but what do I know about kids? Fuck.”

Maya shook her head then walked to the door, flipping the sign to closed. “Callie, call our appointments and reschedule. We’re going to go take Austin home and figure it out. Then when you’re ready, we’ll call the family. Mom and Dad will be at home, but they’ll be strong even with the treatments.”

“Fuck, the treatments.”

“I know, big brother, but we can do this. One step at a time, Dad.”

Dad.

He ran his hands over his head. Dad? What the hell was he going to do? There was only one thing he could do.

“I need to call Sierra.”

Maya frowned. “You can just go over there.”

“No, I can’t see her right now. I can’t…I need to talk to her, but I need time.”

He knew he was messing this up, but he was floundering. He dialed her number and sighed when it went straight to voicemail. Maybe it was for the best. She had enough to deal with without his drama.

He had a kid.

Everything had been looking up, and now it had all crashed down. Life certainly knew how to throw punches, only Austin didn’t know if he’d be able to get back up after this one. Not this time.