Fox: Hel's Ink by DJ Krimmer

 

He’s arrogant, self-absorbed, and rude

Fox: Hel’s Ink, a must-read, age gap, enemies to lovers romance from bestselling author DJ Krimmer is now available with never seen before content!

Janie

When my father passed away, I assumed my grieving would be as simple as closing a book and starting another. Only, he had other plans.

Leaving me his beloved tattoo shop, I’m stuck to figure out what exactly to do with it, all while being constantly reminded of him.

Selling it was the easiest option, but after hearing some of the artists elated at the idea because they swore I’d ruin it if I took over, and reading the fine print of my father’s will, I’m determined to prove them wrong.

The only problem is Fox.

He’s arrogant, self-absorbed, and rude–doing everything in his power to show just how true their words would ring.

Unfortunately for him though, I’ve never been afraid of a challenge.

Fox

Hel’s Ink was supposed to be mine, but after my mentor passed away, I learned he had other plans in mind.

Leaving the shop to someone like Janie was a bad idea. Sure she may be able to make it look good on the surface, but there is more to running this place than social media posts and some paint. We’re a family and she’s not welcomed.

Only, the longer she’s here, the harder it’s proving to believe my own words.

She’s too young for me, and far too complicated, but I can’t help but wonder what would happen if I just give in.

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Tony only had two loves in his life. One was Hel’s Ink, and the other was— 

“Fox,” Atlas’ elbow digs into my ribs, making me wince. “Is that Janie?” 

My gaze follows his and lands on the petite redhead walking into the chapel, Janie Pierce. Twenty-five years old, slim, with pale, usually freckled skin—god only knows how many layers of makeup she’s applied to cover them up and give herself that bare look. Her dark blue eyes are large and exaggerated by her long lashes. And she’s crowned by hair that is a rich red color, a long mess of untamed and wild curls. I smirk, noticing her rather high black pumps. Janie is short; most people are around my six-foot-four frame, but Janie’s tiny stature might hit my chest barefoot, maybe. 

Jesus Christ, there she goes with her phone again. It’s her dad’s fucking funeral, and as usual, Janie has her phone out to chirp or what the fuck ever it is that an influencer does. What a crock of shit. The girl sits there and cons people into believing they will look like her if they use whatever she holds in front of her camera. It’s one of the many reasons we don’t mesh well despite our close relationship with Tony. That and the fact that she is a mouthy fucking brat that loves nothing more than to annoy the piss out of me at every fucking turn. 

“Yeah, that’s her,” I mutter as I fix the sleeves on my suit. I hate wearing suits. It’s not that I don’t have the money for nicer clothes, but I am more of a jeans and T-shirt guy. Comfort over fashion. This suit was expensive when I bought it three years ago. But I was a little trimmer back then, and I didn’t get around to going suit shopping before the funeral, thanks to the depression-fueled bender I’ve been on since the day I found out Tony had passed. Which is probably another reason the suit isn’t fitting as well. 

I turn toward Atlas, realizing I completely missed his question. “What did you say, At?” 

“I said. I didn’t realize how long it’d been since I saw her last. When did she get so fucking hot?” I roll my neck while trying to ignore the uncomfortable urge I suddenly have to break my best friend’s nose. My feeling of protectiveness over Janie has to nothing more than her losing her dad, right?  

I stare at him in disgust and shake my head. “Fuck off, man. Don’t be disrespectful to Tony like that.”  

Janie makes it within ten feet of the casket before her body goes ramrod straight, and she quickly turns, running back out of the chapel. 

“I’ll be back,” I mutter to At before following after her. I’m annoyed at the compulsion I feel, needing to see if she’s alright, but I’m chalking it up to the funeral and because Tony would’ve wanted me to. I don’t give two shits about what others think about me or what they expect from me. Except Tony, that man took me in and treated me like a son, so for that reason and that reason alone, I will check on his asshole of a daughter. I won’t like it, but I’ll do it. 

Walking down the empty hallway, I find Janie leaning against a wall, looking at her shoes. 

“Hey, Torch, long time no see,” I say casually while stuffing my hands in my pockets and leaning against the wall opposite her. I allow myself to scan the redhead’s appearance. While I dislike the girl, I’m not oblivious to Janie’s looks. She’s a very attractive woman and looks stunning in her black belted button-up dress. Although, I am not sure that the lace fringe falling just below her ass constitutes proper funeral attire. What do I know, though? Maybe this is the new trend for funeral attire. 

“It’s Janie, you dick.” She all but spits in my direction, “And it hasn’t been nearly long enough.” I can’t help but laugh. I have never been a fan of hers, but Janie’s hatred for me would leave outsiders thinking I ran over her dog. 

I put my hands up in defense as a smirk pulls at my lips. “I apologize. I thought I would check on you; you ran off awfully quickly.” 

Her blue eyes roll so hard I’m shocked they don’t get stuck. “I caught sight of you and your squad of dimwitted Neanderthals and felt a wave of nausea hit me.” Snorting, I shake my head and cross my arms over my chest. Her body’s shaking slightly, and I can’t help but wonder if I’m intimidating her or something. Ridiculous, though honestly, Janie isn’t afraid of anything. She will take on the biggest and the baddest fuckers just to prove her dominance. Still, she’s trembling. And it’s from more than my presence or even her grief. 

“Seriously,” I try to make my voice as soothing and pleasant as possible, which isn’t easy around her. “If you want to talk about–” 

She laughs dryly, “Yeah, I’m gonna stop you right there because this is so not the vibe, and you are giving me major second-hand embarrassment.” The… vibe? “I already told you that you can have the shop. But that doesn’t mean I need—or want—you to fill his shoes. I don’t need a dad, Fox.” She pulls out her phone and starts tapping on the screen. Each tap tap tap is like nails on a chalkboard. 

“Oh?” I huff out, pushing myself off the wall. “You mean I don’t have to sit there and wait for you to come running in with some sob story about how someone wrote something mean about you or photoshopped your ass to be bigger, and you need your daddy to fix it? Well, thank god for that!” 

Her body visibly stiffens as the tremble in her small hands grows around her phone. She straightens further, attempting to look me in the eye while her hands go behind her back. Her dark blue eyes hide behind fake lashes, eyeliner, and tons of eyeshadow. Still, I see the redness, the bloodshot eyes she’s trying so desperately to cover, like her freckles, which… Seriously, how much makeup is she wearing? Because I don’t see a single one, and Janie’s covered in them. She looks about to say something but decides against it, scoffing and shaking her head instead before looking back at her phone. 

“Like they would need to photoshop me. I have the ideal body.” She starts tapping away on her phone again, systematically dismissing me. 

Deciding that I need to get this conversation over with before I actually hurt the one feeling this little demon has left, I clear my throat and cock my head, gesturing to the chapel. “Why is the old man’s casket closed?” I watch her left eye twitch, and she takes a breath before glaring at me once more. 

“Because,” she clicks, her voice holding more than venom. “As his daughter, it was my decision, and I found it more pleasing to look at the casket than a dead body.”  

More pleasing. 

Dead body. 

I’m shocked by her heartless words, and I watch mutely as she pushes herself off the wall and heads back into the chapel.  

“Enjoy that shop, Fox. Hopefully, it doesn’t steal your life like it did his.” Her voice is distant, and I don’t respond as she disappears behind the doors. My fingers run over the two coins burning a hole in my pocket. I need to put them in Tony’s casket before I leave today. I have no idea if the funeral director will allow me to, but I’m not leaving here without doing it.

For more information about DJ Krimmer and her books, visit her website: 

https://www.djkrimmer.com

My Review
5 Star|
Fox: Hel's Ink by DJ Krimmer is the First book in the Hel's Ink Series.  This is the story of Janie and Fox.  Janie seems to have the prefect live being a social media influence and the friends she keeps.  But when her father passes leaving her a Tattoo shop this gives her something else to focus on.  Fox is her father's friend along with being his protege.  So Fox isn't happy at all about Janie coming into the Tattoo business.