Page 26 of The Vampire and the Tattooist (The Vampire and Series Book 4)

Gavin was sitting at his brother’s desk. He had been upstairs and got his tablet, bringing it down so he and Ivan could run searches for the children’s families and to see what else they could uncover.

Ivan had hard drives and other electronics from the witches’ coven house he was also going through.

Gavin knew searching for the families was important, but for the first time in his life, his mind wasn’t on computer things. It was on his mate, Hunter. The most perfect man he had ever met. Hunter who seemed to get him and understand him without words.

He knew Hunter had to go to work, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t going to worry about him while he was out of the house.

“You have it bad, my friend,” Ivan said with a laugh.

Gavin looked up and grinned before nodding.

Ivan sobered. “We’ll all do that we can to keep your man safe. You know that, right?”

Gavin nodded and signed.

“I know you”re worried. You’re allowed to be.”

Gavin signed.

“Love makes everyone crazy,” Ivan told him.

Gavin signed again.

Ivan shook his head. “I’ve not had time to go back to the library and see Jamie. I’m not even sure if I should.”

Gavin gave a silent huff and signed again.

“I didn’t get all that, but did you say everyone deserves love?”

Gavin nodded.

“Maybe,” Ivan replied.

Gavin picked up a pen and threw it at Ivan, who caught it, laughing.

“Let’s get back to research and see what we can find.”

Gavin grinned and nodded.

* * *

Hunter was satin the library with Dave.

Dave thought of this library as his and Max’s, but as Max wasn’t around, it was a good place for them both to talk.

“We need some sofas down here,” Dave said. He and Hunter were currently sitting at Dave’s desk.

“Sofas would be good. I can’t believe there is a massive library here, under the house.”

“I know. This is literally my dream job, curating this library and bringing order to the total chaos that’s here, and I don’t even need to leave the house,” Dave said happily while looking around.

“Did you really get kidnapped?” Hunter asked him, looking curious.

Dave nodded. “I really did.” He went on to explain everything that had happened since Seth brought him here. He left nothing out. Hunter deserved to know the truth.

“Wow, that’s a lot going on,” Hunter said, shaking his head at the understatement.

“It is, and now just think, you are part of this crazy family, as well,” Dave paused. “Are you okay with that?”

Hunter nodded. “I think so. I mean, I love Gavin with my whole heart, and if I have to become part of this world to have him in my life, then so be it. I might ask one of the vampire guards to teach me self-defence. I mean, I can throw a punch, but fighting has always been Taha’s thing.”

“You can join our lessons when they start. David insists my parents and I learn self-defence, it would be no problem including you as well,” Dave assured him.

“If only we got cool abilities when we mated, that would solve everything. I feel jipped.”

Dave laughed. “Me, too. I was hoping for super speed or super hearing, but we get nothing but a permanent vampire hickey.”

Hunter snorted out a laugh. “Plus, we get the man of our dreams.”

Dave sighed. “We do. You know everyone will keep you safe, don’t you?”

Hunter nodded. “I know, and I know Gavin would prefer I stayed here until the witch was caught, but I really can’t put Danni off.”

“Gavin understands, he really does. It’s a mate thing, wanting to keep your loved one safe,” Dave told him.

“I feel the same way about Gavin. I know he’s a vampire with super abilities, but I don’t see that when I look at him. What I see is the amazing man he is, who makes me smile and laugh, and who I want to wrap up in cotton wool.”

“I think we all feel the same about him. He has this air of gentleness about him, which even though he killed that witch, he hasn’t lost. Thomaz told me Gavin slept in the kitchen last night with Bruno.”

Hunter nodded. “He told me the same. Hopefully Gavin will sleep better tonight, wrapped in my arms, knowing how much I love him.”

“I’m sure he will,” Dave agreed.

* * *

Gabe sighedas the portal closed behind them. He brought them to his bedroom so Mathis could drop his bag off.

Mathis put his bags on the bed and pulled Gabe into his arms. “You okay, little witch?”

Gabe wrapped his arms around Mathis, leant on him, and nodded. “I’m fine, vampy. I just need a moment with just the two of us.”

Mathis dropped a kiss on his head. “You can have all the moments you want.”

Gabe pulled back. “I just need you and me somewhere away from all of this where we can just focus on us, and not any of this other crap we’re dealing with.”

“And we will,” Mathis assured him. “But for now, we need to focus on all this crap. Before we do, though, I’m going to kiss you.”

Gabe smiled. “Good plan,” he said as Mathis dipped his head and kissed him.

Finally, they both pulled back.

“Perfect,” Gabe said, smiling.

“Yes, it was, and it will keep being perfect. But for now, let’s go and see Sean, Kayden, and Neill and make sure they’re not buried under paperwork.”

“Hopefully they remembered to stop and eat,” Gabe replied, pulling out of Mathis’ arms and taking his hand.

Mathis snatched up his laptop bag and went with Gabe.

They found Sean, Kayden, and Neill still hard at work. There were piles of papers everywhere and empty shelves.

“You’ve been busy,” Mathis said as he walked in.

They all quickly looked up, with Sean and Kayden jumping up and hugging both Mathis and Gabe.

Mathis looked at Neill. “What, no hug from you?”

Neill laughed. “Maybe next time.”

“Did the children get rescued?” Kayden asked them.

“They did. They’re currently at the wolf pack being looked after until their parents can be found,” Gabe told them.

“Thank goodness for that,” Sean said, breathing a sigh of relief.

“Have you eaten?” Mathis asked them.

“No, not yet,” Neill said. “We ordered Chinese. We’re just waiting for it to arrive. I asked the takeaway place if they would text me when they arrive, and I’ll go down and get it.”

“We can all go down. You guys look like you could use a break from all this,” Gabe said.

“Yeah, we really do,” Kayden said with a sigh.

Neill stood up, stretched, and gave a tired sigh. “I think I’m getting old.”

Mathis snorted. “You are old.”

“How old are you, or is it rude to ask?” Kayden asked.

“I stopped counting when I hit five hundred,” Neill replied.

“You’re over five hundred years old? You look good for your age,” Sean said, grinning at him.

Gabe looked at Mathis. “How old are you?”

“Mathis is still a baby vampire,” Neill said, chuckling.

“I’m three hundred and ninety-nine,” Mathis replied.

“We’ll have to throw you a four hundred year birthday party,” Gabe said. “We can hold it at your home.”

Mathis shook his head. “You don’t need to do that.”

“I can just see Dave, Gabe, and Gavin now, decorating the hell out of the place,” Neill said, laughing as they left the secret room and then the bedroom. Gabe sealed it again as the door closed.

Mathis groaned. “They would, too, and Seth would help.”

“Ian, as well, I should imagine,” Gabe replied, laughing. “This will be so much fun. We can make it fancy dress.”

“Yay, fancy dress parties are the best,” Sean agreed.

Mathis looked at Neill. “I blame you.”

Neill nodded. “I would, too.”

By this time, they reached the kitchen just as Neill’s phone pinged. He smiled looking at the message. “Foods here,” and with that he strolled off to the front door to get the food.

The others walked into the kitchen. A few people were sat in there eating. Gabe shook his head. He wondered what it would be like for the whole coven to eat together. It was something to think on anyway.

“Hey. Gabriel,” one of the witches said. Incidentally, it was the witch who told Gabe to make Kay’s trousers fall down.

“Hey, Brian, Stan, Danny. How are you three doing?”

“We’re good. We made extra food if you want some,” Stan said, waving to the dishes on the table.

“You all can join us,” Brian offered, smiling at everyone.

“We have Chinese coming. You can share that with us if you want,” Kayden said, walking to the cupboard and getting some plates while Sean got drinks.

Neill walked in, and the smell coming from the bag he was carrying was amazing.

“That smells amazing. I almost wish I’d not eaten now,” Gabe says, flopping into a chair.

Neill brought the bag to the table and set everything out before taking a seat. He looked at everyone, “Help yourselves.”

“Neill, this is Brian, Stan, and Danny. Guys, this is Neill, and you know Mathis.” Gabe said.

“Homemade Chinese food and takeaway Chinese food, nice,” Sean said, putting food on his plate and passing containers around.

Everyone except Mathis and Gabe were happily munching on the food.

“How is your search into the dodgy stuff going?” Brian asked.

“There is so much to go through, but thankfully, we rescued the last lot of kidnapped children,” Gabe told them.

Stan shook his head. “How could all this stuff be going on in our coven and none of us knew?”

“It’s a sophisticated operation. Thankfully, the vampires and wolves are helping, as this is way outside of things I know,” Gabe said.

“You know if we can help in any way, we will,” Danny said, pointing at the three of them.

“What do you know of Jake Conway?” Mathis asked them.

“I know he was one of the names on the dualling list,” Stan said. “But apart from that, I didn’t have much to do with him. He always struck me as a bit of a loner.”

“Same here,” Brian said. “He always stood apart from everyone in meetings, but now that I think about it, I’m not sure I saw him watching any of the duels.”

“I don’t remember seeing him, but I didn’t really focus on anyone. I was more focused on watching Kay or taking part in duels,” Gabe said.

“I don’t remember seeing him, either,” Kayden added. “But like Gabe, I didn’t look to see who was there and who wasn’t.”

“I’ve not seen Jake for a couple of days, though,” Brian said. “He might still be hiding in his room. I know some of the other witches are.”

Gabe shook his head. “We checked his room. Jake had packed up and left.”

“What an idiot. I mean, that’s a sure sign he’s involved with all this stuff,” Danny said.

“But you said you would still investigate anyone that left,” Brian added.

“We are. If he’s involved, he’ll not escape justice,” Mathis replied.

“Good. He deserves everything that is headed his way,” Stan replied.