Page 27 of The Vampire and the Tattooist (The Vampire and Series Book 4)

Hunter and Dave had been talking for hours when they finally emerged from the library.

After saying goodnight, Dave went to hunt down his mate, while Hunter went to look for Gavin.

Dave had given him directions to the office. and hoping he had the right one, he knocked on the door. He entered when he heard a, “Come in.”

Gavin smiled when he saw Hunter and jumped up, walking around the desk and into his open arms.

Hunter dropped a kiss on Gavin’s head, wrapping his arms around him before looking up and smiling at Ivan. “Sorry. Hi, Ivan.”

Ivan laughed. “Hey, Hunter. How was your chat with Dave?”

“Interesting,” Hunter said.

Gavin pulled back and looked up at Hunter, a question in his eyes.

“We’re starting a support group for humans who mate vampires and don’t get superhuman abilities.”

Ivan laughed and Gavin gave a silent laugh.

“How is research going?” Hunter asked.

“It’s going. We have searches running for the families, financials, and I’m hacking into these devices,” he said, waving his hand at the electronics on his desk, “to pull out all the information I can.”

“I would offer to help, but I’m not that good with computers.”

“That’s okay. We have programmes running. Why don’t you take Gavin off to bed? He didn’t sleep well last night.”

Gavin turned and scowled at Ivan before signing.

Ivan huffed. “Like Thomaz or your brothers haven’t told Hunter already. There is nothing more you can do for tonight, so go with Hunter, little brother, and you can get back to this tomorrow.”

Gavin signed again.

“I promise I’ll get some sleep, as well, and yes in my bed and not at this desk.”

Gavin nodded, signing.

“Night, Gav. Night, Hunter.”

“Night, Ivan,” Hunter said, taking Gavin’s hand and leading him out of the office.

Hunter closed the bedroom door behind them and smiled at Gavin, dipping his head and kissing him.

Gavin stepped as close as he could to Hunter and wrapped his arms around him, loving the feel of Hunter in his arms, but he needed more. He moved his hands and pulled Hunter”s top up.

Hunter groaned at the feel of Gavin’s hands on his skin, but now he wanted Gavin naked and under him. He tapered the kiss and smiled down at Gavin. “How about I’ll strip me, you strip you, and we go from there?”

Gavin smiled but shook his head. Before Hunter could do anything, Gavin was suddenly a blur, and in a moment, they were both naked.

Hunter”s mouth dropped open before he smiled. “Handy trick.” He picked Gavin up and laid him on the bed before climbing over him and leaning on his arms, keeping most of his weight off Gavin. “Love you, Gavin.”

Gavin smiled at Hunter, linking his hands behind Hunter”s neck and mouthed the words back, pulling Hunter down into a toe-curling kiss before they made love.

* * *

Kevin was tired.After the children had been fed, bathed, and given clean clothes, beds were found for them with different pack members. A couple of the children were housed in the main pack house, hopefully fast asleep.

He was sat in his study, catching up on work and researching anything he could think of. He couldn’t believe so much black-market stuff was happening under their noses. Kevin prided himself on knowledge and knowing everything he could. To find out there were things he didn’t know was disturbing.

He felt Creed walk up behind him and wrap his arms around him.

“How about you leave this for now and come to bed. I can guarantee tomorrow will be busy.”

Kevin laid his hands over Creed’s and leaned back. “That sounds like a good idea.” He locked his computer and moved to stand up, Creed moving back dropping his arms.

Kevin moved away from his desk and smiled at Creed, stepping close and tangling his hand in Creed’s hair. “You have the best ideas,” he said, leaning forward and kissing him.

* * *

Morning seemedto arrive way too quickly in Hunter’s opinion. He groaned quietly as his alarm sounded loudly. He managed to snag his phone and silence the annoying beeps. He pulled his arm back and wrapped it again around Gavin, who was sleeping soundly in his arms. They were both lying on their sides with Hunter spooning Gavin.

Hunter had slept lightly, wanting to stay aware of Gavin in case he had any nightmares, but from what Hunter could tell, Gavin had slept well.

He gently kissed Gavin’s shoulder. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined he could be this happy, or be so deeply in love, but that was before he had met Gavin. Sure, their meeting had been unexpected, but Hunter was so glad he sat on the floor in the library.

Hunter was under no illusions that being mated to a vampire didn’t come with a few dangers. He quietly scoffed. That was an understatement. He already had a killer witch after him, but he meant what he’d said: he would take a bodyguard with him to the studio if it put everyone’s mind at rest.

He felt Gavin waking up and tightened his arms around him.

Gavin lifted his hand and kissed the back of it before turning over and smiling at Hunter, moving his head to kiss him.

Not being stupid, Hunter kissed him back and pulled Gavin on top of him, not breaking the kiss, and running his hands up and down his back.

Gavin broke off the kiss and started kissing Hunter around his neck, Hunter moving his head to give him better access. He licked over the mating mark.

“If you need to drink love, drink,” Hunter told him.

A moment later, Hunter felt Gavin’s fangs bite into his mark and sighed as pleasure shot through him.

A little while later, Gavin retracted his fangs and licked over the mark, sealing the wound before moving to kiss Hunter, who rolled Gavin onto his back before making love to him.

It was a happy couple who walked into the kitchen for breakfast that morning.

Gavin could never remember being so happy. That was a lie; he’d been this happy when Mathis had attacked their father. Their father had never liked him, but it had gotten worse when he found out Gavin was mute. He could remember coming home from seeing a healer and running to hide behind Mathis and Raz to get away from his father’s anger.

What he didn’t expect was for the man to come into his bedroom that evening and try and kill him. He never knew what drew Mathis into his room, but Mathis literally saved his life and attacked their father. Gavin could remember smiling and being this happy when they left. He was safest with his brothers, well Hunter and everyone in the coven.

He was pulled from his thoughts when they got a round of good mornings. He smiled at everyone while Hunter said, “Hello.”

Dishes were passed around, and they dug into breakfast.

“Hunter, I’ve asked Owen to guard you today. He’s back from his latest assignment and can protect you,” David told him.

Hunter sighed. “Thanks, I hope he won’t be too bored. He does know he won’t be able to come into my room while I’m working, right?”

Gavin glared at him.

“No,” Hunter said. “Not with the tattoo I’m doing today.”

Gavin started fast signing.

Hunter closed his hands around Gavin’s. “I promise I will do whatever Owen thinks is best, but he can’t come into my appointment with Danni,” Hunter said gently.

Gavin huffed out a silent breath.

Hunter bopped him on the nose and grinned. “Love you, too, sweetheart.”

Gavin screwed his nose up at him.

“I’ll make sure Owen knows,” David assured him. “As vampires, we have enhanced hearing as well as speed. If anything happens, just shout and he’ll come running.”

“Thank you. Normally I could possibly pass your man off as an apprentice, but for today, I can’t do that,” Hunter said, not wanting anyone to think he was being difficult. “Taha said he will pick me up at nine, but I can message him and drive Owen and myself in.”

“Would he mind?” Dave asked him.

“Nope, it would save him a trip. Let me message him now,” Hunter said, pulling his phone out of his pocket and sending the message. “Done.”

“Mum, Annie, I messaged Kevin earlier about you both going over to the pack to see to the children and play with the puppies. He said you are more than welcome. I’ll come with you; Gio and Seth, I’d like you to come, as well.”

“We can do that,” Seth said.

“I think I’ll come, as well,” Willard said, looking at Stefan. “We can’t let our wives have all the fun.”

“Quite right. We shall go, as well,” Stefan agreed.

“Bailey, Jessamy, and Rickon can come with us, too, then,” Gio said.

“We need to stop at the shops and buy treats for the children, both the kidnapped ones and the pack children. I’m not sure I have enough time to make lots of biscuits,” Annie said, frowning.

“Shop brought biscuits will be fine, Mum. You could look at those large cookies they have,” Dave said.

Annie smiled at her son. “Perfect, thank you, Davy.”

“Morning,” a voice said from the doorway.

“Hey, Max,” Dave said, jumping up and hugging his friend. “I’m off to play with puppies today.”

“Puppies?” Max asks, smiling.

Dave nods. “Wolf shifter puppies.”

“That will be nice,” Max said, his smile only slipping a little.

“You’re getting better, Max. You didn’t freak out,” Dave said with a laugh.

“Give me a year and this will all seem normal,” Max said. He looked at those gathered at the table. “Have fun. I’m off to the library.” And with that, Max headed off, muttering as he left.

Dave turned and grinned at those sitting at the table. “At least he’s no longer freaking out.”

“Indeed,” David replied.

“And on that note, I need to go,” Hunter said. “Where will I find Owen?”

“I’ll message him for you,” David said, pulling his phone out of his pocket. “He’ll meet you by the front door in a few moments.”

“Thanks.” Hunter looked at Gavin and raised his hand to Gavin’s cheek. “Have a good day and I promise to stay safe.”

Gavin nodded and leant in to kiss him goodbye.

“Break it up, you two. I don’t want to see my little brother making out with his mate over breakfast,” Raz said as he walked in.

Gavin smiled into the kiss and pulled back, turning his head to look at Raz and poking his tongue out at him.

“Morning, Raz. Bye, Raz,” Hunter said with a quick grin before standing up and collecting his dirty crockery.

Gavin put his hand on Hunter’s arm to stop him and signed, “I’ll tidy up for you.”

“Thanks, sweetheart,” he said, putting it back down. “See you all later.”

And with a round of goodbyes, Hunter left the kitchen, walking to the front door. He saw a man waiting for him. He couldn’t remember meeting Owen before, but he had met so many people since he turned up yesterday, he might have done.

“Hi, I’m Hunter,” he said, smiling at the man.

“I’m Owen and I’ll be your bodyguard for the day,” the vampire replied with a grin.

Hunter nodded and opened the front door, pulling his keys out of his pocket and letting Owen close the door behind them. “You don’t mind if I drive, do you?”

Owen shook his head. “Nope, go ahead, I’ll keep an eye out.”

“Thanks,” Hunter said, clicking the key fob and unlocking his car.

Once they were under way, Hunter asked. “Were you told about not being able to come into my room today?”

Owen nodded. “I was. That’s fine. I’m fast. If you need me just call for help.”

“I will do, thanks. I hope you won’t be too bored today.”

Owen grinned. “I doubt I will. I’ve never been to a tattoo studio before.”

Hunter laughed. “Then prepare to be amazed.”

It didn’t take them long to get to Area 51. Owen laughed at the name.

“Taha and I are SyFy nerds. We both came up with that name at the same time.”

“Nice. Is it just the two of you?” he asked as Hunter parked.

“No, there is Luke who also does tattoos, and Shelby who does piercings. Come on, I’ll introduce you.”