Page 29 of The Vampire and the Tattooist (The Vampire and Series Book 4)

Gabe was in the office with Mathis, Neill, Sean, and Kayden having a catch-up on what they found yesterday. They touched on things briefly after dinner, but Gabe told them all to head up to bed and fill him in properly this morning.

“So, tell me what you found in all the paperwork,” Gabe said.

“We have records of money laundering, drug supplies, weapons smuggling, exotic animal smuggling, and child trafficking,” Sean told him.

“We’re hoping Ivan finds evidence of those involved as at the moment we only have initials, which wouldn’t hold up in a court,” Neill said.

“We need to close all these lines down, so they don’t get moved somewhere else,” Kayden added.

“I’m sure at the moment we have closed some streams, but until we’ve caught everyone involved, it could all start again,” Mathis said.

“That reminds me…” Gabe started, standing up and going to the filing cabinet. “Let’s look at Jake Conway.” He rifled through the drawer until he found the folder with the man’s name on it. Pulling it out he shut the drawer and walked back to the desk, dropping the file on top and sitting down. He opened the file and looked over the paperwork inside. “Huh, according to this paperwork, Jake Conway is a cousin of Kay.”

“I never knew they were related,” Kayden said.

“Me, either,” Sean said.

“Apparently, they’re related on Quintus’s side. Now we know how he’s linked to this and why he ran,” Gabe said as he kept reading. “I have his parents” address, but the chances of him going there are slim to none.”

“Maybe he’s hiding out at Giles’ place. I mean, everyone has been caught. Who would think about one of the group members hiding out there?” Sean suggested.

“It’s what I would do. I’ll message David and see if he can send someone over to have a look,” Mathis said, pulling out his phone and sending the text. “Done.”

“It would be good to know what David got out of the lemmings,” Gabe said.

“We can set up a meeting for later,” Mathis said, looking at his phone. “Everyone is now at the wolf pack.”

“To look after the missing children?” Sean asked.

“That and to play with puppies,” Mathis replied.

* * *

It wasa procession of cars that arrived at the wolf pack.

“This looks amazing,” Dave said, looking around. “It’s like they have their own little town or village.”

“And look! Kevin, Creed, and Ian are waiting for us,” Annie said happily from the back seat.

David parked the car, smiling as he got out and looked around. As Dave said, the pack lands did look amazing.

“Welcome to my pack lands, vamp,” Kevin said, walking over to meet them and shaking David’s hand.

“Thank you for letting us come. Mum and Annie wanted to check on the children and play with the puppies,” he replied.

“I am so excited to be here, and I know Louise is, too,” Annie said happily, walking over to them.

“I am indeed,” Louise agreed, coming to stand with them.

“Welcome to my home,” Kevin said to her and Stefan. “Can I introduce you to my mother?”

“Oh, that would be lovely,” Louise said, smiling.

Kevin led them over to the pack house steps where Lissa stood waiting, a smile on her face. “Mum, can I introduce you to the vampire royal family: King Stefan, Queen Louise, Prince David, and Prince Giovanni. Guys, this is my mother, Lissa Mellor.”

“It’s so lovely to meet you all,” Lissa said happily, shaking hands as pleasantries were exchanged before David introduced everyone else.

“It’s so lovely to meet you,” Annie said happily. “Why don’t you show us to the children? We brought goodies for them. Willard, Davy, grab the boxes.”

“I’m sure they’ll love that. They’re playing in the back garden,” Lissa said, leading the way.

As they were walking to the back of the pack house, they heard children’s laughter.

“We brought the pack children over to play with them, hoping that would put them at ease ,” Lissa explained.

“Judging by the laughter, that was a good idea,” Louise said.

Lissa opened the garden gate and led them into the garden.

“Oh, how pretty,” Annie exclaimed.

The garden was stunning. It had flower borders filled with colourful blooms in front of laurel trees that surrounded three sides. It was also a good size — roughly two acres — with a selection of different seating areas, an outdoor kitchen, and a massive waterfall towards the back of the garden.

The children were playing, both in human and shifted forms.

“I thought shifts didn’t happen until they reached a certain age,” Dave said, sounding and looking confused.

Ian snorted. “That’s just in stories. In real life, shifters can shift from birth. It’s not uncommon to see a wolf puppy wearing a nappy.”

“If I see that, I’m taking a photo to send to Gabe and Sean,” Seth said, looking around. He saw one child standing off to one side as if watching over everyone and recognised him as the young boy who had helped them. Seth left the others and walked over to him. “You don’t want to join in?” Seth asked him softly.

Jack shook his head. “I’m fine watching over the others and making sure nothing bad happens to them. I couldn’t help much in the warehouse. I did what I could, which wasn’t much when we were all caged, but here I can make sure nothing bad happens to them.”

“You’re all safe here,” Seth assured him, internally shaking his head. He was too young to be watching over the other children. Seth guessed he couldn’t have been older than ten or eleven.

Jack nodded, but Seth could see in his eyes he wasn’t sure.

“We brought yummy treats with us. Look, they’re being put on that table there,” Seth said, pointing to where the others were gathered, and the boxes had been placed.

Jack still looked uncertain.

“How about we both walk over there, and you can have a look and see what we brought and decide if it’s safe,” Seth suggested.

Jack looked like he was thinking about it before he nodded.

“Good lad.”

“Jack,” the young boy said.

“And I am Seth,” Seth replied, smiling at him.

“It’s hard to stop looking after them,” Jack confessed softly.

Seth touched his shoulder. “You don’t have to. You can still have fun while watching out for them.”

Jack nodded and moved closer to Seth’s side as they walked to the table.

“Jack,” Lissa said, smiling at the young boy. “Our friends brought yummy treats for everyone.”

Jack nodded. “Thank you, I’m sure everyone will enjoy them.”

“Here,” Gio said while picking up a box and offering it to him. “Choose the one you want before we call the others over.”

“I can wait and make sure everyone has one first,” Jack said.

“Nope, if you take one, the others will come and have one. They’re watching you to see what you do,” Seth told him.

Jack looked up and saw some of the children watching him. He grinned at them before looking back at the cake box and picking up a chocolate muffin. “Thank you,” he said, turning back to the children. “We have cakes.”

He moved away as the children came running over and all took one.

Jack groaned when he took his first bite and unconsciously leaned into Seth’s side.

“Good?” Seth asked, slipping an arm around his waist.

Jack nodded and held it out to Seth. “Want some?”

“Thanks,” Seth said, breaking off a small piece and eating it. “Can I tell you a secret?”

Jack nodded.

“That was nice, but Thomaz and Annie make better ones.”

Jack looked at him in surprise.

“Seth’s right,” Ian said, walking over to them. “They have the best cakes there.”

“Maybe one day I can try some,” Jack replied almost shyly.

“I’ll make it happen,” Seth assured him.