Page 40 of The Vampire and the Tattooist (The Vampire and Series Book 4)
Hunter arrived at the library at the same time as Bertrum.
“Hey, Hunter, thanks for meeting me,” Bert said, offering his hand.
Hunter laughed and took it, pulling Bert into a bro hug. “No problem. We were only ripping out the destroyed stuff in my studio.”
“Bad business, all of this. Knowing this has been going on for so long and none of us knew… Changes are going to happen. I trust my wolf council member. He’s secretly looking at things from his end and seeing what has been buried and who else in the council was involved.”
“I can’t even begin to imagine how something like this could stay a secret,” Hunter said.
“People in high places hiding things. But now that we know about it, we can destroy the whole of this organisation. But before that, I want to see Max.”
“Then follow me. We can grab a coffee and I can point him out,” Hunter said, moving towards the door, Bert following. Hunter looked behind them. “Did you bring your guards?”
Bert grinned. “I might have given them the slip.”
Hunter snorted. “So those two over there aren’t following you?”
Bert spun round and growled. “Yes, they are mine.” He turned back round. “See if I bring them a coffee.” And with that, Bert stomped inside, Hunter following, shaking his head and waving to the guards.
They walked into the library and Bert looked around. “Libraries have changed since I was younger.”
“Same. There didn’t use to be coffee shops in the libraries I use to visit,” Hunter led the way to the coffee counter. “Hey, Jamie, two coffees, please.”
“Sure thing, Hunter. Does your friend want milk and sugar?”
“Just black, please,” Bert replied.
Hunter paid for the drinks and waited for Jamie to make them.
“Thanks, Jamie,” Hunter said, taking them both and handing one to Bert before they both walked to an empty table and sat down, putting their mugs on the table.
“So, which one is Max?” Bert asked, looking around. “Please tell me it’s the sinfully handsome man walking this way with a smile.”
Hunter looked around and saw Max walking towards them.
“Yep, that’s Max. Hey, Max, how’s your day going?”
“Hey, Hunter. It’s quiet without Dave, but soon I can leave here, so I’m dealing. Hi,” Max ended up looking at Bert.
“Max, this is a friend, Bertrum Mellor. Bert, Max.”
“Hello Max,” Bert said, holding his hand out.
Max took his hand and shook it before looking shocked and quickly dropping it taking a step back.
“Max, are you okay?” Hunter asked softly.
“Umm, of course, umm, I have work to do.” And with that, Max turned and walked quickly away.
Hunter looked at Bert. “Did something happen with the handshake?”
“Not from my end. I wonder what Max felt.”
“Let me message Dave. He can then check on Max for us,” Hunter replied, pulling his phone out of his pocket and sending Dave a message.
H: In the library. Bert just met Max. Max shook Bert”s hand and then rushed off. Can you check on him?
He then sent a quick one to Gavin.
H: Hope you’re having fun. Bert met Max and Max is now in hiding x
He had just finished texting Gavin when Dave replied to his message.
D: Will message him now. I’ll say you were worried about him, so contacted me.
H: Thanks
Hunter put his phone down on the table and picked up his coffee. “Dave’s going to contact Max and check on him.”
“From what I heard about Max yesterday, I wasn’t expecting meeting him to be all flowers and sunshine,” Bert said, looking into his coffee, both hands wrapped around the cup.
“It will get better. He just needs time and to probably see you more than once.”
“Should I tell him I’m a king?” Bert asked him, looking up.
“I’m honestly not sure that would impress him. I mean, he knows who Stefan is but doesn’t really seem impressed.”
“Figures that my mate wouldn’t be impressed by my title and would hate my world.”
“I wouldn’t say hate, just scared and unsure. He just needs time,” Hunter assured him.
* * *
Gavin was having fun.After Shelby had finished with this client, he and Gavin went out to get lunch for everyone. As they left, Shelby shouted out that there might be some time and closed the door before anyone could answer.
Gavin gave a silent laugh as Shelby linked his arm over Gavin’s and led Gavin away.
“So, before we stop off at the bakers to buy lunch, do you mind if we stop at my favourite clothes shop? It’s on the way and they have a sale on.”
Gavin shook his head and grinned, plucking at his top.
Shelby grinned. “Okay, so you might find something you like in there, as well. I’ve only seen you in dark clothes, and you do need some colour. It will take you from lovely to stunning. I’m sure as soon as Hunter sees you in colour, he’ll jump your bones.”
Gavin grinned.
“I know he probably does that, anyway, but you’ll see.”
Gavin nodded and then pointed from himself to Shelby and made pretend fangs with his hand.
Shelby snorted. “Not even the smallest bit am I scared of you or Owen. I’ve always read paranormal books, especially vampire books. I secretly hoped they were real, and now I know they are. It’s amazing and so very awesome, and Luke feels the same way. Plus, I’m friends with two real-life vampires. My secret dream has come true.”
Gavin silently laughed and patted his arm.
It didn’t take them long to get to the clothes shop, and Shelby pulled Gavin inside. “This will be so much fun.”
Gavin had to admit it was fun shopping with Shelby. Apart from his brothers, he’d never been clothes shopping with someone else. In truth, since he had his own money, he shopped online.
He didn’t go mad, though. He brought a few shirts and polo shirts in lighter colours than normal, and Shelby talked him into buying some better-suiting jeans.
Shelby, on the other hand, went mad and bought lots, not even baulking at the cost of his shopping spree.
They walked down the streets carrying their bags. Shelby laughed. “Can you believe how much money we saved today? And your new clothes look amazing. Let’s go buy lunch for everyone. They’re probably hungry by now.”
Gavin gave a silent laugh. The others were probably starving by now. As they were walking to the bakers, Gavin heard his phone ping. He pulled it out and saw it was a message from Hunter. He shook his head. Poor Bert. He sent a message back.
G: Oh dear. Do you both want to come back to your studio? We’re just entering the bakers and can buy you both something.
He didn’t have to wait long for a reply.
H: Sounds good, yes, please. We’ll leave now and meet you at the studio. Love you.
Gavin smiled and sent a message back.
G: Love you x
“Did you know when you message Hunter you get a sappy look on your face?” Shelby asked.
Gavin shrugged. He didn’t care; he loved Hunter. He didn’t care if everyone saw.
Shelby just laughed and opened the door to the bakers.
They brought enough food to feed an army. Rolls, sausage rolls, pies, and a large selection of cakes.
They were halfway back to the tattoo studio, Shelby taking them back via a side road, when a voice called from behind, “Vampire.”
Gavin turned around to see who called. There was no one else around, apart from the three of them. Gavin felt a shiver go through him. He quickly turned to Shelby, shoved the bags into his arms and mouthed, “Run.”
“No, I?—”
Gavin didn’t let him finish and pointed before turning back to look at the man who had called out. He could hear Shelby running away and breathed a sigh of relief that his friend would be safe.
Gavin stared at the man.
“Well, vampire, aren’t you going to ask me who I am and what I want?” the man demanded, walking closer.
Gavin stood still and crossed his arms over his chest. He tried to pull off an ‘I’m bored, you’re an idiot’ look that he hoped worked.
“Fine, don’t talk. You’re coming with me. You have a connection to the witches and wolves, not to mention the vampires.” As he spoke, the man pulled out a wand pointed it at Gavin and started muttering.
Not being stupid, Gavin rushed out of the way and using his speed and strength, he was suddenly behind the man and grabbed his arm, pulling it back so he could get the wand away from him.
The man laughed and pulled his arm out of Gavin’s hold, much to Gavin’s surprise. “Silly vampire, I am so much stronger than you,” he said, spinning around.
Gavin levelled a punch at the man and the man fell into a wall before righting himself. “If that was supposed to knock me out, it failed.”
Gavin rushed him and knocked him into another wall.
The man stood up and shook himself, smiling. “I wasn’t sure this spell would work, but look at that, it does. I should be dead now or seriously injured, and yet here I stand, ready for more.”
Gavin ran for him again, but this time, the man flung his wand at Gavin, and Gavin went flying into the tree behind him.