Page 43 of The Vampire and the Tattooist (The Vampire and Series Book 4)

Hunter sighed as he closed the door to their bedroom. They brought their lunch bags and fresh coffee with them and sat on the floor next to each other, leaning against the sofa.

He turned to look at Gavin, touching his cheek. “Are you really all better now?”

Gavin nodded and signed, “All better.”

“Good. I know you’re a strong vampire, but I was so scared. When Shell ran in and told us you were in trouble, I thought my heart was going to stop.”

Gavin moved and climbed onto Hunter”s lap. He put both hands on Hunter”s cheeks. “Sorry,” he mouthed.

“Not your fault, sweetheart. I love you. My life would mean nothing if anything happened to take you away from me.” He put his hand around Gavin’s neck, pulled him close, and kissed him.

Gavin smiled against his lips and wrapped his arms around Hunter, returning the kiss.

After a while, they broke apart. Gavin rested his forehead against Hunter’s for a few moments before he pulled away and mouthed, ‘I love you.’

Hunter smiled. “Of course you do. I mean, what’s not to love?”

Gavin burst out into silent laughter, happiness shining in his eyes.

“We should eat our very late lunch. I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.”

Gavin nodded and pulled the food bags closer, handing one to Hunter and keeping the other.

“Are you going to stay on my lap as we eat?” Hunter asked him, making no effort to move Gavin off.

Gavin nodded and got comfy. They both ate in silence for a while, enjoying being with each other and eating.

As they ate, Gavin wondered who had called his brothers or told Kevin and Ian. He was glad his brothers had come, especially Raz. Sure, Thiago had told them that Raz would be safe, but Gavin was still worried about him.

He laughed to himself at how many people had come to check on him. He’d gone from just being him, Mathis, and Raz — Gavin didn’t include his parents, as he had only seen his mother a few times when he was growing up and hadn’t seen his father since the evening he tried to kill him — to having everyone here in the coven as family and pretty much hiding away from the world, to having friends who were witches and wolves, all who came running when he was injured. To having Hunter, the most amazing mate in the world.

Gavin stopped eating and kissed Hunter’s cheek.

Hunter smiled, and screwing his food bag up, dropped it on the floor and pulled Gavin into another kiss.

* * *

“Why go after Gavin?”Seth asked after Gio, Gavin, and Hunter left the room.

“Gavin said it was because he had a connection to the wolves, witches, and us,” David told him.

“But how would this person know?” Dave asked, confused. “I’ve not felt or seen anybody following us.”

Mathis leant forward. “Could they have bugs here, at your coven, Gabe, and the pack house, Kevin?”

“No,” Kevin said “We sweep the pack house and gardens every week to make sure. In our line of work, it pays to be cautious.”

“We sweep this house monthly, as well. Plus, with the new security we put in place recently, we’d know if someone broke in,” David added.

“The house is swept for listening bugs on a monthly basis?” Dave asked him in surprise.

“It is.”

“Cool, let me help next time. I can then play out my James Bond fantasy,” Dave said happily.

“Davy, please keep your fantasies to the bedroom. No one here wants to hear about them,” Willard said, walking into the kitchen and heading for the coffee pot.

“Daddd,” Dave moaned as the others laughed. “It’s not that kind of fantasy.” He paused. “Well, it wasn’t, but that might now change.”

Everyone laughed again at that except Willard.

“I don’t think the coven house has ever been checked for listening bugs,” Gabe ran a hand down his face. “We’re going to have to sweep certain rooms to make sure they are bug-free .”

Mathis grabbed his hand. “I can do that for you, sweetheart.”

Gabe leant into his side. “I knew if I ever got to run my family coven, it wouldn’t be easy, but never in my wildest dreams did I think it would be this hard.”

“Just think, when this is all over, you can go back to a boring, quiet coven house,” Seth said helpfully.

“I long for that day.”

* * *

Gavin was happily saton Hunter’s lap, his head resting on his shoulder when he heard a strange bark. Realising that Thomaz must be back with his new puppy, he pulled away and stood up, holding out his hand to help Hunter up.

“Sweetheart?” Hunter queried.

Gavin just silently laughed and pulled Hunter out of the bedroom and down the stairs.

“Aww, he’s so cute,” Hunter heard someone say, and realised Thomaz must be back with his new puppy. No wonder Gavin had pulled him downstairs to see it.

He would have to find out what kind of puppy Gavin would like. Maybe his brothers would know.

They walked into the kitchen to find Sean holding the cutest German Shepherd puppy.

Sean looked up and saw Gavin and hurried over. “Quick, Gav, take the puppy, Thomaz won’t notice. I’ll block the door so the two of you can run away.”

Gavin gave a silent laugh and took the puppy. He turned, showing it to Hunter.

Hunter stroked his head. “Hey, little guy. Welcome to the family.”

“No stealing my puppy,” Thomaz said with a laugh.

“His name is Diablo. How cool is that?” Dave asked, stroking Bruno.

Gavin smiled and rubbed his cheek against Diablo’s head before passing the puppy to Hunter.

Gavin walked over to Dave and Bruno and knelt down next to Bruno, giving him lots of hugs and tummy rubs. He looked at Dave and signed.

Dave nodded. “I did message your brothers. I knew they would want to know, even though you have Hunter, I knew you would need them. Plus, I messaged Ian, as well.”

Gavin leaned over and hugged Dave.

Dave patted his back. “Thomaz told me there were a couple of puppies from Diablo’s litter still available,” Dave told him softly.

Gavin pulled back and smiled before jumping up and rushing back to Hunter.

Hunter looked at Gavin’s happy face. “You want a German Shepherd puppy, as well, don’t you?”

Gavin nodded.

“There were two puppies from this litter still available,” Thomaz said, overhearing them.

“Will Bruno mind having two German Shepherds in the house?” Hunter asked Dave.

Dave shook his head. “Nope, Bruno won’t mind.”

“Gav, I’ve just sent you the details,” Thomaz told him.

“Will you send it to me and Mathis as well, Thomaz?” Raz asked, who had just walked into the kitchen.

“Will do.”

Gavin looked at Raz and smiled, walking over and hugging him. “You okay, little brother?”

Gavin nodded, hugging him back. He pulled away from his brother and pointed.

“I’m good, and Thiago’s place is stunning,” Raz said.

“Did you see anything of the underworld?” Dave asked him.

Raz nodded. “I did. It looks just like a normal place but is always dark. There are houses, shops, schools; you name it, they have it.”

“Did Thiago get permission for us to visit?” Dave asked, sounding excited.

“He’s gone back down to ask,” Raz said.

Gavin looked at him and signed.

“I wanted to stay around here. Mathis wanted to stay, but he thought it would be best to go with Gabe and debug the witches’ coven house.” Raz explained.

“Something none of us have ever thought about,” Kayden said. “I never realised what a sheltered life I’ve lived until all of this crap was uncovered.”

“Thankfully, it’s been uncovered,” Kevin said. “Would one of you mind coming back to my pack so we can talk to Giles?”

“We can both come,” Sean told him.

“The unbreaking potion is upstairs in Adrian’s room,” David said.

Dave shook his head. “No, it’s just there. I wasn’t sure if we needed it, so when Louise and I raided his healing supply, I grabbed it.”

“Thank you, sweetheart. Seth, go with them in case you need to pull anything out of his mind.”

“Will do, Bossman,” Seth said cheerfully.

“Bertrum, are you staying for dinner?” Dave asked. “Max should be here soon.”

“Earlier, I would have said yes. But I want to know what this Giles fellow knows, plus I want to talk to that super witch, so I’ll go back with these guys.”

“If you’re sure,” Dave said.

“I am,” Bert replied.

Just then, there was a noise by the door and Max stood there, looking at Bertrum.

“Umm... hello,” Max said softly.

Bert smiled but didn’t move. “Hi, Max. We’re all admiring Diablo,” he said, hoping that would help.

“Here,” Hunter said, holding Diablo out to him.

Max smiled and took the puppy. “Look at you! You’re such a cutie.” He looked around. “Is this a proper puppy or am I about to have a baby in my arms?” he asked, suddenly sounding panicked.

“A proper puppy,” Dave assured him.

Max let out a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness.”

“You don’t like shifters?” Bert asked softly.

“I mean, I don’t hate them, but this new world Davy has dragged me into is strange and scary. I’ll get there. It’s just a lot, you know?” Max said, rubbing his cheek on Diablo’s head.

“But you’re doing better now,” Dave said, smiling at him.

“I am,” he said with a smile, handing Diablo back to Hunter. He bent down and called, “Hey, Bruno.”

Bruno barked and happily came over to Max and hugged him before licking his face.

“Bert, if you’re ready, we’re leaving now,” Kevin said to him.

Bert looked at Max before nodding.

“I’m off to train. I’ll call you later,” Creed said, pulling Kevin into a kiss.

Kevin pulled back and touched Creed’s cheek. “Have fun.”

“Be safe,” Creed says.

“I’ll keep him safe,” Ian assured him.

“I’m sure we can find a lead somewhere and keep Bacon on it,” Bert said with a laugh.

“You’re such a PITA. Just for that, you can make your own way back,” Kevin told his brother, hitting his arm.

Max looked between Bert and Kevin. “You’re brothers?” he asked.

Bert nodded. “Kevin’s older brother.”

Max nodded and with a final pat for Bruno stood up. “I’m going to the library.” And with that, Max turned and left the kitchen.

Everyone watched him leave.

Dave walked to Bert’s side. “He didn’t run screaming from the room, so that’s a plus. I’ll chat with him. If you send me your number, I can pass it to Max. Maybe the two of you could chat for a bit.”

Bert nodded. “Thanks. Let’s do that.”

They swapped numbers and Dave went to join Max in the library.