Page 46 of The Vampire and the Tattooist (The Vampire and Series Book 4)

The next day saw Hunter back at his studio with a notepad, making a note of everything he needed to reorder. He sighed when he realised he needed to purchase a new tattoo machine. He had several that he used, but his favourite one had been given to him by his parents on his twenty-first birthday.

That reminded him, he needed to phone his parents and let them know what had happened and that he was now practically moved in with Gavin. He would have to figure out what to do with his house.

He heard a loud knock on the studio front door, and knowing he was the only one currently in, he walked to the door expecting to see a delivery man. He was surprised when he saw his parents.

He hurried to the door, smiling as he opened it. “Mum, Dad, what a lovely surprise.”

“Hello, darling,” Hunter’s mum said, walking in and hugging him before moving out of the way so his father could walk in. He also pulled Hunter into a hug.

“We stopped by your house, but as there was no answer, we thought we’d try here. If you weren’t here, we were going to go and find somewhere for breakfast and call you,” his father said.

“There’s a cafe round the corner that does a good breakfast. Let me grab my stuff and I’ll join you,” Hunter said.

“Darling, why do I smell smoke?” his mum asked.

“We had a small fire in my room. I’m in the process of reordering everything that was damaged.”

“Oh no,” his mother said, following Hunter into his room.

“It looks more like an explosion happened in here than a fire,” his father said, looking the space over.

“Some of my equipment exploded. Taha and Owen are picking up a new counter and sink for me, and some cupboards for underneath,” Hunter explained as he picked up his phone and notepad.

“Have you closed the business down?” his mum asked.

Hunter shakes his head. “No, the others can carry on. I’ve postponed my clients and Ta has postponed some, as well.” Hunter led the way back to the reception area. “The others will be here later. I should be up and running in a week at the most, depending on delivery.”

“Have you ordered the worktop, sink, and cupboards?” his dad asked.

Hunter shook his head. “No, Ta and Owen have the measurements and were going shopping later.”

His father looked at him. “Phone them and tell them I have it covered. Why didn’t you phone me to sort this out?”

“You’re busy. I didn’t want you to take time away from your clients,” Hunter told him.

“Son, what is the point of having a builder in the family if you don’t ask for help when needed?”

Hunter one arm hugged his dad. “Thanks, if you have time.”

“Always for you. I have everything you need in my workshop. I can come back tomorrow and sort it out. I also have paint that should match the rest of the walls.”

“But for the moment, lead us to breakfast and coffee,” his mum said.

* * *

Hunterand his parents were sat in the café, Hunter nursing a coffee and his parents eating breakfast. As soon as he sat down, he messaged Taha and said his dad was going to fix everything.

T: You should have phoned him yesterday, idiot. Taha messaged back.

Hunter didn’t bother to reply.

“How’s your young man?” his father asked.

Hunter smiled. He couldn’t help it when he thought of Gavin. “Gavin is perfect.”

“He must be. I’ve never seen that look on your face before,” his father said.

“I completely and utterly love him. I can see us getting married one day.” Sure, he and Gavin were mated, but he knew his parents wouldn’t understand that. A wedding they would.

His mother squealed happily and grabbed his hand. “Really? Oh, how exciting. I hope while we’re here, we can meet him.”

“Let me message him and arrange a time. He might be lost in work.”

“I brought his vampire game. I must say, it’s very good, but I’m stuck on level eleven,” his father said as Hunter sent his message.

Hunter laughed. “Yeah, that seems to get everyone. I’ve got a friend who’s stuck on that level, as well,” just as he finished talking, his phone pinged with a message. Hunter smiled when he saw it was from Gavin.

G: Yes to meeting your parents. Bring them to lunch. I’ll ask Annie and Thomaz to make something nice. Love you x

H: And I love you. Don’t work too hard x

“Gavin said come for lunch. He’s looking forward to meeting you both. You might get to meet some of Gavin’s family.”

“How exciting. Hopefully, we’ll see Taha and meet this Owen you mentioned,” his mum said.

“It’s new for the both of them. They took one look at each other and bam, cupid’s arrow struck.”

His parents smiled at each other. “That can happen.”

“I’ll message Ta now and see if he’s free.”

* * *

Gavin walkedinto the kitchen and saw Thomaz on the floor with Diablo, Bruno was lying beside them.

Gavin dropped to his knees, hugged Bruno and gave him belly rubs before he looked at Thomaz and smiled.

“Hey, Gavin. You can pet Diablo if you want.”

Gavin smiled at him and gently pet the puppy, who climbed onto his lap and tried to lick him. Gavin gave a silent laugh. He signed to Thomaz.

“Yes, he slept well. I worried that he might cry all night shut in his crate, but I think having Bruno with him helped keep him calm.”

Gavin stroked Bruno’s head before playing with the puppy”s ears, then looked at Thomaz and signed.

Thomaz looked confused for a moment before he smiled. “You want me to make a nice lunch as you’re meeting Hunter”s... something. Oh, parents!”

Gavin nodded.

“I can do that.”

Gavin moved the puppy out of the way so he could hug Thomaz.

Thomaz laughed and pulled back, looking at him. “You sleeping all right?”

Gavin nodded then signed, “I am, but Hunter isn’t.”

“Why isn’t Hunter sleeping well?”

Gavin signed again and gave a silent sigh. “He wants to be awake in case I have bad dreams.”

“It’s only because he cares, Gav. He’s bound to be worried about you having nightmares. Maybe tell him he doesn’t have to worry, that he scares the nightmares away.”

Gavin lifted the puppy and rubbed his cheek on the puppy”s head before he nodded. “Thank you,” he mouthed.

“I need to start thinking about lunch. Are you staying to play with the puppy, or are you working?”

Gavin handed Diablo over and signed that he was working.

“Okay, don’t work too hard and remember lunch.”