Page 63 of The Vampire and the Tattooist (The Vampire and Series Book 4)

“You really think other leaders are involved with this underground organisation?” Stole asked.

The meeting had broken up after the assassination attempt. Some delegates opted to stay in the meeting room, others returned to their office.

Stole had walked down to join them, to their surprise, Donald at his side.

“We honestly don’t know. But we have all the information that we are slowly working through. We’ve stopped the last lot of kidnapped paranormal children from being shipped out of the country.”

“Child trafficking?” Donald said with a growl. “Bad business. What can I do to help?”

Troy snorted and Donald glared at him. “Do you have something to say, Troy, don’t think I haven’t noticed you standing with everyone.”

Troy laughed. “It’s not as if you could miss me, is it Donny boy? These happen to be my friends, and I always help my friends.”

“But what about family?” Donald practically demanded.

“Please, short of a DNA test, I can still believe we’re not related,” Troy shot out. “I refuse to have such a sourpuss in the family.”

“I thought you were a loner,” Sean said, grinning at him.

“I am. I have family scattered around, but...” He waved his hand in Donald’s direction.

“I’m so messaging Ian and Dave later,” Sean stage whispered.

Gabe snorted out a laugh. “Is there somewhere we can get food and then we can tell you both everything?”

“We can eat in the restaurant. We have two here, one just for the principal members and guests and one for the office workers.” Donald said.

“Wow, elitist much?” Kayden commented.

“Maybe, but for the moment it will work in our favour as it means we have somewhere secure we can sit and talk,” Bert said.

Gabe looked at the general. “Hopefully you’re eating with us, as well. We would value your input.”

The general nodded. “I will do, thank you.”

Donald looked at the general, huffed, and walked off.

“He’s an arse most of the time and more than one of us have wanted to punch him in the face, but his offer to help is genuine,” Stole told them, shaking his head. He looked at Stefan. “You’re right, for too long we have all worked independently and for our own good. We need to change.”

“Then lead the way to food,” Gabriel said.

* * *

Hunter,Taha, and Gavin walked into Area 51 the next morning, all carrying boxes containing the new equipment Gavin had brought him.

“Thanks for your help, Taha,” Hunter said as his friend put the boxes down on his new worktop.

“No problem. I’ll let you two sort all this out. I don’t have any clients today, so I can catch up on everything I’ve been putting off.”

“Good luck,” Hunter said to him.

“Thanks,” he replied, walking out of the room.

Gavin looked at Hunter.

“We have paperwork we need to keep up together, accounts to input onto our business spreadsheet, stock taking, deep cleaning, getting designs ready for clients, stuff like that,” Hunter told him, opening a box.

They spent about twenty minutes unpacking everything, putting things away, and setting up other things.

“Perfect,” Hunter said when they had finished. “Now I need to sterilise this room and get it ready so I can do your tattoo. Do you mind sitting in the kitchen for a bit?”

Gavin shook his head.

“Or you can come and see my room,” Luke said from the doorway. “I have a couple of hours until my first client. Or we can go and get some cakes and then I’ll show you my room when we get back.”

Gavin nodded.

“Have fun, you two,” Hunter said to them, pulling Gavin into his arms and kissing him.

“All right, break it up, you two,” Luke said, laughing at them.

Gavin gave a silent laugh against Hunter’s lips before pulling away.

Luke walked in and grabbed Gavin’s arm. “Yes, I’m dragging you off before you two can start kissing again.”

Hunter boomed out a laugh and Gavin gave a silent laugh and let Luke pull him out of the room.

With Gavin gone, Hunter sterilised his room and then prepared it for tattooing Gavin.

Hunter walked towards the kitchen, tying his hair up as he went.

He saw Gavin sitting with Taha and Luke, eating cake and laughing.

“I hope you brought me a cake,” Hunter said.

Gavin looked up and grinned at Hunter. He gave a silent sigh. Hunter was gorgeous and all his. How had he gotten so lucky?

“Well, that’s a look of love if ever I saw one,” Luke commented, looking at Gavin.

Gavin nodded and made a heart with his hands.

“We love each other, what can I say?” Hunter said. “Ready for your tattoo?”

Gavin nodded and jumped up, grinning widely.

“We’ll see you in a few hours,” Hunter said to Luke and Taha and walked out of the kitchen with Gavin.

Gavin got settled as Hunter washed his hands and put his gloves on.

“So, I have the stencil ready. You still want this design?”

Gavin nodded, grinning.

Hunter suddenly looked uncertain. “Sweetheart, am I going to have an issue with your vampire side when I start working?”

Gavin thought for a moment and shook his head. He could keep his vampiric side under control. He loved Hunter with every fibre of his being, so there was no way his vampire side would hurt Hunter.

“Good, then let’s get this party started.”

* * *

Hours later,Hunter gave a final wipe. “There, sweetheart, want to see?”

Gavin nodded.

Hunter passed the hand mirror to him, and Gavin got his first look.

He gave a silent gasp. It was even more perfect than the picture. He put the mirror down. “It’s perfect,” he signed.

“It really is,” Hunter said. “Just like you.” He rolled forward and kissed Gavin. “Love you,” he said, pulling back.

“Love you,” Gavin mouthed back. How lucky was he, a vampire, with his very own tattooist?

The End