Page 27 of The Vampire and the Barista

CHAPTER 9

Hunter led Gavin into their room, and as soon as the door closed, he pulled Gavin into his arms.

Gavin wrapped his arms around Hunter and rested his cheek on Hunter's shoulder, crying silent tears. He had been doing well, not thinking about killing the witch, but hearing Dave talking about ripping throats out, triggered the memory. Now all Gavin could see was the dead witch whose throat he had ripped out, blood everywhere.

Hunter stood there, holding Gavin. Not rushing him, not making him talk, just letting him cry. In all honesty, Hunter was surprised Gavin hadn’t had more crying outbursts. He wondered what triggered it. He kissed the side of Gavin’s head. “I’ve got you, sweetheart. I’ll always have you.”

Finally, Gavin stopped crying and pulled away, looking at the wet patch on Hunter's top. He wiped his face and then signed.

“Sweetheart, I don’t care that my top’s wet. Let’s go and sit down,” he said, taking Gavin’s hand and leading him to the sofa. He sat and pulled Gavin onto his lap, so he was sitting astride him. Hunter used his thumbs to wipe away more of Gavin’s tears.

“Sorry,” Gavin signed.

“There is nothing to apologise for. Thankfully, I was closer to home than the studio, so I turned around and floored it back to you.”

Gavin looked at Hunter and tilted his head.

“Dave texted me,” he said softly.

“You’re missing work,” Gavin signed.

“Sweetheart, that doesn’t matter. You matter, you needed me, and here I am.”

Gavin leant forward and kissed Hunter, sighing into the kiss. Being here with Hunter and kissing him was just what he needed.

“I’m such an idiot,” Dave said, flopping down onto an empty chair, Bruno leaning against him.

“No, you’re not, Dave, plus you texted Hunter for him,” AJ said softly.

“I didn’t think when I spoke,” Dave looked at Jamie. “Gavin had to kill someone the other day to save his and a friend’s life.”

“But he seems so gentle,” Jamie remarked.

“He is,” Seth said. “Gavin doesn’t have a mean bone in his body. Killing someone hit him hard, hence he’s still suffering.”

“Is there anything me or we can do to help him?” Jamie asked.

Ivan picked his hand up and kissed it.

“You fit right in,” Louise said, smiling at him.

“We had a kill party for him, but I’ll make him his favourite biscuits,” Thomaz said, standing up and walking over to the cupboards and starting to pull equipment and the ingredients out.

“Jamie, I know Ivan has important work to do today. Come with me, I want to show you something,” Dave said, handing Diablo to Charlotte.

Jamie looked at Ivan. “You probably need to catch up on the time you missed yesterday because of me, sorry.”

Ivan shook his head. “It’s fine, honestly. When you’ve finished with Dave, he’ll show you to my office. I can drive you to work later.”

“Are you sure? I can take a taxi.”

“I’m sure.”

Jamie smiled at him. “Thanks.”

“Come on, Jamie, Seth needs to update the others on everything.”

Jamie stood up and collected his and Ivan’s plates and cups.