Beautiful Creatures Series

Tyler walked through the station as he escorted one of the drug dealers he and his coworkers had taken down. There had been a big bust tonight, and Tyler had been one of the lucky few to back up the narco division. Once his charge was in processing, Tyler headed for the armoury to remove his bullet-proof vest and other body armour. As he reached the stairs, he came across beet cop Kerklin. He knew him. They often worked the same shifts. But where Tyler was a detective Kerklin was a uniform.

“Winthrop,” Kerklin called to him as they both walked in the same direction. “A minute of your time?”

“What’s up?” Tyler asked.

“You know that woman you bailed out last night?”

“Yeah.”

“I arrested her again tonight. She was really drunk and driving five miles an hour the wrong way down a one-way street. She’s in holding right now. I just thought you might want to know.” Kerklin said, walking away.

“God damn it,” Tyler growled and turned around, heading for the elevator. He would have to remove his armour later. Right now, he had to get Aster out of that cell.

He took the elevator down to the holding cells. He made his way through the red tape and paperwork. With that aside, he accepted the key from the guard and walked down the narrow hall to the holding cell that held six women and Aster, every one of them impaired.

She turned her head and smiled at him. “Tyler.” She laughed.

“We have got to stop meeting like this.”

Aster got up from her bench and sauntered over to him, draping her arms through the bars as she pressed her forehead to the bars and looked him over. “You are looking good all dolled up in body armour. I would like to tear right through it.”

“Clearly, you have been drinking again. Is this a habit of yours?”

“It’s not my fault Sven the Wonder Cop has been following me around.”

“Sven? Officer Kerklin says you were driving slow as shit the wrong way down a one way. What are you doing behind the wheel drunk again?”

“Do you have any idea how much a taxi costs from here to Feral?”

Tyler rolled his eyes and unlocked the cell. “Come on. I am taking you home.”

“Are you not going to take the body armour off?” She laughed as he relocked the cell.

Tyler put his arm around her to help keep her upright as they walked. “Well, you are a bit unpredictable, and I might need it.” As they passed the jailer, Tyler tossed the keys to him, and he walked Aster out to his car and put her in the back seat. She laid down and passed right out. Tyler moved her body, so her legs were inside before closing the door.

Tyler made the long drive to take Aster home. Driving people home was a thing they sometimes did, so he could still say he was on the job. Though if his superiors found out, he knew Aster, they might question this trip and chastise him. It was a long drive, and it was the dead of night when he reached Aster’s house.

He got out and opened the back door. Tyler was leery about trying to get her out. The last time he had woken her, Aster had taken a chunk clean out of him. Tyler inched closer and cautiously tapped her knee, then pulled back quickly. She did not move. He leaned in close once more and poked her, then jumped back. Still no movement. Ok, she was out of it. Tyler took a few quick breaths trying to work up the nerve he needed to get her out of his car. Tyler leaned in and pulled Aster out of the backseat, and hoisted her up over his shoulder.

Tyler carried Aster to the door and removed her house key from his pocket. He had gotten it when he paid her bail. He went inside and shut the door tossing the keys on the table near the door. Tyler walked her down the hall to the bedroom, and he laid her down carefully.

night, Tyler hopped back into his car and headed back into town. He still had four more hours

***

her head as she clenched her teeth. It was so loud. She rolled over, willing the person at her door to go away. Unfortunately, the bell kept ringing. Aster hauled herself out of bed and staggered through the house to the door. Opening the door, she came face to face with Tyler, who had a to-go tray of coffee and a brown paper bag from a fast food joint in Aspen. He held up both. “Egg and bacon burritos,” he paused,

and he still had his badge hanging from a silver chain around his neck. “What are you doing

sure you didn’t choke on your own vomit during the night.” He said, taking a seat on her couch as she sat cross-legged

face. “Please

for the second night in a row. I bailed you out and took you

you

bite one of the other detainees.” He said, pushing up the sleeve of his jacket and shirt to show her the large bandage still wrapping his

She said, offering him one

tank. I suggest you deal with whatever it is you are trying to drown.” She

out drag you from

I work swing shifts. One week of nights. One week of days. Back to nights. It is exhausting, but you

just

That left me ten minutes to pick up food and forty to

He just shrugged. “Do you work the night shift

“Straight through until Friday.”

you be

her playfully. “Now that’s the best offer I have had all

what I

just wanted

instead of just making a phone call, you drove forty minutes out of your way, knowing you would

“Calls are so impersonal.”

an

said, yawning. “Besides, I always find the things are always more beautiful the things that are unusual.” Aster blushed; she knew he was talking about her. Tyler groaned as he stood up. “I should get going. My bed is calling me. I need at least a few hours

tired. Why don’t you go and catch some Z’s in my bed, and I will bum a ride to work from one of my

have a better idea. Why don’t I catch some Z’s in your bed, and while I sleep, you take my car to work and bring it back? I should be

let me take your

long as you don’t drink to or

offered them to her. “You know where

***

to decorate. Katelyn had spent a week handmaking all the little décor, and once they put the fondant on, they

Katelyn said as she put the finishing touches

“Impounded.”

driving

Tyler says I will go to jail

Aster. “Tyler? As in