Beautiful Creatures Series

Chapter 69: 7

The following weeks were quiet. Tyler’s father had come in to do the scheduled tasting to decide on which cake to have made for their calibration. Tyler had not come with them to the tasting, and she found herself wanting to ask about him and how he was healing, but she knew it was better if she didn’t. Cutting all ties with Tyler was best, and as soon as she concluded, her dealings with his father would bring an end to all her connections to the sinfully good-looking Detective. The celebration was in two days, and she and Katelyn were working hard to finish the order.

The bell from the shop door rang, alerting them to a customer. Aster was deep into frosting the tears, and she didn’t have the time to deal with a customer. Katelyn hoped off the tall stool she sat on while doing her work. Because she was so very pregnant, it was too hard for her to stand all day. Katelyn had been working on modelling chocolate figures for the topper. “I got it.” She said, waddling off to the front of the shop. Aster snickered as she watched it. She found it hilarious how much pregnant women in their third trimester resembled penguins.

It wasn’t long before Katelyn came waddling back in. “They want to talk to you.”

Aster groaned. She was busy enough. She hated being interrupted when she was in a productive groove. Aster put down her tools and wiped her hands, then she brushed a stray lock of golden hair out of her eyes and went out front. Aster stopped in the doorway when she saw Tyler on the other side of the counter. Their eyes met, and he smiled at her.

Aster came to the counter, assuming he must be there about his father’s order. “Is there a problem with the order?” She asked, wondering why he would come here.

“None that I know of.” He said. “You look good.”

“Thank you.”

“You look like you are recovering.”

“I get the stitches out tomorrow.”

“Why are you here, Tyler?”

“Well, my dad’s wedding is in two days, and I need a date. I was hoping you might be interested in dusting off your dancing shoes.”

“Are you insane?” It just slipped out. Did this man have a death wish? “What the hell is wrong with you? Is there a medical diagnosis for what is wrong with you?”

Tyler stepped back, shocked. “Not exactly the response I was looking for.”

“I almost killed you. You will forever be maimed because of me. Why in the world would you want to date me? I am a danger to you. The next time it happens, I might kill you.”

“You didn’t do it on purpose. I know that.”

“It doesn’t matter. On purpose or not, dead is dead.”

“Ok, how about this? We go out on our date, and I promise to carry my taser. If you get uppity, I’ll zap you again.”

“It’s dangerous, Tyler.”

“Aster, look at me. I’m a cop. I do danger every day. Every time I strap this gun to my hip and hang that badge from my neck, I know that when I walk out my door, I might die. Death doesn’t scare me. Not living my life to the fullest while I have it, that scares me. So when you drop the cake off on Saturday, make sure you are in a nice dress and shoes you can dance in.” He smiled.

“You are really stubborn.”

“Yes, I am.” He grinned as he walked out of the shop. Aster knew it was a bad idea, but she smiled anyway, excited about the date she couldn’t get out of.

***

broke Aster’s heart to see her father in chains when all he was doing had been trying to protect his lover and unborn child. Once in the room, the inmates were lined up against a wall, and each

a badass, and it was clear that he had been flexing his power intimidating the other inmates into behaving around him. There was no question to anyone in the room. Gordon ruled prison, and everyone in that room knew it.

as people diverted their eyes too timid to make eye contact with him. As her father reached the table, Aster stood up and hugged him hello. “Hello baby,” he greeted

see you have been making friends again.” She teased

got to bite to keep the omegas

makes you think

my cub. I always know when

been so abusive, and even though her father was stronger than her mother. Gordon did not believe in hitting women even if they hit first. That led to many years of abuse. The day her father

know what to do, Daddy.” She said, trying

He asked

knew she only did that when something was seriously bothering her. “I’ve had horrible dreams about mom.” She cleared her throat, trying not to sound choked up about it. “When I wake up, I find that I’ve hurt someone while I was

happening to you is her fault. Good mothers do not traumatize their cubs.” Then he sighed. “I must bear some blame for this too. I should have put a stop to the abuse long before I did. It wasn’t right for you to see that, to be forced to live that way. I am

man who wants to take me

She

bit him, and a clawed open his chest.” She

Tyler needed to

never given her any

not to expose us, and I trust your judgment.” He held her hands once more. “I love you, baby, and I promise the nightmares will end. I know things are hard right now with me in here. But it

You could rip the cell door off with little effort. You could

“To protect the pack.”

being in prison protect the

for me. Bounty hunters, state troopers, the full weight of the Colorado justice department would come down on Feral and put everyone at risk. To protect the pack, I do my time. It’s only five years.” Then he smiled. “After twenty-five years with your mother, five years with love-starved murders is a holiday.” Aster laughed. “So, are you going to

He invited me to go with him.

know

I have them

really

“I do.”

in

put up with a lot and

For her father to suggest she not only tell their family shame but to a human was so uncharacteristic for him. “Sometimes, you

to remove the boot, but Aster didn’t need him. She simply removed the booted tire and replaced it with a new one. Aster was mechanically inclined. Her father

She had left her valuables in the car because she knew the guards would have just taken them from her anyway had she brought them in with her. She held her phone in

She decided to call.

***

because of the screaming coming from his house. The neighbour had made the mistake of standing on his porch when the cops came to this man’s door. When the Uniform tried to deal with the complaint. Dennis took off after his neighbour. This guy took

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