TuckerThe alarm on my phone wakes me up from one of the worst sleeps I've ever had. Any time Karsyn would move in my arms, I'd wake up to make sure she was alright. I want nothing more than to spend the entire day in bed with her, but unfortunately today is our monthly training with the K-9's. Seeing as how I'm the trainer, I kind of have to be there."Do you have to go?" I roll over so that I'm facing her. From the dark circles under her eyes, I can tell she slept about as well as I did. "Yeah, I have training today.""Thank you for staying with me last night."Her face dips down, and I slip my fingers under her chin to lift it back up. "Hey, I'm coming right back when training is over.""You don't have to.""I want to." I lean down, kissing her on the forehead. "I want to hear all about what you're going to have to do. Even though I've been in this profession for as long as I have, I honestly have no idea what any of this means for you. I want to be there, help you wi
Karsyn"I can't tell you how excited I am to have a night out with you two." Stelle claps her hands together as we grab a table at El Chico. "Same," Kels laughs. "I feel like I haven't been out for a night of fun in a long time, and Tucker offering to drive us home? So fucking sweet. It means I'm free to drink my weight in margaritas.""I think we're all pretty excited about that." I grin as our waiter comes over.Stelle takes the lead. "I'm gonna need a pitcher on the rocks, my good man. As well as some chips and queso. Keep it all coming. Mama's having a night out.""With pleasure, my friend," he laughs as he gets a good look at us."It's almost like he knows he's going to get an amazingly good tip." Stella looks around at us. "Like I'm prepared to give him a hundred bucks as long as I don't have to worry about anyone but myself.""Amen." Kelsea holds her hand up for a high-five. I look at the two of them, so thankful to be out together. It's been too long since the
Karsyn"Thanks for coming with me today." I get into Tucker's truck, smoothing my skirt down.I took a half-day at work, because I'm going to go meet with my new victim advocate. Smarter than I ever gave him credit for, Tucker's idea of looking through the LSERT got me an attorney who took my case as soon as she heard my problem. Today, I'm going to meet Shelby Bruce. "No problem." He reaches over, grabbing my hand with his. "You know I'll be with you every step of the way.""I know, but I'm still nervous." I worry with my hair, twirling a strand of it around my finger. "It's understandable. What are you most nervous about?"How do I explain to him that I think I'm going to have to relive what happened to me this time? "Telling my story. Previously, the people in Tennessee knew what happened. They remembered it vividly, I never truly had to tell the story. Here, I think most people aren't going to know, and I'll have to explain in great detail. Then what if they don't bel
TuckerNormally I don't attack my workouts with the ferociousness I'm attacking this one with today. Most of the guys I typically get in the department gym with will tell you I'm level. I jog at a consistent pace; I don't go fast then slow, I don't lift heavy then light. Always level-headed, always the median. That's me.Today though? Today all the fucking anger about what happened to Karsyn is coming out. I'm looking to completely exhaust my body, because I don't want to have another night of tossing and turning, trying to get what I learned happen to her out of my head. I'd thought I'd been prepared to hear, being the tough guy I am, seeing what I've seen. None of that prepared me for how I felt when I listened to what happened to her. As a cop, I can definitely separate myself from the victims I help every day. This situation taught me I can't separate myself from Karsyn."You may wanna slow it down," Ransom says as he starts on the treadmill next to me. "You're gonna stomp
KarsynFloored is an understatement, I never expected Tucker to give me a key to his house. Parking in his driveway, I feel a warmth in my heart I haven't felt in a long time. I'm trying to temper my expectations, but it's hard when Tucker keeps blowing them out of the water.My cell buzzes in the cup holder. Reaching over, I grab it out, smiling as I see a message from the man on my mind. T: The code to turn the alarm off is 6701.K: Thank you! I didn't even think about that.T: The last thing you need is the alarm company calling the cops because you're in a cop's house without the alarm code.K: True! Unless that means you're gonna be the one cuffing and strip searching me! ::wink:: Grabbing up all my stuff, I get out of the car, shutting the driver's side door with my hip. It's odd, turning this key and walking into his lair. It's like the culmination of a dream I knew I had, but didn't want to admit. For the first time, I allow myself to look around, to really g
Tucker"What the fuck is this meeting?" I have a seat next to Ransom.I was awoken by a phone call saying that every available officer in the area needed to report to the Laurel Springs PD for a mandatory meeting."No fuckin' idea," he yawns. "My ass was asleep, I didn't even brush my hair."Glancing up at him, I see that it's every which way, and Rambo is most definitely asleep at his feet. "Same." I grin. "Fuck you, dude, you don't even have to brush your hair.""I was still woken up, so don't bitch at me like I don't understand your plight."He rolls his eyes. "Do you have to use such big words?""Yes, yes I do."He flips me off, and right as I'm about to say something else to him, Mason steps in front of the group. "I'll be giving a briefing in just a few minutes, if everyone could start to settle down and find a seat."That's his way of letting everyone know we're being too loud and he wants us to shut the fuck up. I'm cracking my back as Nick and Caleb ent
Karsyn"Thank you again!" "You don't have to thank me," I remind Kelsea one more time. "It's really not that big of a deal. If you want to thank someone, thank Tucker for letting us use his house." I look back at Tucker who has the biggest smile on his face."Thank you, Tucker." She hugs him. "I appreciate it, so much.""No problem." He smiles wider, and I just know he's planning to do something. "Go, get home to your hubby." I push her toward the door. "Ella's asleep and D is playing with Major. Get out while you can.""We'll be back to pick them up." She worries her lip in between her teeth."I didn't think you'd just leave them here," Tucker deadpans. "I'm down to watch them for a few hours, but I'm too selfish to be a parent right now."Kelsea's smile disappears from her face. "Oh no, that's not what I meant.""He's joking, Kels. Go!"This time I do push her out of the door, locking it when I finally get her past the threshold. "What are you doing?" I look at
Tucker"Come out with your hands up." I hold Major tightly in my grip. "If you don't, I'm sending in the dog and you will get bit."Caleb stands beside me, his gun trained on the car we've chased through half of Laurel County. They wrecked out, and none of us can see in the car, all we can see is a little movement, and it doesn't sit well with any of us. There could be a gun in there, and we can't see it. "Do it one more time," he advises me."Driver! Come out with your hands up. If you don't I'm sending in the dog and you will get bit."Major barks loudly, sounding ferocious even to me. That turns out to be the thing that makes the driver speak up."I'm coming out!" he yells. We all watch on high alert as he shimmies his way out of the wreckage. "Can you stand up?" Caleb questions."Yes, give me just a minute."Once the driver stands up, Caleb calls out directions to him. "Face away from us with your hands up. Take three steps back and go down to your knees."