96: Crime and Punishment - Pt. 3

“Shelly, thank you for coming in,” Victoria said, placing a bottle of water on the coffee table in front of her before sitting next to her. Mike took a seat across from them both and Derrick leaned against the bookshelf in the back of the room, observing the discussion.

“Of course. Will was a close friend, even though we were exes. I wanna help you find who did this to him,” she said, cozying onto the couch in the lounge.

“We understand you and Shawn are currently seeing each other?” Mike asked.

“That’s correct.”

“How did your evening start?”

“At work; like always. I’m a medical resident at the local hospital. I’ve been putting in countless hours trying to prove myself to the hard ass attending I have. After work, I went home, showered and got to Ryan’s place at 8:30.”

Continue Reading: "96: Crime and Punishment - Pt. 3"

93: Never After – Pt. 3

“Chaos demons are some of the toughest supernatural beings to vanquish,” Derrick said, realizing they were in for a difficult battle.

“That’s great to hear, Derrick, for a minute there, I thought you were going to say we were doomed,” Victoria joked. “How do you propose we fight a demon that feeds off magic?”

“And therein lies the crux,” Derrick replied.

“Kron has been consuming the life forces of our residents. He has made it nearly impossible to sustain any kind of living without the constant threat of war. Our combined magics have not been able to drive him out and at this point, he’s become immune to our spells and enchantments. But you, you’re not of this world. We are hoping, desperately, that somehow your magic can defeat him,” Callon said.

“I don’t know how successful I’ll be, Callon, but I’m willing to try. Where can we find him?”

“He’s taken up residence near Serenity Falls. It’s the large waterfall near the center of Niellon.”

Continue Reading: "93: Never After – Pt. 3"

92: Never After – Pt. 2

“Where are we?” Aria asked, taking a step closer toward Mike. He wrapped an arm around her waist as she looked at their surroundings. “Are we stranded on a deserted island?”

“Aria,” Mike sighed, “There’s something I need to tell you and you may find it a little hard to believe.” He glanced over at Victoria and she nodded. It was something she needed to hear because whatever awaited them in that jungle was certainly of mystical origins. “Magic is real.”

“What do you mean?”

“Fairytales, folklore, myths all of it; it’s real. Witches, vampires, even leprechauns, all of it is real.”

“Mike, are you concussed? What are you talking about?”

“Show her,” Mike said, looking again at his partner.

Continue Reading: "92: Never After – Pt. 2"

91: Never After – Pt. 1

“Hurry up or we’re going to miss our flight! We still have to pick up Mike and Aria before heading to the airport.” Derrick said, rushing Victoria to the car. They were on their way to a couples’ retreat. Five days of sun, fun and relaxation in a tropical setting courtesy of Derrick. He wanted to do something nice for Victoria and treat her to a lovely vacation. But when she’d mentioned the package to Mike, it piqued his interest as well. And being the nice guy he was, Derrick splurged and purchased an additional getaway for Mike and Aria.

“I’m coming, I’m coming!” she sighed, dragging a large suitcase behind her. Derrick grabbed it from her as if it weighed nothing and tossed it into the trunk with the others.

“Got everything?” he asked, taking one last look at the house.

Continue Reading: "91: Never After – Pt. 1"

78: To the Victor Go the Spoils – Pt. 3

“Next up, for the ladies, we have a fine specimen of male prowess, Derrick Constantine.” Derrick stepped out onto the stage, smiling at the throng of women who immediately stormed the front of the room, clamoring near the podium as the barker continued. “Derrick is a local club owner with deep ties to the community and a poker player despite his better judgment. He enjoys fine dining, fast rides on his motorcycle, and quiet evenings at home reading in front of his fireplace with someone special. He’s a learned cook, a skilled masseuse and knows…” the barker cleared his throat and looked over at Derrick hesitantly before continuing. “Knows how to make a woman’s toes curl!” The audience laughed and Derrick gazed down, briefly locking eyes with Victoria before stepping up onto the platform to begin the auction. “Bidding will start at $50.00.”

“$500.00,” an eager blonde near stage left quickly replied, salaciously flaunting her heavy chest in front of her and giving Derrick a peek down her dress. He gave her a slow wink and she tipped the drink in her hand at him.

“I have $500, do I hear $550?”

Continue Reading: "78: To the Victor Go the Spoils – Pt. 3"

76: To the Victor Goes the Spoils – Pt. 1

“UGH!” Victoria growled, frantically tearing through her closet for a dress to wear to tonight’s gala, a date auction to help raise money for the Injured Officers’ Fund for the Avondale police department. It was one of many ideas Mike had to give back to those the city ignored and treated as less than for injuries sustained while on the job. He’d witnessed it firsthand with his own line-of-duty shooting and wanted to do something to help. Mike landed on a bachelor auction thanks to Aria’s helpful suggestions and he’d reeled in Victoria for help. With any luck, they were hoping to make it a success. Maybe the red one, Derrick loves red. No wait, maybe that’s bad, he said it makes him hungry. Or was that a joke? “What the hell is wrong with me? I’ve never had a problem picking an outfit before! It’s just Derrick!”

The doorbell rang as she tried on the third dress of the evening. “Come in,” she shouted. Derrick strolled in looking like sex on legs and she immediately locked herself inside her room. “Shit! He looks really good.” She growled in frustration looking down at her dress before rushing again to the closet.

“Victoria?”

“I’m upstairs. I’ll be down in a minute. I just have to find…something,” she quickly shimmied out of the gown and tossed it to the floor with the others that came before. “Red it is,” she sighed and hurriedly pulled on a long, sleeveless, red silk gown with jeweled embellishing.

Continue Reading: "76: To the Victor Goes the Spoils – Pt. 1"

62: At the Center of it All – Pt. 3

“I have to say, I was surprised when you called. The last time we actually got together was just before Mike and I moved in together,” Aria said, leaning forward in her seat. She and Victoria had met up at the small café on Brunswick for lunch.  

“I know and I’m sorry. Work is one blurred night into an unconscious morning. I barely have time for a moment to myself.”

“You’re not the only one. This job keeps me away for long periods of time now. I’m surprised Mike is so ok with it. Although when I get back, he shows me just how much I was missed,” she added with a smile before taking another sip of her mimosa.

Continue Reading: "62: At the Center of it All – Pt. 3"

38: Truth and Consequence – Pt. 2

“What the hell are you doing here?” Cole growled as he opened his front door to find Derrick standing in the hallway. “Get lost before I stake you.”

Derrick smiled sinisterly and inched closer towards the threshold causing Cole to take one step back from the door. “Been reading up have we? Preparing for a war Cole? Because trust me when I say I’m decidedly better armed for whatever it is you think you can do to me but I didn’t come here looking for a fight. I came on Victoria’s behalf; she needs you.” 

Continue Reading: "38: Truth and Consequence – Pt. 2"