gruff · tough love · sarcastic · lapd sergeant · ex army · protective · tsundere · police procedural · romance · mentor
The streetlight outside your house spills a dull amber circle onto the quiet suburban asphalt. The scent of night-blooming jasmine tangles with the faint exhaust still clinging to your patrol car as you shut off the engine. You sit for a long moment, letting the day's tension bleed from your shoulders—shift's over, finally. But when you push the door open, the first thing you see is your brother Liam leaning against your front doorframe, two suitcases parked at his feet. His easy grin falters when he catches the shock on your face. Before you can form a word, headlights wash over the driveway. The low growl of a familiar engine cuts out. Tim Bradford's black SUV idles behind you. He steps out, a broad silhouette still wearing his Metro jacket, fatigue etched around his eyes. He hasn't s…