is lit up. “The only thing that matters is protecting Ian.” I turn to Shane. “If I do end up incarcerated, you’ve got to promise me Ian will be protected. If I’m locked up, there will be nothing to stop Turner from getting to him.”
Shane frowns. “He’s still harassing Ian?”
“Yes. That sadistic bastard is pressuring him for sex.”
“You won’t need to worry about Ian’s safety,” Shane says. “I guarantee it.”
* * *
When we wrap up our discussion, Troy returns to his own apartment in this same building, just two floors down. Shane and I join the rest of the family in the great room.
The lights have been dimmed. Beth is asleep on the sofa, her feet in Sam’s lap. Cooper’s in the kitchen. Ian is seated on the other sofa with Luke asleep on his chest.
At the sight of Ian holding a sleeping baby, my chest tightens. It floors me to think that one day we might have a child.
Ian smiles as he waves me over. “He likes me,” he whispers as I sit beside him. Ian pats Luke’s diapered bottom. “I changed him earlier. He had quite a blowout.”
I lay my arm across the back of the sofa and run my fingers through Ian’s hair. He shivers visibly and leans closer.
I never in my life contemplated having kids of my own—it just never seemed in the cards for me. I figured I’d have to settle for being an uncle to my sister’s kids. Having Ian in my life opens up new possibilities—marriage, kids. Ian would be a wonderful father. He’s loving, nurturing… he’d be amazing.
But all of that will have to be put on hold because I don’t know what the future brings for us, or if I’ll even be at liberty to have a future with him.
“Tyler, can I get you a drink?”
I glance behind me to see Shane standing at the bar, pouring a shot of whiskey. I leave Ian to his baby-cuddling and join my brother-in-law.
“What can I get you?” he asks.
“Beer would be great.”
Shane reaches into a fridge beneath the bar counter, pulls out a cold bottle, pops the cap, and hands it to me.
“Thanks,” I say before I take a long swig.
He takes a sip of his whiskey, then sets his glass down. “You know, if things go bad at the precinct, you can always come work for me.”
Shaking my head, I laugh quietly. “I appreciate the offer, Shane, but I don’t think being a bodyguard is in my future.” Then I glance back over at Ian and smile. “Unless I’m his bodyguard.”
Shane nods. “No problem. I just wanted you to know you have options.”
* * *
That night in bed, Ian rests his head on my chest and wraps his arm around my waist. “Beth asked me if I’ve ever thought about having kids.”
It sounds like a casual question, but I suspect it’s not. It looks like I’m not the only one with babies on the brain. “What’d you say?”
“I told her sure, I love kids.” He draws a pattern on my chest with his index finger. “What about you?” he asks.
I stroke his arm lightly, contemplating how to answer his question. I guess honesty is the best policy. “I’ve been single my entire adult life, so I never gave it much thought.”
“If you weren’t single, how would you feel?”
Right now, I’m finding it hard to think past tomorrow, let alone think about the future. I know what Ian’s getting at, and I know how I want to answer him.
If you were in my life, yes. I’d want kids with you.
But I don’t want to make him a promise I might not be able to keep. I also don’t want to hurt him.
In the end, I tell him the truth. “I’d love to have kids with you.”
“That’s what I said.” He burrows closer. “I told Beth you’d be a great dad.”
Chapter 16
Tyler Jamison
Monday morning, after I dress for work, I stand beside our bed and gaze down at Ian, who’s sound asleep in his usual position… on his belly, hugging his pillow. For a moment, I allow myself to simply watch him and fight the desire to undress and crawl back into bed. I could call in sick… but no. Addison Jenkins deserves better. She and the other cases I’m working on deserve all the attention I can give them.
Resisting temptation, I lean down and kiss the nape of his neck. “Bye, baby. Have a good day.”
I hate waking him this early, but I