Somebody to Hold (Tyler Jamison #2) - April Wilson Page 0,50

at a misdemeanor. You can plead guilty to a misdemeanor, and I can probably get you probation. Worst-case scenario, you’d spend a week in the Cook County jail, ten days at most. We can all live with that, can’t we?”

My heart stutters at the solution Troy is presenting. Yes, I can live with a week behind bars. Even Ian could survive that. It’s almost too good to be true. “Do you think she’ll go for it?”

He nods. “I do. You’re not a criminal, Tyler, and she knows it. You’re just a guy who was protecting someone he loves. It would be different if you had a history of abusive conduct as a police officer, but you don’t. Your reputation is solid.”

I glance at Shane, whose expression is perfectly neutral as he listens and observes. He doesn’t fool me, though. I know he has an opinion on the subject. “What do you think, Shane?”

Shane crosses his arms over his chest. “My primary concern is how this affects Beth. Any option that keeps you out of prison is a win as far as I’m concerned.”

“Then it’s settled,” Troy says. “You’ll plead not guilty today. That will give me time to negotiate a plea deal.”

* * *

That afternoon, Troy returns to give me a ride to the courthouse. Just as he said, the hearing is brief. In front of a judge, I acknowledge the charge: aggravated battery. And I plead not guilty. I’m trusting that Troy will be able to get me that plea deal, and then I’ll change my plea to guilty.

Just as Troy predicted, it’s all very by-the-book, and we’re out of there in fifteen minutes.

“I’ll talk to Lydia about making a deal,” Troy says once we’re back in his car. “If she goes for it, you’ll be facing a misdemeanor.”

I nod. But I’m not going to let myself get too excited that this will work. “If she doesn’t go for it, I’m still changing my plea to guilty.”

Troy frowns. “That’s one hell of a gamble, Tyler. If you’re found guilty of a felony, you’re going to serve time in prison. As your counsel, I can’t in good conscience advise you to—”

“Let’s just hope she agrees, then,” I say.

Sighing, Troy leaves it at that.

When he drops me off at the townhouse, I thank him as I get out of his car. “I appreciate everything you’re doing.”

He nods. “My pleasure. As soon as I get back to my office, I’ll e-mail Lydia to see what we can come up with. In the meantime, sit tight and try to relax. We’ve got this, trust me.”

“That’s what I keep telling Ian.”

* * *

When I let myself into the townhouse, I expect Ian to greet me at the door like he usually does, but there’s no sign of him. “Ian?”

There’s no response.

I race up the stairs to check our bedroom, but he’s not there. I go up to the roof and downstairs to the fitness room in the lower level.

My heart is pounding as I step out onto the back patio. “Ian!”

“I’m here,” he calls back.

I find him seated on a swinging bench in the backyard. “Hey,” I say as I join him. “You okay?”

He nods. “How’d it go?”

“I plead not guilty.”

Ian closes his eyes and sucks in a deep breath.

“Troy’s going to contact the assistant DA and see if we can get a plea deal that will lower the charge.”

Staring straight ahead, Ian nods.

I reach for his hand and link our fingers together. “I know you’re scared, but everything’s going to be okay, I promise.” I’m actually starting to believe it myself. “Troy knows what he’s doing.”

Chapter 19

Ian Alexander

I’ve been a wreck all day, trying to stay busy around the house and not hover over Tyler. Since he’s stuck at home under house arrest, I don’t want to leave the house either. I don’t want to leave him. But I’m on edge. I have been all day. I can’t throw off this sense of impending doom. I know he has faith that Troy Spencer will somehow orchestrate a miracle with the DA’s office, but I’m not so optimistic. There’s too much at stake here, and something could easily go wrong.

I’m in the kitchen washing out the coffee pot when Tyler appears in the open doorway and watches me with a pained expression. He’s more worried about me than he is about himself.

I shut off the water and set the pot on the drying rack. “I can’t bear the thought of you behind bars.” My