Somebody to Hold (Tyler Jamison #2) - April Wilson Page 0,75

that.”

I link my fingers with his. “I’ll hate sleeping without you.”

He presses his lips to my bare shoulder. “I know, baby. Me too. Sam and Beth will keep you so busy you won’t even notice I’m gone.”

“I don’t believe that for a second.” There’s nothing on this earth that could distract me from the knowledge that Tyler is behind bars.

Chapter 28

Ian Alexander

Tyler leaves early in the morning to meet with Troy, so they can strategize before their court appearance. Beth and Sam, along with Tyler’s mom, Ingrid, are supposed to come by the townhouse to pick me up on their way to the courthouse. Nothing could keep us from being there for him.

There’s a knock on the door at noon, and I answer it to find Sam standing there on the stoop, dressed in jeans and a white button-down shirt, along with a black leather jacket.

“Is there a rulebook that says all bodyguards have to wear black leather jackets?” I ask him. “You wear one. So do Miguel and Jason.”

Sam laughs as he opens his jacket to reveal his holster. “They’re essential for concealing handguns.” He winks at me. “Plus, we look cool.”

“Are you even allowed to bring that into the courthouse?”

“No. It’ll have to stay in the Escalade with Joe. You ready? The ladies are waiting for us. Cooper and Shane will meet us there.”

I lock up the townhouse and follow Sam out to the Escalade. He opens the rear passenger door, and I climb up into the backseat to sit beside Ingrid, who’s in the middle, with Beth on her other side. Sam takes the front passenger seat.

“Mr. Alexander,” Joe Rucker says, in a deep, deep voice. He turns to me and nods. “Good to see you again.”

“Ian, please,” I tell him. “And thanks. It’s good to see you too.”

“Hello, ladies,” I say, smiling at Ingrid and then leaning forward to address Beth.

Beth is wearing a light blue maternity dress beneath a white cotton sweater and flat sandals. Her long blonde hair is plaited in a single braid, and she looks stunning. Maternity glow must be a real thing because she has it in spades.

Ingrid is wearing a cream-colored pantsuit, her silver-blonde hair twisted up into a neat chignon. “Hello, sweetheart,” she says as she takes my hand. “How are you holding up?”

I squeeze her hand, careful not to crush her slender fingers. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”

She gives me a sad smile. “It’s not every day a mother’s son is convicted of a crime and sentenced to jail, but I know in my heart that Tyler did the right thing.” She releases my hand so she can cup my cheek. “He was protecting you, dear boy, and I wouldn’t expect any less of him. When Tyler loves, he gives his all.”

My heart swells with emotion, and I find myself blinking back tears. I sniff. “We’re not even there yet and already I’m on the verge of tears.”

“It’s all right,” Ingrid says. “I know I’ll cry.” She opens her matching cream handbag and pulls out a pair of dark sunglasses. “I’m ready.”

Sam turns to face the three of us in the backseat. “No doubt this is going to be rough.” He reaches back and pats Ingrid’s knee. “It’s going to be all right, mama. Tyler’s tough as nails.”

Joe drives us to the Cook County Courthouse, a massive stone building with soaring pillars in front. As we pull up to the front entrance, Sam stows his handgun in a lockbox in the center console between the two front seats. Then he hops out and opens the rear passenger door for us.

I slide out, then I give Ingrid a hand, and lastly, Beth. Beth reaches into her purse and pulls out a pair of dark sunglasses, which she slips on. Sam’s wearing shades as well.

“Great,” I say. “I’ll be the only one with red, teary eyes.”

Sam puts his arm across my shoulders. “You can borrow mine if you need them.”

Sam leads us inside the building, and we file through security, stepping through metal detectors manned by armed security guards. Then we head down a corridor until we reach the public entrance to the gallery.

As we’re waiting in line to enter, I catch sight of Tyler and Troy standing farther down the hallway, preparing to enter the courtroom through a separate entrance.

Tyler has already spotted me, and his gaze locks onto mine. When he looks at me, everything else just fades away. It’s like we’re the only ones here, and