Page 25 of Dangerous Intent

“I agree.” She nodded. “Marchello is a lucky man.”

“I can’t deny that.” I laughed. “He’s an incredible man.”

As the three of us walked toward the study, Nico came out and met us in the hallway.

“Speaking of incredible men,” my mother said.

“Ma!” I shook my head, but I couldn’t argue with her assessment.

Nico had on another perfectly customized suit. Clearly, Marchello and Milo inherited their style and impeccable flair for dress clothes from him.

As he approached us, his tough features softened.

“Nico.” My mother touched his forearm. “We were just talking about you.”

“Really, Rosalie? I can’t imagine what you were saying.”

When Nico smiled, my mother lost her footing. Ricardo held her in place so she didn’t stumble into Nico in a shameless attempt to get him to catch her.

“You’re a vision.” Nico focused on me. He reached for my hand, then said to my mom and Ricardo, “If you’ll excuse me, I’d like a moment with my future daughter-in-law.”

“We’ll go into the study with the others.” Ricardo led my mother to the room where I would sayI do.

I waved and rolled my eyes as my mother turned to get another look at Nico before entering the study. Although, I could see why she acted that way. I had fallen hard for a younger version of the man standing in front of me.

“There are a few things I’d like to say before you marry my son.” Nico motioned for me to sit on the window seat at the end of the hall. “Can you give me a couple minutes?”

“Of course.” I took a seat, leaving room for him. “Marchello might get a little impatient though.”

Nico sat next to me, stretching out his long legs and crossing them at the ankles.

“I can handle Marchello.” He smirked. “I’ve heard we have that in common.”

I smiled as I looked at my bouquet.

“I’ve heard other things about you too,” he said.

“Oh, well they’re probably all true.” I shrugged. “I keep Marchello and Milo pretty busy.”

“Milo told me how brave you were when you were shot. He said you barely flinched.” Nico rested his hand on his lap. “Marchello told me you took on Collins and even stepped in between several loaded guns.”

“He wasn’t happy about that.”

“He never wants you to be in any danger, but he admires your courage and determination.” He tapped his fingers on his thigh. “I’m grateful he found you.”

“I’m grateful I found him too.”

“Before you take the Accetti name and pledge yourself to my son and our family, I wanted you to understand that if there had been another way to resolve the situation with your father, I would have done it.”

I shifted in my seat. “Really? He tried to kill Marchello and Milo.”

“I didn’t say I wouldn’t have made him suffer, but I would have come up with more creative ways to do it. When I found out about the sex trafficking, though, I couldn’t ignore that. I did what I had to do to protect my sons, this family, and you. Not to mention the countless other women who would have been subjected to a cruel fate.”

“I can’t believe my dad was involved in that. I’m heartbroken that he would hurt me or anyone that way.”

“I’m sorry about that.” He touched my arm. “I did what I had to do.”

“I know,” I whispered.