Page 27 of Redeeming Bosley

“There is the matter of Frederic.”

My gaze snapped to Romeo. “They’re not going to kill him, or they?”

“Given the circumstances, I convinced Don Pasini to let him quietly leave town. Do you think he’ll do that?”

Again, it felt like being stabbed in the heart. Frederick would leave so Emilio wouldn’t lose another parent, but would my nephew go with him? I’d just gotten him back. Ultimately, I wanted what was best for Emilio, no matter what he decided. “I’m sure he will.”

Nico gave a sharp nod. He turned his body slightly toward his brother Vin, who stood up straighter and cleared his throat. “Romeo, all the families know you’ve been working with us. Given your history, I’m sure that you can play a middleman associate and stay in Takoda.”

Rocco picked up with, “The only problem with that is you won’t have the protection and backing of one family.”

“Unless you choose to join us. Formally.”

Applesauce.Discussions wrapped up quickly after that, and they gave Romeo twenty-four hours to let them know his decision. After stopping and checking on Emilio, finding him curled up asleep in his father’s arms, Romeo and I continued up to the belfry. “You didn’t look surprised by their offer,” I said as soon as the door closed.

He pulled me into his arms with a sigh. “It’s because I’m not. My uncle was their head enforcer for decades. Their grandfather always wanted me to assume the position after him.”

“But that isn’t the position you were offered, is it?”

He shook his head. “No, Nico wants me to be his bodyguard.”

“Is that more or less dangerous?”

Romeo stared into my eyes, then leaned forward and kissed me. “You’re really thinking about me taking this position, aren’t you?”

“I am. I think that if you don’t want that, then we should look at relocating.”

Romeo let me go and paced the length of my apartment, running one hand through the hair on top of his head. “I don’t want you to leave your family.”

I slumped onto my couch. “We could always look at going wherever Frederic and Emilio.”

Romeo stopped. “I meant your chosen family, boy. Everest, Charity, and Harlow. You can’t tell me you don’t feel the paternal pull toward those kids.”

Rubbing my hand on my chest over where my heart pounded inside, I admitted, “I do, Daddy. But the most important thing to me is your safety.”

He joined me on the couch and talked me into his side. “I love you, my quirky boy. The most important thing to me is your safety and happiness.”

“I don’t want to lose another Daddy. We have to do what you think is best.”

He rubbed a hand through the 5 o’clock shadow on his face and nodded. “Then tomorrow I’ll kiss the Buccelli ring.”

Rising up on my knees, I straddled his lap. “What do you think that says about me that I think being with a mafia Daddy is sexy?”

Romeo barked out a laugh and proceeded to show me just how much he loved me.