Page 94 of The Texan's Secrets

“Can we talk?” he asked.

There was a strain in her voice. “No.”

“I have something I need to tell you.”

“Not now.” Her gaze flicked to Maggie and Jericho.

“It’s important.”

“They’re about to cut the cake.”

“Please? I’ll be quick.” Judging by the chill in her voice, the conversation was going to be over and done with very fast. And then she’d walk away, and their relationship would absolutely be over.

“Over there?” he asked, pointing to the quietest edge of the dance floor.

She compressed her lips and shook her head, but she did start walking.

He was quick to follow.

When she came to a clear spot near a wall, she turned. “You have two minutes. And that’s only because of Misha.”

Nico wanted to ease in, wanted to set the context, but there wasn’t time. “I got caught up in something when I was twenty-two, and I went to prison.”

Her eyes rounded in obvious shock. “Prison?”

“It was a fight, in a bar. A guy got hurt, and I was blamed, convicted of assault.”

“And did you do it?”

Nico hesitated. Very few people knew the truth, because if the truth got out Dylan could be in trouble, and Nico’s sacrifice would be for nothing.

“You did do it,” Emilia stated matter-of-factly. “Well, thanks for sharing.”

“I didn’t,” he hissed. Then he moved closer. “I took the fall for someone else. He was my best friend, and it was just before his wedding to his pregnant wife. I thought it would be a slap on the wrist. The sentence was a shock to us all.”

Emilia’s expression had lost some of its hardness. “How long was the sentence?”

“Three years in state prison. Dylan wanted to step up, but I wouldn’t let him. By then, he had a new baby and a new wife.” Nico didn’t like looking back at that time, remembering the pain it had caused for them all. “I was single.”

“So, you went toprison?”

“I did. I’m an ex-con. It’s why I keep such a low profile here in Royal.” He glanced around them now, remembering the positive reactions he’d gotten tonight. “But I’m through with that. I’m through hiding. People can think what they want about my past. I’m focused on the future.”

He knew the odds were long, but he was clinging to the hope that his future could include Emilia.

She was searching his expression now. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

He was baldly honest. “I was afraid you’d walk away.”

“Because you defended a friend? Because you sacrificed three years of your life to protect the father of a little baby?” Her voice rose as she continued speaking. “What part of that makes you look bad?”

“An assault conviction makes me look dangerous. I thought you’d be afraid of me.”

“You just said you didn’t assault anyone.”

“And you believe me? Just like that? Without any proof?” He was blown away by the thought that she’d have that kind of faith in him.

“Are you lying?”

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