Giovanni raised an eyebrow, looking between me and Mikhail. “That so? You’re letting her call the shots now?”
“I am.”
He leaned back in the booth. Mikhail glanced at me, his eyes narrowing, but he didn’t say anything.
“You’ve always been the one to control things, Max,” Giovanni finally said.
“And I still will be in control, but things are different now. I’m not the boss anymore. We’re partners, Rosalie and me. This isn’t about letting go of power—it’s about sharing it with someone I trust as much as I trust myself.”
Giovanni’s expression didn’t change, but I could see the gears turning in his mind as he weighed up my words, considering the implications. Mikhail, on the other hand, still looked skeptical, his lips pressed into a thin line as he glanced between us.
“Partners,” Giovanni repeated as if testing the word on his tongue. “That’s a big shift, Max. Are you sure she’s ready for that kind of responsibility? The marina isn’t just a piece of property—it’s a major asset. A crucial part of this.”
“I know,” I said, leaning forward slightly. “And that’s why it’s in her name. Rosalie’s smart—smarter than most people give her credit for. She’s been by my side through everything, and she’s earned the right to have a say in how things are run. The marina is rightfully hers, and the marriage gives us access. We’re lucky she’s even letting us use it.”
Giovanni didn’t respond immediately. He was the kind of man who didn’t make decisions lightly, especially when it came to matters that could impact the family. But I knew what I wasdoing. Rosalie wasn’t just a pretty face or a convenient ally. She was my equal, and she’d proven time and time again that she could handle whatever came her way.
After what felt like an eternity, Giovanni finally nodded—a small, almost imperceptible gesture of approval. “All right,” he said, his voice firm. “If you’re confident in her, then I trust your judgment. But remember, Max, this is still a business. Emotions can’t cloud your decisions. If she falters?—”
“She won’t,” I interrupted, my voice leaving no room for doubt. “Rosalie knows what’s at stake, and she’s ready. I’ve made sure of it.”
Giovanni studied me for another moment before setting the papers down on the table. “Then I’ll leave it in your hands. But don’t forget, this family comes first. Always.”
“Always,” I agreed.
CHAPTER 54
ROSALIE
Iwoke up to the soft chime of my alarm, but instead of getting up, I burrowed myself deeper into the sheets. The clock on the bedside table read 10:15 a.m. I sighed, knowing I was late for breakfast—again. Max had probably been up for hours, already deep in his morning routine.
With a groan, I dragged myself out of bed and made my way downstairs. I rubbed my eyes and smiled at the sight of Duke, who ran through the patio doors with a stick, looking up at me with eager eyes.
I bent down to pick up the stick, but he grabbed it before I had the chance and ran back outside with it.
When I stepped into the kitchen, just as I expected, Max was standing by the island, pouring himself another cup of coffee. His back was to me, but even from here, he could sense me.
“Morning,” he said without turning around.
He was dressed for the day in his usual crisp shirt and slacks, perfectly pressed, and not a hair out of place.
“Morning,” I replied, walking over to him. I wrapped my arms around his waist from behind, resting my cheek against his back. He was warm and stood with his feet firmly planted.
He reached down with one hand and grabbed onto mine. “You show up later and later, Rosie. At this rate, you’ll be joining me for lunch, not breakfast.”
“Sorry,” I mumbled against his back. “Someone kept me up late last night ... and the night before that.”
Max chuckled, his chest vibrating under my cheek. “Guilty as charged,” he said, turning in my arms to face me. “But that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. I’ll see you at the table.”
With a quick kiss on the forehead, he let go of my head and took his coffee with him. When I met him at the table, I couldn’t help but wonder why he was even here.
“Why are you still here?” I finally asked. “Shouldn’t you be at work?”
Max looked up at me, reaching for his cup of coffee. He took a slow sip, his eyes never leaving mine, and swallowed. “I’ve yet to finish the puzzle.”
There was something about his tone that made me think it wasn’t the actual puzzle he was trying to solve. I raised an eyebrow, glancing in front of him at where the puzzle was.
“That one?” I asked, nodding toward it.
