“Of course I’m stressed! There’s a hit on my daughter. She hates me more than ever. The anniversary of Rose’s death is coming up.”
I rub my jaw. “It’s a lot to handle. I’m not pushing on that.”
“Juliana just doesn’t understand.”
“What doesn’t she understand?”
“What it’s like for me. Losing Rose ... it’s changed everything. I raised my daughter to be strong and I know that, but it’s not enough. I believed she could be as capable as any man, but then Rose ...”
“I thought she was sick?”
“That’s what I told Juliana. The doctors guessed poison. She was my partner here, Max. She was my rock and now that she’s gone, I’m out to sea. Juliana is sailing away on a boat towards all the worst things.”
“You have to trust how you raised her, Tony. You and Rose worked hard to make her capable and she is.”
“Capable women who don’t know how to play the game orwon’tplay the social and political games end up like Rose.”
He takes a slow breath. “I’m glad she’s safe. If you can stop the hit in some way, do it. I trust you.”
“Trust your daughter too,” I advise as I stand. “I’m not giving you orders, Tony. It’s just advice.”
He nods once. “Do me a favor, make sure she’s here Monday. It might be a battle, but she needs to get out of the house on that day. If she doesn’t ... it won’t be good for anyone. Least of all her.”
I have my own doubts about that, but I can’t show my hand. Not yet. I nod. “I’m working on it with the guys.”
He scoffs. “That Konstantin. Watch him.”
“He worships Juliana in the best way, but isn’t afraid to set boundaries. He’d be a good match for her.”
“We both know it would be a farce. She needs to marry well. A good man.”
I’m doubting his ability to recognize a good man, but Tony has been different since he lost Rose. So I just leave. Tony used to be understanding, balanced. He’d always question his thoughts and even play devil's advocate with himself.
It seems like that balancing voice died with his wife. It’s a shame really. He gets tunnel vision with Juliana when he should be eager to make the most of what she offers. I shake my head of the thought and decide to bring back something for her.
As sappy as it is, I get her flowers. I never saw any in her apartment. I know Konstantin and Gio haven’t brought her any. I get a decent size of roses, daisies, and some cute flowers that I don’t know the names of. I’m more of an animal guy. Plants aren’t really all that.
But I bring them back to the house and find Gio and Juliana eating. She laughs at something he says, then looks over at me. She sees the flowers and stands up. Gio pats her ass as she walks by and she rubs his shoulder before hugging me.
“You look tired, handsome. What’s wrong?”
I consider telling her, but I hesitate. I hand her the flowers instead. She smells them and smiles. “They’re beautiful. I love daisies and roses. Casual and formal all wrapped up together.”
“Like you.”
She laughs softly and kisses me. “Tell me about your day.”
“Be careful how much you take on, babe,” Gio advises. “I know you want to help, but if you overwhelm yourself ... Well there’s a reason counselors exist.”
“I know all about counselors.” She waves, then pauses and actually looks at Gio. “I appreciate your concern, though.”
Gio nods and takes their dishes to the sink. Juliana takes the flowers from me. “How was your day, Max?”
“Shockingly long,” I admit. I feel heavy. It’s not just the emotions rocking through me, it’s the weight of the situation.
I sit on the couch and watch Juliana as she carefully gets the flowers set in a vase. She gently strokes a petal before coming over to me. “Let’s go. Let’s hear it.”
“You first. How are you?”