Page 78
I give him a look and he immediately gets serious. He pulls the first file toward me and begins bringing me up to speed.
The Florida clubs are performing better than projected, with the newest location already pulling in more revenue than we expected. Maxim has also been overseeing the expansion of our private security operation, while the construction plans for a new waterfront shipping terminal are already underway.
I flip through the reports as he talks, checking the numbers myself.
“Everything looks good,” I say eventually. “But we’re going to have to pause some of the expansion projects.”
Maxim’s eyebrows shoot up. “Pause? Why?”
“Because we’re about to launch the new operation with our new partner in Vegas, and I want every available resource focused on getting it off the ground. That business is going to generate more money, and it’ll do it faster than most of these projects.”
He leans back, clearly unhappy. “I’ve already put everything in motion. The terminal, the new club, the security expansion. We’re looking at having everything running within the next few months.”
“I know. And none of it is going anywhere. But we can’t spread ourselves thin right now.”
Maxim rubs a hand over his jaw, then sighs. “So what exactly are you planning?”
“You’re moving to Las Vegas.”
His head snaps toward me. “Excuse me?”
“I need you there.”
“You’re joking.”
“I’m not.”
He groans and sinks farther into his chair. “Why the hell do I have to move to Las Vegas again? I’m finally settled here.”
“You’ll oversee the new casino, and you’ll handle the Vegas branch of the new operation. I need someone I trust running it, and that means you.”
“Come on, Roman.” He shakes his head. “You just got married. Is your marriage really that miserable that you have to make me miserable by association?”
A smirk tugs at the corner of my mouth.“If you must know, my marriage is actually much better than you think.”
Maxim studies me for a beat, his expression turning suspicious. “Weren't you the one who said having a wife is a curse?”
“I did. I was wrong."
Maxim looks at me for a long moment, surprise flickering across his face.
“Huh.” He leans back, considering that. “Well, I suppose it makes sense. If I were married to someone as beautiful and hot as Aurora, I’d probably enjoy marriage too.”
“Careful,” I warn him. “You’re talking about my wife.”
He lifts both hands in surrender, laughing. “All right, all right. Damn. Look at you, you’re falling for her. So, how is it sleeping next to your wife? Does she know about the night terrors? How are you managing that?”
My mind drifts back to the few nights I’ve spent beside Aurora. The memories come with an uncomfortable realization I still haven’t completely accepted. Those have been the most peaceful nights I’ve had in years.
“I don’t know how to explain it,” I finally admit. “But the few nights I’ve slept beside her, I haven’t had a single night terror.”
Maxim’s mouth falls open. “For real?”
I nod.
He stares at me as though I’ve just told him I’ve grown another head. I understand his reaction. He’s seen what I’ve gone through over the years. He knows about the therapy, the doctors, the medication, and every failed attempt to make my mind quiet.
I’ve been given different names for it over the years. PTSD. Trauma-related sleep disturbances. Severe nightmares. Insomnia. The doctors have had plenty of labels, but none of them changed anything.
