Page 233 of Titus

“No.” I looked him directly in the eye. “You see, the difference between you and me is simple, Jameston. After I discovered my father’s hidden structures, I dismantled them. Every single one.” I took a step toward him. “I spent fifteen years trying not to become that man. But you?” I looked around his office. “You spent fifteen years becoming exactly like the man you hate.”

I checked my watch.

“You should call your attorney.”

Christian frowned. “For what?”

“The federal agents will be here any minute.”

His smile disappeared.

“What the hell are you talking about, Hawk?”

“Jim Mitchell has been building a case against your family for weeks.” I buttoned my jacket. “They’re coming for you.”

He stared at me.

“You spent months trying to destroy me over crimes I didn’t commit.” I opened the door. “It’s unfortunate you’ll answer for the ones your family actually did.”

I walked out of the office as the elevator chimed. Three federal agents stepped into the corridor. None of them acknowledged me.

Instead, every one of them walked toward Christian.

I kept walking without looking back once.

CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE

I walked out of the elevator and toward the private seating my staff had arranged for my friends and me.

Goddamn, it felt amazing to be here. Not just because I was free, but because the weight of uncertainty about my future had lifted. Now, for the first time in weeks, I had a bright outlook on the future.

I paused when my eyes fell on Catalina. She was seated between her sister and Natalia, engaged in an animated conversation with Sienna Morales, the high-profile attorney, who sat across from her alongside Ash and Avery. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she moved effortlessly between conversations, laughing at something one of them said.

Before today, I would’ve taken this scene for granted—the simple pleasure of watching the woman I loved enjoy time with her friends—but not anymore. Today, I was smitten by her beauty, her lovely energy and smile, and by my resolve never to find myself in a situation where I might lose her again.

I had plans for this woman. Real plans. The kind I’d never imagined making. Still, I didn’t want to scare her off. She had said she loved me, but I wasn’t entirely sure her feelings were as strong as mine.

Instead of moving hard and fast, I wanted things to move forward at a gentle pace. Having her wake up in my arms every day since I’d been out of that place was enough.

For now.

“Well, if it isn’t the man himself,” Jim said, standing and walking toward me.

I met my good friend with a firm handshake and a clap on his arm. “Good to see you again, Mitchell,” I said.

“I swear to God,” he said, shaking his head, “I almost lost hope in the middle of that legal rat maze.”

That’s when my eyes drifted to Mark. He wore loose-fitting tan linen trousers and an untucked white linen shirt, sitting casually with his arm draped over the back of a chair, looking more like he belonged on a terrace in Mykonos than in my hotel. Part of me was shocked he was wearing loafers instead of sandals.

“I don’t think any of us can thank this guy enough,” I said, nodding in Mark’s direction.

“No shit,” Jim said.

“And here I imagined you were banging lonely women all over some island where you ended up bartending in a hut,” I said as Jim and I approached the table.

“You sorry son of a bitch,” Mark replied as he stood to greet me.

“Well, I might still be a son of a bitch, but I can promise I’m not a sorry one anymore,” I said, shaking his hand and pulling my old friend into a quick one-armed embrace. I stepped back and gripped his shoulder. “Goddamn, it’s good to see you. My brother told me how you got the information. I can’t thank you enough for bringing it to us personally.”