Page 46 of Titus

“I’m not most people, Spence,” I answered him. “Listen, truly, please have Nat send me anything she knows Cat personally likes and appreciates. I’m planning an event in her honor.”

“Oh God,” he said. “You know, I would usually protect my wife from your bullshit; however, I do love watching the woman wring men out by their balls once she feels she needs to protect her friends from an asshole.”

“Perhaps I’ll call Nat myself,” I said, “so I can assure her that her friend does not need protection from me.”

“She’s in meetings until tonight when we all meet up for dinner after work,” Spencer answered. “You’re welcome to join us?”

“Who will be there tonight?” I questioned.

“Sebastian, Jim, and Jake, I think.”

My lips twisted, wondering if this was the best idea.

Ah, fuck it. Hosting a yacht event exclusively for the planner I wanted to hire and having her plan it herself was most likely not the best idea, but it was the only way I knew I could secure her for a weekend.

I knew how this would look to everyone, but this was truly strategic, not a personal response to the woman who rejected me. It was the only way I knew to get a foot in the door with her privately. We had started off on the wrong foot, and I wanted to correct that.

My first approach had failed. This time… I would shift the dynamic.

By the time I walked into the secluded dining area, the men were already settled in with drinks in hand and a conversation that sounded relaxed but, knowing this group, was probably worth millions.

My longtime friend, Sebastian Aster, sat at the head of the table, looking relaxed in a way that suggested he owned far more than the space we were in. He must’ve made another huge acquisition deal for his old man. Jim Mitchell sat beside him, shockingly already halfway through his drink, and Spencer Monroe sat next to Jim, looking entertained.

“What happened? You’re late,” Spencer said as I took the seat across from him.

“I’m here,” I replied, reaching for the glass already waiting at my place.

“That doesn’t answer the question,” Seb muttered.

“It doesn’t need to,” I answered, taking a sip of my bourbon.

A quiet chuckle moved around the table before my attention shifted.

Natalia Monroe hadn’t said a word yet, and she didn’t need to. She sat beside Spencer, one arm resting lightly against the table, her expression calm and observant. Far more aware than most people realized.

And right now, she was watching me too closely.

I met her gaze without hesitation. “Spencer tells me I was the subject of conversation at the recent event you both attended,” I said.

A slow smile curved her lips. “The only topic worth discussing,” she replied. “But more recently, my husband brought a new topic to my attention.”

“And what topic would that be?” I asked, my tone even.

“That you’re suddenly very interested in a woman who isn’t interested in you,” she said, lifting her glass.

Sebastian nearly choked on his drink, while Jim merely smirked. Spencer leaned back as though he’d been waiting for this since I’d hung up with him on the phone this afternoon.

I didn’t react to any of them. “Well, that’s an interesting interpretation,” I said calmly.

“It’s the correct interpretation,” she replied just as smoothly.

The table fell quiet because, unlike the others around me, Natalia Monroe wasn’t playing.

“Well, I’m not interested in interpretations tonight,” I said. “I’m interested in accuracy.”

Her blue eyes sharpened slightly. “That’s truly unfortunate,” she said. “Because if you want accuracy about Catalina Veléz, you need to understand her first.”

“Then I suggest you start there.”