Page 52 of Titus

Silence.

I smiled when I heard him sigh.

“Very well then,” he answered. “The next proposal I’ll send to your office will be to secure you as my exclusive event coordinator.”

“That won’t be necessary. I’m no longer interested in working solely for you, Mr. Hawk,” I said in a resolute tone.

“May I ask why?” he asked, a hint of frustration in his deep voice.

“Because when I do business or meet potential clients at their homes—learning history lessons about them and their family as if they’re entrusting me with the hard-earned company they’re running…” I paused, gathering my thoughts.

“Go on,” he said, breaking the short silence.

“I expect more professionalism. That’s all.”

“I was the epitome of professionalism that evening in my home,” he practically seethed.

“I heard nothing from you after you so gracefully walked me out of your home, under the impression that you would consider hiring me,” I answered him.

“Miss—”

I heard humor in his voice, and that wasn’t the reaction I expected.

“Allow me to finish,” I interrupted. “When I do business with clients, I expect communication regarding whether my services are wanted or not. If they aren’t? I usually simply never hear back. Professionalism,” I breathed into the phone. “Instead, a week later, I received a random text from you telling me to clear my schedule.”

“That was simply my way of⁠—”

“Treating me as if I’ll bend to your will the second you decide to contact me again? No, Mr. Hawk,” I said evenly. “I don’t operate that way in business. Maybe other people accommodate your demands, but I don’t. I’m already booked for the date you’re requesting, and I’m sure there are plenty of other planners who would gladly accept your proposal. I won’t be able to at this time.”

“So, that’s your⁠—”

“Rejection?” I smiled into the phone, knowing he was at a loss for words. “Yes. If you need referrals, I’ll have Dani send over the names of event architects I recommend.”

“I’m truly sorry if I’ve offended you, Ms. Veléz,” he said in a softer tone.

“Mr. Hawk, I’m not offended in the least. This is all business and nothing personal.”

“Perhaps in the future we can discuss future events I’ll be hosting that will require your services?”

What the hell is it with this guy?

“If I’m free, I will be more than willing to discuss future business with Hawk Enterprise. Currently, we are at the end of spring and moving into summer, and I’m booking up quite rapidly.”

“I will be in touch. Thank you for your time.”

That’s all he said, then he hung up. I had no idea what the hell to say or think about that man at the moment. I guess all I could conjure up, given how the man had been behaving since I’d moved into this building, was that I was the only person in his universe who had challenged him, and as of today, had rejected him.

Something told me I hadn’t pushed the man away, though. Instead, I had a feeling I only challenged him more. However, up until now, all I knew about Titus Hawk was that money was how he got his way with everything in life. Money and his charms—both of which had zero effect on me.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

The west wing of the Horizon lounge had been cleared out for us, the kind of space that didn’t just suggest power—it enforced it.

Glass stretched from floor to ceiling, the Pacific bleeding gold under the setting sun, the city quiet beneath us. It was something I always appreciated about my hotel, this particular private lounge, but tonight? I didn’t care to admire any of it.

Blueprints for Hawk Crown Reserve were spread across the table. My current passion project was going to be six islands to start, with thirty villas per location. Private, controlled, untouchable, exactly how I built and preferred everything.

Yet, my jaw flexed as I stared down at the plans, seeing none of those things.