Page 94 of Titus

I almost heard one of the men gulp.

Jesus Christ, even Wyatt looked entertained now.

“You’re removing us from the project?” Lawson asked.

“No,” I answered calmly. “I’m removing anyone who mistook Hawk Enterprise for a company desperate enough to tolerate opportunism.”

I eyed my brothers, both of whom were trying to hide their amusement. This was the shit I’d been dealing with all fucking day. Bastards coming in here as if I were desperate for their money.

Even if I were, I would never show it.

“We were unaware⁠—”

“Gentlemen,” I said, cutting Lawson off, “I’ll reconsider, but only on the condition that if you hear another rumor about my company or me, you’ll correct it immediately.”

“Or kill them before they spread,” Wyatt added casually.

Lawson nodded, “Absolutely.”

“Now, we can talk real numbers,” Colton said after we took control of the room and the deal.

The moment the helicopter touched down, I pushed open the cabin door and stepped out into the warm Los Angeles night.

Wind from the slowing rotors tore across the private rooftop platform high above my hotel, carrying the distant sound of music and the glow of the city that stretched endlessly below us.

I glanced over, seeing downtown shimmer in its usual gold tones, blanketed in white haze. Wyatt and Colton were behind me as the three of us moved across the landing platform while staff approached the aircraft with quiet efficiency.

Most patrons of my hotel had no idea the hotel even housed a secure landing deck above the rooftop lounge. From below, all they saw was the black glass crown of the building glowing against the skyline while they drank overpriced whiskey, pretending proximity to power meant they possessed it.

Wyatt glanced over the edge toward the rooftop lounge below, where fire features flickered between crowded VIP sections and pools that reflected the skyline.

“Looks packed.”

“As it should,” I replied.

As we approached the private elevator doors, Colton loosened his tie slightly. “Will Sebastian be here tonight?”

I nodded. “He and Jim arrived a few minutes ago with Spencer,” I answered as the elevator doors opened.

“Good, I need to ask him about the winery doing deliveries,” Wyatt said.

“Good luck,” I smirked. “He’s not one to talk business over drinks unless it benefits him, and you know this.”

Wyatt chuckled as we stepped out of the elevator and through the open terrace that led to the rooftop lounge. I gave my hostess a brief nod, then, after confirming everything was running smoothly and with the precision I demanded of my employees, I walked over and sat with the men who were waiting for us.

“After today, gentlemen,” I started as the waiter set my usual drink in front of me, “I’m going to need more than one of these.” I raised my glass to the men and nearly downed the entire thing.

“Shit,” Jim said with a laugh. “Spence said you reported in that the investors tried to give you hell today…” He clapped me on the shoulder. “I thought he was lying.”

I grinned over at him. “There’s nothing like dealing with the typical bullshit when rumors start about my company.”

“What happened?” Sebastian asked. “Nothing ever gets under your skin that easily.”

Before I could respond to defend myself, Wyatt did.

“Fuckers were trying to give us hell for backing out of Maldives,” he said, taking a casual drink of his whiskey, “as if the project might now be a liability.”

Jim rolled his eyes. “They’ll use any excuse these days to make us throw a stupid party so they can get out with their mistresses and play for a night.”