Page 14 of Titus

“Cat, Jim doesn’t usually make requests like this. Can you please trust me on it?”

I sighed, and for the first time, I found myself genuinely concerned about the group I was leasing my unit from.

“Does Natalia know about Jim’s feelings?” I asked. “She’s the one who hoped I’d lease it before⁠—”

“Before she knew exactly who was leasing the suites,” Avery interrupted, her tone more serious now. “Spence and Jim just want you with all of us when we arrive. Nothing crazy, so don’t worry. Just… to make sure this guy knows not to mess with you or your team.”

“Sounds a little mafia-like, if I’m being honest,” I teased.

“Same thing I told Jim,” she replied. “But I guess we’re not too far off in that assumption.”

“Well,” I said, smirking, “I don’t need grown billionaires playing bodyguard for me from the man who owns my building. If I don’t like the person I’m leasing from, trust me, my designer would be thrilled to move back into our old space so she could be with her adopted stray alley cat.”

Avery laughed. “I don’t think it’s that bad, but I know you make a living keeping all these elitists happy with their events. One bad rumor, one misstep, and your career could be toast. Jim and Spence get that. They just want to be there so everyone knows not to mess with you.”

“Got it,” I said. “Now that you and Aria have completely stalled me from being ready on time, I’m guessing I’ll be riding with you guys whether I planned on it or not.”

“Ha,” she laughed. “Good. We all plan on coming back to our place tonight after the event anyway. And yes, you’re getting drunk with the girls and me.”

I smiled into the phone, grateful that I’d developed a fun friendship with Nat and her girlfriends. I was definitely lucky to be in that circle—good for my business, sure—but that wasn’t why we clicked. Somehow, we’d just formed this effortless bond. Between Avery cussing like a sailor at anything and everything, Nat turning every topic into something sexual, and Ashley Mitchell calmly radiating good vibes through it all, we’d fallen into a friendship I genuinely valued.

Now, apparently, I was about to learn just why I was so grateful for it. Jim Mitchell wanting to be a firm, protective presence for me—and my business—in this new group of elites? Yeah… shit was about to get really interesting with my new office space in Orange County.

CHAPTER FIVE

The valet barely had time to reach for the door before I stepped out. As I buttoned my suit jacket, I took in the scene—cameras flashing, red carpet rolled out, wealth on full display. Completely predictable.

My gaze swept over the entrance of the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills like I was assessing a battlefield. Because that’s exactly what it was and why I was here, attending yet another event hosted by Jameston.

Two this month already. Not even I hosted that many fucking events back-to-back. And this one? A celebration for the opening of the building he’d just purchased next to mine.

I exhaled slowly. Give me a fucking break. I knew the man was a jackass in business, but this? This was him, blatantly announcing it to all of us himself.

So no, I wasn’t buying into any of this bullshit. And the only reason I was here—at yet another one of his galas—was because men like him didn’t throw events like this to celebrate. They hosted them to position, to show, and to signal.

This wasn’t about a building, it was about presence, and the guest list confirmed it. This wasn’t a welcome party… it was a message.

He wasn’t visiting the West Coast. The dumb bastard was planting himself here. Permanently.

“Colton,” I greeted as I stepped inside.

My brother stood just beyond the entrance, surrounded by a group of young, polished heiresses.

“Titus,” he returned easily. “Jim and Spence insisted we sit at their table.”

I glanced at the women, offering a brief, polite nod before pulling him away.

“Tonight isn’t the night we take someone home,” I said under my breath.

Colton smirked. “Wasn’t planning on it.”

My gaze moved across the room again, taking in the players.

“Why the hell are Jim and Spence here if this bastard is positioning himself against their firm?” I muttered.

“Same reason we are,” Colton said.

I nodded once.