Page 142 of Titus

“Interesting,” I answered. “Wyatt, tell me, has Horizon Madrid seen a decline due to the recent economic news flash Mr. Porter revealed to us?”

“No.”

“What about Horizon Monaco?”

“They’re actually seeing an increase,” Wyatt answered.

“Horizon London?”

“No.”

I exhaled. “Do you know what bothers me most?” I asked, my voice low and even. “I don’t really give a shit about the revenue.” I looked each woman and man at the table in the eye. “Revenue can be recovered. Reputation cannot.” I leaned back. “Wyatt?”

“Yes,” my brother answered, sitting casually in his chair.

“How many months has the La Jolla property received complaints about service?”

He inhaled, eying the executives seated across from him at the table, “Six months.”

“Six months,” I repeated, flipping to another page of the report. “And here, it was five months ago that your management team identified the issue.” I flipped to another page, not looking up. “Four months ago, nothing changed.”

This time, I actually heard a motherfucker swallow.

I continued. “Three months ago, guests started canceling reservations.” Then, I tapped the final report and looked up. “And today, I learned that every person sitting in this room decided to wait for someone else to solve the problem.”

Nobody looked comfortable.

“Tell me why I employ any of you.”

“Sir. We were working on a strategy⁠—”

“No,” I interrupted her. “We pay people for results.” My eyes locked on hers. “Not intentions.”

She immediately looked away while I stood.

“This isn’t just some airport hotel on Interstate 5,” I reminded them. “It’s Horizon La Jolla. It’s the flagship of our California portfolio. If guests are leaving that property, every investor in this company starts asking questions.”

“Sir?”

I ignored the man who was framing an excuse, as I was done with bullshit for the day and meeting Catalina for lunch.

“By tomorrow morning, I want solutions,” I said, buttoning my suit jacket and walking toward the door. “Not presentations. Not excuses.” My hand rested on the door handle. “If any of you are still confused about the difference between leadership and employment, I’ll be delighted to demonstrate it personally.” I glanced at Wyatt. “I need the Horizon Los Angeles reports on my desk first thing tomorrow.”

Wyatt stood and followed me out. “Any reason we’re not just putting the shit on the projection screen in the room? Why are we suddenly printing shit out like the dark ages?”

“When I see numbers declining like that?” I answered him. “We go back to the elementary way of doing things. I’m not spoiling them with my riches if they choose to waste my time and money.”

“Something’s different about you,” he said as I slid my hands into my pockets.

“Nothing is different.”

“Yeah, you normally demand solutions after lunch. Why are you cutting them slack by giving them overnight to save their asses?”

Then, Wyatt’s eyes practically glittered with amusement and humor as they looked past me and toward the waiting area.

“Something amusing?” I asked, turning, and that’s when I glimpsed the beautiful woman who had devoured my body for two days on my yacht.

Every tense muscle in my body vanished, and I licked my lips as if I could taste every inch of her again just by staring. Goddamn, this woman was more beautiful now than before. I relished every moment having her alone on my yacht.