Page 67 of Titus

“I just know you’re a generous man,” I smiled, sipping my drink. “And you most likely tip as well as I do.”

“Fifty percent?”

I smiled into my glass. “You said I was your hero growing up, and you wanted to be just like me.” I tilted my head, eyes studying his. “Well, here’s your first lesson.”

“Please,” he rolled his eyes.

“Unless business isn’t doing so great out here on the West Coast and you can’t afford it?”

His eyes grew severe. “Those people?” he pointed toward the table he had left.

“Yes,” I nodded toward the large table. “I believe they’re the only reason you were admitted to my VIP lounge?”

“Their yacht company will be acquired by my father’s company by the end of the night.”

I studied the group. Christian’s mention of acquiring a yacht company immediately made me think of Dorian and Jace Stone. I’d always been close to them, and this was exactly the industry their father dominated—yachts and private aviation. Knowing Everett Stone the way I did, I knew he’d gladly acquire the company just to force the Jamestons out of here.

I hadn’t spoken to Dorian or Jace since learning the Jamestons were in town, so I had no idea whether they even knew yet.

“I didn’t realize your family was entering the yacht brokerage industry,” I said to Christian, still eyeing the group.

It was easy to see they were upstarts. Just by the way they wore their suits and flaunted their wealth. And quite obviously… the fact that they were members of my hotel. Status, of course. I smiled, took one more sip, then set my drink on the counter.

I looked at Jameston. “First rule in business, kid,” I said, setting this dipshit on his ass. “You want to play with the big boys like me?”

“I never said that.”

“You’re out here trying to grow your family business the same way I did, aren’t you? That whole hero-bullshit line you fed me at your gala?”

He rolled his eyes. “You really took that to heart, didn’t you? I didn’t mean it. In fact, I’ve always hated you and your family.”

I smiled at him again. “Good,” my eyes widened. “Allow me to give you a fantastic reason to ground that hatred.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m just talking business,” I said, smacking him a little too hard on the arm before walking toward the group of associates he thought he was going to seal a deal with tonight.

“Ladies,” I acknowledged the women. “Gentlemen,” I said, turning to every cheating bastard at the table, with their mistresses clinging to them.

“Mr. Hawk,” one man rose to shake mine. “A true honor to meet you,” he said.

“I trust your service tonight here has been nothing short of perfection,” I asked, nodding toward the group.

“Absolutely.”

“That is fantastic,” I said. “Now, before I leave, I was just informed that you all were looking to merge your yacht business with the Jameston Group?”

“We most certainly were,” another man said with a smile.

“How long have you been in this industry?” I asked.

“Fifteen years. We took it over after our fathers passed away,” another said.

So, they were all legacy owners whose fathers’ hard work had built something. They were just riding on the status of their inheritance.

“Mr. Hawk,” Christian said from behind me. “They don’t need⁠—”

“So, I trust you’re looking to expand globally?” I kept my focus on the men in front of me.