Page 97 of Titus

I smiled. “One of us had to bring substance to the conversation.”

I had just lifted my glass of champagne again when the energy around the table shifted. Everything paused just enough for instinct to make me glance up from the conversation and see Titus standing beside our table.

Holy shit. The man somehow looked even more dangerous than usual in a tailored black suit, the dark shirt beneath it open at the collar, no tie in sight.

Where the hell did his ass come from?

“Ms. Veléz.” The deep, velvet sound of Titus’s voice wrapped around my spine before I could even process that he’d approached the table.

His eyes locked onto mine first. After several dangerous seconds, his attention casually shifted to the rest of the table, as if he’d only just remembered other people existed.

“Mr. Hawk,” Zachary Manchester greeted quickly, standing to shake his hand. “Didn’t realize you’d be in the lounge tonight.”

Titus nodded. “Mr. Manchester.”

His gaze shifted next to Christian, and the temperature at the table noticeably dropped.

“Jameston,” Titus acknowledged evenly.

Christian forced a casual smile while standing. “I don’t understand how I keep having the good fortune of crossing paths with you.”

Titus didn’t smile, unlike Christian, who seemed to be mocking the man. When Titus didn’t offer to shake his hand, I instantly recognized that there may be some history between the two men.

Titus looked back at me. “Ms. Veléz,” he said warmly. “I trust you’re well tonight?”

I am now.

“Yes, just here finalizing details for an event,” I answered, forgetting there were other people at the table.

I saw this man so differently now, like night and day.

“Funny,” Christian smirked at Titus. “A man who owns half the skyline still couldn’t persuade her to work for him.”

Christian laughed as Titus’s gaze finally shifted toward him. “I was not aware that Ms. Veléz required convincing,” Titus answered calmly.

“Are we going to discuss your event plans tonight?” I cut in smoothly. “Or were you intending to spend the evening insulting the man who owns the hotel while drinking his overpriced whiskey?”

“Men usually start insulting other men when they realize they’ve lost the room,” Titus answered, but Christian’s eyes remained severe, locked onto mine.

“Your mouth entices me, Ms. Veléz, but not when it’s defending a man⁠—”

“That’s enough,” Titus’s voice cut him off dangerously. “If you’re to remain in my hotel, not another insult toward Catalina or me will come from your mouth.”

“Mr. Hawk, forgive my associate,” Zachary said before Christian could retaliate. “He’s here as my guest, and I will not allow any further rude remarks from him.”

I watched Christian pinch his lips together in frustration. Fuck me, I really didn’t want to plan this event. I didn’t want to be here with this tool of a man, and, sadly… tomorrow couldn’t come fast enough, when I’d actually see Titus again and be able to explain this bullshit.

Instead of accepting the apologies, Titus looked at me. “Ms. Veléz, if you need anything while you’re here, I will have a host on standby for you.”

He looked at Jameston, and for the first time since being in the man’s presence, I saw him restrain himself.

“They’ll also alert me if any guest becomes... difficult,” he said, his gaze drifting briefly toward Christian.

“Thank you,” I smiled. “I think we need to return to the finalizations,” I said after Titus left our table. “I do not intend to be out all evening.”

“As of now?” Jameston said. “I think you can be dismissed from this meeting.”

“If you dismiss me, consider me done with your event. I will not do anything at the last minute when it can be handled right now.”