"None."
"Then what exactly are you doing here?"
"Standing."
Adrian's expression hardened.
"You find that funny?"
"No."
"Then stop smiling."
Malik's smile disappeared.
"All right."
Adrian looked at Rebecca.
"Check the guest list."
Rebecca pulled out her tablet.
She searched.
Nothing.
"He's not listed."
Adrian nodded.
"I thought so."
Malik remained calm.
"Maybe the list wasn't updated."
Adrian looked at him.
"Maybe."
"Can you check with your office?"
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
"You seem very comfortable giving instructions on my property."
"I wasn't giving instructions."
"It sounded like it."
"I'm just trying to figure out why I'm here."
Adrian stepped closer.
"You should figure that out somewhere else."
Malik looked at him.
"Why?"
"Because this is a private club."
"I know."
"Members only."
"I know."
"And you aren't a member."
Malik nodded.
"Apparently not."
Adrian pointed toward the entrance.
"You need to leave."
Malik didn't move.
"I'll leave when the person who invited me tells me to."
Adrian laughed.
"Young man, you're speaking as if you have some kind of authority here."
Malik looked at him.
"I didn't say that."
"You're acting like it."
"I'm standing."
"You keep repeating that."
"Because that's all I'm doing."
Rebecca looked uncomfortable.
Several club members had begun watching.
Adrian lowered his voice.
"You don't understand what kind of place this is."
Malik looked around.
"I understand perfectly."
"No, you don't."
Adrian pointed toward the yachts.
"These people pay millions to be here."
Malik nodded.
"Good for them."
"They expect privacy."
"Of course."
"They expect security."
"Of course."
"They expect standards."
Malik looked at him.
"What standard am I failing?"
Adrian paused.
The question irritated him.
"Your attitude."
Malik frowned.
"My attitude?"
"You're too comfortable."
Malik smiled.
"I didn't realize confidence was against club policy."
Adrian's jaw tightened.
"It is when you haven't earned it."
The dock became silent.
Malik looked at Adrian for several seconds.
Then he said quietly,
"Maybe you're right."
Adrian nodded.
"Good."
"But maybe you should ask yourself why you think I haven't earned it."
Adrian stepped closer.
"I don't have to ask."
"Why?"
"Because I can tell."
"Tell what?"
"Who belongs."
Malik stared at him.
Then slowly looked down at his own clothes.
He looked back up.
"Can you?"
Adrian didn't answer.
Malik nodded.
"That's interesting."
"What is?"
"You've decided what I am without asking me anything."
Adrian's face hardened.
"I've asked enough."
"No."
Malik shook his head.
"You asked where I was going."
"You asked who invited me."
"You asked whether I'm a member."
"But you never asked who I am."
Adrian laughed.
"You're Malik Thompson."
"That's my name."
"Exactly."
Malik looked toward the water.
"My father used to come here."
Adrian's expression changed slightly.
"Who was your father?"
Malik didn't answer immediately.
"Thomas Thompson."
Adrian froze.
The name hit him like a sudden wave.
He knew that name.
Everyone in Miami's business community knew it.