In their hearts, the leaders of most organized crime syndicates, gangs, cartels, families, outfits—no matter what they were called—were businessmen.
They earned money by any means they could, not caring about legality. And if you don't care about legality, then doing illegal things usually brought the most profit. That's why they were criminals.
Tristan understood this even before he became a criminal himself. Just living in the house of his father, whose business revolved around horse bets, already showed him that if those legal CEOs could get away with it, they would eagerly break the law for profit.
Gangsters broke the law and dealt with consequences. All for money.
The flash of interest in Vargas's eyes at the mention of profit was fully expected.
"Go on, Mr. Hayes."
Tristan smiled.