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Still, I’ve heard it’s tough to get through the zoning committees. We need to show them that putting a mixed-use entertainment venue here will be an asset to the local community rather than a liability.

“Why are you even here, converting some warehouse instead of running La Mer?” Leni prods. “I thought you and Christian were working it out.”

“I told him I’d prove to him I could run it and suggested an artist who could step in for the long weekend.”

“And?”

“And the day after I promised that, she left.”

My feet echo on the concrete as I cross the space, heading for the doors at the far side.

Leni cocks her head. “Let me guess—she doesn’t know about La Mer. Because your pride stopped you from telling her or from asking her to stay.”

“It’s not pride. She made it clear she wants nothing more to do with me.”

I grimace as I reach the door labeled OFFICE, try the handle. It gives. I peer into the darkness, feeling for a light switch. When I find it, the overhead light clicks on, showing a surprisingly decent space with furniture still in place.

This summer with Raegan was unexpected. I might’ve been the one to trick her into playing Debajo, but the joke was on me.

I felt way too fucking much around her. Not only was she beautiful and talented and stubborn. I wanted to fix the damned world for her, to make myself and everything around me worthy.

None of it mattered because she left at the first opportunity.

It’s unreasonable to blame her after what happened with Mischa. But I do.

I blame her.

Because whatever I felt, she didn’t feel the same, or she would’ve stayed.

Leni passes me and drags a finger across the dusty desk. “Rae’s playing in LA, you know.”

My abs clench at the sound of her name.

When Rae left, I needed to get my head out of my ass and move on with my business. Part of that was being seen at events, which I squared my shoulders for and undertook. I needed to play the game and be seen playing it.

Still… Every suggestive look, every overt invitation from women in my social circle, I’ve turned down.

It’s a strange combination, being available and being utterly uninterested in anyone but the one person I can’t have.

“You’ve been a bear since she left. What’re you going to do about it?”

I glare. “I liked you better when you weren’t up in my business.”

“You’re the one who hired me. Still can’t quite figure out why you picked up a bunch of misfits. Me, Natalia, Toro, half the people in your business.”

“My father always said to put the right people around you. I need a team that doesn’t require coddling to do what has to be done.”

Leni cocks a brow. “And she fits right in. Rae’s tougher than I thought. I like her. And you do too, or you wouldn’t have taken a sudden interest in a Burbank warehouse that’s sat vacant since you bought it a year ago.”

“I’m not here for her. This is business.” I survey the room, imagining the dusty furniture replaced with more modern trappings.

“Let’s pretend that’s true. Rae’s taken a hit, but her cult following is devoted. If we can get this place ready in six months, we’ll need to book talent. You’ve gotten a lot of bad press this year but still came out on top. Mischa didn’t press charges. No patrons were hurt at Debajo the night you two decided to bring your little fight club to town. Not that I’m complaining, but next time? Give me a heads-up so I can sell tickets.”

My gaze snaps to Leni’s.

I knew Rae was here when I decided to move this launch up the priority list for Echo, but she wasn’t the reason. I was done hiding out in Ibiza, licking my wounds, and needed to get back to running a growing corporation—one ready and able to bury Mischa’s once and for all.

“Not everything comes back to her,” I say.