“You’ve got to be kidding.” London’s face was full of outrage. “You can’t do this to me. To your business.”

But he was wrong. Diego could and would. Happiness lit him up from the inside. The same joy he felt in Penny’s presence. Except based on the way she’d hustled away, she clearly didn’t think he would stand up for her.

“Nope. Not kidding. And yep, I sure can.”

“You’re going to let that piece of trash—”

Bam. Diego’s fist hit London’s jaw before he even registered he was going to swing.

The older man rocked back. His eyes wild, his face already swelling. “You aren’t going to get away with this. I’ll sue.”

“I’ll be sure to send all the details to your lawyer, and your wife.” Fuck it. London wanted to play hardball, Diego would play.

That shut the guy up.

Damn, that punch felt good. Diego shook out his hand, rubbing his knuckles. “Don’t fuck with me.” He leaned against the trunk of Penny’s Charger and waited for the guy to leave.

“You’re going to be sorry.” London stomped off.

His first instinct was to run after Penny. Fall at her feet and grovel. But as he calmed his racing heartbeat, he knew he needed a solid plan. He’d failed just now, but no way would he just give up. But he had to come up with a way to turn this into a success.

* * *

Stupid. She’d been stupid to linger in the shadows hoping that Diego would stick up for her. Penny raced back toward the lodge.

Diego’s words echoing in her head. You’re right about one thing. Our company won’t give her any money.

She was a total fool. When Jeffrey London threatened Diego, she’d immediately backed off to save him. To save his business deal.

And what had he done? Agreed with that asshole London.

She was gutted. Like someone had taken a plastic spoon and scooped out her insides. A big gaping hole opened inside her and threatened to swallow her. She rubbed her breastbone, trying to massage away the ache.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

She needed to close off, shut down, and not give London or Diego the satisfaction of knowing how much they had hurt her.

Penny’s steps slowed, and she trudged toward the lodge, thinking about how much could change in such a short time. She’d been so happy. So thrilled to be back here.

So hopeful for the future.

The farm was doing well. She was finally about to launch her dream project. She had her life together.

And then for a short bit, she let Diego Ramos derail her.

Screw that.

She refused to let Jeffrey London and Diego Ramos scuttle her plans. Every step away from him, her hurt diminished and her anger grew. By the time Penny got to the lodge she was fuming.

No man was going to ruin her dreams. He was the one missing out. He was the one who left. But she was a survivor. She’d survive this. And somehow, some way, she’d turn the failure into a success.

* * *

“Zin.” Diego jogged toward his cousin. She was on an Adirondack chair, out by the lake, watching the rest of the CAR employees swim in the sparkling water.

For a second, his brain stuttered. Penny had rocked his world on that chair. And he was damned if he’d let that go.

“Why are you still dressed for your interview?”

He glanced down at his suit and muddy shoes. “I need you.”

Zin frowned at him. “I just saw Penny. She didn’t look very happy.”

“I fucked up.”

“Typical.”

“I need your help,” he said impatiently.

“By all means, let me drop everything.”

“Please.” He didn’t have time to argue with her. “It’s for Penny.”

“Well since you asked so nicely.”

“Zin.”

“What are you planning?”

“I have part of it down. I want to fix her car,” Diego said.

“That’s romantic.” The eye roll was exaggerated. And if she could reach him he was pretty sure she’d have hit him upside the head.

“C’mon Zin. I need the parts. Can you take care of it?”

“That’s not going to be near enough to fix how upset she was.”

“I know.”

“So what else you got?”

“I’m working on it.” But his stomach rolled. It needed to be epic so there would be no question he chose her. Diego thought over what she’d shared with him.

“I hurt her.”

“How?”

“London criticized her, said something, and I didn’t immediately jump in.”

“Yeah. He was pretty harsh during her presentation this morning.”

Shit. “Fuck him.” Diego wanted to punch Jeffrey London all over again.

Zin shoved upright, finally really paying attention. “What about merging?”

“I’ll find another way.” Or maybe he wouldn’t. Maybe he and his company were just fine where they were at.

“Oh, thank God.” The relief on her face made him pause.

“Really?” Diego drew back from her. “What about the money we would have made?”

“You were the one who was so set on more money.” She brushed her palm against his cheek. “When is more than plenty too much?”

According to his friends, the billionaire part of the breakfast club was really just more of a guideline. His worldview had shifted at that realization. He’d been so focused on the end result he hadn’t been paying attention to the present. Always striving for that elusive number, he hadn’t taken the time to appreciate right now.

“I need to focus on what’s important.”

“Let’s get started then.”

“I may have wrecked it.”

Zin teased, “It’ll buff right out.”

Great. That’s what he said when a car was a total loss.

“I was looking for encouragement, Zin.” Had he blown his chance? Only one way to find out.