She glanced down at her phone and answered it. After a few seconds of murmuring, she said, “Alex, evidently Kate Brannan has been trying to get you and you’re not picking up. Here.”

Kate’s crisp English accent came on the line. “Alex, darling. Can you pop round for a cup of tea?”

I exhaled, trying to be patient. “I’m sort of in the middle of a crisis right now, Kate. Can I take a rain check?”

“Oh, I’m aware. I’ll see you shortly.”

She hung up without waiting for confirmation. She lived less than a mile from me down the coast, so I had my keys in my hand before I’d even told the others what I was doing.

“Kate wants to talk.”

Rami whistled. “Dame Kate Brannan, three-time Oscar winner and basically the classiest lady on the planet would be enough to wipe Max off the map if something happened between them and she’s willing to speak up.”

He was right, but I couldn’t stomach hoping that was the case. Just how blind had I been?

It was only when I reached Kate’s door that I looked down and realized I hadn’t even changed out of the clothes I’d slept in. It’s a good thing she was a friend because I was basically showing up in my underwear. I was surprised I’d even remembered to pull shoes on.

“Rough day?” she asked with a wry smile.

“You’ve seen the news?”

She nodded, offering me a bag of candy, watching me closely over her teacup. “I’m sure you’re aware I won’t work with Maximilian Gates. I haven’t made it a secret, but I also haven’t talked about why.” She paused and set the cup down on the saucer. “He’s a predatory bastard who took advantage of me when I was still younger and new to the business. I got bullied into staying quiet back then and for years since, I’ve told myself it was just me. Now I know for certain it wasn’t just me.”

“I’m so sorry, Kate.”

I needed to hit something, preferably Max, but this wasn’t about my feelings. My rage and pain weren’t helpful if they didn’t leave space for the feelings of the people who’d really been hurt.

I wanted to beg her to speak up, to stand with Elena, but it wasn’t my place.

Kate said, “I’ve kept my silence all these years. I’ve been asking myself all morning, am I ready to break it?”

I held my breath.

She looked at me expectantly, a feline smile on her face. “Aren’t you going to ask me to do it?”

“Elena would end me for asking that of you, even if it’s her reputation on the line. I want to see consequences for Max. I wish that could happen without either of you stepping into the line of fire, but he’s too powerful. Maybe if we all do it together, it would be enough. I can’t speak for you, but I’ll stand beside you.”