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“What are you doing here with all three of them, anyway? Guess those rumors were true, huh? Getting passed around between three men for triple the payout?”

Pascal’s hand curls into a fist. Before he can swing, I take action.

I gently lift Nina’s hand from my arm and set it on Jarek’s.

Then I step in close, lower my voice, and rest my hand on the man’s shoulder like we’re old friends.

“I don’t know who you are, or why you felt the need to come over here and start trouble. But I’ll tell you this.” I tighten my grip. “Nina is with us. If we hear one more word about her or her past come out of your mouth, that champagne flute is going so far up your ass it’ll need to be surgically removed.”

The tough-guy act vanishes. He swallows hard and goes pale as I let go of his shoulder and take Nina’s arm again.

“An apology would be nice,” Pascal adds. “And warranted.”

“Sorry,” the guy sputters.

Jarek glares. “Not to us. To her.”

“My apologies, Ms. Adler.” His voice shakes. “I was out of line. Enjoy your evening.”

He disappears into the crowd.

“Thank you,” Nina whispers. “I’m sorry if my being here causes you guys trouble. I probably shouldn’t have come.”

“That’s bullshit,” I say. “You have every right to be here. Come on. Let’s enjoy ourselves.”

There isn’t another whisper of gossip the rest of the night. The four of us mingle, eat, drink, and even take in some of the art on the walls. We stay close to Nina all evening. Not because we have to. Because we want to. I even get her to dance with me for a song while the band plays, careful to keep it appropriate.

From the outside, every touch looks polite. A man being a gentleman to his guest. Nobody here would guess I’m thinking about stripping her out of that dress and taking her on top of the bar.

We agreed to get through tonight without giving anyone a reason to talk. So far, we’re keeping that promise.

“I should go say hello real quick,” Jarek says when he spots our host. “Be right back.”

“Are you having a good time?” I ask Nina. She’s standing between Pascal and me, nibbling on a Wagyu appetizer.

“Yes!” She beams. “Although this champagne is going straight to my head. Cut me off if I start telling people my life story.”

I’m about to tease her when I spot Jarek heading back. Just as he reaches us, a woman nearby squeals and rushes at him.

“Jarek Eriksen! It is you!”

She throws herself at him before he can get his arms up, pressing her chest against his. When he finally peels her off, Jarek looks rattled.

“Do I know you?”

“Oh my gosh, sorry!” She laughs like this is all in good fun. “We met at one of your premieres in New York. We had drinks, and then a little fun, remember? I’m still a huge fan! I’ve seen every movie you’ve made since.”

Jarek searches his memory until he places her. “Right. Catherine, isn’t it?”

“Yes!” Her squeal is loud enough to make the people behind her turn. “So what do you say? Want to recreate that night?”

She tosses her long blond hair over one shoulder and runs a hand over what looks like a very expensive breast augmentation. I feel Nina go stiff beside me.

“No thanks,” Jarek says without hesitating. “I’m spoken for these days.”

My jaw tightens. It’s the right answer. It’s also exactly the kind of thing we agreed not to say in public.

“You are?” She looks genuinely shocked. “I haven’t seen anything in the tabloids about a woman in your life.”