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“Magnificent!” he booms into the microphone.

Before I can react, he grabs my hand and pulls me into a hug.

A big one.

The kind that presses my body against his expensive tuxedo.

My entire spine stiffens.

I don’t like it.

Like not at all.

I barely have time to process what’s happening before Less appears at my side like an avenging shadow.

One second Carter has his arm around me.

The next Less is there.

His hand wraps around my arm and gently but firmly pulls me out of the embrace.

He nods politely at Carter while the applause is still echoing through the room.

The movement is smooth.

Professional.

But there’s a dangerous edge in his eyes I’ve never seen before.

Carter either doesn’t notice or doesn’t care.

He grabs the microphone again, grinning at the crowd.

“Well!” he announces. “Let’s give our guest another round of applause! Truly, Mandy, that was amazing!”

My smile freezes.

Mandy?

What the fuck?

That is not my name.

And I do not do well with nicknames.

Never have.

Except—well, except for one.

But that one belonged to Less.

Rusty.

The only nickname that never made me cringe.

Carter beams at the audience and says it again.

“Mandy will be joining me at my table for dinner, and afterward we’ll mingle for photos. Sound good, everyone?”