Page 104 of Stuart Woods' Smolder

“You don’t hang around him enough.”

“You want me to hang around him more?”

“Viv, I would welcome spending more time with you,” Stone said.

“On second thought,” Dino said, “you spend more than enough time in his presence already.”

“I thought as much,” Viv said.

They spent some time outside, admiring the view, then Stone gave them a tour of the house.

Once they were back in the car, Monica checked her phone and let out a breath of surprise.

“You miss a call?” Stone asked.

“No, a text from Tristan. He asked if I could meet him this evening at eight at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica. Do you know it?”

“It was my go-to hotel before the Arrington was built.” He glanced at Dino and Viv in the back seat. “Do you two have plans tonight?”

“Nothing specific,” Viv said.

“I think we should go, too. Between the three of us, we should be able to make sure what happened last night doesn’t happen again. Viv, Dino can fill you in on the details.” To Monica, he said, “Work for you?”

“Very much. Thank you.”

She replied to Tristan’s text, telling him they were on.

—

An hour and a half later, after they were sated and headed back to the Arrington, Stone’s phone lit up with a call from Mike Freeman.

“Hi, Mike. What’s up?”

“Are you still in Santa Fe?” Mike asked, his voice coming over the car’s speakers.

“L.A., I flew in yesterday.”

“Perfect. So am I. Herb just arrived in town and would like to meet with both of us. Since we’re all in the same place, let’s do it at Strategic Services’ L.A. office.”

“Sounds good. I should be able to get there by four p.m.”

“Works for me. I’ll let Herb know.”

Mike hung up.

“Do you mind if I tag along with you?” Viv said. “There are a few things I need to deal with at the office.”

“Fine by me.”

“If she’s going, I’m going, too,” Dino said.

Stone glanced at Monica. “How about you? Want to join us?”

“If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, could you drop me off at the hotel? I’d like to go over my notes again.”

“No trouble at all,” Stone said.

“If you have time, get a massage,” Viv said. “They’ll bring the table to the house and set it up by the pool.”

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