Page 80 of Stuart Woods' Smolder

Before Stone could grab the door handle, it swung open from the inside.

Dino smiled out at them. “I thought I heard voices.”

Monica looked at Stone. “Your butler?”

“Fortunately, no. This is my friend Dino Bacchetti. Dino, this is Monica Reyes. Dino would make a lousy butler.”

“I concur,” Dino said.

“Dino Bacchetti?” Monica asked. “Why do I know that name?”

“Probably because he’s the New York City commissioner of police.”

“That right! I’ve seen you on the news. You look better in person.”

“Thank you, I think.”

Stone put a hand to the side of his mouth and stage-whispered, “We try not to compliment him too much. Goes straight to his head.”

“Are you coming in or not?” Dino asked.

“I thought you weren’t arriving until the day before the board meeting,” Stone said, walking in and proceeding into the living room.

“You can thank the king of Sweden,” Dino said.

“I don’t actually know the king of Sweden.”

“Neither do I. He was supposed to visit the city this week. Tour around, see a few shows, shake hands with the mayor,things like that. There was talk that Holly might show up, too, until that nonsense with North Korea. But the king caught the flu and canceled his plans. Suddenly, my calendar was free.”

“His misfortune was our gain.”

“Something like that.”

Stone said, “Is Viv here, too?”

“Not yet. She’s in Luxembourg, or Brussels. I can’t keep her schedule straight. She’s flies in late tonight.” He moved to the bar. “Can I get either of you a drink?”

“Thanks, but nothing for me,” Monica said. “I have somewhere I need to go.”

“Leaving already?” Stone said.

“I want to go by Tristan Williams’s place and see if he’s home. Oh, wait. I still need a car. I suppose the hotel can help with that?”

“I’ll arrange for you to use one of the hotel’s vehicles.”

“That would be wonderful. Thank you. I’d like to freshen up first. Which way is our room?”

“Follow me.”

He led her to the master suite. “Your bathroom is on that side.” He pointed at the door.

“My bathroom?”

“Mine is over there,” he said, pointing at the door on the opposite wall.

“Two bathrooms. How convenient.”

“I think so.”

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