Page 99 of Stuart Woods' Smolder

Phillip shrugged. “Yeah, I believe.”

“I do, too.” Simon stood.

“What are you going to do with him?” Dalton asked.

“First off, he’s fired,” Simon said.

Phillip snorted.

“You’re going to let him go, though, right?” Dalton asked.

Simon looked at him with pity. “Do you think that would be a good idea?”

Dalton tried to swallow, but his mouth was too dry. “Probably not.”

“Then you have your answer.” He glanced at Phillip. “It’s time to deal with that other matter.”

“Understood.”

“What other matter?” Dalton asked.

Phillip’s pistol smacked into the back of Dalton’s head, dropping him to the floor.

He groaned as someone toed his ribs.

“Do you think you’re the only dirty insurance executive out there?” Simon asked. “Let me answer that for you. You are not. The only thing you are is a nuisance. And I’m afraid I can’t abide nuisances.”

A boot slammed into Dalton’s head.

As darkness began to close in, Dalton heard Phillip say, “The woman’s still going to be a problem.”

“Not for long,” Simon replied.

“You have a plan?”

“I do. One that our two friends here can help with.”

Whatever that plan was, Dalton didn’t remain conscious long enough to hear it.

Chapter 31

Monica woke Stone in the most delicious way, after which he returned the favor. One thing led to another and by the time they made it downstairs, it was nearly ten a.m.

They found Dino poolside, sipping on a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, and his wife, Viv, lying on a nearby lounge, clad in a black bikini.

When Dino saw them, he looked at his watch. “Viv, you owe me a twenty.” To Stone and Monica, he stage-whispered, “I said you wouldn’t be down until ten. She said nine.”

“Put it on my tab,” Viv said.

“Viv, let me introduce you to Monica Reyes,” Stone said. “Monica, this is Dino’s wife, Vivian Bacchetti.”

“A pleasure to meet you,” Viv said. “And please call me Viv. Dino tells me you’ve been keeping Stone in line.”

“It’s a burden, but someone has to do it,” Monica said.

Viv grinned. “We’re going to get along just fine.”

“I think we’re in trouble,” Dino said to Stone.

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