Page 16 of Stuart Woods' Golden Hour

“For a nineteenth-century robber baron perhaps.”

She stood, said, “You have until we land,” and headed for her seat.

“Don’t work for you, remember,” he said to her back.

“Not listening,” she retorted, then sat and promptly put earbuds in her ears.

Across the aisle, Tessa looked like she was about to burst out laughing.

“You have something you’d like to say?” Billy asked.

“Not a word.”

“That’s what I thought.”

“It’s fun watching someone keeping you in line, though.”

“That’s nine words.”

“Huh. I guess I did have something to say, after all.”

It took a bit morethan twelve hours to reach Rome, Italy, where they landed on Monday, at 9:10 a.m., local time.

Passport control was handled on board by an airport official, after which they deplaned and walked to the luxury van that would take them to their hotel.

Before Billy could climb into the vehicle, Stacy stepped in front of him. “Well?”

“Well what?” he asked.

“Your assignment?”

“What about it?”

“Did you finish?”

“I did.”

“Do you have notes?”

“I do.”

“Can I get them so that I can forward them to the studio?”

“Why, Stacy, don’t you check your email?”

“What?” She opened her phone and tapped the screen. “Got it. Thanks, Billy.”

“Do I get an A?”

She snorted. “Absolutely not. You get a B minus, at best. Points deducted for not turning it in on time.”

“You’re going to make an excellent producer someday.”

She grinned. “I know.”

A mixed group of fansand paparazzi were waiting in front of the hotel when the van arrived. Because of the vehicle’s tinted windows, those outside couldn’t see the Centurion Pictures group, but that didn’t stop them from shouting excitedly.

“Are they here for us?” Adriene asked.

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