Chapter 42

At eight p.m., Stone, Monica, and Dino met Viv at Spago in Beverly Hills.

Viv ran a finger down the menu. "None of you will look at me funny if I order one of everything, will you?"

"That depends on who's paying," Dino said.

"Stone and I have a bit of business to talk about, so I think we can put this on the Strategic Services tab," she said.

"In that case, order as much as you want."

She patted his hand. "Always the supportive husband."

"No time to eat today?" Stone asked.

"Not a second. Dealing with Jakarta took up the first half of the day, and you the second."

"The aforementioned business we need to discuss, I presume."

"One and the same."

A waiter appeared and took their order.

Once they were alone again, Stone asked, "Can I assume you've been able to arrange everything?"

"I wouldn't be here if I hadn't yet. Surveillance teams are in place, and my people have bolstered our normal security at both the Arrington and the Centurion lot." Strategic Services oversaw security at both facilities.

"And you, my dear, how was your day?" Stone asked Monica.

"Nerve-racking," she said. "I spent most of it at the pool, waiting to hear from you."

"How horrible."

"Well, I was able to finish the massage I'd left in the middle of before."

"Always a silver lining."

Their food arrived, and after the waiters had gone, Monica said, "Quit stalling. I want to hear what you found out."

Stone and Dino filled Monica and Viv in on their afternoon adventures as they ate.

"Who do you think the blood at the car wash belongs to?" Monica asked.

"Not a clue," Dino said.

"We can't even be sure whatever went down there had anything to do with Petry," Stone said. "Though I for one think it does."

"I for two," Dino said.

"Count me in that camp," Monica said.

"Ditto," Viv said.

After they finished eating, Stone excused himself to use the bathroom. He was washing his hands when Dino came in.

"You shouldn't go out there yet."

"Why not?"

"Viv got a call from her team, telling her Petry just pulled up to the valet out front. He's in the bar now."

"By himself?"

"No, that Savage guy is with him."

"Maybe I should buy him a drink. Get him talking. He might show his hand."

"I suggested that. But Viv and Monica argued that now might not be a good time to agitate him. They came up with a plan that doesn't involve us. And before you ask, you're not going to like it."

"Ready?" Viv whispered.

Monica grinned. "Hell, yes."

They strolled into the bar acting like two good friends at the beginning of a night out and walked over to a pair of empty stools next to Nico Savage.

"Are these taken?" Monica asked.

"Nope," Nico said.

"Actually, they are," Petry jumped in. "We've been saving them for you."

Monica put on a flirty grin. "Have you now?"

"We have."

The women sat.

"What are you drinking?" Petry asked.

"Pinot for me," Monica said.

"Me, too," Viv said.

Petry caught the bartender's attention and ordered the wine, which was poured and delivered posthaste.

He turned back to Monica and Viv, the hint of a suggestive smirk on his lips. "What brings you two ladies out tonight?"

Viv held up her left hand and wiggled her ring finger. The wedding band that had been there minutes before was now in her clutch. It its place was a band of untanned skin. "Officially divorced as of this afternoon."

Petry raised his glass. "A toast to your freedom."

"Thank you."

They all clinked glasses and drank.

"We need to do something about the seating," Petry said. "Nico, why don't you switch places with…?"

"I'm Monica, and my newly unshackled friend is Viv."

Once Monica and Nico had traded seats, Petry said, "I'm Winston, but you can call me Win."

"Because you're a winner?"

He smirked. "I would never say that about myself. That's Nico's job."

Nico raised his glass. "Guilty as charged."

"Does that mean you work for Win?" Viv asked.

"I do. I'm his lawyer."

Monica smiled and let her arm brush against Petry's. "You must be pretty important to have your own lawyer."

"More important than you can imagine," Nico said.

"Is that so?" she asked. "What do you do, Win?"

"I wouldn't want to bore you."

"I don't see how you could possibly do that."

"Well, if you insist." He launched into a highly flattering and very boring description of his business.

"Are you based in L.A.?"

"New York City."

"Here on business?"

"You could say that."

"I've always wanted to live in New York," Viv said. "It seems so exciting."

"Now that you're a free woman, you should come check it out," Nico said. "I'd be happy to show you around."

"Would you? I'd like that."

Nico handed her a business card. "Let me know when you're coming to town. I'll pick you up at the airport."

"My, aren't you chivalrous?"

"How about you?" Monica said to Petry. "Are you going to show me around when I fly out there?"

"Honey, not only would I pick you up at the airport, I'll also get you a suite at the Four Seasons."

"Sign me up."

He put an arm around her, and she let herself be pulled against him. "Nothing but the best for a beautiful woman like you."

She playfully batted him and eased away. "Charmer."

The flirting continued for a few more minutes before Viv said, "What was it you said you did? Something about helping other companies?"

"I help them reach their full potential."

"That was it! My financial adviser says I should always be on the lookout for good investment opportunities. Are you out here for an up-and-coming company? And if so, should I buy some of their stock?"

Both men stilled.

"Did I say something wrong?"

"Not at all," Petry said. "It's just…"

"It's just that we can't talk about deals in progress," Nico finished for him.

"I bet it's one of those insider trading kinds of things, isn't it?" Monica said.

"Something like that," Petry said.

A member of the restaurant staff approached them. "Is one of you Mr. Savage?"

Nico raised a finger. "That's me."

"Your table's ready."

"Would you ladies like to join us?" Petry said to Monica.

"We'd love to, but we only stopped in for a drink. We're meeting friends in Santa Monica. If we'd known we were going to run into you, we'd have made different plans."

"You still could."

"Tempting, but—" Monica put a hand next to her mouth and stage-whispered, "It's a bachelorette party."

"Maybe we should come with you."

Monica laughed. "Wouldn't that be fun? But I'm afraid girls only."

"How about tomorrow night?" Petry suggested.

"Eh, boss," Nico said. "We should probably keep tomorrow night open in case there's any issues with setting up for…"

Petry looked annoyed but said, "Right."

"I'm free Saturday night," Monica said. "How about you, Viv?"

"Free as a bird." She waggled her empty ring finger again.

Petry grimaced. "Can't Saturday. I'm attending an event."

"That sounds interesting. What kind of event?" Monica asked.

"A Hollywood party in the hills."

"I've always wanted to go to a Hollywood party."

"I'd love to take you, sweetheart, but I'm going to be there more as an observer than a participant. If you're free Sunday, I can promise you a night you'll never forget."

"How can a girl say no to that?" Monica gave him a fake number.