Page 55 of Near Miss

“See,” Dino said. “This is why I said something to Viv.”

“Said something?” Carly said. “What did you say?”

“Trust me,” Viv said. “It’s not important.” She patted the sofa beside her. “Come. Sit by me.”

Stone poured Carly a drink and retook his seat.

“Since you didn’t call again this afternoon,” Dino said to Stone, “I take it you didn’t have any trouble.”

“Trouble?” Carly said. “I thought you got rid of your trouble last night. Don’t tell me someoneelseis trying to kill you already.”

“That remains to be seen,” Dino said.

Stone told her about Lance’s revelation concerning Trench’s family connections.

“Surely, you can convince them this wasn’t your fault. Trench was trying to kill you. Me and Matilda, too, for that matter.”

“I don’t think they’ll care.”

“Stone and the Russians have a history,” Dino said.

Carly frowned at Stone. “You really need to get better at making friends. It’s causing me to question all the advice you’ve given me.”

“My advice is sound,” Stone said. “Those who aren’t my friends, aren’t my friends for a reason.”

“He’s not wrong,” Dino said.

“Oh, all right. I’ll continue to listen to you.”

“Stone,” Viv said, “I think having some of our people watch over you for the next few days wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

“Better hers than mine,” Dino said. “If cops are hanging around you, it’ll be easier to tie you to the bombing.”

“As much as I’d like to say it’s not necessary,” Stone said, “I think you’re right, Viv, and I would appreciate it.”

Viv pulled out her phone and made a call to Strategic Services. When she finished her conversation, she said, “There will be a rotating team watching your place until you think it’s okay to call them off.”

“Thank you.”

Helene entered the room. “Dinner is ready.”

Chapter 30

Korolev woke with his arm draped over Lauren.

Last night, one drink had led to two, two to three, and three to a cab ride back to her place.

Lauren moaned, then stretched her arm and turned so she was facing him. “Good morning.”

“Good morning, yourself.”

She looked at him, a mischievous smile on her lips. “I thought you might disappear during the night.”

“Not a chance.”

She laughed. “Oh, youaredifferent. I thought you might be.”

“What? Did you think I was a love-’em-and-leave-’em type?”

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