Heart Of Stone Read Free Page B

sound.”
    “Semantics, my way sounds better.”
    “Your way sounds like we have an agreement, which as you so poignantly put it last night, you’re not taking on photographers, or are you too smashed to remember?”
    “You’ve got some balls on you, boy. That’s twice you’ve insulted me to my face, in as many days…” Her eyes darkened as she crossed her legs tapping the glass. The car stopped. The door opened, and to Matthew’s surprise it had begun to rain. “Now you have a choice. Mister Mayfield. You can apologize for your rudeness to me, and hear what I propose to be a very good thing for us both, or you can get the fuck out of my car and take your chances in the cold.”
    He stared at her wide eyed a moment looking outside at the two men in suits waiting for his decision, he looked back at her, she did not look at him, merely picked at her manicure with a shake of her foot.
    “Time is money, Mister Mayfield and you are costing me both. In or out, final offer.”
    I’m going to regret this. He thought to himself as he reached out grabbed the car door pulled it closed and locked himself inside with the dragon.
    ***
    They drove for about an hour in silence, long enough to be well out of the Village and into the City of Manhattan proper. The car stopped and the door opened, the men in suits reappearing with a large umbrella to shield Donnella from the onslaught of rain, They made Matthew wait in the vehicle while she was escorted safely to the entrance of the building then one of them left her returning with the umbrella for him, which he in turn took being the taller of the two of them.
    “Can I ask where we are?” He leaned toward the man in the suit.
    “She keeps an office here.”
    “And here is?” He looked up, he was standing outside the Stone Tower. A high-rise that catered only to the elite of the city, it was rumored that Harmon Stone had built it so that his wife and daughter could have the best views of the city without ever having to leave it. The Penthouse was said to have a balcony that wrapped perfectly around the entire building, but Harmon never allowed the press upstairs so no one could vouch as to ever having seen it.
    “Doesn’t she live here?”
    The man shook his head no, almost violently.
    “Okay…” He looked up seeing her reach out for him only to push him through the door.
    “I can take it from here. Go get a late supper. If I need you I’ll buzz.”
    “Ma’am, I would rather we were-”
    “Cordell, my sweet boy. I’m just fine I promise.” She winked. Shooing him and his partner away, back out into the cold city air.
    ***
    Matthew stood staring at the plaques on the walls, names of different politicians and philanthropists, who had frequented the halls of the Stone Tower over the years, even a couple of Presidents of countries he’d read about in school, but could scarcely pronounce.
    “Impressive.” He smiled as she came up next to him.
    “In its heyday it was. Now it’s left to rot for the old fogies and their bastard children who can still afford it. It’s disgusting.” She pushed her key into the elevator console, bringing it down to them. “After you.” She put her arm out before him.
    “Ladies first, I insist.” Matthew put a hand on the small of her back urging her inside, she let him lead her. “Are you going to tell me what we are doing here?”
    “I have a proposal for you. That requires a bit of discretion, I understand if you will want to have it looked at by a third party, but I can assure you that it is all in perfect order.”
    “Uh, huh.” He watched tentatively as the numbers on the wall above him rose as fast as his heart.
    The doors opened and they were greeted by Harold and an open floorplan. The floors were high shined oak in front of him, down a small set of stairs was a large fireplace that one could see through to a balcony, which overlooked the Hudson River. He spied boats as they tugged along, their little lights wisps in the