Dishonorable Intentions Read Online Free Page A

Ben,” Stone said. “I missed the board meeting today, but I heard about it from Leo Goldman.”
    â€œThank you, Stone,” Ben said. “I signed my first production order today.” He raised his glass to Gala. “It’s a wonderful script,” he said. “I’m not going to mess with it, and I’ll see that nobody else does, either.”
    â€œThat’s the nicest thing anybody has ever said to me, Ben,” Gala replied.
    â€œFrom now on, you have your agent send your ideas directly to me, and we’ll cut some red tape.”
    â€œI like having the ear of God,” she said.
    â€œPeter,” Stone said, “Leo told me today that if you keep going like you have, you’re going to be one of the greats.”
    Peter laughed. “Hyperbole is Leo Goldman’s native tongue,” he said. Peter took a sip of his drink. “Dad, there’s something you should know.”
    Ben broke in. “This one is my fault—let me tell him.”
    â€œOkay, tell me,” Stone said.
    â€œI invited Boris Tirov to the party tonight, at a time when I thought he would be the new guy on the lot.”
    â€œUh-oh,” Gala said quietly.
    â€œI’ve tried to reach him, but he’s not at home, and he’s not answering his cell.”
    â€œHe must be smart enough not to show up tonight,” Dino said.
    â€œDon’t count on it,” Gala threw in.
    â€œWell,” Dino said, “if he does show, Stone, as host, can just explain to him that he’s no longer welcome.”
    â€œGee, thanks, Dino,” Stone said.
    â€œI don’t want to be anywhere nearby when that happens,” Gala said.
    â€œIs he likely to make a fuss?” Stone asked.
    Gala just rolled her eyes.
    Stone excused himself for a moment and went into the living room, where he picked up a phone and called the head of hotel security.
    â€œYes, Mr. Barrington?”
    â€œI’m having a party tonight at the house, and I’ve had word that there may be an unruly guest.”
    â€œWe can take care of that. I’ll send a couple of men over.”
    â€œPlainclothes, please, and ask them to handle it as discreetly as possible.”
    â€œOf course. Our people are good at that. May I have the gentleman’s name?”
    â€œBoris Tirov.”
    â€œAh, yes, we had to remove that gentleman from the bar a couple of weeks ago. He took a swing at the film critic of the
L.A. Times
. Apparently, the man didn’t like his movies enough. I’ll have the main gate warn me when he arrives.”
    Stone thanked the man and returned to his guests.
    â€”
    B y seven o’clock most of the guest list had arrived, and servers were bringing platters from the kitchen to the buffet tables set up by the pool. Stone was in a conversation with Billy Barnett, who had become an important part of Peter and Ben’s production company, when he glanced toward the hedge separating the pool from a guesthouse beyond and saw Boris Tirov step past the hedge, a drink already in his hand. “Oh, shit,” he said.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” Billy asked.
    â€œA disinvited guest has just snuck into the party.” He looked around for the security men and saw them on the opposite side of the group, where one would expect guests to arrive.
    â€œWould you like me to speak to the gentleman?” Billy asked.
    â€œNo, I’ll handle it myself.” Stone set his drink on a table andwalked around the pool, meeting Tirov before he could reach the crowd. “Good evening, Mr. Tirov,” he said, offering his hand. “I’m Stone Barrington.”
    Tirov brushed the hand aside. “Ah,” he said, “the guy who torpedoed my deal at Centurion today.”
    â€œYou’ve been misinformed,” Stone replied. “I wasn’t at the board meeting this morning.”
    â€œYou lying piece of shit,” Tirov said, swaying slightly. “I