Page 17 of Stone

Huddled behind the smelly dumpster, Nola tried some breathing techniques she’d learned from her occasional yoga classes.

It worked well after a long day at the office, not so much when you were running for your life.

She hoped George the doorman was okay.

“Nick will be here soon,” she whispered, clenching her hands together. “You’ll be fine.”

There was a noise at the mouth of the alley.

She crouched down lower, heart thumping hard against her ribs. She hoped it wasn’t Russians, or rats. She hated rats.

She heard someone whistling and glanced around the edge of the dumpster. Farther down the alley, a man was dumping some trash in another dumpster. He must have come out of one of the buildings.

Sinking back against the wall, she closed her eyes.

Then she heard the low murmur of voices. Her eyes popped open, and her heart leaped into her throat. They were talking Russian.

Oh, crap.

She carefully leaned forward and peered around the dumpster again. The scent of rotting food made her stomach turn. Two men in dark suits stood at the entrance to the alley. One was gesturing deeper into the alley, and the other was shaking his head.

Suddenly, a third man joined them, barking orders at the pair. After a second, that man strode off.

How many were there? Her throat tightened. Were they all looking for her?

One of the men stepped into the alley. He started glancing side to side.

Nola pulled back.

Crap. What now? She couldn’t fit under the dumpster. Any moment, he’d reach her and spot her.

Hurry up, Nick.

She had no idea how long it would take for her brother to arrive. There was a piece of soggy cardboard beside her. She held it up. Maybe she could hide behind it?

She rolled her eyes. It wasn’t going to do much.

Scanning the ground, she spotted a broken umbrella amongst the trash. She lifted it up. The fabric was all torn away, just leaving the handle and wire frame.

It wasn’t the best weapon, but it was better than nothing.

She gripped the handle tightly and listened as the guy came closer. He was muttering under his breath. Yeah, he probably didn’t like the reek from the dumpster, either. He kicked something, and she heard a can clatter across the alley.

Nola bit her lip, her heart beating so hard she felt like it would burst out of her chest. She adjusted her grip on the umbrella.

The man stepped into view, spotted her, and grinned.

Nola charged up, swinging the umbrella. She smacked into the man’s massive chest. She swung again, but this time, he grabbed it and yanked it out of her hands.

Shit. She stepped backward, and he stepped forward.

Nola darted forward, trying to get around him.

He grabbed a handful of her shirt and she gasped. He spun her around and slammed her into the side of the dumpster with a clang.

Her face connected with the metal, pain throbbing along her cheek bone. She cried out.

Then he dragged her closer until she was up on the tips of her toes. She jerked and wriggled, trying to get free, but he was so much bigger and stronger.

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