Page 22 of Stone

“We wait for Devyn to text. Once we’ve changed into the disguises she’s leaving for us, we’ll head to the safe house. It’s only a few blocks away.”

A few blocks felt like a hundred miles. When she’d first met Knox last night, and kissed him, she hadn’t expected to be stuck in a cleaning cupboard with him. “Distract me. I need to get my mind off this crazy situation.”

Knox stroked her wrist. “So, is Nick a good brother?”

“The best. We have the same mom, but different fathers. My father is—” she wrinkled her nose “—snobby and judgmental.” She sighed. “He loves me, though. He can be semi-decent at times.”

“No one is all black or all white.”

She nodded. “You have family?”

“My parents have passed. I have a sister. She lives in California and has two kids. A niece and nephew. They’re both in college.”

“And the Marines, right? That’s like family, too.”

“Yeah.”

“Why did you leave?”

“It was time. I was in special forces for several years. The Marine Raiders.”

She smiled. “I should’ve guessed. You have the special forces vibe.”

“I loved being a Raider, but I got older. An injury was slowing me down. Eventually, I left the field and started training new recruits.”

“But?” She cocked her head. “I hear a but.”

“I guess I missed the action. It was hard watching the guys head off on a mission and being left behind. It just didn’t feel right anymore. Then Killian called and offered me a job. That felt right.”

“Well, you’ve had a hell of a second day on the job.”

He squeezed her hand and laughed. “Yeah. The other thing that I wasn’t expecting was seeing a beautiful woman with short, dark hair, and big, blue eyes, across a crowded bar.”

“Oh.”

“And I really didn’t expect that kissing her would feel like coming home.”

Her heart kicked. “Are you flirting with me?”

He shrugged a shoulder. “Never really been good at flirting.”

She leaned in. “Well, I think you’re doing a great job.”

“I’m being an ass. You’re shaken, and—”

She squeezed his hand. “I like it. I like you, Knox.”

He leaned closer and cupped her face. A shiver ran through her body.

Then his cellphone vibrated.

“Is that the message from Devyn?” Nola asked.

“Yes.” He pulled back and rose. The light from his phone tinted his face blue. “She’s put the bag in the men’s restroom in the lobby. Let’s head down there.” He cracked the door open, checking the corridor. “Ready to move?”

Nola grabbed his hand. “Ready.”

As they headed down the corridor, none of the apartment doors opened. They reached the stairwell and headed down.

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