Page 40 of Stone

“Thanks, Knox,” Nick said. “I owe you.”

“No, you don’t.” Knox tried not to feel guilty about what he’d spent the night doing with the man’s sister.

He’d square it away with Nick. What was between him and Nola was between them.

“Hex, have you got a recommended route for us to take to the office?” Knox asked.

“We thought about sending a car, but it’s too risky,” Killian said. “We’re worried that Zolotov will have men out ready to shoot on sight. I think it’s best to come on foot. Quickly and quietly.”

“All right,” Knox said.

“We could take the High Line?” Nola said. “We’d be off the streets.”

Knox knew the elevated greenway, that had once been an old rail line, was a popular attraction. He shook his head. “I don’t want to be trapped on there if they spot us.”

“Knox,” Hex said. “I suggest you two head toward the waterfront and Hudson River Park. Zolotov’s men were sticking to the streets leading directly to the office.”

Knox pulled out his phone and studied the map. “Got it.”

“Take care of my sister, Stone,” Nick said.

“I will.” Knox met Nola’s blue gaze. “I’ll get her there.”

“Good luck,” Killian said. “Both of you.”

“Ready?”

Nola looked up at Knox, then itched the side of her head. The wig was really uncomfortable.

“I sure am.” That was a lie. She wasn’t ready. She really didn’t want to leave the relative safety of the apartment. Her stomach was alive with nerves.

“Hey.” A big hand cupped the side of her cheek. “It’s okay to be afraid. Fear keeps you sharp, stops you from being reckless.”

“You don’t strike me as the reckless kind of guy.” She pressed her hands to his chest.

“A certain curvy sprite certainly makes me feel a little wild.”

She went up on her toes and kissed him.

He sank his hands into her hair. “I’m getting you to Sentinel Security, Nola. Zolotov and his men are not getting you.”

She nodded and hugged him.

He patted her back, and she knew she couldn’t stall any longer. When he tugged the ball cap low on his head, she steeled herself. He opened the front door, panic trickled through her.

Come on, Nola. You can do this. Especially with Knox at your side.

They headed out of the apartment, and she clutched his hand.

“We’re going to walk out onto the street like we don’t have a care in the world,” he told her.

She dragged in a deep breath. “Right.”

“We’re just a couple out for a stroll, then heading home to fuck like rabbits.”

A giggle burst out of her as they headed down the stairs. “I like this couple’s plans for the day.” She scratched her nose. “So we head toward the Hudson?”

“That’s the plan. And do our best to not catch the notice of Zolotov and his goon squad.”

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