Page 42 of Stone

“Just passing through,” Knox murmured.

He reached the back door, and a second later, they stepped into the back alley.

They hurried back to the street. Nola had to jog a little to keep up with Knox’s long strides.

Back on the sidewalk, they slowed their pace.

“You’re doing great,” he said.

“Thanks. I’m a huge ball of nerves.”

They turned a corner, and up ahead, lounging against the wall of a building, she saw one of Zolotov’s men.

“Shit, another one.” She tugged on Knox’s sleeve. “I beaned him with a vase of flowers yesterday.”

“I see him.” Knox glanced down. “Would have liked to see you smack him around.”

She rolled her eyes. As his face settled back into serious lines, she realized he was trying to ease her nerves.

Zolotov’s thug turned his head, looking right in their direction.

“Shit,” Knox muttered.

Suddenly, the door of the building in front of them opened, and a young man covered in colorful tattoos with several piercings in his ears and nose exited the apartment. He had five dogs on leads, and they were all barking and yipping. One fluffy dog made a beeline to Nola, winding around her ankles, tangling its lead.

“Sorry, sorry,” the young man said.

Out of the corner of her eye, Nola saw the thug look at the commotion. She swiveled so her back was to him and leaned down to pat the dog. It was some sort of poodle, and stared at her with love in its warm eyes.

Beside her, she heard Knox utter a curse.

“Sorry, big dude,” the dog walker said. “I mean no harm.”

“It’s fine,” Nola said. “What’s your name?” She stopped a labrador from shoving its nose between her legs.

“Orlando.” The young man cocked a hip like he was striking a pose. “Dog walker, extraordinaire.”

“Orlando—” Nola leaned in “—look, we need your help.”

The man’s blue eyes widened. “Really?”

She nodded. “Some not-so-nice guys are after us.”

Orlando’s eye went wider still. “Bad ex?”

“Not exactly. Can we walk the dogs with you?”

Excitement crossed Orlando’s slim face. “Ooh, like go undercover with me?”

She nodded. “Yes, exactly.”

“I always thought I’d make a good James Bond,” Orlando said.

“I agree.” She smiled. “You’ll help us out?”

“I will. Here, this is Lulu.” He handed Nola the lead to the cute poodle that was bouncing around her feet.

“And for you, big dude, this is Cherub.”

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