Page 46 of Stone

As soon as she stepped onto the ice, her foot slipped.

“Aaah.”

Knox caught her and pulled her close to his body. Several young skaters zipped around them. Nearby, a toddler being held up by her father giggled wildly.

Then movement off the ice caught his attention.

Zolotov’s men were inside.

“We need to go.” Knox turned carefully and started shuffling her across the ice.

Nola made an unhappy sound, her hands gripping his arms firmly. He tried to keep them moving with the flow of skaters, so they didn’t stand out.

They were almost to the other side of the rink when he heard loud shouts.

“I think they’ve spotted us,” Nola said.

The two thugs stepped out onto the ice. They’d only taken a few steps when one slipped, his legs going out from under him. He fell flat on his back.

“Guess he’s not an ice-skating fan either,” she said.

Knox shoved open the gate and lifted her off the ice. He took her hand. “This way.”

They sprinted past some benches and into a corridor. He spotted an external door and pulled her that way.

When they stepped outside, he saw several small cruise ships docked at the pier. To the right, was the greenery of Hudson River Park.

“Into the park.”

They sprinted down the walkway. Knox turned down one of the paths and into the trees. Nola was doing her best to keep up.

They barreled past some people on bicycles and turned a corner. Several people were wandering through the park. Closer to the water, others were sitting and lying on the grass.

He risked a glance back. The men were still coming.

One was closer to them.

And drawing a gun.

“Everyone down!” Knox roared. He tugged on Nola’s arm and yanked her off the path.

They raced across the grass and into a stand of trees. Gunfire sounded behind them, and screams broke out.

Knox slowed his pace to match Nola. They dodged around some trees and leaped over some bushes. There was more gunfire.

Knox pulled her close and dodged to the left.

“We’ll head down to the path along the water.” Hopefully they could lose the assholes and blend in.

He pulled his ball cap off and shoved it on her head. Then he yanked off his jacket. They ran down a slope and he spotted a trash can. He dropped the jacket in as they passed.

“Ugh, I’ve got a stitch,” Nola said on a sharp breath, holding her side.

“Don’t stop running.”

There was more gunfire and Knox gritted his teeth. Dammit. These idiots were going to hurt some innocent bystander.

They reached the edge of the grass. People strolled past, while others sat on benches, looking at the Hudson. There were several joggers, and people riding bicycles on the path by the river. Knox pulled Nola into a small group of people walking along the water’s edge.

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