Page 47 of Stone

“Slow down,” he murmured.

“It’s so hard.” She slowed down, fear etched on her face. “I just want to run.”

When she tried to look back, he squeezed her hand. “Look forward.”

She heaved out a shaky breath.

“I’ve got you, Nola.”

Her gaze met his. “I know.”

The trust in her eyes floored him.

Knox would do everything he could to live up to that trust and get her safe.

Nola tried to calm her racing pulse. She glanced at the water, which usually calmed her, but not today.

She barely noticed a barge moving past.

There was a commotion behind them, but Knox kept facing forward and walking, hustling her along.

How could he stay so calm?

Finally, he glanced back casually. “The two of them are splitting up. They’re searching everyone walking along the water.”

Nola gulped and fought the urge to flee. Her fingers clenched on Knox’s hand. She turned her head toward the Hudson, like she was just taking in the view. She spotted one of the men getting closer.

“Knox, he’s nearly at us,” she whispered.

“Just keep walking.”

Suddenly, the man shouted. “There she is!”

Knox whirled, just as the thug charged through two joggers, aimed at Nola.

She gasped. Knox charged forward and the men collided.

Oh, God.

All around, people screamed. Knox and the man traded heavy punches. Knox landed a vicious punch to the thug’s jaw. The man spat blood from his mouth, and charged in for more.

“You’d come after a tiny, little woman?” Knox hammered a punch to the man’s gut, then followed through with his other hand, punching him in the face.

The thug staggered and threw his arms up.

“Make you feel big and powerful to chase down a woman?” Knox punched him again.

They moved closer to the railing by the water. Zolotov’s man swung wildly, and managed to hit Knox in the side. But Knox reacted, ramming an elbow into the man’s head. As it connected, she heard a crunch, and winced.

They spun again, blood streaming down the thug’s face. Everything was a blur of kicks and punches.

Knox’s face looked like stone. “You’re not touching her, asshole. You’re done.”

He shoved the man against the railing. The thug tried to hit back, but Knox bent his knees, grabbed the man’s legs, and lifted.

She watched, shocked, as Knox hefted the man over the railing.

As he fell, the thug yelled, then there was a huge splash as he hit the water.

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