Page 18 of Stone

“Let me go, asshole!”

Holding her with one hand, he pulled his cellphone out of his pocket with the other. No doubt to call his boss.

Her chest squeezed. Nick was going to be too late. God, he’d blame himself. She’d never get to see her baby niece.

More footsteps sounded on the pavement—slow and deliberate—and Nola’s heart sank. She couldn’t fight off two of them. She glanced back, and saw the shape of another big man in a jacket.

Despair gripped her.

But the newcomer surged forward. He reached over her, and punched her captor in the face.

The Russian released her, and she staggered backward. She slammed into a hard body, and looked up into Knox’s rugged face.

Nola gasped.

His gray gaze was narrowed. He looked hard, focused, dangerous.

He nudged her aside and lunged at her attacker. Knox hit the man again, and the Russian roared. He shouldered forward, rammed into Nola, and knocked her to the ground.

Oof. Grit crunched under her palms. She lifted her head and watched the fight.

Knox fisted a hand in the front of the man’s shirt and rammed an uppercut into his gut. The man let out a choked sound, swinging an arm up. Knox avoided it, and punched him in the face.

The punches were hard, ruthless, and powerful.

Finally, Knox shoved the Russian, and he fell to the dirty concrete, unmoving. Knox flexed his hands and turned.

“Nola? You okay?” He helped her up.

“I’m okay. I’m fine.” She could barely breathe. A huge rush of emotion gripped her. She threaded her hands together. “I… I…” Her voice cracked.

Then brawny arms engulfed her.

She clung to Knox. He was so big and solid and hard.

Strong.

She felt safe.

She held on tight.

CHAPTER FIVE

She was safe.

Knox held Nola’s small form. He hadn’t realized how scared he’d been when he’d first heard she was in danger. Not until he’d seen her.

When he’d entered the alley and seen that Russian grab her…

He barely knew her, but he already knew she was special. He felt it in his gut.

“Thanks, Knox.” Her voice was shaky. She pulled back.

Instantly, he missed the touch of her.

“You’re not hurt?” he asked.

“The worst thing is that I’m barefoot in this gross alley.” She grimaced.

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