Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
K nox kept a tight hold on Nola’s hand. She was being strong, but he could tell she was scared.
He hated the blonde wig. She looked much better as a dark-haired sprite.
They exited the building and he tried to stay relaxed, and not look like a man who was on the lookout for trouble.
“Stay calm, relaxed,” he murmured to her. “Smile and look happy.”
“Right. Piece of cake.” Then she grabbed his arm and smiled up at him.
That brave smile hit him in the gut.
He reached out and toyed with some of the blonde hair. “We’ll head straight to the market, pass through, and the apartment is close by.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
As they headed down the sidewalk, they tried not to walk too fast. They passed a Starbucks, and a laughing trio of women holding takeout cups.
“That was me yesterday,” Nola said. “I got a mocha. I was smiling, hoping I’d get the job of selling the High Line Tower penthouse.” She made a sound. “Think I would have turned it down knowing what I know now.”
He wrapped an arm around her. “It’s going to be all right. I promise.”
“You sound like Nick. That certainty, no hesitation.” She set her shoulders back. “So why do they call you Stone? Because you’re as hard as stone?”
“Not exactly.” He pulled her closer, and they dodged around an arguing couple on the sidewalk. “On an early mission, my team was sent in to rescue a pair of abducted engineers in a country that I can’t name. They were being kept in a cave, and there were too many bad guys for us to storm it.”
“And?”
“I blew a hole through the wall into the cave with explosives. Rock went everywhere. Buried half the bad guys. After that, the guys started calling me Stone.”
“And the engineers?”
“We got them out safely.”
“You’re a regular, all-American hero.”
He hated that word. “No, I’m just a guy who tries to do the right thing.”
She looked up at him. “And now you’re helping keep me alive. That sounds like a hero to me. There aren’t that many guys who’d do the right thing, or put themselves in danger to do it, Knox.”
Her words filled a space inside him. He’d been given medals before, but Nola’s sincere praise hit deep.
“Thanks for coming for me, Knox. Especially when you made it clear that you don’t want to be around me.”
He jerked her to a stop. “I never said I didn’t want to be around you.”
She blinked. “You said—”
“I want you too much. That’s the problem.” And right now, he couldn’t let himself get distracted. Her safety was his first priority. He tugged her back into a fast walk. “Come on.”
Soon, the brick building and sign for the Chelsea Market came into view. He spotted the entrance, and steered them toward it. They crossed the street at a pedestrian crossing, and joined the trickle of people heading for the door.
“I love the Market,” Nola said. “I haven’t been here for ages. The old, industrial vibe of the building is amazing. It used to be an old biscuit factory. The food on offer is amazing.” Her natural exuberance shone through. “Donuts, chocolates, lobster, fresh pasta. You name it, you can find it here.”
Was there anything she wasn’t passionate about? Nola seemed to be a woman who threw herself into every experience.
Knox didn’t care about food right now. He fixed his gaze on the front door. Get her inside. That was his goal.
“ Knox .” She squeezed his hand hard. “To our right.”
He casually glanced over and saw two guys. Big, wearing boxy, black suits, looking out of place. The men were looking at their phones, and scanning around.
Damn, they probably had a photo of Nola.
He quickly reached the door to the market, and pulled her inside.
The old wooden floors were polished to a high sheen, but they were still a little uneven. Old metalwork and pipes crossed openly overhead, and brick accent walls drew the eye. Stores spread out in both directions.
“We need to go that way.” Nola pointed, then she froze. “They’re inside,” she whispered.
Knox turned to block her with his body. The pair of guys in suits were inside and walking closer.
“Giggle,” he ordered.
“What?” She looked at him askance.
“Giggle. Like you don’t have a care in the world.”
She licked her lips and giggled.
Then Knox lowered his head, and kissed her.
He tried to keep one eye on the men, but damn that mouth of hers tasted sweet. He kissed her soft lips, letting himself get a hit of her. As her tongue stroked against his, he groaned. He clamped his hands on her ass and pulled her closer.
Reluctantly, he pulled back. The men had moved past them, disappearing into the crowd of shoppers ahead. Knox’s lips were still tingling. When he looked down at Nola, the look on her face made his gut clench.
“Nola, don’t look at me like that.”
She lifted a hand to her lips. “You can’t kiss me like that, then expect me not to.”
He ran a thumb across her cheek. “I’ll do it again, later. When you’re safe.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.” He grabbed her hand. “Come on. We need to get out of here.”
They hurried past several food stalls. Knox briefly took in the piles of fresh pasta, large wheels of cheese, crabs legs on ice. Whatever you liked, you could probably find it here. He looked ahead, staying focused.
Get to the other side of the markets, get out, get to the safe house.
Another couple of Russians stepped into view. They caught the attention of the first pair who’d passed them earlier. They started talking.
Shit .
He tugged Nola forward, moving close to the storefronts. Zolotov really wanted to neutralize her.
Well, the asshole couldn’t have her.
Suddenly, one guy looked up, his gaze falling on Nola. He frowned, then looked at the phone in his hand. Then he looked up again.
Knox’s shoulders tensed. When the man lowered his phone, he relaxed a little.
Then the man’s gaze whipped back to Nola, and he looked at his phone again. He turned and elbowed one of his friends.
Busted .
“ Run ,” Knox said urgently.
Nola didn’t argue. She broke into a run.
He followed. He turned to the side, and pushed over a stand of greeting cards. Items skidded everywhere all over the floor, and he heard someone shout behind them.
“Keep going,” he yelled.
They turned a corner, pushing through a small group of people. He saw the exit doors right ahead of them.
Suddenly, a man in a suit charged forward and darted at them.
Knox lifted a foot and kicked the man. With a growl, the guy caught his balance and launched himself at Knox.
Swinging his arm, Knox slammed a fist into the man’s jaw. He snapped several more punches into his torso. The man grunted, and looked dazed. Knox’s next kick sent the man crashing into some tables and chairs in front of a store. People screamed and scattered.
Knox grabbed Nola’s arm, and dragged her through the chaos. He thrust open the door and towed her outside. On the street, they sprinted down the sidewalk, then he pulled her across the road. He dodged the cars, but one honked at them.
“Down.” He yanked her down behind some parked cars.
She was gasping for air. Knox ran a hand down her back, then lifted his head up enough to peer through the car’s windows. On the other side of the street, he saw several of Zolotov’s thugs spill outside of the market, searching the sidewalk.
The men broke off, moving in different directions. They didn’t cross the street.
“Stay low.” Knox tugged her behind him, and they hurried to the next corner and slipped onto the next street.
They were out of sight of the Market now. He straightened. “Just walk at a regular pace.” He slung an arm around her shoulders.
“My brain says run,” she said. “Fast.”
“There’s just one more block, and we’ll be at the safe house. You’re doing great.”
“Well, I need a drink. A big one.”
He squeezed her closer. “That can be arranged, Sprite.”
Okay, this was not what she expected from a Sentinel Security safe house.
Nola’s blood was still pumping through her veins as Knox ushered her into the apartment building.
It wasn’t very nice.
The tiny entry was dirty, and smelled like stale smoke. Somewhere, a baby wailed, and she heard a TV being played loudly.
“This place is…”
“Safe.” He urged her up the stairs.
On the next floor, he stopped at a dark-wood door, and unlocked it.
“Where did you get the key?” she asked.
“It was in the bag Devyn left us.” The door opened.
They stepped into a small, empty entry. The floor was an ugly, stained linoleum. Nola wrinkled her nose. She really expected more from Killian.
There was a second door ahead of them, but unlike the first, this one had a fancy keypad lock.
Knox pressed in a code, and the lock beeped. The door swung open.
Nola stepped inside, and her mouth dropped open. “Oh, this is more like it.”
It was like a tiny oasis in the middle of dingy chaos.
The apartment was a spacious studio. There was a small, modern kitchenette that ran along the side wall. Then it opened up into a living area, with a large bed to one side. The walls were bright white, and the place looked fresh and modern.
As Knox locked the door, she realized the apartment was soundproofed. She couldn’t hear the crying baby or the television anymore.
“I had no idea this cute apartment was in this building.”
Knox pulled out his handgun and set it on the coffee table. “I think that’s the point.” He yanked off the ball cap and his jacket. “Killian told me the windows are covered in a protective film, as well. No one can see in.”
She was safe. She wrapped her arms around herself.
“Nola?”
She waved a hand. “I’m fine. We’re safe.” She smiled at him. “We made it.”
He nodded. “We did.” Then he strode over to a panel set in the wall by the front door. She hadn’t noticed it before.
He swiped and tapped on it.
“What’s that?” She leaned against him to get a look.
“The place has a full security system.” He pressed a button. “The alarm is engaged, and Killian has the place wired. Look.”
Several images appeared on the screen. They showed the front of the building, the entry, the stairwell, and the front door of the apartment.
Tension drained out of her, leaving her a little shaky.
She’d been running on adrenaline ever since she’d seen that man get shot.
She was safe.
Thanks to Knox.
“I’d be dead if it wasn’t for you,” she said quietly.
“Hey.” He touched her jaw. “You did good, Nola. Didn’t lose it. You held it together.”
“Knox? Nola?”
The tense female voice made Nola blink and look at the security screen. She saw Killian’s and Hex’s faces.
“You did it, Knox.” Hex beamed. “You got her there safely.”
“Nola, how are you holding up?” Killian asked.
“Well, I’ve had better days.”
“Nice wig,” Hex said.
“It’s so itchy.” Nola pulled it off and scratched her scalp. “But it helped.”
A faint smile crossed Killian’s lips. “We’re glad you’re okay.”
She leaned forward. “Have you heard from Nick? How’s Lainie?”
“Lainie is fine, and resting at home,” Hex said. “Nick is with her, no doubt hovering over her and driving her crazy. Apparently, she just overdid it. She and the baby are fine.”
Nola let out a breath. “Thank God.” Then her stomach clenched. “Hex, the doorman from the High Line Tower, he was shot. I had to leave him with bystanders when I ran. His name is George—”
“Already got confirmation that he’s okay.” Hex smiled. “He was treated and released.”
Nola pressed her hands to her cheeks. “Good. That’s good.”
“Now, you just need to focus on your own safety,” Killian said. “The kitchen is stocked. You two need to rest and regroup tonight.” His face turned serious. “Nola, when you get to Sentinel Security tomorrow, you’ll need to give your statement about what happened to the police. Zolotov is a bad man. You can help put him away.”
She clenched her hands on the wig. “Absolutely.”
“You’ll need to testify.”
She lifted her chin. “I can do that.”
“Good.” Killian nodded. “If there are any problems, call. Otherwise, lay low and rest. Tomorrow, we’ll get you to the office.”
Knox lifted his chin. “Thanks, Killian.”
“No, thank you, Knox. Nola is family, and you got her secure. That means a lot to all of us.” Killian nodded, then the call ended.
God, she was safe.
It was really only just sinking in.
She strode back into the living area, dropped the wig on the coffee table, and threw her arms out. “We made it!” She spun and saw Knox smiling at her. “I really need that drink.”
“I’ll see what we’ve got.” He rolled the sleeves of his shirt up, uncovering lots of interesting muscles and tattoos. The white fabric looked bright against his tanned skin.
Heat made her belly coil.
In the kitchen, he opened a few cabinets, then pulled out a bottle of gin. He turned to the fridge and opened it.
“How about a gin and tonic?” He leaned into the fridge. “I can’t mix a fancy cocktail. Sorry.”
She laughed. “I didn’t have you pegged as a cocktail man. A gin and tonic sounds fabulous.”
He found some ice and mixed the drink for her. She took the glass with a smile. She dropped down on the gray couch and sipped. “Here’s to not being dead.”
He sank onto an armchair close by. “That’s a good thing.”
“It puts things in perspective.” She shook her head. “All the things I haven’t done yet, the places I haven’t been to.” She took a large gulp of the drink. “I want to live.”
“And you will. No one is hurting you.”
She drained the rest of her drink. “And I really, really want a shower. I can feel the germs on my feet.”
The corner of his lips lifted. “The bathroom is all yours.”
She set the glass on the table. “Getting safe was the number one thing I was focused on, but a close second was washing my feet.”
His laugh was a low rumble. She liked it. A lot.
The bathroom was as sleek as the rest of the apartment. It wasn’t big, but whoever had designed it had done well. There was no tub, just a spacious walk-in shower, toilet, and floating vanity. There were stylish black-and-white tiles on the floor and a white tile with an interesting ripple in the shower.
Nola toed off her borrowed shoes and stripped off her clothes. When she stepped under the hot spray, she moaned.
She washed her hair twice, and her feet four times. She figured after that alley, she couldn’t be too careful. A few times, thoughts of that poor man who’d been executed popped into her head, but she squelched them. Later. She’d deal with that later.
Once she finally felt clean, she stepped out and dried off. In the mirror, she saw the faint swelling around her left eye and cheek where she’d hit the dumpster. She probed it and pulled a face. It wasn’t too bad.
Nola wrapped one of the thick, white towels around her, then stepped out of the bathroom. She wondered if there was a stash of clothes somewhere.
When she looked over, she froze.
Knox was sitting on the couch, shirtless. He was probing an area of his ribs, but her brain kind of short-circuited, and all she could see was that expanse of toned chest.
His shoulders and chest consisted of heavy slabs of muscle. And ink. Tattoos she’d like to explore in great detail. He had a smattering of black hair peppered with gray across his pecs.
And abs. He had lots of abs. He was in better shape than a lot of younger guys she’d dated.
He looked up, then his eyes turned hooded. His gaze slowly ran down her body, then back up again.
“How was the shower?” he asked.
“Excellent. My feet are clean.” She pointed to the toes on one foot.
He patted the couch beside him. “Come here, and let me take a look at your face.”
She padded over and sat beside him. That’s when she saw the bruises forming over his ribs. “You’re hurt?”
“Took a hit. It’s not too bad. I’ve had a lot worse.” His lips quirked. “I just don’t heal as fast as I used to.” He reached over and gently touched her face.
“Mine isn’t too bad either. I mean, I haven’t had worse, but at least I don’t think I’ll end up with a black eye.”
“Ice will help.” He reached over to the coffee table, and she saw two ice packs sitting there. He grabbed one and pressed it to the side of her face.
Nola nabbed the other one, then pressed it against his bruised skin.
They were sitting close together, legs brushing. He was sitting there, big and strong. He’d fought for her. Protected her.
He’d put himself in danger for her.
Yes, one day Nola wanted the grand love, and marriage and babies, but today had showed her that none of that was promised.
Life could change in the blink of an eye.
What she wanted right now was Knox.
She wanted to feel close to him, explore him, feel pleasure.
She shifted one leg up on the couch, tugging the towel higher, and baring more of her thighs.
He raised an eyebrow.
“Today made me realize how important it is to live. To grab every moment.” She lifted her chin. “I want you.”
Something churned in his eyes. “Nola—”
“I don’t care about our age difference, or the idea of getting married one day. Right now, all I want is you. I want my hands on your body.” Nerves and desire mixed inside her.
He kept the ice pack pressed to her face, but she saw his other big hand curl into a fist in his lap.
“You’ve been through a scary situation today,” he said carefully.
She laughed wryly. “That’s one way to put it.” She shifted closer, as though she was being pulled to him. “If you think my judgment is clouded, forget it. If anything, everything seems clearer. I wanted you last night, and I want you now.” She lifted her chin. “I think you want me, too.”
“You make it damn hard to say no,” he growled.
“So, don’t. Just do what you want. Take what you want.”
A muscle ticked in his jaw. Desire was stark on his rugged face. “Are you sure you’re ready for that, Sprite?”
“Yes.” She touched the spot where the corner of the towel was tucked and let it go. The towel fell to her lap.
His gaze moved over her bare breasts. “So damn pretty.”
He took the ice packs and tossed them aside. Then he cupped her breasts.
One of his hands was cool from the ice and she gasped. He played with the weight of her breasts, then his thumbs rubbed over her nipples.
She moaned at the sensation. “My heart is pounding so hard.”
“I feel it.” He took his time caressing her, thumbing her tight nipples.
She shifted restlessly, the towel slipping more. She knew he could see that she was naked.
He let out a low growl, then surged up. The next second, he lifted her off the couch and she was in his arms.
His mouth took hers. The kiss was hot and carnal, filled with a hunger that made her moan. She pressed into him, feeling his warm skin pressed against hers. She kissed him back. His tongue delved deeper, and she sucked on it.
He backed up until her shoulder blades hit the wall, and she wrapped her legs around his hips.
Right then, there was nothing Nola wanted more than Knox Holman.