Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

A lexandra

Treats.

It had been far too long since I’d picked up something special for my aunt. She’d done so much for me, sacrificed a good portion of her life to raise me. Besides, I only had two weeks of year three of medical school left. Yes, I had finals, but after that, I was taking a nice long break with my bestie in Cancun.

Maybe.

Bathing suits weren’t my thing.

I had to park the car two blocks away from my aunt’s favorite bakery. She adored the pastries, but felt they were far too indulgent. As I shifted through the evening crowd of people milling the still crowded street, I checked my watch. God, it was later than I’d thought. I’d need to drop the goodies off in the morning on my return to class.

They’d still be fresh. They better be.

I crossed the street a few minutes later, keeping a fast pace. This was an incredible part of Georgetown, my favorite place to shop and nibble on delicious foods. I was in such a good mood, applications already sent in for eight internships after the next year was completed. I liked to be organized.

I kept my tiny purse close, learning my lesson when I’d almost been mugged a couple of years before. On another street. In a less than stellar part of town. Turning the corner, I stopped short. I guess I’d never been down the street housing the bakery at night. It was completely different, far less commercialized and a one-way street. There was no reason for me to have a foreboding feeling, yet I did.

Maybe because being cautious had been drilled into me. I glanced over my shoulder not once but twice.

As I moved closer, I noticed the adorable sign for the bakery, the neon brightly shining in the darkness. It gave me comfort. I was eager to get back in my car, my hackles still raised.

Which was likely why I’d been stupid enough not to pay attention to the fact that only a single light from the back was on somewhere inside, which should be an indication the bakery was getting ready to close, or had already.

Maybe my watch was wrong. I was wearing my favorite and very old Swatch watch, a good luck symbol.

There was only one thing to do. Find out. I headed inside, immediately hearing some voices. That was a good sign. I was still not paying but so much attention to the area around me, already trying to struggle to get my even tinier wallet out.

Pop.

Immediately, I jerked my head up, noticing a man suddenly crumpling to the floor. My eyes were drawn to the right, to a man positioned on his knees.

Out of the shadows came a husky, sexy voice speaking a language I didn’t recognize.

“ óloi oi prodótes prépei na pethánoun .” His laugh was deep and full of cold evil.

Whoosh!

I’d watched horror movies before, something I usually enjoyed. While slasher films were ridiculous, they were still entertaining and had been my go-to over the years. Yet nothing had prepared me for what I’d just witnessed.

I’d helped in the emergency room after a wreck involving three cars, a man’s arm almost completely severed. I’d been there when a patient was brought in after falling two stories. And I’d had the gruesome task of consoling a young guy after his arm had been caught in a chipper/shredder.

But nothing in this world could have prepared me for the horrible, bloody sight only a few feet away from me as a tiny reflection of light captured what appeared to be an odd shaped and very large blade just seconds before it was brought down with tremendous force.

As with horror movies, everything shifted into slow motion to allow me to fully see and understand what was happening. A man’s head was severed, the free appendage toppling to the floor, hitting it with a solid thud.

And it started rolling in my direction.

I hadn’t realized I’d made a single sound since I’d covered my mouth with my hand, but when the man holding what had to be a machete slowly lifted his head in my direction, terror raced through me. I’d been through a couple of courses of self-defense training after the near mugging. Thankfully, it and my desire to live kicked in.

I turned and fled. I was thankful I was wearing tennis shoes. I’d been a runner for a good portion of my life, which meant I had stamina, but I could almost immediately hear at least two of them racing after me.

Far too close.

As well as a gruff voice barking ‘get her.’ That meant I was dead if I was caught.

Fleeting thoughts of heading to the safety of my car slithered into the forefront of my mind, but I quickly shoved it aside. Even if I made it to my vehicle, locking the doors, one of the goons would capture my license plate. I was certain of it. The only choice I had was to run and hide. At least until the heat died down.

Was that possible?

I used the late-night crowd as some cover, weaving in and out. I was on the main street, but I couldn’t stay here for long and soon I would be getting to a much more desolate area. I had to find somewhere to hide for more than just a few minutes.

Think. Think.

My brain was foggy, threatening to fall into panic mode. I couldn’t allow that to happen. I scanned the street as I ran, certain they were right behind me. After taking the time to shove my body against the side of a building, I noticed I’d gained some traction. I had to use the slight advantage fast.

When I noticed the sign for a corner bar I’d been in before, I sprinted toward it, sliding into the front door and immediately backing away. The crowd was lively, music pumping. But I could still hear the ragged beating of my heart.

I continued backing away, the only other advantage was that the bar was located on a corner, two full sets of windows allowing me to see comings and goings outside. I held my breath, certain the fuckers would find me. I’d been a practical girl, not prone to panic most of my life, but I was close to freaking out. There was no way I’d seen a man being murdered.

But I knew differently.

When two goons rushed by, obviously confused as to where I’d gone, I sucked in my breath. They were dressed in impeccable suits, the outside lights of the club highlighting their nice attire. People wore suits when they were killing now? That was fashionable? I was lightheaded, fearful of passing out. But I held it together as I forced my mind to work toward solutions.

Five minutes passed and I noticed a huge SUV with blacked-out windows cruising slowly down the street. Eventually, every open business would be checked. I had to get the hell out of here. But how?

Sherry.

If I called my roommate, she could pull up to the back exit and we could get away. Oh, God. This was insane. It was risky, but I had no other choice at this point. I headed to the women’s bathroom, finding it cool and the sound muffled.

I only prayed she wasn’t out partying.

My hands were shaking as I dialed her number, forced to lean against the counter.

“Hey, girl,” she answered. “When are you getting back, because I thought we could crack open a bottle of wine. We do deserve it after all our hard work.”

Now I was close to tears. “Sherry. I’m in trouble. Can you come get me?”

I prayed to God I hadn’t just signed her death warrant.