Page 2 of She Belongs to Me

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.

CHAPTER 2

Alexandra

“Here is a full glass of wine. And I brought the bottle. Now, what the hell is going on?” Sherry thumped down on the chair a few inches away, curling her legs under her body.

I moved the wine from hand to hand, glancing up at the wide-open window. It was right now I wish I’d insisted on blinds. Thankfully, we were on the third floor, but I still had goosebumps crawling all over me. “I just…”

“Come on, honey. You’re scaring me to death. You were trembling when you jumped into my car. And you told me to floor it, while constantly looking behind us, which was terrifying. What is going on? You’re shaking like a leaf now.”

I took a huge gulp of wine, praying it would help keep me from screaming. I wasn’t certain anything could ease my nerves at this point. “I, um… I was getting a treat for Aunt Kim from her favorite little bakery. You know the French bistro?” Why in the hell was I stalling? This was nuts.

Sherry cocked her head, frowning at me.

“I wasn’t certain if it was closed, but I was there and was determined to purchase her favorite treat. I was too busy grabbing my wallet when I walked in and…”

“And?”

I closed my eyes, steadying my nerves.

“I watched a man being killed, murdered right in front of me.” I certainly wasn’t going to tell her the victim had been decapitated. She was about to take the bar exam, not enter the fourth year of medical school.

“Wha… What?”

“Yep. It was awful.”

“Did the killer see you?”