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A gunshot.

Loud.

Deafening.

The sharp crack echoed off the walls, reverberating through my bones.

The victim's head snapped back, a bloom of red exploding across the pristine white floor and the wall behind him. The heavy copper stench filled the air instantly, reaching me even from where I stood.

Horrified shock overrode all sense of self-preservation.

A scream ripped from my lungs.

I stared at the body slumping sideways in the chair, the man's sightless eyes seeming to stare straight at me as a pool of blood formed around him.

In that moment only one thought crossed my mind…fucking RUN!

CHAPTER 2

ALINA

Ispun on my heel and bolted down the hallway.

The slick soles of my worn sneakers squeaked against the polished marble floor, but I didn't care.

I just ran harder, pushing my legs as fast as they could carry me, ignoring the burn in my lungs.

I darted around a corner into the nearest hiding spot—a cramped janitor's closet.

I slammed the door shut, my fingers fumbling to try and lock it, but the stupid lock was tiny and my sweat-slicked fingers couldn't grasp it.

Giving up, I pressed my palms and an ear to the door, desperately trying to hear something, anything, to tell me whether he was out there.

Darkness swallowed me as my heartbeat raced so loudly, it felt like it would give me away.

The air was thick with the acrid stench of bleach and old mop water, the cramped space pressing against me like a coffin.

There was no relief in being hidden, only terror knowing he was hunting me.

It was just a matter of time before he found me.

Tears fell to my shirt as I sucked in deep breaths.

I tried to slow my heart; it was beating too fast, too loud, a bass drum in my ears screaming that he was coming for me.

I pressed a trembling hand over my mouth, forcing myself to stay silent despite the sobs wracking my body.

If he caught me, he would kill me.

If it was just me, I wouldn't care.

I might have even welcomed the release of death, but my poor grandmother depended on me. I was all she had left in the world.

Seconds stretched into eternity.

Then footsteps broke the silence.

Slow. Measured.