Chapter 2

Lacey finished sweeping before she went back into the kitchen and looked in the tiny office where the manager was counting out the till. "Do you need me for anything else, Mrs. Brown?"

"No, thanks, Lacey," the manager said. "Have a good weekend."

Lacey buttoned up and walked out the back door, which automatically locked behind her. To save money, she had started taking the bus to work, although it meant sometimes waiting a half hour at the bus stop in the chilly night air. She'd had a good bunch of customers that day. The tips she'd made would allow her to splurge on some takeout this weekend.

As Lacey emerged from the alley, a dark car pulled up to the curb and parked there. She skirted around it, quickening her step as she heard the driver's door open behind her.

A terribly familiar voice called out, "Come here."

She spun around to see Christopher Wolfe standing by the car. "Go to hell."