Chapter 1

      She glanced behind her, certain she’d heard something that sounded like a growl. When the sound did not repeat, she shrugged and pulled up the collar of her jacket to block the bite of the chilled autumn air. Now, she wished that she’d accepted an offer of a ride to the garage from her friends. At least then she wouldn’t be alone, on a dark street, jumping at every noise.

      She knew better than to go anywhere alone in downtown Chicago, especially after dark.

      As she entered the parking garage, she let out the breath she’d been holding and laughed. All that worry for nothing. She climbed the stairs to the second level and there, in the middle of the empty bay, stood her car, a shiny, creamy, pearl-white Audi, the heated leather seats beckoning to her.

      As she dug in her purse for her keys, she heard it again. This time louder. The deep rumble of an animal’s growl sent shivers coursing down her spine.

      It sounded as though it was coming from her car.

      The growl burst into a roar, echoing off the concrete walls of the garage, so real and frightening she screamed and dropped her purse, keys and all, and ran back toward the stairs.

      “No,”