AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Me!” Bella’s expression lit up.
“Do you even know what one is?” Rita asked.
“Yes.” Bella glared at her. “You think I’ve never watched TV?”
“Have at it.” Rita gave her a dismissive eye roll. “I need to get to the restaurant and make sure everything is in order for the catering. The next two days are brutal between Halloween and the Day of the Dead.”
“If I need to do anything with my order, let me know,” Ariana said.
“Will do.” Rita marched toward the door, but she stopped suddenly. Pulled out her phone and looked at the screen, her eyes widening.
“What’s wrong?” Ariana asked.
Rita’s mouth gaped, but she didn’t say anything.
Ari put a hand on her arm. “Talk to us.”
Rita looked at her. “He just threatened the lives of Grayson and the kids if I don’t hand you over.”
Bella gasped. “Are you going to?”
“Of course not.”
“Maybe I should just turn myself in. I can’t let others get hurt because of me.”
“No,” Ariana and Rita said.
“What then? I can’t go to your house. You don’t want me staying here.”
Rita frowned. “I don’t know what the answer is. For now, stay and help with the party. I’ll make sure the door is locked on my way out.”
Bella turned to Ariana. “Do you still want me here? I understand if you don’t, considering my father is making death threats.”
“You need to be here all the more now. Damon and I will never revoke our offer for you to stay. But I would highly reconsider coming to the party if I were you.”
Bella nodded but looked more determined than ever.
She might show up at the party despite any potential danger — including her unhinged father and the man he so desperately wants her to marry.
Ariana would have to take every measure possible to keep her safe.
ChapterTwenty
Tantalizing scents of bacon, eggs, and coffee tickled Bella’s nose. She rubbed her eyes, pulled the covers up to her face, and stretched. The last thing she wanted was to get out of bed. They’d stayed up past two in the morning getting everything ready for the big party.
She bolted upright at the thought of it. Tonight was her first time celebrating Halloween, and she wasn’t going to show up as food like she’d told everyone. It wasn’t like she was trying to lie, but the more she thought about it, the more she wanted to wear something more traditional.
More risqué. Something her parents would hate.
The thought made her heart race.
She’d gone through the costume closet again just before bed, and put together the perfect outfit. It was award-worthy.
Bella leaped out of bed, flung open the closet door, and gushed over her picks. The ruffled gray and white dress with torn lace throughout was to die for. She wasn’t used to clingy, sleeveless tops but she couldn’t wait to don it that night. Paired with the Day of the Dead skull mask, the long gray wig that almost matched the dress, and a gray veil, she would be a hauntingly beautiful living dead bride.
It was the perfect costume to send exactly the message she wanted to her father and Neil. Not only was the top part revealing — her arms and shoulders wouldn’t be covered, except by the veil — but it shouted the message that she would only get married over her dead body. When she’d tried it on, it had fit her like a glove.
Footsteps sounded out in the hall.
