AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Find Bella,” Damon said. “I’m going to talk with this guy.”
And possibly kick him out and call the cops.
ChapterTwenty-Two
Diego pulled the ski mask from his mouth and sucked in the cold, fresh air. He hated the thing, but it was all he had to wear that wasn’t part of an evil, devil-worshiping costume. He had on his typical baggy hunting attire along with the mask to hide his identity. It was as close to Halloween attire as he would ever get, and he’d only donned it to get his daughter back. Like Neil’s sports uniform, they were wearing ordinary clothes that had nothing to do with the evil holiday being celebrated inside that house.
The music was so loud, he could hear it at the edge of the property. Isabella had to be inside. It was across the street from Boone and Margarita’s house, and his daughters had to be together. He hadn’t found his youngest the other night, but today would be different. This time he had Neil on his side.
And Neil wanted his bride. He was eager to get her back and make her learn her proper place, which was under the thumb of the men in charge. Currently that transfer of power was moving from Diego to Neil. He could see the gleam in Camila’s eyes — nothing made his wife’s expression light up like a big dowry, and this one was the largest sum received for any of their daughters.
Diego would’ve actually preferred another suitor than Neil, but he’d offered the most money. Once Camila heard that number, there was no going back. He couldn’t say no to his own bride.
It was a good thing this was Diego’s last child, because it was growing increasingly clear that he was losing hold. None of his other children had run away like Isabella, and only two remained faithful to their cause.
That would change soon enough. Isabella would be where she belonged by sunup, and the church was working hard to get Boone free from prison. Then all three of his daughters would live under their proper protection and authority. Obviously breaking Boone free would take some time, but it would happen. Then all would be right in the world again, and Diego would be in good standing with both Heaven and Earth.
A family rushed by, all dressed like the devil worshipers they were. The kids ran ahead, rang the doorbell, and called out, “Trick or treat!”
The woman who answered gushed over the costumes and gave the kids handfuls of candy each before the family passed him again.
Diego waited until the homeowner went back inside, then he darted across the lawn to the fence. He already knew there was a tricky latch on the other side. It would be enough to deter a thief, but Diego was no criminal. He was on a divine mission.
He would save his family no matter the cost, no matter who he had to hurt along the way. His good standing in the next life was too valuable to risk, and he sure wasn’t going to let his children get in the way of that. Anyone else was collateral damage if things got out of control.
Everlasting life was what mattered. Everything here was only a test.
One he intended to ace.
Diego fumbled with the latch. He should’ve sent Neil to this job. Taller than most, he could get the gate unlocked with more ease. Diego was several inches shorter than him, and the latch was made to be difficult for someone of average height to undo.
However, sending Neil in the front door was overall the better part of the plan. Nobody would recognize him inside. Only Isabella had met him, and just the one time. She wouldn’t realize it was him in the hockey gear.
Both Diego’s daughters would easily spot him in his hunting attire. How many times had they seen him in it over the years? He was a champion at catching their meals, and he often went out and got their food from the woods regardless of worldly laws that set limits on the time of year he could provide for his family.
This world was out to get them, always attacking their beliefs. Not only with their ridiculous laws but especially with the entertainment industry. Even the school system was in on it, getting kids excited about tonight’s stupid holiday that turned everyone’s attention to devil worship.
He couldn’t wait to get to the next life where everything would finally be right. In fact, if he had to use his guns and bring half the people inside to the everlasting world tonight, he’d do it. At least he would save himself and his daughters from the evils of this world. Then they could enter the utopia together one day.
Everyone in attendance had made the decision to attend this Godforsaken event. If they forced his hand, it didn’t matter. He wouldn’t have to see them again.
The day of reckoning was coming.
One way or another.
He was sure of that, and he would love nothing more than to be part of it all. Not that he’d kill anyone unnecessarily. That would clearly be wrong. But if somebody put him or his family in danger, they were sealing their own fate.
Things were going to get real tonight.
He just wasn’t surehow.
Lives would change. Drastically.
Diego was eager to set everything right. No matter the cost.
ChapterTwenty-Three
Ariana balanced two trays of appetizers as she moved them from the kitchen to the living room. Nearly bumped into five different people on the way, but she managed to keep everything upright. She set them on the small tables spread around the room, speaking with people along the way.
